The Black Sea runs along the entire northern coast of Turkey. It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea by the Strait of Dardanelles.
Istanbul is only a short distance away from the coast on the west side. Further east, the city of Samsun lies right at the water’s edge and to the border of Georgia.
Since it is a pretty mountainous region, the settlement along the entire coast is pretty sparse, and thanks to its geography, there are beautiful plateaus in between mountains creating an excellent opportunity for farming, where some rare crops are also grown.
Home to thousands of different plants, the area has over %35 of flora and fauna of entire Turkey. So, since it’s pretty rich with wildflowers, the best honey, especially the worldwide-known mad honey, also comes from this region.
While some visitors opt for Abant (Seven Lakes) in Bolu for the peace and the sake of eye pleasure, some visitors will prefer hiking in the mountains and plateaus. It is one most memorable trip to take one to two weeks of hiking itinerary on the Kackar Mountains, which has some jaw-dropping glacier lakes, or heliskiing, and similar winter sports.
The beautiful coastline of the Black Sea makes this region one of the biggest fishing industries in the country. So, farming, animal husbandry, and fishing are somewhat the most significant sources of income for the people of this area. Corn, kiwi, rice, beans, potatoes, and the famous Turkish black tea are among the other major crops.
Kemence can be described as the symbolic instrument for the whole Black Sea. While it can be played for fun in front of local shops or the middle of a national park, it is a perfect match for both the ways the languages in the area are spoken and the traditional folk dances, “Horon” being one of the most famous.
Apart from the official Turkish itself, with the Black Sea pronunciation, there are two other languages spoken in the region.
1. Laz or Lazuri language language is a Kartvelian language spoken by several thousand people of the southeastern shore of the region.
2. Bird language is spoken unfortunately by a smaller community now while there were several cities in the Black Sea back in the 1970s. Today, only around 10,000 speak the language, which is a more complex way of whistling used to communicate in between steep fields and mountains of the Kuskoy in Giresun.
Most of the Black Sea’s coastal resorts offer a good selection of restaurants, serving quality fare from both local and international traditions.
For those of you seeking the authentic Turkish dining experience, be sure to try Akcaabat Kofte (Turkish meatballs), Mihlama, or Kuymak (Turkish Cheese Fondue) and cornbread (Misir ekmegi).
Depending on the season, anything with anchovy is famous here. Haddock, horse-mackerel, red mullet, acorn, and turbot are among the other preferred fishes.
Vegans will be glad to hear that there are plenty of plant-based options to choose from in the Black Sea. The meals or dolmas made of collard greens are one of the most consumed dishes.
Having read about all of its fabulous attractions, you’re probably already planning your trip to the Black Sea.
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There are many small islands on the Black Sea. Not all of these are Turkish; St. Anastasia and St. Cyricus, for instance, belongs to Bulgaria.
Safranbolu is an excellent sample of 18th-19th century Turkey with over a thousand traditional mansions and its beautiful streets of local vendors.
Sumela Monastery is one of a kind setting nestled into the side of rocks of Macka by the slopes of the Zigana Mountains. Consisting of 72 rooms, its incredible view from atop will amaze you, along with some new sections discovered during its final restoration.
Sinop is the only natural seaport of the country that is home to an archaeological museum, the beautiful Erfelek Waterfall, Restaurants on the water that attracts many visitors with its beautiful lighthouse on the most northern edge of Turkey. Especially famous among Turkish visitors, Sinop Fortress Prison is also worth a visit. This oldest prison in Turkey sits on cape Sinop, which was used at some famous Turkish movies, and especially in recent years, it has become a significant tourist attraction.
Berezan and Giresun are two of the best-known Turkish Black Sea islands. These have become popular tourist destinations. They may be worth considering if an island vacation is something you’re interested in as well.
