About Black Sea
The Black Sea Region is Türkiye's wettest, where mountain ranges run parallel to the shore and turn the coast into an almost unbroken ribbon of green. In the east, the foothills of the Kaçkar Mountains hold highland plateaus, wooden houses and stone bridges over rushing streams. In the west, Safranbolu's UNESCO-listed Ottoman mansions and Amasra's little harbor take center stage, while inland Amasya surprises with riverside houses and rock-cut royal tombs. Summer migration to the highland pastures, the horon dance, the kemençe fiddle, anchovies and cornbread give the region its distinct identity.
A classic Black Sea itinerary starts in Trabzon and builds around Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl, the tea gardens of Rize, the Ayder plateau and the Fırtına Valley. Longer trips reach Macahel and Şavşat in Artvin or head west to Safranbolu, Amasra and Amasya. Jeep rides to the plateaus, rafting on the Fırtına, highland walks and food tastings are the favorite things to do. Weather changes quickly here, so leave some flexibility in your plans. On TurTalebi, programs from local firms can be compared side by side and booked securely by card.
Black Sea Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
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All ToursTop Routes in the Region
Uzungöl
This mountain lake in Trabzon's Çaykara district, with its lakeside mosque, wooden houses and morning mist, is one of the Black Sea's most photographed views, usually combined with jeep trips to nearby plateaus.
Sumela Monastery
A Greek Orthodox monastery wedged into a sheer cliff above the Altındere Valley near Maçka. Its frescoed rock church and forest setting make it the region's headline historic site.
Ayder and the Fırtına Valley
In Rize's Çamlıhemşin district, the hot springs of Ayder, the cliff-top Zilkale, stone arch bridges and rafting on the Fırtına bring the eastern Black Sea's nature and adventure into one valley.
Safranbolu
Ottoman timber-framed mansions, an old bazaar and a historic arasta make UNESCO-listed Safranbolu the essential stop in the western Black Sea, often paired with the harbor town of Amasra.
Amasya
Historic Yalıboyu houses line the Yeşilırmak river beneath Pontic royal tombs cut into the cliff. Known as the city where Ottoman princes were trained, it is magical when lit up at night.
Rize Tea Gardens and Macahel
Tea terraces blanket Rize's hillsides and are liveliest at harvest time, while Macahel in Artvin, on the Georgian border, offers protected forests and old wooden mosques for a quiet nature escape.
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
June to September is the best time for a Black Sea trip, when plateau roads open, the highlands come alive and many plateau festivals take place in July. In May the slopes turn fresh green and the first tea harvest begins. September and October bring fewer people and autumn color. In winter the coastal cities are calm and anchovy season is in full swing, but the high plateaus are mostly out of reach. Expect rain in any season.
Getting Around the Region
Trabzon Airport is the main gateway to the eastern Black Sea, with Rize-Artvin, Samsun Çarşamba and Zonguldak Çaycuma airports also serving the region. The coastal highway links the seaside cities, but reaching plateaus and villages takes a tour, transfer or jeep. The classic route starts in Trabzon and covers Sumela, Uzungöl, Rize and Ayder, while Safranbolu and Amasra in the west are usually visited as a separate trip from Istanbul or Ankara.
Practical Tips
- Fog and rain can roll over the plateaus in minutes, so bring a waterproof jacket, shoes with good grip and a change of clothes.
- The eastern and western Black Sea are far apart, so focusing on one half makes for a far more relaxed trip than combining both.
- Ask before photographing people in plateau villages, and buy honey, butter and cheese directly from local producers when you can.