30 Places You Must Visit in the Black Sea

The Black Sea; with its lush meadows, misty mountains, waterfalls, lakes, historical monasteries, wooden houses, and unique coastal cities, is one of Turkey's most special travel regions.

Places you must visit in the Black Sea are not limited to Trabzon and Rize. From the mountains of Artvin to the quiet bays of Sinop, from the historical houses of Amasya to the canyons of Kastamonu, there are many routes to discover in different cities of the region.

Whether you want to go hiking, enjoy the mountain air, explore history, take photos, or embark on a few-day Black Sea tour, it is possible to create a different route for everyone.

In this guide, you can find the 30 best places to visit in the Black Sea along with their cities and standout features.

30 Places You Must Visit in the Black Sea

1. Uzungöl – Trabzon

One of the first places that come to mind when mentioning the Black Sea is Uzungöl.

Located in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, Uzungöl; with its lush forests, mountain views, and walking areas around the lake, is one of the region's most popular tourist spots.

It offers particularly impressive landscapes for nature photography, especially in summer and autumn months.

Things to do at Uzungöl:

• Hiking around the lake
• Enjoying the view from observation points
• Mountain meadow tours
• Tasting Black Sea regional dishes
• Taking photos

Ideal for whom? Nature lovers, photographers, and families.

2. Sumela Monastery – Trabzon

Built upon steep cliffs in the Maçka district of Trabzon, Sumela Monastery is one of the most impressive historical structures in the Black Sea.

Thanks to its location where nature meets history, it has become an indispensable stop for Trabzon trips.

The Altındere Valley, where the monastery is located, is also worth seeing for its natural beauty.

Those planning a Black Sea tour are advised to definitely include Sumela Monastery in their Trabzon itinerary.

3. Ayder Plateau – Rize

Located in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize, Ayder Plateau is one of the most well-known centers of Black Sea plateau tourism.

With pine forests, plateau houses, waterfalls, and mountain views, it attracts heavy interest especially during the summer months.

You can go hiking around Ayder, experience plateau culture up close, and discover the natural beauties in the area.

Ideal for whom? Plateau holidays, nature, and photography.

4. Pokut Plateau – Rize

With a landscape that gives the feeling of being built above the clouds, Pokut Plateau is one of the most impressive plateaus in the Black Sea.

The scenery that emerges especially during hours when fog moves between the mountains is quite impressive for photo enthusiasts.

Pokut is one of the ideal routes for those who want to escape city life and be alone with nature.

5. Sal Plateau – Rize

Sal Plateau, which can be visited together with Pokut Plateau, stands out with its traditional wooden plateau houses and natural atmosphere.

Evaluating the Pokut-Sal route together during plateau tours offers the opportunity to experience two different plateau atmospheres in a short time.

6. Fırtına Valley – Rize

Located in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize, Fırtına Valley is one of the important regions of the Black Sea in terms of nature and adventure tourism.

Along the Fırtına River flowing through the valley, there are lush forests, historical stone bridges, and small settlements.

In the region, activities such as:

• Rafting
• Nature hiking
• Photography
• Zipline
• Plateau tours

can be done.

It is one of the routes that must be considered for those seeking an adventure holiday in the Black Sea.

7. Zilkale – Rize

One of the most striking historical structures of Fırtına Valley is Zilkale.

The castle, situated on a rocky area in the upper parts of the valley, creates a very impressive image with the surrounding forest and valley views.

Visiting Zilkale can be planned together with the Fırtına Valley and Çamlıhemşin route.

8. Kaçkar Mountains National Park – Rize

When it comes to nature hiking and mountaineering, one of the most important routes in the Black Sea is Kaçkar Mountains.

The region offers a unique environment for nature lovers with its high mountains, glacial lakes, plateaus, and rich vegetation.

It is one of the most important destinations in the Black Sea, especially for those interested in trekking and mountaineering.

9. Karagöl – Artvin

Borçka Karagöl, located in the Borçka district of Artvin, is an impressive lake nestled among forests.

The dense forest structure around the lake creates a very impressive landscape with different colors, especially in autumn.

It is one of the ideal routes for nature hiking and photography.

10. Şavşat Karagöl – Artvin

Şavşat Karagöl, located in the Şavşat district of Artvin, stands out with its tranquility and natural beauty.

Surrounded by mountains, the lake is one of the special routes that can be discovered in the Black Sea for those who want to get away from crowds.

Şavşat is also suitable for multi-day travel programs with its plateaus and natural villages.

11. Macahel – Artvin

Macahel, in the surroundings of the Borçka district of Artvin, is one of the special areas that have largely preserved its natural structure.

With its lush forests, wooden village houses, rivers, and mountain views, it stands out especially in terms of nature tourism.

It can be a quiet Black Sea route for those who want to escape city life.

12. Hatila Valley National Park – Artvin

Hatila Valley, attracting attention with its proximity to the Artvin city center, is worth seeing with its deep valley and impressive rock formations.

It can be utilized especially for viewing the valley's panorama from observation points and taking nature photos.

13. Amasra – Bartın

Amasra, one of the most beautiful coastal settlements on the Black Sea coast, stands out with its historical texture and sea views.

The historical castle, bridges, harbor, and restaurants around the coast are among the highlights of the Amasra trip.

It is ideal especially for those who want to combine a beach vacation with a cultural tour during the summer months.

14. Safranbolu – Karabük

Safranbolu is one of the most important destinations in the Black Sea in terms of cultural tourism.

Safranbolu, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its traditional houses remaining from the Ottoman period, historical streets, and markets, is one of the special cities carrying the traces of the past to the present.

In Safranbolu:

• Historical Safranbolu Houses
• Cinci Han
• Hıdırlık Hill
• Kaymakamlar Museum House
• Historical market

places like these can be visited.

15. Tokatlı Canyon – Karabük

Tokatlı Canyon, located near Safranbolu, is one of the nice routes that can be evaluated for nature hiking and views.

The Crystal Terrace located on top of the canyon attracts the interest of those who want to see the panoramic view of the region.

It is a good alternative for those who want to combine a cultural tour in Safranbolu with a nature experience.

16. Valla Canyon – Kastamonu

Valla Canyon, located in the Pınarbaşı district of Kastamonu, stands out with its impressive natural structure.

With its steep cliffs and deep valley, it attracts the interest of nature and adventure enthusiasts especially.

During visits to the region, the difficulty levels of observation points and hiking trails should be taken into account.

17. Horma Canyon – Kastamonu

Horma Canyon, located in the Pınarbaşı district of Kastamonu, is a striking route for those who want to walk hand in hand with nature.

The walking platforms, rocks, and water sources within the canyon give a different atmosphere to the region.

Horma Canyon is one of the important points that can be added to the route of those planning a Black Sea nature tour.

18. Ilgaz Mountain National Park – Kastamonu

Ilgaz Mountain, preferred for skiing in winter months and for nature hiking and fresh air in other seasons, is one of the important nature routes of the Black Sea.

While it stands out with its ski centers especially for those planning a winter vacation, it can be evaluated for trekking in spring and summer months.

19. Sinop Historical Prison – Sinop

One of the most well-known historical structures of Sinop, Sinop Historical Prison, holds an important place in the city's cultural route.

The atmosphere of the historical structure offers a different experience for visitors who want to understand Sinop's past.

You can plan your Sinop city tour together with the harbor and coastal areas.

20. Hamsilos Bay – Sinop

Hamsilos Bay, located near Sinop, is one of the natural beauties of the Black Sea coast.

With its calm atmosphere and green areas around it, it is a nice stop especially for those who want to be alone with nature.

Nature hiking and photography can be done around Hamsilos.

21. İnceburun – Sinop

İnceburun, the northernmost point of Turkey, is one of the places that can be visited by those who want to experience something different on the Black Sea coast.

The sea view, rocky coasts, and the natural structure around it are particularly striking for photographers.

22. Amasya Yalıboyu Houses – Amasya

The traditional Amasya Yalıboyu Houses, lined up along the Yeşilırmak riverbank, form one of the most characteristic images of the city.

Historical houses, rock tombs, and river views make Amasya one of the cultural routes of the Black Sea.

Additionally, in an Amasya trip:

• King Rock Tombs
• Amasya Castle
• Princes Museum
• II. Bayezid Complex

places like these can be seen.

23. Borabay Lake – Amasya

Borabay Lake, found among the natural beauties of Amasya, stands out with its tranquil atmosphere surrounded by forests.

It can be evaluated especially for nature hiking, picnics, and photography.

It is a nice alternative for those who want to add a nature route to their Amasya city tour.

24. Bandırma Ship and War of Independence Park – Samsun

Samsun hosts one of the important turning points in the history of the Republic of Turkey.

Bandırma Ship and War of Independence Park is an important visit point for those who want to understand the beginning process of the War of Independence.

In addition to museums and monuments, the coastal area can also be evaluated during a Samsun city tour.

25. Amazon Village – Samsun

Amazon Village, one of the cultural and tourist points of Samsun, offers a different experience to visitors with thematic narratives and reenactments related to Amazon women.

It is one of the stops that families can evaluate during their city tour.

26. Akalan Waterfalls – Samsun

Akalan Waterfalls, located among the natural beauties of Samsun, is an alternative route for those who want to spend time with nature.

Hiking and photography can be done around the waterfalls.

It can be evaluated for those who want to discover the less known natural beauties of the Black Sea.

27. Yedigöller National Park – Bolu

Yedigöller National Park, located in the western part of the Black Sea, is one of the most impressive nature routes in Turkey with its lakes, forests, and especially autumn colors.

In Yedigöller:

• Nature hiking
• Photography
• Camping
• Exploration around the lake

activities can be done.

It is one of the routes that must be added to the list of places to visit in the Black Sea in autumn.

28. Abant Lake – Bolu

Abant Lake, one of the most well-known natural beauties of Bolu, is a destination that can be visited throughout the year with its lake view surrounded by forests.

You can hike around the lake, ride a bicycle, and spend time immersed in nature.

Abant is also very suitable for weekend getaways.

29. Giresun Island – Giresun

Giresun Island is one of the important natural and historical points on the sea in the Black Sea.

The island, located off the coast of Giresun, can be visited with boat tours.

It creates a different Black Sea route for those who want to experience sea, history, and nature together.

30. Zigana Mountains – Trabzon / Gümüşhane

Zigana Mountains, located on the Trabzon-Gümüşhane route, stand out with their high mountain views and natural beauties.

They can be evaluated for snow views in winter months, and for nature hikes and plateau routes in other periods.

It is a nice option for those who want to expand their Trabzon trip towards Gümüşhane.

What to Do in the Black Sea?

A Black Sea vacation does not consist only of city tours. Thanks to the region's natural structure, many different activities can be done.

Plateau Tour

Plateaus such as Ayder, Pokut, Sal, Gito, and their surroundings are nice options for those who want to experience the traditional plateau culture of the Black Sea.

Nature Hiking

Kaçkarlar, Yedigöller, Ilgaz, and various canyon routes can be evaluated for trekking.

Rafting

Especially Fırtına Valley is one of the important regions offering a rafting experience for adventure enthusiasts.

Photography

Misty plateaus, lakes, waterfalls, wooden houses, and mountain views make the Black Sea a very rich destination in terms of photography.

When to Go to the Black Sea?

The Black Sea has a different beauty in every season.

Spring: It is one of the periods when nature comes to life, and waterfalls and forests look impressive.

Summer: The most popular period for plateau tours, trekking, rafting, and nature vacations.

Autumn: Especially in areas where forests change color, it is quite impressive in terms of photography.

Winter: It can be evaluated for winter vacations and winter views in Ilgaz, Zigana, and high-altitude regions.

Due to the rainy climate of the Black Sea, it is important to check the weather forecast before traveling and consider transportation conditions especially on plateau roads.

Things to Consider During a Black Sea Trip

To make your Black Sea trip more comfortable, you can pay attention to the following points:

• Check weather and road conditions on plateau roads.
• Be prepared for rain.
• Prefer non-slip shoes for nature hikes.
• Check facility amenities in advance for plateau accommodations.
• If visiting multiple cities, factor in travel times.
• Make hotel and tour reservations early during the busy summer season.
• Consider the difficulty level of the trail for trekking and adventure activities.
• Evaluate morning and sunset hours for taking photos.

Plan Your Black Sea Vacation Now

Places you must visit in the Black Sea offer one of Turkey's richest travel options for those who want to experience nature, history, culture, and adventure together.

You can explore Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl in Trabzon, meet nature on Ayder and Pokut plateaus in Rize, experience the tranquility of Karagöl in Artvin, walk in the historical streets of Safranbolu, or enjoy the Black Sea coasts in Sinop and Amasra.

Whether you plan a plateau vacation, a Black Sea cultural tour, or a nature and adventure trip; choosing the right route and accommodation makes your journey much more enjoyable.

Determine your dates → Choose your route → Compare transport and hotel options → Reserve the tour or accommodation suitable for you.

Are you ready to explore the unique nature of the Black Sea? Create your vacation plan now.