Plizio Visual Lab

Black Sea Coast

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

coast

Weather…

The Turkish Black Sea Coast extends over 1,700 kilometers from the Georgian border in the east to the Bosphorus in the west. This region stands in stark climatic contrast to the rest of Turkey due to its high annual rainfall and temperate maritime climate, which nourishes lush, dense forests. Geographically, the coast is defined by the Pontic Mountains, which run parallel to the shore and separate the coastline from the Anatolian plateau. Historically, the area was part of the Kingdom of Pontus and later served as a strategic maritime zone for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Today's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, specifically tea production centered in Rize and hazelnut farming in Ordu and Giresun. Cultural landmarks include the Sumela Monastery, dramatically carved into a sheer cliff face. The coast also features Sinop, the region's only natural harbor.

Location: Turkey
Nearby: Körfez (28 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	6	6	8	11	16	20	23	24	21	17	12	8
Rain mm	73	47	57	43	42	38	19	18	39	59	69	85

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Main access is via the coastal highway connecting cities like Trabzon, Rize, and Samsun; domestic flights to these regional centers are the most common starting point.

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Best season

The region is humid year-round, but summer (June to August) is best for visiting higher mountain plateaus; be prepared for frequent rain even during the warmest months.

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Terrain & paths

Steep slopes and lush green mountains characterize the landscape, with narrow valleys leading down to the sea and high-altitude pastures known as 'yaylas' in the interior.

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What to bring

Waterproof clothing and sturdy, slip-resistant hiking boots are essential due to the humid climate and muddy trails; bring layers as temperatures drop quickly at higher elevations.

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Parking

Parking is generally available in coastal towns and near main tourist sites, but mountain roads can be narrow and parking space very limited on the high plateaus.

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Safety

Drive carefully on winding, foggy mountain roads and watch out for landslides after heavy rain; be aware that coastal currents can be surprisingly strong and dangerous.

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Time needed

While a coastal drive can take a few hours, exploring the inland valleys and yaylas requires at least 2-3 days to properly experience the unique local culture and nature.

Geography

Coordinates

41.50000, 36.00000

Facts

The Sumela Monastery was founded in 386 AD and is perched at an altitude of 1,200 meters.
Rize province produces approximately 60% of Turkey's total tea supply.
Turkey is the world's largest exporter of hazelnuts, controlling about 70% of the global market.
Mount Kaçkar Dağı, at 3,937 meters, is the highest peak in the Pontic Mountain range.
Sinop is the northernmost city in Turkey and possesses the only natural deep-water harbor on the Black Sea.
The region was the heartland of the Empire of Trebizond until its conquest in 1461.