Where Unique Nature Meets Industrial Heritage The past, which contains the natural, cultural, social and historical elements that make up every city, and its accumulation contribute to the formation of the spaces, social environment and urban identity of that city. Architectural structures are one of the most important parameters that give the city an identity, keep it together with the past, and make a great contribution to the memory of the city. In this sense, industrial buildings constitute the most important building units other than residential areas. Zonguldak is one of the leading cities of the Western Black Sea Region, which has played an important role in the industrialization adventure of our country with its port and hard coal. In the past, Zonguldak, which has a more intense industrial identity compared to today, includes many industrial, cultural and social facilities such as factories, housing, schools.

Some of these structures were created by the private sector and some by the public. With the economic developments in recent years and the completion of the functions of some buildings, some of the production areas and factories have been closed. The buildings in question are valuable industrial heritage items that reflect a period and where Turkey's industrialization steps were taken. Providing the opportunity to visit the mines that are idle or that can be used for different purposes will be suitable for tourists who want to experience mining and provide a very important and unique tourism experience. In addition, various activities and different experiences can be offered in the mines to be opened to tourism.

In Zonguldak, the urban memory regarding coal, which is the reason for the existence of the city, and the industry that develops accordingly, is being lost day by day. Factories, mines and social facilities, which have serious effects on the physical and sociological formation, have been abandoned as they lose their functions. Significant strides have been made in recent years in order to strengthen the urban memory, preserve the architectural culture of the city and bring the industrial heritage to tourism. Values ​​belonging to the industrial heritage are located in various regions of the province in a way that is integrated with nature. It is important to be able to read the relationship established by the industrial heritage with the natural environment, in terms of bringing it to tourism. Tourists in search of different tourism have the opportunity to experience these structures bearing the traces of the past while exploring nature. The excursion routes connected with the buildings also allow the tree texture in the region and the landscape related to this texture to be monitored effectively. Diversity of Transportation and Accommodation Opportunities One of the basic components of tourism is transportation infrastructure and diversity.

Zonguldak is a city rich in transportation infrastructure and diversity. In addition, a wide range of different and qualified accommodation opportunities from five-star hotels to municipal certified enterprises are also available in Zonguldak. Zonguldak has multi-modal transportation facilities and transportation is mainly provided by road. There is an international airport in Zonguldak. There is also a railway line departing from Ankara and stopping at Çankırı, Karabük and Zonguldak respectively. Zonguldak is close to metropolises and densely populated areas of Turkey. When a circle with a radius of 350 kilometers is drawn from the center of Zonguldak, 40% of the population of Turkey lives in this area. Its distance to the Istanbul-Ankara highway is 110 km. It is 273 km from Ankara, 336 km from Istanbul and 695 km from Izmir by road. The railway network length is 136 km as a single line within the provincial borders. The line is used for both passenger and freight transportation. Passenger transportation is carried out intensively between Zongudak and Karabük. Transportation to Zonguldak station is provided by taxi, minibus or municipal buses, and the distance from the station to the city center is approximately 1 km. There are four ports in Zonguldak and the sea is mainly used for freight transportation. However, there is a significant amount of people coming and going by sea for foreign trade. The only airport in the Western Black Sea Region is Zonguldak Airport in Çaycuma district of Zonguldak. The airport, which was built as a military airport during the second world war, was carried out in 1999 for new buildings and landscaping. Zonguldak Airport with a capacity of 500 thousand passengers / year is 5 km from Filyos Port, 55 km from Zonguldak city center, 35 km from Bartın and 86 km from Karabük. Zonguldak Airport has an international character, and there are direct flights to Münster, Düsseldorf and Cologne in Germany, where expatriates are densely populated, and to Istanbul Airport on domestic flights.

Considering the new investments made in Filyos Valley, it is thought that additional trips will be organized to other countries and cities in time in accordance with the profile of the residents and visitors in the region. Thus, it is expected that access to the region will become easier and the region will become more attractive for tourists. Accommodation In Zonguldak, which is rich in diversity; In addition to one 5-star, two 4-star hotels, there are also three, two and one-star hotels, municipal licensed accommodation facilities, hostels, guesthouses and camping areas. According to the 2020 data of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the number of facilities with municipality certification, tourism operation certificate and investment certificate in Zonguldak province is 43. The total number of rooms in these facilities is 1,600 and the total number of beds is 3,206. Natural Beauties and Unique Experiences Zonguldak is a very rich city in terms of natural resources and beauty. Coves, beaches, caves, each of which is a natural wonder, vegetation that can remain green for four seasons, and forest recreation areas along the Black Sea coast are natural resources that can host various types of tourism. In the coastal area, there are 80 km of strip stretching from Sazköy in the east to Kocamanköy in the west, and many natural beaches and sandy beaches.

In Zonguldak geography, which consists of a mountainous and forested area, the altitudes do not exceed 2000 meters. These mountainous areas, which can remain green in all seasons, including small streams and villages, offer different experiences in nature. While plateaus such as Bölüklü, Legged and Gümeli offer options for highland culture and outdoor experiences, Dirgine Stream in Dirgine Valley offers rafting with its water regimes. Another natural resource that offers a different experience in Zonguldak is the caves. In these caves, there are uniquely beautiful geological formations such as stalagmites, stalactites and travertines, as well as waters such as streams or lakes. Today, it is used for scientific research, sports and touristic trips. Gökgöl Cave in the central district and Cehennemağzı Caves in Ereğli are the caves of the province that are open to visitors. Covering more than half of the province, the green texture consists of needle and broad-leaved trees and a wide variety of sub-forest vegetation. These areas, which are used as social recreation areas by the public and visitors, contain potential richness that can respond to activities such as hiking, photography, bicycle tours, plant inspection, hunting and wildlife observation.

There are 8 plane trees planted in Ereğli with the decree of Fatih Sultan Mehmet after the conquest of Istanbul. Plane trees known as Fetih Plane; It has been registered as a monumental tree by the Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage and has preserved its glory for centuries. The oldest tree of Turkey, the yew tree, which is one of the 5 oldest trees in the world, is located in Gümeli Town of Zonguldak Alaplı. The yew tree found in the Gümeli Natural Monument was discovered in 2016 and was determined to be 4112 years old when it was discovered. After its discovery, it was determined and registered as the oldest known Yew tree in the world.