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Black Sea Region
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Explore Türkiye’s Black Sea Region for misty mountains, tea terraces, Ottoman towns, coastal food and monasteries above deep Pontic valleys.

Türkiye’s Black Sea Region stretches along the country’s northern shore, from the forested western uplands near the Bosphorus to the steep valleys and tea terraces of the Georgian frontier. It is not a single administrative unit but a broad geographical and cultural zone, with markedly different landscapes from west to east. The coast is often narrow, while the Pontic Mountains rise quickly inland, creating dramatic gorges, high plateaux, waterfalls and isolated rural settlements. Rainfall is frequent, particularly in the east, and the resulting vegetation gives the region a greener character than much of inland Türkiye.
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The western section combines wooded hills, beaches, port towns and historic settlements. Safranbolu, in Karabük Province, preserves Ottoman timber houses and caravan-town architecture, while the forests around Bolu and the coast near Bartın offer walking, lakes and a slower rural rhythm. Kastamonu’s traditional buildings and mountain districts lead towards Sinop, a historic harbour on a peninsula with a long maritime past. Inland, Çorum and Amasya connect the coastal zone with ancient Anatolian civilisations and the valleys of the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak rivers.
Central Black Sea cities such as Samsun and Ordu provide useful bases for exploring the coast, while Tokat and Amasya reveal a more agricultural and historic interior. Farther east, the shore becomes more densely settled and the mountains loom closer. Trabzon is the region’s principal cultural and transport centre, with Byzantine and Ottoman legacies, layered urban neighbourhoods and access to the celebrated Sumela Monastery. Rize is associated with tea cultivation, whose vivid terraces cover slopes above the coast, while Artvin Province is known for deeply cut valleys, highland villages and demanding mountain scenery.
Food reflects both the coast and the humid uplands. Anchovies, corn, cabbage, hazelnuts, tea, dairy products and locally distinctive breads appear in regional cooking, alongside dishes such as hamsi preparations, mıhlama or kuymak, and Black Sea-style pide. Fishing ports, village markets, family restaurants and tea gardens are generally more important to everyday dining than formal culinary districts. The region’s cultural life is equally varied, encompassing wooden architecture, traditional music and dance, religious monuments, craft traditions and a strong connection between villages and seasonal highland pastures.
Travel rewards patience and careful planning. Main coastal roads connect the larger towns, but journeys inland can be slow because valleys are steep and roads often follow winding terrain. Some of the most rewarding places, including yaylas, or summer highland settlements, are reached by mountain roads with limited public transport. A visit can combine historic towns, Black Sea beaches, forest walks, archaeological sites and tea-growing landscapes, but the region is best understood as a succession of contrasting districts rather than as a single compact itinerary.

When is the best time to visit Black Sea Region?

Best: May–June, September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1260
February1255
March1560
April1965
May (best)2470
June (best)2880
July3085
August3080
September (best)2675
October2170
November1565
December1360

Getting to and around Black Sea Region

How to get there

The region is served by several airports, including Samsun-Çarşamba, Ordu-Giresun, Trabzon, Rize-Artvin, Sinop, Kastamonu and Zonguldak airports, although routes and seasonal services change. Travellers can also fly to Istanbul or Ankara and continue by a domestic connection, bus or hire car. Long-distance coaches link the principal coastal cities with Istanbul, Ankara and other Turkish centres. The coastal road is the main overland approach, while rail access is more limited than road and air travel; Samsun is the most useful rail gateway for journeys involving the national network.

Transportation

Large coastal towns are connected by buses and intercity coaches, and local minibuses, known as dolmuş, serve many surrounding districts. A hire car is useful for reaching mountain valleys, forest lakes, yaylas and dispersed historic sites, but driving requires patience on winding roads, in heavy rain and on steep minor routes. Coastal cities can be explored by local public transport, while rural services may be infrequent and oriented around residents’ needs rather than sightseeing. Walking is rewarding in historic centres and highland areas, but remote trails should be approached with suitable footwear, maps and weather awareness.

Top city travel guides in Black Sea Region

The cities of Black Sea Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Black Sea Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Black Sea Region

The Black Sea Region’s attractions are defined by contrasts between the coast, river valleys, forested mountains and inland historic towns. Safranbolu’s preserved Ottoman houses provide one of the country’s clearest examples of traditional urban architecture, while Amasya combines riverside Ottoman residences, rock-cut royal tombs and a long Anatolian history. Hattusa and Yazılıkaya near Boğazkale offer an important archaeological perspective on the Hittite world, and Sinop adds harbour history, fortifications and a peninsula setting. In the east, Trabzon is the chief base for visiting Sumela Monastery, dramatically positioned in a wooded mountain gorge, while Rize and Artvin open routes towards tea terraces, waterfalls, highland settlements and more demanding mountain landscapes. Beaches and promenades occur along the coast, although the region is not primarily a resort destination. Forest parks, lakes, canyon walks and scenic roads provide outdoor opportunities, but access and weather vary considerably. Museums, mosques, churches, traditional houses, local markets and tea gardens complete an attraction landscape that rewards moving between several bases rather than concentrating on one city.

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Best landmarks in Black Sea Region

The region’s most recognisable landmarks range from ancient capitals to mountain monasteries and Ottoman streetscapes. Hattusa’s Lion Gate, Royal Gate and massive defensive walls near Boğazkale represent the power of the Hittite state, while the nearby Yazılıkaya sanctuary preserves processional rock reliefs. In Amasya, the Pontic kings’ rock-cut tombs rise above the Yeşilırmak valley, creating a distinctive meeting of archaeology and cityscape. Safranbolu’s timber-framed houses, narrow lanes and mosques form an unusually coherent Ottoman townscape. Sumela Monastery, set high in a cliffside valley near Maçka in Trabzon Province, is one of the eastern Black Sea’s defining architectural images, combining a dramatic setting with centuries of monastic history. The Sinop peninsula and its historic harbour express the region’s maritime geography, while Rize’s steep tea-covered slopes and Artvin’s deeply incised valleys are natural landmarks shaped by agriculture and mountain geology. These places are significant not only as photographic viewpoints but as evidence of the region’s overlapping civilisations and working landscapes.

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Explore Black Sea Region on the map

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Best restaurants in Black Sea Region

Dining in the Black Sea Region is closely tied to its humid coast, productive valleys and mountain households. Cornmeal, cabbage, beans, dairy, pickled vegetables, anchovies and hazelnuts recur in local cooking, while regional specialities include hamsi dishes, mıhlama or kuymak, corn breads, pide styles and hearty vegetable preparations. The eastern coast is particularly associated with tea, served throughout the day in cafés and gardens, while hazelnuts are prominent around Ordu and Giresun. Samsun, Trabzon and other larger towns offer the broadest choice of restaurants, bakeries and modern cafés; smaller towns are better known for lokantas, grills, village breakfasts and family-run establishments. Fish restaurants are most closely connected with the coastal ports, although menus depend on season and supply. Inland areas often emphasise meat, grains, dairy and produce from nearby farms. Markets and roadside stalls are useful for fruit, nuts, bread and regional preserves, but travellers should distinguish genuinely local products from packaged souvenirs aimed at visitors.

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Best bars in Black Sea Region

Evening life varies sharply across the region. In Samsun, Trabzon and other larger coastal cities, visitors will find cafés, tea gardens, restaurants, hotel bars and a modest selection of contemporary bars and live-music venues. University populations contribute to a younger evening scene in some urban districts, although it remains smaller than in Istanbul or Ankara. In towns such as Sinop, Amasya and Safranbolu, evenings generally centre on cafés, traditional restaurants, riverside or harbour walks and historic inns rather than large nightclubs. Rural areas and highland settlements are quieter, with social life often organised around family gatherings, tea and local restaurants. Alcohol is available in licensed venues, but it is not central to every setting; visitors should follow local norms, especially in conservative districts and village communities. Opening arrangements and seasonal activity can change, so local enquiries are more reliable than assuming a nightlife district operates throughout the year.

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Best nightclubs in Black Sea Region

Evening life varies sharply across the region. In Samsun, Trabzon and other larger coastal cities, visitors will find cafés, tea gardens, restaurants, hotel bars and a modest selection of contemporary bars and live-music venues. University populations contribute to a younger evening scene in some urban districts, although it remains smaller than in Istanbul or Ankara. In towns such as Sinop, Amasya and Safranbolu, evenings generally centre on cafés, traditional restaurants, riverside or harbour walks and historic inns rather than large nightclubs. Rural areas and highland settlements are quieter, with social life often organised around family gatherings, tea and local restaurants. Alcohol is available in licensed venues, but it is not central to every setting; visitors should follow local norms, especially in conservative districts and village communities. Opening arrangements and seasonal activity can change, so local enquiries are more reliable than assuming a nightlife district operates throughout the year.

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Best shops in Black Sea Region

Shopping is more regional and market-oriented than centred on major luxury districts. Historic towns such as Safranbolu are known for restored streets containing craft shops, traditional foods, soaps, confectionery and small-scale souvenirs, while Amasya’s central areas offer local produce and gifts associated with the inland valleys. Across the coast, look for hazelnuts and hazelnut products from Ordu and Giresun, tea from Rize, honey, dried fruit, preserves, wooden objects and regional textiles. Covered markets and weekly bazaars are useful places to buy bread, cheese, seasonal fruit, spices and household goods, though market days differ by town. Trabzon and Samsun provide the broadest selection of contemporary retail, department stores and branded shopping, while smaller centres focus on independent shops and practical goods. In rural districts, buy directly from reputable producers where possible and check packaging and transport conditions for food. Handicrafts vary by locality, so ask about provenance rather than assuming every item sold in a tourist area was made nearby.

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Black Sea Region essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Turkish lira, abbreviated TRY or written as TL. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, transport offices and urban shops, though smaller cafés, village businesses, market stalls and rural transport may require cash. ATMs are common in towns but less dependable in remote upland districts, so carrying a modest amount of lira is sensible. Foreign-currency cash may be accepted in some tourist-facing businesses, but the exchange rate and acceptance are not guaranteed.
Safety
Normal urban precautions apply in the region’s cities and busy transport areas. The main additional concerns are environmental: wet roads, fog, landslides after heavy rain, slippery paths, fast-changing mountain weather and strong surf or currents along some beaches. Check local conditions before travelling into highlands, avoid walking close to unstable slopes and do not underestimate distances on winding roads. Use marked paths where available, keep valuables secure in crowded places and take extra care when driving after dark or in poor visibility.
Emergency Situations
In Türkiye, call 112 for the unified emergency service, which coordinates police, fire and ambulance assistance. Give the location as precisely as possible, noting the nearest town, road, landmark or GPS position; this is particularly important in forested valleys and highland districts. For serious incidents at sea or on the coast, emergency services can coordinate coastguard assistance, while mountain incidents should be reported through 112. Travel insurance covering outdoor activities and medical treatment is advisable, especially for remote walking and mountain excursions.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering mosques, shrines and village religious sites, and remove shoes where requested. Ask before photographing people, private homes or religious ceremonies. In villages and highland communities, follow local guidance about access to fields, grazing areas and family spaces rather than treating them as open-air attractions. Queueing, polite greetings and modest public behaviour are expected in the same broad national context as elsewhere in Türkiye. At beaches and natural sites, take rubbish away, respect warning signs and avoid assuming that an informal path or viewpoint is officially open.
Local Tips
The coast is usually wetter and more densely settled than the uplands, so build flexibility into plans for mountain excursions. In eastern districts, tea gardens and village cafés are useful places to observe everyday social life, while inland towns such as Amasya and Safranbolu offer a different architectural and historical atmosphere from the port cities. Book accommodation ahead during summer and around major holidays, particularly in popular highland areas. When ordering local food, ask what is seasonal: anchovies, corn, cabbage, hazelnuts and dairy specialities vary with place and time of year.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloMerhaba[Mehr-hah-bah]
GoodbyeHoşça kal[Hosh-chah kahl]
YesEvet[Eh-vet]
NoHayır[Hah-yuhr]
Please/You're welcomeLütfen/Rica ederim[Lüt-fen/Rij-ah eh-deh-rim]
Thank youTeşekkür ederim[Teh-shehk-koor eh-deh-rim]
Excuse me/SorryAffedersiniz/Üzgünüm[Ahf-feh-dehr-seen-iz/Üz-gün-üm]
How are you?Nasılsınız?[Nah-suhl-suhn-uhz]
Fine. And you?İyiyim. Siz nasılsınız?[Ee-yee-yim. Siz nah-suhl-suhn-uhz]
Do you speak English?İngilizce biliyor musunuz?[Een-gee-leez-jee bee-lee-yor moo-soo-nooz]
I don't understandAnlamıyorum[Ahn-lah-muh-yor-uhm]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenüyü görmek istiyorum lütfen[Meh-nü-yü gör-mek ees-tee-yor-um lüt-fen]
I don't eat meatEt yemiyorum[Et yeh-mee-yor-um]
Cheers!Şerefe![Sheh-reh-feh]
I would like to pay, pleaseÖdemek istiyorum lütfen[Öh-deh-mek ees-tee-yor-um lüt-fen]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Yardım edin![Yahr-dum eh-deen]
Go away!Defol![Deh-fol]
Call the Police!Polisi arayın![Poh-lee-see ah-rah-yin]
Call a doctor!Doktor çağırın![Dohk-tor chah-uh-rin]
I'm lostKayboldum[Kah-y-bol-dum]
I'm illHastayım[Has-tah-yum]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Satın almak istiyorum...[Sah-tuhn ahl-mak ees-tee-yor-um]
I'm just lookingSadece bakıyorum[Sah-jet-seh bah-kee-yor-um]
How much is it?Bu ne kadar?[Boo neh kah-dahr]
That's too expensiveBu çok pahalı[Boo chohk pah-hah-luh]
Can you lower the price?Fiyatı düşürebilir misiniz?[Fee-yah-tuh dü-shu-reh-bee-leer mee-see-niz]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Saat kaç?[Sah-aht kahch]
It's one o'clockSaat bir[Sah-aht beer]
Half past (10)Onu geçiyor[Ohn-oo geh-chee-yor]
MorningSabah[Sah-bah]
AfternoonÖğleden sonra[Uhr-leh-den sohn-rah]
EveningAkşam[Ahk-shahm]
YesterdayDün[Dün]
TodayBugün[Boo-gün]
TomorrowYarın[Yah-ruhn]
1Bir[Beer]
2İki[Ee-kee]
3Üç[Üch]
4Dört[Dört]
5Beş[Besh]
6Altı[Ahl-tuh]
7Yedi[Yeh-dee]
8Sekiz[Seh-keez]
9Dokuz[Doh-kooz]
10On[Ohn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Nerede...?[Neh-reh-deh]
What's the address?Adres nedir?[Ah-dres neh-deer]
Can you show me (on the map)?Haritada gösterebilir misiniz?[Hah-ree-tah-dah gho-stay-reh-bee-leer mee-see-niz]
When's the next (bus)?Bir sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?[Beer sohn-rah-kee (oh-toh-büs) neh zah-mahn]
A ticket (to ....)Bir bilet (....)[Beer bee-let (....)]

History of Black Sea Region

Bronze Age Kingdoms and Hattusa

The southern and central margins of the Black Sea Region preserve major evidence of Bronze Age Anatolia. Hattusa, near Boğazkale in Çorum Province, was the capital of the Hittite Empire from approximately the seventeenth to the early twelfth century BCE. Its monumental gates, temples, fortifications and rock sanctuary at Yazılıkaya reveal the scale of Hittite political and religious organisation. Other parts of the region later fell within the spheres of Phrygian, Persian and Hellenistic powers, leaving a historical landscape in which inland river valleys connected the Black Sea coast with central Anatolia.

Greek Colonies and the Kingdom of Pontus

From the first millennium BCE, Greek-speaking settlers established trading centres around the southern Black Sea, including Sinope, modern Sinop, and Amisos, whose remains lie beneath or near modern Samsun. These ports linked maritime commerce with inland routes carrying timber, metals, grain and agricultural goods. Much of the central and eastern hinterland later formed the Kingdom of Pontus, which reached its greatest prominence under Mithridates VI in the first century BCE. Roman expansion eventually absorbed the area, but the region’s connections to Black Sea trade and a mixed coastal population continued through later centuries.

Roman and Byzantine Black Sea

Roman rule brought the coastal ports and strategic inland routes into a wider imperial system, while Byzantine authority later centred on fortified towns, church foundations and commercial harbours. Trabzon became particularly important as the principal city of the Empire of Trebizond, founded in 1204 after the Fourth Crusade and lasting until the Ottoman conquest in 1461. Monastic centres in the surrounding mountains, including the foundation at Sumela, reflect the long Christian history of the eastern region. Fortifications, churches and urban remains across the coast illustrate the importance of the Black Sea frontier.

Turkic Settlement and Ottoman Incorporation

Turkic dynasties expanded into the interior after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, although coastal areas changed hands at different times and retained varied communities and political affiliations. Ottoman control developed gradually, with Trabzon incorporated in 1461 and northern ports and inland towns integrated into imperial administrative and commercial networks. Caravan routes, religious foundations, timber houses, baths and covered markets shaped settlements such as Amasya, Kastamonu and Safranbolu. Safranbolu’s preserved urban fabric is especially valuable evidence of the Ottoman town, whose prosperity was linked to trade between Anatolia and the Black Sea.

Ports, Shipping and Regional Trade

During the Ottoman period and the nineteenth century, Black Sea ports handled agricultural produce, timber, minerals and manufactured goods moving between Anatolia, the Caucasus, Russia and the wider Mediterranean economy. Samsun, Sinop, Trabzon and other harbours served different commercial and military roles, while inland towns supplied grain, livestock, tobacco, hazelnuts and forest products. Steam navigation and improved roads altered older caravan patterns, but the coast’s dependence on maritime trade remained significant. Port warehouses, old harbour districts and market traditions preserve aspects of this commercial past.

War, Population Change and the Early Republic

The late Ottoman years brought warfare, displacement and profound demographic change to the Black Sea provinces, particularly during the First World War and the conflicts that followed. Samsun is closely associated with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival on 19 May 1919, a date commemorated in the history of the Turkish War of Independence. Population exchanges and migration transformed many coastal communities, while the early Republic invested in roads, ports, schools and public administration. Modern towns consequently combine Ottoman and older regional layers with twentieth-century civic architecture.

Tea, Hazelnuts and Modern Regional Identity

Twentieth-century economic change strengthened the distinctive agricultural identities of the eastern and central coast. Tea cultivation expanded particularly in Rize after the early Republican period and became central to the province’s economy and landscape. Türkiye also became a major producer and exporter of hazelnuts, with extensive orchards across parts of Ordu and Giresun. These crops shaped household livelihoods, seasonal labour and the appearance of steep coastal slopes. Contemporary Black Sea identity combines this agricultural heritage with urban growth, migration, football culture, music, highland pastoral traditions and continuing links between coastal cities and mountain villages.

Black Sea Region in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Black Sea Region, Turkiye

Discover the beauty of Black Sea Region with Evendo – your 100% free app-based guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich media content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore the Black Sea Region of Turkiye like never before with Evendo. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, our app provides everything you need for a perfect trip.

  • History and travel essentials of Black Sea Region
  • User-friendly navigation with a 'Near Me' feature
  • Curated local tips for an authentic travel experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs

Welcome to the Black Sea Region, Turkiye, a land of lush landscapes, rich culture, and captivating history. With Evendo, your journey through this stunning area becomes an unforgettable adventure.

Discover famous attractions such as Sumela Monastery, a breathtaking historical site nestled in the cliffs of Trabzon, or the vibrant city of Samsun, where you can visit the historical Bandırma Ferry and the enchanting Amisos Hill. Stroll through the charming streets of Amasya, famous for its ancient Pontic tombs and picturesque riverside houses.

Food lovers will relish the local cuisine at renowned restaurants like Kalkan Balık Evi in Rize, serving the freshest seafood, or Çıtır Lahmacun in Ordu for an authentic taste of Turkish flavors. Our app also guides you to the best hotels, bars, nightclubs, and shopping spots, ensuring you experience the Black Sea Region like a local.

With detailed information, local tips, and easy booking options, Evendo makes planning your trip seamless. Download Evendo now and embark on an extraordinary journey through the Black Sea Region.

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