Tokat Highlights: One Day Walking Sightseeing

We spent one night in Tokat sightseeing. The sights in Tokat are concentrated and easy to get around on foot.

Here are some of the sights and attractions we visited on our city walk in Tokat.

About Tokat

Tokat is the capital of Tokat Province in northern Turkey, with a population of approximately 160,000 (2022). Its history dates back to the Hittite period.

There are many tourist attractions, such as Tokat Castle, an Ottoman fortress, and a mosque built more than 1,000 years ago, but as they are concentrated in the centre of the city, it is possible to see them all in a short time.

If you hurry around, you can visit the city in half a day, so you don’t need to stay overnight. However, the town view with the houses on the rocky slopes below Tokat Castle is attractive enough to make you want to stay in the town.

As in other areas of Turkey, the people are very friendly and willing to talk to you. Traditional teahouses (Çay Evi) are also everywhere. This is a city you should definitely stay in if you have the time.

Ali Paşa Mosque (Ali Paşa Cami)

Built in 1572 during the Ottoman reign of Sultan Selim II. It has a single dome and minaret, and the Ali Paşa Mausoleum is located on the site.

Many people sat and chatted on the grounds. Tea houses were dotted around the area and were crowded with many Turkish men, especially in the cooler evening hours.

Ali Paşa Türbesi (Ali Paşa Mausoleum)

Located in the courtyard of the Ali Paşa Mosque. Ali Paşa, his wife and son are buried here. The coffins are beautifully decorated.

Ali Paşa Public Baths (Ali Paşa Hamam)

Built in 1572, this public bathhouse is located to the east of Ali Paşa Mosque and was renovated in 1886 before coming into use. It is characterised by its roof made up of many domes and a brick chimney.

Tokat Castle

Ancient fortress with 28 towers built on top of a rocky hill overlooking the town. It can be seen from anywhere in Tokat. The oldest known remains of the castle date back to the 5th century, although the first inhabitants are unknown; it was under Byzantine control until 1074, after which it was renovated during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.

Tokat Museum

Located on the main street where many tourist attractions are concentrated. A fountain has been installed on the pavement, making the gently sloping street look glamorous.

The museum building is the remains of a marketplace built during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet I (reigned 1413 – 1421). The museum houses clay tablets from the Hittite period, Hellenistic swords and Roman bronze sculptures, as well as coins from the Seljuk period.

Takyeciler Mosque (Takyeciler Cami)

As the minaret can be seen from the museum area, it is easy to spot. The main brick building has white walls and a wooden area adjacent to it. The builder and date of the mosque are unknown, but the architectural style suggests that it was built in the 15th century; it has undergone several renovations since the 19th century.

Hisar Madrasah (Hisariye Medresesi)

Located next to the Takyeciler mosque, and attracting attention because of its ready-to-collapse appearance, this madrasa was built in 1411 and remains to this day in a dilapidated state. The inscription and relief decoration on the gate of the madrasa were removed and taken to the Tokat Museum in 1953.

Tokat Clock Tower (Tokat Saat Kulesi)

The Tokat Clock Tower was built in 1902 as a three-storey building, which was extended in 1915 to a height of 33 metres. It is maintained by a full-time clockmaker and continues to tell the time for the public to this day.

It is also beautiful when lit up at night in orange and white.

TOKAT Taşhan

Built in the 17th century during the Ottoman Empire. It is a two-storey building with a courtyard made of hewn stone and brick. Today, the courtyard houses a café and each room is used as a handicraft shop or workshop.

Latifoğlu Mansion

It might be a little difficult to find due to the surrounding trees, but the location is marked on Google Maps. According to Fakhri Latifoğlu, one of the owners of the mansion, it was built in 1746; it was purchased by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1985 and has been open to the public as a museum since 1989.

Garipler Mosque (Garipler Camii)

Built between 1080 and 1090 and restored in 2008, it is said to have adopted the same design style as the Degaron Mosque near Bukhara, built in 1040.

Sümbül Baba Mausoleum (Sümbül Baba Zaviyesi)

Built in 1292 and restored in 2004, the mausoleum is standing beside a busy main road. The ornate grey marble eastern gate has an asymmetrical design, an unusual structure for Seljuk architecture.

Paşa Public Baths (Paşa Hamamı)

This public baths, located at the junction of narrow slopes, was built in 1434 by the vizier Paşa during the reign of Sultan Murat II of the Ottoman Empire.

The market opposite Tokat Taşkan

There are several markets in Tokat. Tokat Taşkan mainly sells souvenirs for tourists, but there is a market across the road where locals congregate. Apart from food, there are also shops for clothing and household goods, as well as Çay Evi, a teahouse where Turks socialise.

The image above was taken when we bought dried chickpeas at the market’s nut shop.

Accommodation in Tokat

In Tokat we stayed at the Plevne Hotel. It is located on the main road, right in the middle of the tourist area. The asking price for a double room was 1,000 TL, but we got a discount to 900 TL with breakfast included. For a detailed review, see Google Maps.

Dining in Tokat

Tokat has a number of restaurants and teahouses. We had dinner at Hacivat Köftecisi, a little south of the town centre. It had an impressive, stylish exterior and the food was tasty and reasonably priced. A detailed review can be found on Google Maps.