Black Sea Tour Guide: The Nature, History and Culture of the Black Sea

The Black Sea is one of the most special regions of Türkiye with its lush green plateaus, historic cities, unique coastal views, local delicacies and cultural richness. With the Çorlu Travel Black Sea Tour, we embark on a comprehensive Black Sea journey starting from Kastamonu and extending to Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Artvin and Amasya.

In this guide, you can find the important places we visit throughout our tour and the highlights of each region.

🏛️KASTAMONU | THE BLACK SEA IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY

Kastamonu, one of the important stops on our Black Sea tour, draws attention with its historic structures and cultural heritage.

In the city center;

• ⏰ Kastamonu Clock Tower
• 🏰 Kastamonu Castle
• 🏛️ Government House
• 🗿 Şerife Bacı Monument
• 🏛️ Atatürk Monument
• 🕌 Nasrullah Kadı Mosque
• ⛲ Nasrullah Fountain and Square
• 🏛️ Münire Madrasa Handicrafts Bazaar

are among the important places to see.

During our visit to Kastamonu, we also have the opportunity to shop and relax at Saray Helvacısı and the Münire Madrasa Handicrafts Bazaar.

🌊 SİNOP | HISTORY IN THE NORTH OF THE BLACK SEA

After Kastamonu, we turn our route toward Sinop, one of the northernmost cities of the Black Sea.

In Sinop;

📸 Diogenes Statue

🏛️ Historic Sinop Prison

can be seen.

The Historic Sinop Prison, in particular, stands out as an important historical site that has been featured in TV series, folk songs and novels.

During our visit to Sinop, you can also taste local delicacies such as nokul and Boyabat paste, and shop for local products.

If weather conditions are suitable, there is also an opportunity to take a Sinop boat tour.

🏛️ SAMSUN | TRACES OF THE NATIONAL STRUGGLE

Samsun is one of the most important stops of our Black Sea tour in terms of history.

In the city center;

• 🏛️ Samsun Museum
• 🗿 Atatürk Monument
• 🚢 Bandırma Ferry
• 🏞️ First Step Monument

we see these sites.

In particular, the Bandırma Ferry and First Step Monument are important places symbolizing Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919, and the beginning of the National Struggle.

🏔️ ORDU | BLACK SEA VIEWS FROM BOZTEPE

We reach Ordu during our Black Sea coastal journey.

Boztepe, which has become a symbol of Ordu, is a beautiful spot for viewing the Black Sea, with its elevation of approximately 515 meters.

🚡 There is an opportunity to go up to Boztepe by cable car.

Here, free time can be spent on;

🌊 Black Sea views

☕ A tea break

📸 Taking photographs

Also in Ordu, we take a shopping break for hazelnuts, one of the Black Sea's important sources of livelihood.

💚 GİRESUN → TRABZON | THE BLACK SEA COAST

After leaving Ordu, we continue toward Trabzon via Giresun.

Following the route through Keşap, Espiye, Tirebolu, Vakfıkebir and Çarşıbaşı, we reach Akçaabat and then Trabzon city center.

🏛️TRABZON | HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITION

Trabzon is one of the most important stops on our Black Sea tour.

In the city center;

⛪ Hagia Sophia

🕌 Gülbahar Hatun Mosque

🌳 Zağnos Valley

🏡 Atatürk Mansion

we see these sites.

We learn about Kazaziye, one of Trabzon's traditional handicrafts, and take a shopping break.

Then we go up to the Soğuksu area, proceeding among spruce trees, and visit the Atatürk Mansion.

⛪ SUMELA MONASTERY | ONE OF THE SYMBOLS OF THE BLACK SEA

After Trabzon, our route takes us to Altındere National Park and the world-famous Sumela Monastery.

Located on the slopes of Mount Karadağ at an altitude of approximately 1,650 meters, Sumela Monastery is one of the most impressive historical structures in the Black Sea region with its location among the cliffs.

📌 Note: Due to restoration work, the visit program may change depending on the current situation.

🔪 SÜRMENE | TRADITIONAL KNIFE-MAKING

After our visit to Sumela, we continue to Sürmene.

We discover Sürmene's world-famous Sürmene knives and have the opportunity to shop.

🌿 FIRTINA VALLEY | WHERE THE BLACK SEA MEETS NATURE

Fırtına Valley is one of the stops where we experience the Black Sea's unique nature.

Amid the unique views of the Kaçkar Mountains;

🌊 Fırtına Stream

🪂 Zipline

🎢 Swing

🚣 Rafting

you may encounter activities such as these.

Zipline, swing and rafting activities are subject to an additional fee.

🏡 ŞENYUVA & ZİLKALE

We travel through Fırtına Valley by minibuses from Çamlıhemşin and see Şenyuva (Çinçiva) Village and the Historic Stone Bridge.

Zilkale, located at a dominant point in the valley, is one of the important structures built to ensure the security of historic trade routes.

📌 Visiting Zilkale is optional and subject to an additional fee.

🌲 AYDER PLATEAU | THE BLACK SEA'S PLATEAU BEAUTY

Ayder Plateau is one of the most special stops on the Black Sea tour.

At an altitude of approximately 1,350 meters, Ayder welcomes us with;

💦 Gelintülü Waterfall

🌲 Lower and Upper Ambarlık

🏞️ Kalegon

and the plateau's unique views.

By staying overnight at Ayder Plateau, we have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a Black Sea plateau more closely.

🌲 BORÇKA KARAGÖL | IN THE MIDST OF GREENERY

After leaving Ayder, we head toward Borçka and cross the Cankurtaran Pass.

We go up by minibuses to Borçka Karagöl, located at an altitude of approximately 1,450 meters.

Here,

🌲 Lush green forests

💦 Small waterfalls

🏞️ Views of Karagöl

📸 Nature walks and photo breaks

await us.

📌 The Borçka Karagöl excursion is optional and subject to an additional fee.

🌊 BATUMI | FROM THE BLACK SEA TO GEORGIA

One of the international stops on our tour is Batumi.

We cross through the Sarp Border Gate and reach Georgia's Adjara Region.

In Batumi and the city center;

⛪ St. Andrew Statue and Waterfall

🏰 Gonio Fortress

🌉 Chorokhi River and Bridge

🕌 Orta Mosque

🏛️ Europe Square

👑 Medea Statue

🌊 Poseidon Monument

⏰ Astronomical Clock

🏛️ Theater Building

⚓ Batumi Port

we see important sites such as these.

In addition, we see Batumi's landmark structures panoramically, including;

🗼 Alphabet Tower

❤️ Ali and Nino Statue

🗼 Chacha Tower

🎡 Batumi Lighthouse Tower

🏙️ Skyscraper with Ferris Wheel

🏠 Upside-Down House

🏛️ Justice Building

There is also free time for walking and shopping on Batumi Boulevard.

📌 The Batumi program will take place if the borders are open and crossings are possible.

🧵 RİZE | FERETİKO AND BLACK SEA TEA

After Hopa, our route takes us to Rize.

We discover Feretiko (Rize Cloth) weaving, one of Rize's traditional handicrafts, and have the opportunity to shop for local products.

We also visit a tea factory to observe the production process of tea, one of the important values associated with Rize.

🍵 We sip our tea and have the opportunity to examine local products.

🌊 UZUNGÖL | ONE OF THE BLACK SEA'S MOST SPECIAL VIEWS

We travel via Derepazarı and İyidere to Of, and then continue along Solaklı Valley to Çaykara.

We spend free time at Uzungöl, located at an altitude of approximately 1,090 meters.

Here,

📸 You can take photographs

🚶‍♀️ You can walk around the lake

☕ You can sip your tea while enjoying the view.

Uzungöl is one of the important stops on the tour for those who want to see the Black Sea's lush nature and lake views together.

🏞️ AMASYA | HISTORY ON THE BANKS OF THE YEŞİLIRMAK

We reach Amasya on our return journey.

In Amasya, built on both banks of the Yeşilırmak;

💙 Ferhat and Şirin Water Channel

🏺 Amasya Archaeology Museum

🕌 Bayezid II Complex

🌊 Yeşilırmak

🌉 Low Bridge

🏡 Yalıboyu Houses

🏰 Amasya Castle – panoramic view

⛰️ King Rock Tombs – panoramic view

🌉 Government Bridge

⏰ Clock Tower

👑 Princes' Park

we see these sites.

At the Amasya Archaeology Museum, we see artifacts belonging to different civilizations and mummies from the Ilkhanid period.

Then we visit the Bayezid II Complex and take a walk along the Yeşilırmak.

We photograph the Yalıboyu Houses, Low Bridge, King Rock Tombs and Amasya Castle, which have become symbols of Amasya.

💚 ÇORLU TRAVEL IN THE BLACK SEA

Extending from the historic atmosphere of Kastamonu to the Black Sea shores of Sinop, from the traces of Samsun's National Struggle to Ordu's Boztepe; from Trabzon's historic structures to Sumela Monastery, from Fırtına Valley to Ayder Plateau, from Borçka Karagöl to Batumi, and from Uzungöl to Amasya, this route offers the opportunity to discover the history, nature and culture of the Black Sea all together.

Set out with Çorlu Travel not just to see the Black Sea, but to experience and discover its different cities and unique destinations. 💚🚌