- Turkey's historic coal-mining centre, built on steep hills above the sea
- Gökgöl Cave is a show cave just outside the city
- Ereğli has the Cehennemağzı caves linked to the Heracles legend
- Combine with Amasra in neighbouring Bartın
- Airports
- Zonguldak Çaycuma (ONQ) for domestic flights, or Istanbul (IST/SAW) about 4 hours by road
- Best time to go
- June-September
- Type
- Province
Zonguldak is the province where Turkey's industrial story began. Coal was found here in the 19th century, and the city still climbs up steep green hills above a busy harbour, with mine shafts and pitheads scattered through the valleys. It is not a holiday province in the usual sense, but it makes an interesting stop on a drive along the western Black Sea coast between Istanbul and Amasra.
The province also takes in Karadeniz Ereğli, an ancient port once known as Heraclea Pontica, and the quieter coast at Filyos. It sits in the Black Sea region; for wider planning see our Turkey guide.
Things to do
- Gökgöl Cave – a show cave a short drive from the city centre, with lit walkways past stalactites and stalagmites.
- Cehennemağzı caves, Ereğli – a set of caves on the edge of Ereğli that ancient writers linked to Heracles and the entrance to the underworld; one later held a small Christian chapel.
- Karadeniz Ereğli – a working port town with a seafront promenade, the remains of its old castle and a long history as Heraclea Pontica. The town is also known for its small, fragrant "Ottoman strawberries" in late spring.
- Filyos and ancient Tios – archaeologists have been excavating the Greek and Roman city of Tios beside the Filyos river mouth, next to a long sandy beach.
- Zonguldak seafront and Kapuz beach – the city's own small beach and coastal road give good views back over the harbour.
- Mining heritage – look out for monuments to miners around the city; Zonguldak's identity is bound up with the coalfield and its workers.
- Devrek – an inland town known across Turkey for its carved wooden walking canes.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Zonguldak city | Practical business hotels, sea views and easy access to Gökgöl Cave |
| Karadeniz Ereğli | Seafront hotels, more of a town atmosphere and the Cehennemağzı caves |
| Amasra (Bartın) | Prettier option for a coastal break, about 1.5 hours east by road |
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK. The simplest route is to fly to Istanbul and drive east, which takes roughly four hours to Zonguldak depending on traffic. Zonguldak Çaycuma Airport (ONQ) has limited domestic flights, usually from Istanbul, so it is worth checking schedules. Coaches run from Istanbul and Ankara. Ankara is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours away by road.
Best time to visit
June to September brings the warmest weather and the best beach days at Filyos and Ereğli. Spring is green and fresh, and late May and June is strawberry season in Ereğli. Winters are mild but wet and grey, as everywhere on this coast.
Zonguldak works best as an overnight stop on a coastal road trip; pair it with Amasra and Safranbolu for a varied few days.
Top attractions in Zonguldak
Zonguldak on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Zonguldak worth visiting?
It is not a resort, but it is a real Black Sea city with a strong mining identity, a good show cave and the historic port of Ereğli nearby. It suits travellers driving the coast rather than beach-holiday makers.
How far is Zonguldak from Amasra?
Roughly 1.5 hours by road, heading east along the coast through Bartın province.
Can you swim in Zonguldak?
Yes, in summer, at beaches such as Filyos and around Ereğli. The Black Sea can be rough, so swim where others do and watch for warning flags.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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