Places to Visit in Giresun and Ordu: The Green Paradises of the Black Sea

Neighbouring cities on the Black Sea coast, Giresun and Ordu may not be as famous as Trabzon, but with their lush hazelnut orchards, highland plateaus rising above the clouds and deep blue sea, they offer a travel route every bit as rich. Where legend, history and delicious cuisine come together, these two cities are an ideal choice for a day trip or a Black Sea holiday of a few days. Just an hour apart, Giresun and Ordu are easy to combine into a single itinerary. Here is everything you need to know when planning your trip to Giresun and Ordu.

Places to Visit in Giresun and Ordu

There are dozens of spots to explore across these two cities, but some are simply unmissable.

What to See in Giresun

Giresun Island, the only natural island in the Black Sea, is one of the city's most striking sights. Reachable by boat from the shore, the island draws visitors with both its views and the legends surrounding it. Perched on a hill overlooking the city centre, Giresun Castle features remains from the Roman and Byzantine eras, making it a favourite stop for history lovers and sunset watchers alike. Head a little outside the city and Kümbet Plateau greets you with the cool freshness of a summer above the clouds; the nearby Kulakkaya and Bektaş plateaus are also popular for day hikes. Held every July on Kümbet Plateau, the Aksu Festival is one of the region's most colourful events, featuring local folk dances and horon performances. If time allows, the historic district of Şebinkarahisar south of the city centre, with its clifftop castle, makes a great day trip.

What to See in Ordu

Ordu's signature landmark is undoubtedly Boztepe, which offers a bird's-eye view over the city and the sea. You can reach the summit in just a few minutes by cable car from the city centre. A little beyond Boztepe, Ulugöl and Çambaşı Plateau, which turns into a ski resort in winter, offer a break surrounded by nature. Along the coast, Cape Yason in the Perşembe district is one of Ordu's most photogenic spots, with its historic monastery and sparkling deep blue waters; the nearby Kesikkaya shore is home to one of the Black Sea's first underwater parks and is a favourite among divers. In the city centre, streets lined with 19th-century wooden Ordu houses and the historic Paşaoğlu Mansion, now an ethnography museum, offer a wonderful chance to get to know the city's past up close.

If you'd like to explore the region with us, take a look at our Giresun Ordu Tour.

How to Get to Giresun and Ordu? A Guided Tour Is the Easiest Way

If you go without knowing the area, half the day is lost on the road and searching for parking. With our guided tour, you'll explore Giresun and Ordu on a program planned down to the minute.

• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or a meeting point
• Tour accompanied by a guide who knows the region
• Peace of mind with a TÜRSAB-licensed agency
• Choice of a group tour or a private vehicle tour for your family

You can view dates, prices and the itinerary and book online on the Giresun Ordu Tour page. If you'd like a plan tailored to you or your group, message us on WhatsApp and let's put the route together.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

For those keen to see the plateaus, the ideal period is from late June to September; during these months the weather is cool, the trails are open and the highland flowers are in full bloom. Late August to September coincides with the hazelnut harvest season, when the region buzzes with a lively energy unique to this time of year, offering an interesting experience for anyone who wants to see villagers gathering hazelnuts in the orchards. For beaches and swimming, July and August are the warmest and most suitable months. In winter, the snow-covered Kümbet and Çambaşı plateaus offer a different kind of beauty, though road conditions should be checked in advance. In spring, with the hazelnut orchards turning green and mild temperatures, April and May are also a lovely alternative for those who want to travel away from the crowds.

Local Cuisine and Where to Eat

The staples of Black Sea cuisine take pride of place on tables in Giresun and Ordu too. Here are the dishes you simply must try:

• Kuymak (Muhlama): A creamy delicacy made with butter, cornmeal and fresh cheese, served piping hot.
• Black cabbage soup and sarma: A hearty dish made from the region's distinctive black cabbage, enjoyed with cornbread.
• Hamsili pilav: A recipe combining rice and anchovies, an essential on Black Sea tables in autumn and winter.
• Cornbread: Made from corn, the region's traditional grain, this bread is served alongside almost every meal.
• Laz böreği: The region's most beloved dessert, made by spreading vanilla custard cream between thin layers of pastry.
• Hazelnut paste and hazelnut desserts: Spreads and sweets made from hazelnuts, the region's most important product, are also popular as gifts.

For dining, Giresun's seafood restaurants lining the city-centre waterfront and Ordu's breakfast and kuymak spots with views on the slopes of Boztepe stand out. The small highland eateries on the Kümbet and Çambaşı plateaus are known for their fresh dairy products and varieties of gözleme; be sure to try local produce such as fresh highland cheese, butter and blackberry jam at breakfast.

Best Spots for Photography

Sunset shots of the city and sea skyline from Boztepe are among the most-liked photos on Instagram. The view of Giresun Island captured from a boat and the sunset seen from Giresun Castle are also not to be missed. The sea of clouds that forms early in the morning over Kümbet Plateau is a favourite of nature photographers; for the most impressive shots, we recommend being on the plateau just before sunrise. At Cape Yason, the monastery ruins and the navy-blue sea meet in the same frame, and the greenery around the cape adds extra vibrancy to the scene, especially in spring.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Giresun's ancient name is Kerasus, and it is believed that the Turkish word for cherry, "kiraz", derives from this name; legend has it that the Roman commander Lucullus took cherries from the region back to Rome. Giresun Island is believed to have been home to the Amazon women warriors in antiquity, and the Golden Fleece of the Argonauts legend is said to be linked to these lands; these myths still add colour to tourism in the region. The name Ordu, meanwhile, comes from the military encampments established in the area during the Ottoman era. The monastery ruins at Cape Yason in Perşembe date back to the Byzantine period, while both cities, with their centuries-old tradition of hazelnut farming, are living examples of rural Black Sea culture. The horon dances still kept alive in the region, folk songs sung to the kemençe and highland festivals are the most vibrant traces of Black Sea culture carried into the present day. Hazelnuts are not just an agricultural product but lie at the heart of the regional economy and the rhythm of daily life; it is still a common tradition for every member of the family to take part in the harvest in August and September.

Practical Tips

• As the Black Sea climate is rainy, don't forget to pack a light raincoat whatever the season.
• Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for highland trips; some of the paths are dirt tracks and steep.
• During the hazelnut harvest in August and September, you may encounter heavy traffic on the coastal road, so plan your travel time accordingly.
• The Boztepe cable car and Giresun Island boat trips may be cancelled depending on the weather, so have a backup plan.
• When buying local products such as hazelnuts and hazelnut paste, choose trusted producers in the city centre.
• Card readers may not be available in highland areas, so it's wise to carry enough cash.
• If you're staying overnight on the plateaus, bring a light jacket for the chilly nights; evenings can be cool even in summer.

Giresun and Ordu are two lesser-known stops on the Black Sea, yet every bit as rich as Trabzon. If you'd like to explore these two cities and the surrounding plateaus with professional guidance, be sure to check out our Giresun Kuzalan Mavigöl Tour as well.