An introductory guide to Giresun and Ordu on Türkiye's Black Sea Coast

Charming walkable downtown areas and numerous sea-view cafes make Giresun and Ordu, each with populations under 250,000, delightful stops along a coastal road trip in Türkiye.

Although the region was originally settled by Greek colonies as early as the 7th century BCE, few ancient structures remain, with most historic buildings in both cities dating from the last two centuries. The true allure lies in using these cities as a gateway to the Black Sea's stunning blue-and-green landscapes: the blue of crashing waves against rocky shores and the green of steeply rising lush hills. This verdant interior is sprinkled with secluded mountain villages and yaylalar (mountain pastures), alongside canyons, waterfalls, and other natural wonders waiting to be explored.

Discover the canyons and waterfalls nestled in the forested areas surrounding Giresun and Ordu. uchar / Getty Images

When is the best time to visit Giresun and Ordu?

Summer draws the largest crowds, with visitors primarily from Türkiye and the Middle East seeking relief from the heat at the Black Sea's beaches. It can still be quite warm, usually in the mid-20s°C but occasionally reaching the low to mid-30s°C (around 77–95°F), and humidity levels rise in July and August. For cooler temperatures, head to the region's yaylalar and mountainous areas. This season also brings local village festivals celebrating the start of the hazelnut harvest, which typically begins in August.

Spring and autumn offer pleasant conditions for exploration, although access to yaylalar may be hindered by snow. Winter is best avoided due to cold and rainy weather—coastal temperatures can drop to low single digits, while highland areas may experience below-freezing conditions and heavy snowfall.

How long should I stay in Giresun and Ordu?

Spending two to three days is sufficient to explore the main attractions in both city centers, located 50km (31 miles) apart. To fully experience the mountains, allocate at least four to five days, as minibus services are limited, and traveling between villages often requires backtracking to the coast or navigating narrow, winding roads that are not always paved.

Is it easy to reach and navigate Giresun and Ordu?

Ordu–Giresun Airport is located approximately halfway between the two cities, offering daily flights from both airports in İstanbul. The Havaş airport shuttle bus, timed with flight schedules, takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach either city. (In Ordu, the closest stop to the city center is at the 'eski otogar'; for Giresun, ask for the 'liman' or port.) Traveling by minibus between Giresun and Ordu takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Both Ordu and Giresun feature walkable city centers, with frequent minibus services to smaller coastal towns. However, exploring the yaylalar, mountain waterfalls, and other inland natural attractions is much simpler with your own vehicle, as many villages are served by only one daily minibus or sometimes none at all.

The eastern Black Sea towns experience their peak tourist activity during the summer months, as visitors from across Türkiye flock to the area. DreamStoreCo / Shutterstock

Must-see attractions in Giresun and Ordu

Explore the castles

The remnants of a 2nd-century BCE hilltop castle overlooking Giresun’s historic town offer one of the city's most delightful spots, featuring shaded paths and picnic areas, along with stunning views from the ancient fortifications of the city, coastline, and sea. About 45km (28 miles) east along the coast, Tirebolu Castle stands charmingly on a small peninsula extending from the harbor, where the casual fish restaurant Balıkçı Yusufun Yeri serves fresh catches of the day just below.

Experience Ordu from a height

The highlight of Ordu's city center is its impressive 2372m-long (7782-ft) cable car (teleferik), which transports visitors from the coast to the summit of Boztepe, a small peak rising 500m (1640ft) above sea level, in approximately 10 minutes. At the hilltop terminus, you'll find a variety of terrace cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The breathtaking views, particularly at sunset, are the main attraction.

Venture into the highlands of Ordu or Giresun for an authentic taste of rural life. Kenan TALAS / Shutterstock

Inhale the fresh air of the mountain pastures

Traditionally, local herders would move their livestock to the yaylalar (mountain pastures) each summer, allowing the animals to graze on tender grasses and wildflowers—ideal for producing delicious butter, yogurt, milk, and cheese. While some continue this practice, many families return to their yayla homes for an annual escape from city life. There are numerous yaylalar in the mountains surrounding both cities, with Perşembe Yaylası and the yaylalar near Mesudiye village in Ordu province, as well as Kulakkaya Yaylası in Giresun province, being popular choices for day trips or overnight stays in mountain lodges and cabins.

Savor local cuisine

While not as famous as kebabs and meze, Turkish Black Sea cuisine is unique and delightful—offering hearty dishes infused with seasonal herbs, pickled vegetables, and, of course, freshly caught fish. Enjoy lightly battered and fried anchovies (hamsi) when in season or savor a tomato-based, peppery scorpion fish (iskorpit) stew at Derin Balık, a casual seafood spot in Ordu. Alternatively, stop by the quaint Yöresel Lezzetler Durağı on Fevzi Paşa Caddesi in Giresun for home-cooked specialties like ısırgan yağlası, a nettle puree soup, or pancar sarması, beet greens stuffed with rice, spices, and occasionally minced meat. Giresun is also renowned for its hazelnuts; indulge in a findik ezmeli sütlü kadayıf, a hazelnut-paste dessert topped with crushed hazelnuts, at the sweetshop Mustafa Patar Tel Kadayıf.

Stroll through museums

The small museums in Ordu and Giresun are more notable for their architecture than their exhibits; the Giresun Museum (home to possibly the world's only minaret-shaped wooden stove) and the Taşbaşı Art Gallery in Ordu are both housed in 19th-century churches that were left vacant after the Greek Orthodox communities in Turkey were relocated to Greece during the post-WWI population exchange of 1923. Ordu’s Paşaoğlu Mansion & Ethnography Museum is located in an elegant 19th-century mansion, as is the surprisingly engaging Kahraman Sağra Hazelnut Museum—featuring full English-language wall texts and labels—across the street.

Yason Burnu (Cape Yason) is a windswept area tied to heroes from Greek mythology. yalcins / Shutterstock

My favorite activity in Giresun and Ordu

I enjoyed walking out onto the windswept cape known as Yason Burnu, which extends into the Black Sea just 30km (18 miles) northwest of the center of Ordu. The stone church along the pathway dates back to the mid-1800s, but the cape is named after the ancient tale of Jason and the Argonauts, legendary figures in Greek mythology who are said to have docked here during their quest for the Golden Fleece. It’s truly a landscape that sparks inspiration for epic stories.

What’s the budget for visiting Giresun and Ordu?

Despite Türkiye's ongoing inflation crisis, travel expenses in this region remain quite affordable, especially when compared to popular tourist destinations like İstanbul, Bodrum, and Cappadocia. Hotel rates during the off-peak season can be half of what’s mentioned below.

• Basic hotel room for two: ₺2000–3000 ($60–90)

• Local one-way minibus fare: ₺14–20 ($0.40–0.60)

• Short taxi ride: ₺150 TL ($4.50)

• Cup of çay (tea) with a local sweet: ₺80–100 ($2.50–3)

• Two-scoop ice cream cone: ₺40 ($1.25)

• Round-trip cable car ride in Ordu: ₺200 ($6)

• Simple lunch for two: ₺400-600 ($12–18)

• Fish dinner for two (without alcohol): ₺1000–1500 ($30–45)

• Car rental per day: ₺1500–2000 ($45–60)