Takes Visitors on a Fascinating Journey

Gökgöl Cave, which attracts attention with its galleries, stalactites, stalagmites, columns and travertines in Zonguldak, and has also been the subject of scientific studies with its coral fossils dating back millions of years and the recently discovered crustacean species, offers its visitors a different experience.

The cave, which has also made its name known as the place where the yangıç ​​(crustacean class creatures) species called "gammarus tumaf" was discovered in a study conducted by Turkish scientists, has information boards about caves in Turkey and abroad at its entrance.

Following the structure that does not interrupt visitors' contact with the environment along the axis leading to the cave, the 875-meter section of the cave open to tourism can be visited.

The cave, which hosts thousands of local and foreign tourists every year, attracts attention with its walking track, glass bridges and viewing terrace, as well as its clean air and microclimate.

Gökgöl Cave hosted 60,506 visitors in 2024, reaching the highest number of visitors since it was opened in 2001.

- "Tour companies have started to direct their routes to Zonguldak"

Provincial Special Administration Culture and Social Affairs Director Ferhan Bostancı told AA correspondent that they call Gökgöl Cave a "living cave" due to the ongoing formations inside.

Bostancı noted that the cave, which was first discovered in 1976, was opened to tourism in 2001 with the budget of the Provincial Special Administration.

Bostancı, who stated that the cave was restored in 2016, said, "The walking paths were renewed. We provided wooden stairs, walking paths, and bridges over the underground stream inside the cave on the 875-meter track. It is a disabled-friendly cave. With the restoration, we transformed the cave so that everyone from seven to seventy can visit at any time of the year. In 2021, we built a visitor center in front of the cave. We added promotional and souvenir units and a cafeteria here." Bostancı stated that there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors to the cave after 2021 and continued as follows:

"Our target for 2024 was 75 thousand visitors, but two floods occurred in the city. The underground stream passing through the cave overflowed and was flooded. Our cave remained closed for about 2 months, but we have broken a record since the cave was opened in 2001. Our number of visitors last year reached 60 thousand. Our target for 2025 is 100 thousand visitors. Gökgöl Cave has a very important place in terms of the city's tourism. The cave is very rich in stalactites, stalagmites, dripstones and coral fossils."

Pointing out that Safranbolu and Amasra in the Western Black Sea region are regions that attract a lot of tourists, Bostancı said, "Tour tours generally directed their visitors to that direction. As a result of our meetings, tour companies from many provinces of Turkey started to direct their routes to Zonguldak. Gökgöl Cave is at the entrance of the city, visitors can visit the cave and return."