Tokat

Tokat is in Central Karadeniz, in Turkey.

Understand
Tokat is an inland city in the north of Central Anatolia, Turkey.

Tokat is a historical city, having important historical buildings and monuments mostly from Seljuq, Ilkhanate and Ottoman eras. Today, Tokat is a mid-sized Anatolian city with a population of more than 130,000 people. Historic core of the city lies around the castle whereas new city extends along with the banks of Yeşilırmak.

Get in
"Veni, vidi, vici."

- Julius Caesar, after his quick victory at the Battle of Zela, held in 47 BC at present-day Zile, Tokat Province

By bus
There are several daily buses from Istanbul and Ankara. A bus ride from Istanbul takes more than 12 hrs while bus ride from Ankara takes 6 hrs.

By plane
Tokat has a small airport. Anadolu Jet offers scheduled flights from/to Istanbul and Ankara.

By car
Tokat is located at the junction point of roads connecting Blacksea region and Mid Anatolia such as D850 and D180.

Get around
As like many other Anatolian cities, Tokat also has a main avenue, GOP Caddesi, where most of stores, banks, restaurants etc are located. Public buses are available along the avaneu, costing 1.5 TL, however, as distances are short, walking is a better option.

See
In the south of the castle, Sulusokak is located where you can find many historical mosques, tombs and caravanserais. Most probably, Sulusokak is the oldest commercial and social hub of the city. In his early life, Transylvanian Prince Vlad III, better known as Vlad Țepeș/Vlad the Impaler and the main inspiration behind Bram Stroker's Count Dracula, was imprisoned by Ottomans in Tokat Castle which has been built on a rocky hill near Sulusokak. In the Cumhuriyet square, Ali Pasha Mosque and Bathhouse from 16th century are located. In "Meydan" district, Hatuniye Meydan Mosque and Taşhan hostelry are located. Clock Tower has been built in Behzat Square next to historical Behzat Mosque in 1901 to celebrate 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II's reign. Behzat Square was the administrative center of the city in 19th and early 20th centuries, hosting much of government buildings, Clock Tower, Mevlevihane and Yüksek Kahve (High Coffee House).

Eat
You can eat traditional Tokat Kebabı composed of meat and several vegetables in the spring and summer.



Sleep
Four-star Grand Ballıca Oteli offers comfortable stay in Tokat. Öğretmenevi is a more economic alternative.

Connect
The local telephone code is (+90) 356.

Go next
Around Tokat, there are historical cities such as Amasya and Sivas.