Safranbolu has preserved much of its historic atmosphere and visitors can enjoy walking along cobbled streets and visiting the beautiful old houses. Some of the houses have been turned into museums; Kaymakamlar Museum House is one of the most interesting but there are many others.Some of the museum houses have lovely tea gardens where you can relax after youyr visit.

You can also shop in the old bazaar and watch coppersmiths, shoemakers and pack saddele-makers carry out theirtradational crafts.

One of Safranbolu's most important buldings is the Cinci Han, a caravanserai dating back to 1645 which has a pool in its courtyard. It is now a hotel an restaurant. Nearby is the Cinci Hamam which is still open for male and female bathers.

There are also 25 mosques of historic interest but the most famous are the Koprulu Mosque with its sundial clock Izzet Mehmet Pasa Mosque and Ulu Mosque. Notice the bird houses in these old mosques which are a symbol of love and compassion.

But there is still more to see. Don't miss the castle and its surroundings; the Old Goverment Building; nad the 200-year-old Clock Tower that is still working.

Safran ( Saffron) : Saffron,which gave the town its name,is still grown in the area.The crous-like flowers bloom and are harvested over 15 days in the autumn.Saffron must be picked at night when the petails are open.Each flower has only 3 fibres and yıu need 150 fibres to make just one gram of precious saffron.

The natural beauty of the Safranbolu area offers visitors many opportunities to trek,mountain-climb and cycle.There are also many wonderful settings for picnics.

Yoruk Village; 11 kms east of Safranbolu is charming Yoruk Village. It became very prosperous in Ottoman times from breadmaking and the beautifully preserved houses reflect this prosperity. There are also a couple of relaxing cafes set in shady gardens where you can soak up the atmosphre over a piping-hot gozleme.

Incekaya Aqueduct; 7 kms outside Safranbolu is a dramatic Byzantine aqueduct which was restored in ottoman times to carry water to the town of Safranbolu.

Bulak Mencilis Cave; This 6,5 km-long cave located in Bulak village is the 4th largest cave in Turkey. With its stalagmites,stalactites,small lakes and underground river it is very beautiful and well worth seeing.

Canyons; There are several dramatic canyons around Safranbolu, mostly formed by erosion of the local limestone.The most importand of the canyons is steep-sided Ince Kaya.You can trek through parts of it.

Trekking; The Safranbolub area is very mountainous and offers great possibilities for trekking.The major trekking areas are on the Sorkun,Ulu,Saricicek,Boduroglu and Avdan Plateaus and through the Tokatli and Duzce canyons.

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