Bafra, a district of Samsun province located in the Black Sea Region of our country, stands out as a place of great importance in terms of tourism. With its rich history, this district attracts many domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year for both vacation and sightseeing purposes. Located approximately 52 kilometers away from the city center of Samsun, there are multiple transportation options available to reach the district. You can either take a bus or a plane by purchasing a bus or plane ticket respectively. Travelers planning to come by private car can easily find their way using a navigation system.
There are plenty of places to visit in Bafra. The district is home to many natural beauty spots and historical structures.
For those planning a trip to Bafra, transportation is one of the most important issues to consider. Before offering recommendations on places to visit in the district, let's delve into detailed information about transportation options.
The first transportation option is undoubtedly traveling by private car. However, some visitors may not want to come by private car or may not have access to one. In such a case, the second option of traveling by intercity bus can be considered. Luckily, there is already a bus terminal in the district. You can research the bus companies offering services to Bafra Bus Terminal from your location and purchase a bus ticket from the one that suits you best.
Another transportation option, especially for those planning to come from distant cities, is air travel. There is no airport in the district. Therefore, you need to choose Samsun Çarşamba Airport as your arrival point. You can examine the airlines operating flights to this airport from your location and purchase a plane ticket. After reaching the airport, you can board the BAFAŞ shuttle services to go to Bafra district.
If you don't have much information about the places to visit in Bafra, you can easily create your travel itinerary by reading this article. When you arrive in Bafra, you can add places like Bafra Bird Paradise, Asarkale, Bafra Museum, Bafra Tobacco Museum, Tayyar Paşa Mosque, Ali Kale Touristic Facilities, and Sunken Minaret to your itinerary to collect unforgettable memories and have an enjoyable travel experience.
Bafra Bird Sanctuary
The first must-visit spot in terms of places to visit in Bafra is the Bafra Bird Paradise. It is located approximately 18 kilometers from the city center.
You can reach this bird paradise, which is a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts, by boarding public transportation vehicles departing from the district for a quick journey. In this place, where an atmosphere of paradise prevails, you can have the opportunity to observe many bird species. Located on the Kızılırmak Delta, the bird paradise is home to approximately 1100 species of birds. Additionally, there are two observation towers where you can observe birds. You can reach these towers by renting a bicycle or by walking.
You can spend a day immersed in the magnificent nature, surrounded by birds, and capture wonderful photographs.
Asarkale
Located on a large rock mass, Asarkale stands out as one of the historical landmarks of the district. You can come here by purchasing a bus ticket and learn more detailed information about the history of the district. With its remarkable structure, this castle offers the opportunity to encounter cisterns and remnants of an ancient prison within its walls. Additionally, there are three graves around this structure, which is one of the historical riches of the district. You can use the steps made of rocks to climb up to the top of the castle and admire the panoramic view of the district from the top.
Bafra Museum
Another notable structure that comes to mind when it comes to places to visit in Bafra is the Bafra Museum. Located in the western part of the town center, this museum was built in 1858.
Inside this museum, you can come across many significant ethnographic and archaeological artifacts. Housing more than 1500 historical artifacts, this museum consists of two floors in total. Upon ascending to the first floor, you will encounter areas depicting the life in the district such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Additionally, you can closely examine numerous ethnographic artifacts on this floor.
Upon ascending to the second floor, you will see various archaeological artifacts dating back from the Bronze Age to the recent times. This museum is open for visits every day of the week except for Mondays, and there is no entrance fee required for admission.
Bafra Tobacco Museum
Another tourist attraction that you can have the opportunity to see up close by purchasing a plane ticket to Bafra is the Bafra Tobacco Museum. Located in the town center, this museum has been in service since 2016. Tobacco farming holds great importance for the district's economy. Inside this museum, you can observe every stage of tobacco production up close. Additionally, you can come across artworks related to tobacco farming, operating machinery, and sculptures made of beeswax. You can visit this museum with your family any day of the week and learn more about the region's economy.
Tayyar Pasha Mosque
Located right next to the Bafra Municipality Building, Tayyar Paşa Mosque was built in 1869 by Tayyar Paşa, after whom the structure was named.
This historic mosque, with its single-domed minaret, reflects the traces of Ottoman architecture. Upon entering the mosque, you will be greeted by an interior dome bearing the marks of the Ottoman era. It's impossible not to be enchanted by the design of this dome. As you examine the walls of the mosque, you can see unique artistic designs and decorations, and you can easily lose yourself in history while exploring this rare structure. To see such historical beauties up close, you can purchase a plane ticket or a bus ticket to Bafra and arrange your transportation.
Ali Kale Touristic Facilities
The next stop on our list of places to visit in Bafra will be Ali Kale Touristic Facilities, which are operated by the Bafra Municipality. Located in the southern part of the town center, these facilities are particularly preferred by those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a peaceful day.
Within these facilities, there are many enjoyable activity options available. If you're looking for a picnic area in Bafra, you can visit the Çamlık Picnic Area located within the facilities and have a wonderful picnic with your family or friends.
Moreover, you can benefit from various services such as tea gardens, children's playgrounds, zoos, and outdoor swimming pools. But wait, there's more! If you're looking for accommodation, you can also visit the hotels within the facilities and choose the one that best fits your budget for a comfortable stay.
Sunken Minaret
Another point you shouldn't miss before concluding your visit or vacation in Bafra is the Sunken Minaret, located approximately 20 kilometers from the town center.
The structure known as the Sunken Minaret is actually the minaret of a mosque that was submerged when the Derbent Dam was built in the region in the past. This minaret has remained standing without any damage and has emerged as a remarkably striking sight. Due to this appearance, the minaret began to be called the Sunken Minaret and has now gained touristic value.
You can have the opportunity to see this structure up close, which is visited by many tourists, and participate in activities such as underwater diving and fishing around it. You can spend wonderful times in this area and take plenty of photos.
