Three stops on the Atakum coast: a 10-kilometre path, two Blue Flag beaches
One of Samsun's liveliest recreation areas, Atakum Beach stretches west of the city centre along about 10 kilometres of walking and cycling paths. Along the strip, İnci Beach and Çatalçam Beach stand out as two favourite stops for swimming during the summer season.
The coastal strip that runs along the Black Sea through Samsun's Atakum district is one of the city's busiest summer routes. With separate paths for walkers, cyclists and runners, plus its cafés and beaches, the strip offers three stops for anyone planning a day out.
A 10-kilometre walking and cycling strip
Atakum Beach is a coastal road running along the Black Sea through Samsun's Atakum district, about 10 kilometres long. One of the city's liveliest recreation areas, the strip has separate paths laid out for walkers, cyclists and runners. Cafés, restaurants and seating areas lining the shore offer pleasant spots for those who want to spend time watching the sea, and the strip is a favourite spot for sunset views in the late afternoon.
Easy access to the sea from different points along the strip makes the area practical not just for walking but for a quick beach break as well.
The Blue Flag İnci Beach
İnci Beach, formerly known as Matasyon, sits on Adnan Menderes Boulevard in Atakum's Mimarsinan neighbourhood, about 8 kilometres from the city centre. Around 470 metres long, the beach has been awarded the Blue Flag by the Turkish Environmental Education Foundation (TÜRÇEV), and entry is free. The beach has changing cabins, toilets and showers, along with accessibility features such as a ramp and toilet for visitors with disabilities.
A quieter alternative: Çatalçam Beach
Located on the Samsun-Bafra highway at the western end of Atakum, Çatalçam Beach is a public beach about 350 metres long and 18 to 50 metres wide. The absence of heavy development in the area has helped keep the beach's water relatively clean. In 2015, the beach earned the Blue Flag for its cleanliness and environmental standards and was, for a period, counted among Samsun's Blue Flag beaches. It has free changing cabins, showers and toilet facilities, along with a walking and cycling path and shaded picnic areas along the shore.
The cycling and walking paths along the strip also make it easy to reach the beaches, letting visitors combine exercise and a swim on the same route.
Reached from the city centre by following the Atakum coastal line, these three stops are popular with both Samsun locals and visitors during the summer months. The coastal strip suits a long walk, Çatalçam suits a quieter beach break, and İnci Beach stands out as a well-equipped, accessible option.