Country Info | Read more
Flags are sourced from free platforms like flagpedia.net
Turkey (Northcoast)
The northern coast by the Black Sea is wildly green, full of misty mountains and endless tea farms. You can hike up to ancient monasteries built right into steep cliffs or just enjoy the fresh, cool ocean breeze. It is a totally different side of the country.
* Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk (*). We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Photos without credits are sourced from free platforms like Unsplash and Pexels
Summary
Did you know?
Monastery on a Cliff – Sumela Monastery clings precariously to a sheer vertical cliff face high above a misty green mountain forest.
Overview
Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains
Expenses
Over 200€, <200€, <150€, <100€, 0-50€
Temperature
10-20°C, 20-25°C
Rainfall
50-100mm, 100-150mm
Safety
Medium
Continent
Europe, Asia, Middle East
Currency
Turkish lira
Languages
Turkish
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel through Northern Turkey is from June to September. This northern region has a mild, wet oceanic climate.
Summer brings the sunniest days and opens up high alpine meadows (yaylas) in the Kaçkar Mountains that remain snowbound for most of the year.
If you are focusing on cities like Istanbul and Bursa, the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer pleasant temperatures without the summer humidity.
Winter (December to March) brings heavy rain along the Black Sea coast, thick snow in Bolu and the alpine highlands of Artvin, and cold, gray weather to Istanbul.
-
Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: June to September (Summer)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 8 to 10 hours.
Rain Frequency: 6 to 9 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Sudden, heavy showers or misty mountain drizzles that blow in from the Black Sea.
Duration: Fast-clearing rain along the coast, though high mountain plateaus can stay wrapped in fog for entire afternoons.
Off-Peak Season: November to March (Winter)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Rain Frequency: 13 to 18 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Intensity: Continuous cold rain on the coast; heavy snowfall in mountain passes around Bolu and Artvin.
Duration: Gray skies and damp cold can settle over the region for several days at a time.
Climate Chart
_edited_edited_edited_e.jpg)
Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: June-September (Summer)
Budget Vacation ($35-60/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (backpacker hostels in Istanbul, simple wooden guesthouses in the mountains).
Food: $10-15/day (local bakery pide, street döner, lentil soup diners).
Activities: $5-10/day (historic mosque visits, public hiking trails).
Transportation: $5-10/day (intercity minibuses, municipal ferry rides).
Other Costs: $3/day (bottled water, black tea).
Mid-Range Vacation ($80-160/day)
Accommodation: $45-90/night (restored Ottoman stone mansions, boutique plateau lodges).
Food: $20-40/day (fresh Black Sea anchovy feasts, traditional grill houses).
Activities: $15-30/day (monastery entry passes, national park permits).
Transportation: $20-35/day (compact rental car for mountain roads, express buses).
Other Costs: $5/day (trail snacks, coffee).
Luxury Vacation ($250-600+/day)
Accommodation: $150-400+/night (5-star waterfront hotels along the Bosphorus, private alpine chalets).
Food: $60-120/day (fine Bosphorus seafood dining, regional Ottoman tasting menus).
Activities: $50-150+/day (private yacht cruises, guided 4WD trekking tours).
Transportation: $60-120/day (private airport transfers, premium 4WD rentals).
Other Costs: $20+/day (thermal bath treatments, local hazelnut purchases).
Off-Peak Season: November-March (Winter)
Budget Vacation ($25-45/day)
Accommodation: $10-18/night (discounted central city hotels).
Food: $8-12/day (local neighborhood eateries, bakeries).
Activities: $3-7/day (historic covered bazaars, indoor museums).
Transportation: $5-8/day (city metros, suburban commuter trains).
Other Costs: $3/day (hot salep drinks).
Mid-Range Vacation ($60-120/day)
Accommodation: $30-65/night (discounted city hotels, thermal spa hotels).
Food: $15-30/day (casual indoor sit-down diners).
Activities: $10-20/day (hot thermal bath visits, museum tickets).
Transportation: $15-25/day (discounted rental cars).
Other Costs: $5/day (rain umbrellas).
Luxury Vacation ($180-400+/day)
Accommodation: $100-250+/night (luxury winter ski lodges, high-end heritage mansions).
Food: $45-90/day (hotel restaurants, gourmet Turkish grills).
Activities: $40-100/day (ski lift passes, private museum tours).
Transportation: $40-80/day (chauffeur services).
Other Costs: $15/day (spa services).
-
You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Istanbul
- The historic mega-city split across Europe and Asia by the Bosphorus Strait, famous for its Byzantine monuments, imperial Ottoman palaces, and energetic street life.
2. Bursa
- The first Ottoman capital, known for its historic Silk Market, thermal bathhouses, and the towering peak of Mount Uludağ.
3. Amasya
- A scenic riverfront town set in a dramatic limestone gorge, celebrated for its timber Ottoman houses and illuminated ancient cliff tombs.
4. Safranbolu
- A UNESCO-listed heritage town preserving cobblestone streets lined with classic white-and-timber Ottoman merchant mansions.
5. Trabzon
- The primary historical port of the eastern Black Sea, famous for its cliff-hanging monastery, tea culture, and coastal Byzantine legacy.
Trabzon
Did you know?
Tea Mountain Slopes – Rize is blanketed by steep, mist-covered green tea plantations that produce Turkey's favorite daily brew.
Islands
1. Büyükada
- The largest of the Princes' Islands near Istanbul, entirely free of gasoline cars and known for grand Victorian wooden mansions, pine trees, and bike paths.
2. Heybeliada
- A quiet neighbor to Büyükada, popular for pine-fringed beaches, the historic Greek Orthodox theological school, and quiet walking trails.
3. Giresun Island
- The only significant island along Turkey's Black Sea coast, steeped in ancient Amazon legends and accessible via summer boat trips.
-
Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Büyükada
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Kaçkar Mountains National Park
- A jagged alpine range in the northeast with snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, high glacial lakes, and thick pine forests.
2. Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park
- A tranquil forest sanctuary near Bolu featuring seven interconnected mountain lakes that turn vivid red, orange, and gold each autumn.
3. Borçka Karagöl
- A mirror-like mountain lake nestled in the dense rainforests of Artvin, surrounded by wooden walking tracks and mountain reflections.
4. Ballıca Cave
- A massive underground cave system near Tokat filled with rare dwarf stalactites and natural chambers with clean, mineral-rich air.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Hagia Sophia
- A 6th-century architectural marvel in Istanbul, famous for its soaring dome, preserved golden Christian mosaics, and towering minarets.
2. Sumela Monastery
- A Greek Orthodox monastery clinging impossibly to a sheer vertical rock face high above the evergreen forests of Trabzon.
3. Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
- A massive early-Ottoman masterpiece built in 1399, featuring twenty domes and a large fountain right inside the central prayer hall.
4. Pontic Rock Tombs
- Massive 2,000-year-old burial chambers carved directly into the sheer limestone cliffs towering over the town of Amasya.
Unique Experiences
1. Staying in a Highland Yayla
- Sleeping in a traditional wooden cabin high above the cloud layer in the mountain meadows of Rize or Artvin, drinking fresh tea with local shepherds.
2. Cruising the Bosphorus
- Taking a public ferry between Europe and Asia at sunset, passing wooden waterfront palaces, medieval fortresses, and skyline minarets.
3. Thermal Soaking in Oylat or Çekirge
- Relaxing in naturally heated, mineral-rich hot spring pools that have been utilized since the Roman and early Ottoman eras.
-
The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Kaçkar Mountains
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Sumahan on the Water
Location: Cengelkoy, Istanbul
A charming historic distillery converted into a luxury waterfront boutique hotel on the shores of the Bosphorus, blending industrial heritage design with serene coastal elegance.
Restaurants / Bars
Zuma Istanbul
Location: Istinye Park, Istanbul
A contemporary fine-dining establishment celebrated for its sophisticated take on modern Japanese izakaya cuisine, featuring robata-grilled specialties and sleek urban design.
Tours to do
1. The Black Sea Alpine Highway
- A dramatic mountain-and-coast road trip starting in Trabzon, heading through the tea plantations of Rize, and climbing the cloud-covered valleys of Artvin.
Best Time: July to September.
Average Cost: $500 – $950 per person
2. The Ottoman Heritage and Lakes Circuit
- A scenic loop departing Istanbul to explore the silk bazaars of Bursa, the forested lakes of Bolu, and the preserved timber mansions of Safranbolu.
Best Time: May to June, or September to October.
Average Cost: $400 – $750 per person
Bolu
How to get around
1. Car Rental
- Highly recommended for driving the D400 highway along the coast, where roads are well-paved, scenic, and easy to navigate.
2. Intercity Buses
- Companies like Pamukkale Turizm and Kamil Koç run modern, comfortable buses equipped with Wi-Fi and seatback screens between all major towns.
3. Domestic Aviation
- Extensive flight connections link Istanbul to regional hubs across this zone, including Izmir (ADB), Bodrum (BJV), Dalaman (DLM), Antalya (AYT), Adana (ADA/COV), and Gaziantep (GZT).
-
You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Underground Coal Mines – Zonguldak features historic black coal mining shafts that extend deep beneath the bottom of the Black Sea.
What to eat
1. Iskender Kebab
- Originating in Bursa. Thinly sliced grilled döner lamb is layered over chopped warm pita bread, smothered in melted sheep butter, hot tomato sauce, and thick yogurt.
2. Mıhlama (Kuymak)
- A rich, comforting Black Sea breakfast dish made by melting local aged cheeses with coarse cornmeal and freshly churned regional butter into a piping-hot, stretchy dip.
3. Hamsi Tava
- Small, fresh Black Sea anchovies tossed lightly in corn flour and pan-fried in large circular patterns until golden and crisp, served simply with lemon wedges and onions.
4. Tokat Kebabı
- A regional specialty baked in a special upright oven. Marinated lamb chunks, baby eggplants, garlic bulbs, and potatoes are roasted on vertical metal skewers over wood embers.
Mıhlama
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €100 to €300.
- Cheapest Months: November to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $600 to $1,200.
- Cheapest Months: November to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $500 to $900.
- Cheapest Months: November to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $900 to $1,500.
- Cheapest Months: November to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $300 to $700.
- Cheapest Months: November to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
-
You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia need an e-Visa for tourism or business purposes.
2. e-Visa Application
- Travelers can apply for an e-Visa online before traveling, which is quick and convenient.
3. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a e-Visa: Valid for tourism or business, allowing stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
4. Processing Time
- e-Visa applications are usually processed within minutes, but it's advisable to apply at least a few days before your trip.
5. Duration of Stay
- e-Visa holders can stay for up to 90 days; different rules may apply for other visa types.
6. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are generally required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
8. Proof of Funds
- Visitors may need to show proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 230V, and plug types C and F are used.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, usually around 10-15%.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Turkcell and Vodafone.
6. Driving Side
- In Turkey, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Bursa Silk Scarves
- Finely woven pure silk textiles, shawls, and scarves purchased directly from merchants inside Bursa's 15th-century Koza Han bazaar.
2. Süvene (Black Sea Woodcrafts)
- Hand-turned wooden churns, butter bowls, and small traditional wood-carved spoons crafted by highland forest communities.
4. Rize Feretiko Cloth
- A light, breathable traditional hand-woven fabric made from durable hemp and cotton fibers, used for regional shirts and home linens.
Silk Scarves
Location
Reviews
You already visited this country? Share your experiences with others! Tell us what’s worth seeing, what to skip, the things you wish you knew before your trip, what surprised you, what do you wish you knew earlier? Leave a review and help others plan smarter. Thanks in advance! :))