5-Day Black Sea Coast Route

This route runs from Sinop, on the central Black Sea coast, eastward to Trabzon, with one inland detour to Amasya in the Yeşilırmak valley. It takes five days and links the coastal provinces of Sinop, Ordu, Giresun and Trabzon with one of the most distinctive historic towns of the Anatolian interior. The journey is linear rather than circular: travellers begin in the west and finish in the east, which makes it easy to fly into Sinop or Samsun and out of Trabzon. Most of the distance is covered by car, with short walks in each town and longer walking options where the terrain allows.

The character of the route is green rather than sandy. The sea stays close for most of the journey, the Pontic Mountains rise immediately behind the coastal road, and the towns are small ports and market cities rather than large resorts. Rain is part of the landscape here, and the vegetation that gives the region its colour depends on it. The single inland crossing to Amasya is what gives the trip its variety, swapping the wet coastal hills for a dry river valley of carved rock and old wooden houses.

Day 1: Sinop and the Northern Coast

The route begins in Sinop, a harbour town on the northernmost tip of Anatolia and a natural starting point for anyone coming from the west. The old town sits on a peninsula, and its history is written into the walls, the harbour and the streets behind them. Sinop Fortress is the obvious first stop, with the sea on both sides and a view back over the town, while the surrounding district belongs to the Historic Places and Cities & Districts sections of the region.

Sinop also has nature close at hand. Hamsilos Bay, west of the town, is one of the most recognisable landscapes on this stretch of coast, where a narrow inlet opens between wooded slopes. Erfelek Tatlıca waterfalls, further inland, offer a second option for travellers who want to walk before the driving begins in earnest. The day ends in Sinop, with the route pointing east along the coast the following morning.

Day 2: Inland to Amasya

The second day leaves the coast and turns inland. Following the Black Sea shoreline eastward toward Samsun, the road then swings south into the Yeşilırmak valley and climbs toward Amasya. This is the only significant departure from the sea on the whole route, and it is worth it: Amasya is a compact historic town built along both banks of the river, with rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings carved into the cliffs above it.

Below the tombs, the Yalıboyu quarter preserves rows of Ottoman houses along the water, including the Hazeranlar mansion, and the streets behind them are made for walking rather than driving. Amasya works as a single overnight detour because it sits on the natural inland corridor behind Samsun; the route returns to the coast the next day rather than doubling back on itself. Anyone interested in archaeology, architecture and river towns will find this the most concentrated historic stop of the five days.

Day 3: Over the Mountains to Ordu

From Amasya the route climbs north again, crossing the Pontic range to reach the coast at Ordu. The change is abrupt and one of the most memorable transitions of the trip: river valley and orchards give way to steep forested slopes, and the sea reappears at the bottom of the descent. Ordu faces the water from a hillside, and Boztepe, the hill above the city, gives the clearest view of the town, the harbour and the coastline in both directions.

With the driving shorter on this day, there is time for a coastal detour west of the city toward the Perşembe peninsula, where the Yason headland reaches out into the sea. Ordu is also the heart of Türkiye's hazelnut country, and the groves that cover the slopes above the coast are a defining part of the regional character and produce. The day ends in Ordu, with the route continuing east along the shore.

Day 4: Giresun and the Eastern Coast

The fourth day follows the coast east to Giresun, a smaller city with a castle on the rock above it and a distinctive landmark offshore: Giresun Island, the only island of any size along this stretch of the Black Sea. Access to the island is by small boat and depends on season and sea conditions, so it is best treated as an optional addition rather than a fixed stop.

Giresun marks the point where the coastal road begins to feel genuinely eastern, with hazelnut groves, small ports and green valleys running up into the mountains. Inland from the city, the highland pastures of the Kümbet area show a different side of the region, where transhumance and cool summer grazing have shaped the landscape for generations. The evening is spent in Giresun, with Trabzon as the final destination the next day.

Day 5: Trabzon

The last day continues east along the coast to Trabzon, the largest city on this part of the Black Sea and a fitting end to the route. Trabzon has a long history as a trading port, and its old quarter, the city walls and the church of Hagia Sophia above the coast are the natural highlights for a first visit. The harbour area and the streets behind it show how the city has always faced both the sea and the mountains.

If time allows, the route can be extended inland from Trabzon toward Maçka, where the Sümela Monastery is cut into the cliff face. This is a half-day addition rather than part of the five-day plan, and it is affected by mountain conditions, so it should be checked before setting out. Travellers with more time often continue south to Uzungöl and the highland valleys beyond, but the coastal journey ends here, in Trabzon.

Season, Terrain and Travel Style

The route is best attempted from late spring through early autumn, when the coastal road is clear and the inland crossing to Amasya is straightforward. The Black Sea coast is wet at almost any time of year, so rain gear matters more than sun protection, and the green landscape that makes the region attractive is a direct result of that rainfall. In winter, snow can affect the mountain crossings between the coast and the interior, and the highland routes above Trabzon and Giresun may be limited.

This is a driving route first and a walking route second. A car is the practical way to cover the distance and to reach places such as Hamsilos Bay, the Perşembe peninsula and the inland valleys, while the historic centres of Sinop, Amasya, Giresun and Trabzon are best explored on foot once parked. No ferry crossing is required to complete the itinerary, although small boats may be useful for reaching Giresun Island. Expect a noticeable amount of driving on the days that combine inland and coastal sections, and expect the terrain to change from steep wooded coast to open river valley and back again within a single day.