Practicalities

The otogar lies 4km south of the city centre on the main Trabzon road, but just about all the bus companies have ticket offices on the east side of Cumhuriyet Meydanı, from where service buses run to and from the otogar. The train station is halfway towards the centre; buses #2 and #10, as well as dolmuşes marked “Garaj”, link both with Cumhuriyet Meydanı, the town’s hub. The airport is 19km out of town on the coastal road to Trabzon and linked to the town centre by a service bus.

A number of well-priced, respectable hotels lie on, or just off, Cumhuriyet Meydanı. You’re advised to book ahead in July, when Samsun hosts an international trade fair lasting the whole month. The Otel Yafeya, Cumhuriyet Meydanı (t 0362/435 1131, w www.yafeyaotel.com; €81–110 (171–230TL)) is housed in an imposing building on the corner of the square and boasts large, comfortable rooms, bar and restaurant, and a spacious air-conditioned lobby. Around the corner at the junction of Cumhuriyet Meydanı and Kazimpaşa Caddesi is the shiny business option Otel Vidinli (t 0362/431 6050, w www.otelvidinli.com.tr; €58–80 (121–170TL)) with satellite TV, stylish rooms and a terrace-bar. Further along Kazimpaşa Caddesi – look out for the signs – is the super-friendly Otel Necmi Kale Mah 6, Bedesten Sokak (t 0362/432 7164, w www.otelnecmi.com.tr; €29–38 (61–80TL)).

Equidistant between the latter two hotels on Cumhuriyet Meydanı is the aptly named Samsun Balik Restaurant, where diners select their fish downstairs and have it brought to them in the refined upstairs dining room. Alcohol is available. Aside from the other kebap and pastane joints around town, Oskar Restaurant Şeyhhamza Sok 3, off Belediye Meydanı is recommended for its surroundings, service and food, offering mezes a variety of meat and fish dishes and sweets to follow.