Looking to explore a side of Türkiye most travellers rarely see? The Black Sea region is a hidden gem where misty highlands and crisp air meet lush green valleys and centuries-old traditions. Perfect for “coolcations” and nature-led escapes, the region offers a refreshing alternative to the country's busier summer hotspots, swapping heatwaves and crowds for crisp air, rich heritage and unforgettable landscapes. 

Türkiye's Black Sea Region, celebrated for its UNESCO sites, ancient legends, rare traditions and soul-soothing cuisine, is brimming with stories.  

Here are three unforgettable experiences for this alternative getaway. 

Discover the West: Where Culture and Nature Meet 

Just four hours from İstanbul, Bolu's Yedigöller National Park and the slow-paced towns of Göynük and Mudurnu set the tone for a journey. In Karabük, Safranbolu, Türkiye's only destination is recognised as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Cittaslow town, and charms visitors with its timber-framed Ottoman houses. 

Kastamonu offers the elegant mansions, the UNESCO-listed Mahmut Bey Mosque, one of the Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Mediaeval Anatolia, and the peaceful town of Daday.  

In Sinop, the region's only natural port, visitors are drawn to İnceburun, Türkiye's northernmost point, as well as Sinop Castle and the Cittaslow town of Gerze. The route continues to Samsun, where the War of Independence began, offering cultural landmarks like the Bandırma Ferry replica and the rich biodiversity of the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, which is on UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2016. 

Retreat into the Eastern Highlands 

Pristine highlands, dramatic scenery and deep-rooted traditions define the east. Ordu and Giresun, named in Lonely Planet's “Best in Travel 2025,” offer fresh air and untouched landscapes. Ordu's most well-known highlights include the Çambaşı, Perşembe and Keyfalan highlands. This is also where visitors can explore Cape Jason, where one of the best-known myths of the ancient world took place: the quest of Jason and the Argonauts Giresun's Kümbet, Bektaş and Sis Mountain are equally striking, while Kuşköy village preserves a unique, whistled language listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. 

Trabzon boasts the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sümela Monastery, (The Monastery of Virgin Mary), Trabzon Castle and Hagia Sophia Mosque. As well as the vast history of the area, visitors can enjoy the serene highlands of Maçka-Şolma, Erikbeli, Lustra and Karester. In Rize, tea plantations and verdant valleys surround Ayder Highland and Zil Castle, with white-water rafting on the Fırtına Creek for thrill-seekers.  

The final stop in the Eastern Black Sea region is Artvin, home to deep green valleys. Here, visitors can enjoy the Kaçkar and Kafkasör highlands, the Cittaslow town of Şavşat, and the Camili Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). It is characterised by the Karçal Mountains as well as the Uğur-Maral, Efeler, and Düzenli valleys. Together, they offer an unforgettable end to your Black Sea journey. 

Savour the Flavours of the Black Sea 

The food here is hearty, homegrown and shaped by the land. Visitors can start their day with kuymak, a breakfast made by roasting corn flour with butter and regional cheese. Or learn about and enjoy regional products such as karalahana (collard greens) and the region's beloved anchovies (hamsi). Rize tea, often called “the most natural tea in the world,” is served everywhere, and visitors in harvest season can join the picking. 

Other highlights include Ordu and Giresun's world-class hazelnuts, Samsun's pides, Safranbolu's lokum (Turkish delight) and Trabzon's famous Hamsiköy sütlaç (rice pudding). Every Black Sea delicacy will offer an amazing culinary adventure. 

Planning A Visit 

From tranquil highlands to historic towns and unforgettable flavours, Türkiye's Black Sea region is ready to welcome visitors seeking a different kind of journey.  

Find out more at www.goturkiye.com 

- Ends - 

Notes to Editors 

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About Türkiye:   

Located in the Mediterranean and connecting Asia and European continents with the famed Bosporus, Türkiye is a unique destination that welcomed more than 62 million international travellers in 2024. The country has always been a hub for cultural interaction and home to varying climates. Today it inspires visitors with its history, nature, and gastronomy that reflect the diversity of civilisations for centuries. Located at the crossroads of cultures, Türkiye has a distinctive understanding of art and fashion which is the synthesis of tradition and modernity. Its dynamic shopping & entertainment life also attracts visitors from all over the world.   

www.goturkiye.com   

For media enquiries, please contact:   

Thomas Burns: thomas@pembrokeandrye.com – 07570 662874   

Bridget Bellamy: bridget@pembrokeandrye.com – 07551 704579