Black Sea Travel Guide
The Sumela Monastery, Altındere valley. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
The Black Sea coast is Turkey's greenest corner: tea terraces climbing from the shore, mist in the Kaçkar mountains, and wooden highland villages. This is the country's summer escape from the heat, and its hazelnut and tea heartland.
Trabzon is the base: the Sumela Monastery clings to a cliff in the Altındere valley, and Uzungöl's lake sits among the pines. The coast road runs west through Ordu, Samsun and Sinop to Amasra's little harbour.
Key destinations in Black Sea
Sumela MonasteryThe 4th-century cliff monastery in the Altındere valley.
UzungölThe mountain lake among pines, 100 km south of Trabzon.
Ayder plateauThe highland village and its hot springs in the Kaçkars.
Rize tea gardensThe terraces where most of Turkey's tea is grown.
AmasraThe little harbour town on the western Black Sea.
BoztepeThe hill above Trabzon: the classic city panorama.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Black Sea
Regional food
- Hamsi (Black Sea anchovies), fried or baked in every form
- Kuymak (the cornmeal and cheese fondue of the highlands)
- Pide in Trabzon's own long style
Getting there
Trabzon (TZX) is the air gateway. The coast road runs the length of the region; the highlands need a car. Rain is frequent year-round: pack for it.