A 7-day Black Sea road trip from Istanbul to Trabzon
Estimated cost
$1,710estimated total
Stays
$610
Fuel
$220
Food
$350
Other
$530
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
407 km4h 40mDepart 08:00
Start
İstanbul, Türkiye
Drive 10 km to dinner
1
Attraction
Old Safranbolu Bazaar
Safranbolu, Türkiye
13:00–16:003h here$10
Ottoman UNESCO town
Park near the lower town and explore cobbled lanes on foot.
Drive 5 km to hotel
2
Food
Safranbolu Zencefil Yöresel Lezzetler
Safranbolu, Türkiye
16:15–17:151h here$35
Halal local dishes
Try kuyu kebabı and local saffron desserts.
Overnight in Safranbolu
3
Overnight
Hanı Safran Konak | Safranbolu Otel ve Pansiyon Hizmetleri
Safranbolu, Türkiye
17:30–18:301h here$85
Boutique Ottoman stay
Choose a central konak for easy evening walks.
Day 2
99 km1h 56mDepart 08:30
Drive 205 km to Amasra
4
Attraction
İncekaya Aqueduct
Safranbolu, Türkiye
08:45–10:452h here$8
Stone aqueduct viewpoint
Good morning light and canyon views; wear walking shoes.
Drive 2 km to castle
5
Food
Mustafa Amca'nın Yeri - Canlı Balık Restaurant
Amasra, Türkiye
13:45–14:451h here$45
Halal seafood lunch
Ask for grilled fish and salad; confirm no alcohol sauces.
Drive 3 km to Airbnb
6
Attraction
Amasra Fortress
Amasra, Türkiye
15:00–17:302h 30m here$10
Byzantine coastal walls
Walk the bridge and walls for sea views.
Overnight in Amasra
7
Overnight
Villa Amasra Pansiyon
Amasra, Türkiye
17:45–18:451h here$80
Apartment near harbor
Book parking in advance; streets are narrow.
Day 3
384 km5h 20mDepart 08:00
Drive 3 km to lunch
8
Attraction
Sinop Museum
Sinop, Türkiye
12:00–14:302h 30m here$12
Regional history museum
Covers ancient Paphlagonia and local finds.
Drive 8 km to fortress
9
Food
Teyze'nin Yeri Mantı Salonu
Sinop, Türkiye
14:45–15:451h here$35
Halal local bakery meal
Try nokul, mantı, and tea for a light meal.
Drive 4 km to hotel
10
Attraction
Sinop Prison
Sinop, Türkiye
16:00–18:302h 30m here$18
Historic prison museum
Atmospheric site; allow time for courtyards and cells.
Overnight in Sinop
11
Overnight
Sinop Harbour Otel
Sinop, Türkiye
18:45–19:451h here$90
Moderate waterfront hotel
Request sea-facing room and on-site parking.
Day 4
202 km3h 21mDepart 08:30
Drive 165 km to Samsun
12
Activity
Hamsilos Nature Park
Sinop, Türkiye
09:00–11:302h 30m here$15
Fjord-like bay walk
Bring binoculars for coastal birds and calm coves.
Drive 4 km to museum
13
Food
Samsun Pidecisi
Samsun, Türkiye
14:00–15:001h here$38
Halal Black Sea pide
Order closed Bafra pide with ayran.
Drive 6 km to Airbnb
14
Attraction
Bandırma ferry
Samsun, Türkiye
15:15–17:152h here$12
Atatürk history ship
Compact but important national history stop.
Overnight in Samsun
15
Overnight
Sunshine Villa & Bungalov (Samsun Villa)
Samsun, Türkiye
17:30–18:301h here$85
Central apartment stay
Choose Atakum or city center for easy dining.
Day 5
223 km4h 2mDepart 08:00
Drive 145 km to Ordu
16
Attraction
Amisos Hill
Samsun, Türkiye
08:30–10:302h here$15
Tombs and sea panorama
Use the cable car area for views if weather is clear.
Drive 6 km to Boztepe
17
Food
Ordu Tost - Tosthane
Ordu, Türkiye
12:45–13:451h here$35
Halal casual lunch
Good quick stop before the viewpoint.
Drive 45 km to Giresun
18
Activity
Boztepe Cable Car
Ordu, Türkiye
14:00–16:302h 30m here$20
Black Sea hill views
Relax with tea; avoid edge paths in fog.
Overnight in Giresun
19
Overnight
Bulancak Ayatoure Hotel Restaurant & Spa
Giresun, Türkiye
17:30–18:301h here$85
Moderate city hotel
Stay near the castle road for easy morning access.
Day 6
149 km2h 12mDepart 08:30
Drive 50 km to Tirebolu
20
Attraction
Giresun Castle
Giresun, Türkiye
09:00–11:002h here$8
Hilltop historic ruins
Best for views of the island and coast.
Drive 80 km to Sera Lake
21
Food
Tirebolu 42 Restaurant
Tirebolu, Türkiye
12:00–13:001h here$32
Halal coastal snacks
Try köfte, pide, and local tea by the harbor.
Drive 15 km to hotel
22
Activity
Sera Lake Center Hotel
Akçaabat, Türkiye
14:30–17:002h 30m here$20
Lakeside nature break
Calm walk and tea stop before entering Trabzon traffic.
Overnight near Trabzon
23
Overnight
Trabzon Sea Pearl (منازل للإيجار) Apartments
Akçaabat, Türkiye
17:30–18:301h here$85
Quiet apartment stay
Good base near Trabzon without city-center parking stress.
Day 7
172 km3h 6mDepart 08:00
Drive 35 km to lunch
24
Attraction
Sümela Monastery
Maçka, Türkiye
09:15–12:153h here$45
Cliffside monastery
Road is winding; use shuttle if required near the site.
Drive 35 km to Trabzon
25
Food
Maçuka Restoran İşletmeciliği Anonim Şirketi
Maçka, Türkiye
13:00–14:001h here$42
Halal Black Sea lunch
Try kuymak, trout, and cornbread.
Drive 5 km within Trabzon
26
Attraction
Trabzon Museum (Kostaki Mansion)
Trabzon, Türkiye
15:00–17:002h here$18
Historic mansion museum
Elegant architecture and city history displays.
Trip ends in Trabzon
27
Food
Loya garden- murat kalyoncu
Trabzon, Türkiye
17:30–18:301h here$35
Halal city food walk
Finish with Akçaabat köfte, sütlaç, and tea.
Finish
Trabzon, Türkiye
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Use HGS/OGS toll payment for highways
- 2Start early on long coastal driving days
- 3Confirm parking with hotels and Airbnbs
- 4Prefer main coastal roads in poor weather
- 5Keep fuel above half tank in rural stretches
Good to know
- 1Black Sea weather changes quickly
- 2Mountain roads near Sumela can be foggy
- 3Urban traffic can delay Samsun and Trabzon arrivals
- 4Some small eateries may not accept cards
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