According to legend, Sinope was founded by the Amazons, who named it after their queen, Sinova. The city’s ancient inhabitants ascribed its foundation to Autolycus, a companion of Hercules. Destroyed by the wandering Cimmerians, it was re-founded tow

ard the end of the 7th century BC by a Greek colony from the city of Miletus. The city is also the birthplace of the cynic philosopher Diogenes.

Sinop ultimately became the most flourishing Greek settlement on the Black Sea. As a terminus of the trade routes from Upper Mesopotamia, it commanded much of the maritime trade of the Pontic region and by the 5th century BC it had established many colonies on the coast and enjoyed naval suprema cy in the Black Sea. In 183 BC it was captured by Pharnaces I and became the capital of the kingdom of Pontus. When Lucullus conquered Sinope for Rome in 70 BC, the city was nearly destroyed by fire. In 47 BC Julius Caesar established a Roman colony there, named Colonia Julia Felix.

It remained with the Eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantium). It was a part of the Empire of Trebizond from the sacking of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204 until the capture of the city by the Seljuq Turks in 1214. After 1261, Sinop became home to two successive independent emirates following the fall of the Seljuqs: the Pervâne and the Candaroğlu. The Ottomans captured the city in 1458.

In November 1853, shortly after the outbreak of the Crimean War, the Russian navy dramatically attacked Sinop, destroying the Ottoman fleet and reducing large parts of the city to ashes. This attack leaded Britain and France to declare war on Russia.

Sinop’s extant monuments include a ruined ancient citadel rebuilt during Byzantine and Seljuk periods, some isolated columns and inscribed stones built into the old walls and dating from the early Greek and Roman periods, and the Alâeddin Camii (Mosque), built in 1214. A 13th-century Alâiye religious school now houses the local museum. The town’s citadel dates from that early age and the foundations of the Temple of Serapis is to be found on the grounds of the Archaeological Museum where some beautiful golden icons are displayed. The 13^th century Alâeddin Mosque, the Alaiye Madrasah, and the Balatlar Church are of interest in the city.

The hinterland around Sinop is drained by the Gök River and is mountainous and partly forested. Agriculture employs most of the labor force. Corn, flax, and tobacco are grown in the valleys and on the fertile coastal strip.

Traditional nautical woodcarvings, good crystal and the original cotton clothes of the city are praiseworthy and unique, so you will want to have examples of these artifacts. The seaside hotels and holiday villages are really nice to sit in a fish restaurant by the harbor and watch the perfect combination of green and light blue while sipping your wine. Hamsilos Fjord, 11 km from the city center is the only fjord in the country.

Gerze, situated on a peninsula, 40 km southeast of Sinop, will provide you with fine beaches, meadows, restaurants and parks, while Camgolu provides camping facilities in a large forest sloping to the sea. At Boyabat, the largest town of the province, there are many rock tombs and a citadel.

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Balatlar Church: This building, believed to have been used as a theater or bath in Roman times, was transformed into a church by the Byzantine Empire. In 2000, the church was nationalized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and was opened to visitors.

Alaaddin Mosque: It was built right after Sinop was conquered, during the rule of the Seljuks. In the middle of its courtyard, there is a fountain, while there are tombs from the Isfendiyarogullari Beylik on another corner.

Pasha Bastion: It was built during the Ottoman-Russian wars on the southeastern part of the Sinop Peninsula for purposes of protection from the attacks coming from the sea, in the 19th century. The bastion, shaped like a crescent, is made of 11 cannon seats, an arsenal, and  a cellar. Today, it is a touristic establishment with restaurants.

Old Sinop Prison – Old Sinop Shipyard: The area where the prison is located used to be the biggest shipyard in the Black Sea during Ottoman rule. The prison, which was built on the old shipyard in the inner chamber of the fortress, was started to be used as a prison in 1887. Today, the prison is used as a museum.

Martyrdom: The Martyrdom located on the grounds of the Sinop Museum was made for the sailors who were killed in the 1853 Ottoman-Russian war.

Camp Grounds: Within the natural surroundings of Sinop, there are numerous camp grounds. Among those are Özel İdare Karakum Holiday Village, Gazi Forest Camp Ground, Yuvam Tesisleri , Güney Kamping , Martı Kamping  in the Akliman district, and  Demirkollar Kamping

Akliman District: Akliman, 9 kilometers west from downtown Sinop, is famous with its wide and long beaches. Picnic areas where the forest and the sea are intertwined are among the most important meeting spots of the city.

Hamsilos Bay: Hamsilos,11 kilometers away from downtown, was declared as a First Degree Protected Natural Area by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. An untouched natural area where the sea and the forest are meshed together…

Mobil and Korucuk Village Localities: It is the area that is frequented the most by tourists with its peaceful sea and spotless beaches.

Akgöl: Located in the district of Ayancık, Akgöl is an area of plateau tourism. The artificial pond and its surroundings are used as picnic and promenade areas.

İnaltı Cave: Stairs for visitors are available in the cave, which is located in Ayancık.

Erfelek Waterfalls: These untouched waterfalls, 42 kilometers away from downtown Sinop, are located near Tatlıca village, located in the district of Erfelek. 28 waterfalls, varying in size, located a two kilometer long valley create a paradise-like atmosphere.