Safranbolu: An Ottoman town where time flows slowly

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 #Turkey After a few days of traveling in Türkiye’s big cities, I came to a small town with a slow pace and full of ancient flavor - Safranbolu. This place is not as popular as Istanbul or Pamukkale, but because there are fewer tourists, it has a more peaceful and nostalgic feel. Safranbolu is a World Cultural Heritage recognized by the United Nations. The whole town is like an open-air museum. Walking in is like traveling back to the Ottoman era. The most distinctive features are the traditional old wooden houses with white walls, dark wooden frames and protruding second-floor windowsills. They look very neatly lined up in rows, like a town in a fairy tale. Some old houses have been converted into homestays, restaurants or small shops. You can enjoy the ancient buildings while drinking Turkish black tea, which is very comfortable. Walking on the cobblestone road, you will pass by the traditional market, where Turkish specialties such as saffron (the city was named because it was once a saffron trade center), handmade soap, copperware and honey are sold. There is also a surprising highlight here: 🐈There are so many cats, and they are super friendly! They will rub against your feet generously, and some will even jump onto chairs to drink tea with you. They are not afraid of strangers at all. When taking photos, she would quietly enter the frame and accidentally become a little model. For cat lovers, this is heaven. There is also a small clock tower and several ancient mosques in the town. Walking up the hillside, you can reach an observation deck from which you can overlook the rooftops of the entire Safranbolu City. The red-tiled roofs sparkle in the sun, and it really looks like a painting. ⸻ Tips: 1. There are many slopes and cobblestone roads in the town, so it is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes. 2. If you want to experience the most authentic feeling, you can stay in a local traditional homestay for a night. Many houses have a history of more than 100 years.