10 Places You Must See and Experience in the Black Sea Region

Karadeniz is beautiful, natural, and always something special! With its meadows that make you happy with their extensive greenery, its streams that cool you even with their sound, and its warm people who never refuse help to their guests, Karadeniz is truly a different world... Especially for those who have grown up in the country's metropolitan cities, it's almost one of the most beautiful corners of the earth. Having talked so much about the country's most beautiful shores, it would be remiss not to mention the places to visit and the beauties to see. So, let's start our Black Sea tour right away! It may be hard to see all the places to visit in the Black Sea in just one trip, but you can draw yourself a roadmap by checking out the list we've prepared for you!

If you're ready, let's take you on a tour… 

1- Çamlıhemşin and Ayder Plateau 

Çamlıhemşin, where the sound of the tulum blends with the sound of the horon, may be one of the most beautiful spots in the Black Sea... Çamlıhemşin, a district of Rize, is one of the top places to see in the Black Sea with its plateaus and waterfalls that see an increase in population during the summer months. The district, where a large part of the local population is Laz, attracts attention with its warm-hearted people and unique nature. If you haven't visited this most beautiful district yet, you're really missing out. If you're planning a Black Sea trip this summer, don't forget to put Çamlıhemşin and the 1350 m high Ayder Plateau at the top of your list! And don't forget to spend a few days in Ayder, known for its natural beauty as well as its healing waters, and enjoy both the greenery and the thermal waters! For accommodation suggestions in Ayder and Çamlıhemşin, check out https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/camlihemsin-hotels

2- Fırtına Valley and Zil Castle 

If you ask anyone about the places that must be seen in the Black Sea, Fırtına Valley and Zil Castle will definitely be among the first answers. So, you should definitely give these two spots a chance and see Fırtına Valley and Zil Castle during your Black Sea vacation. Located within the boundaries of Çamlıhemşin, Zil Castle is situated on the slopes on the west side of Fırtına Valley. The castle consists of eight towers and an observation tower, and contains a guardhouse and a chapel. The magnificent view offered by the castle provides a visual feast for its visitors. Since you're already here, you can take wonderful photos and maybe do some rafting on the Fırtına Valley to raise the excitement. 

3- Uzungöl and Karester Plateau

 If the Black Sea were a country, its capital would definitely be Uzungöl! Offering visitors an unforgettable experience with its picture-postcard beauty, the lake provides lucky visitors the opportunity to experience all four seasons in one day. In the morning, the lake offers a foggy autumn atmosphere; by midday, it feels like spring and summer. In the evenings, the coolness of the winter months envelops the surroundings of the lake. If you embark on a journey to Uzungöl, the capital of the Black Sea, don't forget to visit Karester Plateau! Once you're up there, you might even camp for a few days in the plateau, which hosts unique beauty in the summer months, who knows? 

4- Sumela Monastery, Trabzon 

Perhaps we don't even need to remind you, but we'll say it anyway: if you're making a list of places to visit in the Black Sea, you must include Sumela Monastery. Moreover, you're quite lucky because the monastery, which has been closed to visitors due to restoration work for a while, will be open this summer. Located 1300 meters above sea level on steep cliffs, the monastery is a globally renowned religious center, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region every month. With its extraordinary architecture and the view it offers, the monastery is worth seeing! For Trabzon hotel accommodation suggestions, check out https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Trabzon-Hotels

5- Borçka Karagöl, Artvin 

Compared to other cities in the Black Sea region, Artvin is always calmer, making it one of the most pristine corners of the northern shores. Borçka Karagöl National Park is one of the most beautiful, greenest spots in the city. Even before you reach the park, you'll be surrounded by the sounds of water and birds. If it's your first visit to Borçka Karagöl, don't forget to check the battery and memory of your camera! You'll want to photograph each scene you see here. After your photo break, the hiking trails surrounded by greenery around the national park await you. If you're confident, you can try walking the trails and joining in nature’s most beautiful displays.

Artvin Hotel Accommodation Suggestions: Artvin Hotels

6- Limni Lake, Gümüşhane 

Although Gümüşhane is not as famous as other Black Sea cities, it's worth visiting for its beauties! Limni Lake is one of the special spots that make Gümüşhane unique. Located at an altitude of 1700 meters, the lake is surrounded by pine trees and offers a flawless view. There are two beautiful routes to reach Limni Lake Nature Park. The first option is the Zigana Road from the Gümüşhane side, where you can see Zigana Pass and capture amazing photos. The other is the route passing through Trabzon's Maçka, where you can try the famous rice pudding in Hamsiköy. Whichever you choose, you are guaranteed to encounter countless beauties along the way and at the end of the road.

7- Kaçkar Mountains National Park, Rize

 The sights in Rize never end, and here's another beauty of Rize! We are talking about the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, located at the foothills of the peak of the Black Sea, Kaçkar. It's one of the few places in Turkey where the impact of glaciers is observed, and the park includes over 100 glacial lakes, cirques, moraines, and glacial valleys. Spanning 51,550 hectares, the national park hosts many plant and animal species, including various types of predatory birds. If you want a cool Black Sea experience in mid-summer, you can head up to this national park and enjoy unforgettable views.

Rize Hotel Accommodation Suggestions: Rize Hotels

8- Perşembe Plateau, Ordu 

Exploring places and experiences in the Black Sea region isn't limited to just Trabzon and Rize! Ordu, the homeland of hazelnuts, also has many places to visit. But if you can't spare enough time, don't end your Black Sea exploration without visiting Perşembe Plateau. Contrary to what many think, Perşembe Plateau is located in the Aybastı district of Ordu, not in the Perşembe district. About 2 hours from the city center, the plateau, at an altitude of 1500 meters, and its meanders extending over 2 km offer beauties you won't find elsewhere.

Ordu Hotel Accommodation Suggestions: Ordu Hotels

9- Tirebolu, Giresun

 Next up is Tirebolu, one of the strongest contenders for the homeland of tea! Famous for its magnificent beaches and high-quality tea, Tirebolu is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Black Sea region. Naturally, a warm brew of tea will welcome you everywhere in the Black Sea region, but you can be sure to drink the tastiest one in Tirebolu. In Tirebolu, you can enjoy the sea, dine on fresh fish at the coastal restaurants, and learn the nuances of tea brewing from the masters.

10- Palovit Waterfall, Rize

 When you come all the way to the Black Sea, you can't leave without seeing Palovit, one of Turkey's highest flow waterfalls! There is a viewing terrace for those who want to watch and photograph the waterfall, which falls from about 15 meters high. If you want to see the waterfall, you can head to Palovit after visiting Zil Castle. Located about 7 km from the castle, it's likely you'll get a bit wet around Palovit Waterfall, so it's a good idea to bring a thin raincoat.

Rize Hotel Accommodation Suggestions: Rize Hotels