The widely anticipated transfer of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah to Türkiye’s Trabzonspor is drawing attention not only to the Süper Lig club but also to the city itself – a green, picturesque gem on the northeastern edge of Black Sea coast.
While rumors were indicating that Salah, a Liverpool icon, could sign for Beşiktaş, one of three Istanbul giants, Trabzonspor confirmed late Tuesday in a public statement it had opened negotiations to bring the veteran scorer to Türkiye.
Salah then flew to Istanbul, where on Wednesday morning he was welcomed by numerous fans while social media was still abuzz about the transfer.
“Trabzon, are you ready? I can hear you. See you very soon,” Salah said in a video message posted on the club’s official X channel.
Renowned for its historical and natural richness, Trabzon has over recent years turned into a hot spot, particularly for Arab travelers, offering a harmonious blend of lush green landscapes and mesmerizing azure waters.
It has seen strong inflows of tourists, including those arriving from Gulf countries and the Arab world, and many speculators see a growing interest in the city amid Salah’s transfer.
Salah was a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. There was speculation the 34-year-old Egypt international would end his career in Saudi Arabia, but it emerged this week that Trabzonspor was leading the race to sign him.
Mohamed Salah arrives at Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 5, 2026. (AA Photo)
He established himself as a Premier League great with Liverpool, where he won two league titles and the Champions League among eight major honors.
Trabzonspor, often regarded as the fourth-top team in Turkish Süper Lig, last clinched the title in the 2021-22 season, securing their first league championship in 38 years.
Its hometown, Trabzon, is renowned for historical sites such as Sümela Monastery and Trabzon Hagia Sophia, as well as famous meatballs named after one of its districts – Akçabaat köftesi.
An aerial view of Uzungöl, one of the top attractions in Trabzon, northeastern Türkiye, July 13, 2026. (IHA Photo)
The natural lake Uzungöl and its surroundings are also one of the primary attractions for travelers seeking greenery and peace, far from urban rush.
Meanwhile, the photos shared in Turkish media and on social media already indicate enthusiasm among locals to welcome its new football star to the city.
Some commentators went further and said that Salah’s transfer is also a “great advert” for Türkiye-Egypt relations.
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Sometimes the most memorable journeys are not defined by the reason that brings you there, but by the places you discover along the way.
One of the first impressions visitors have of Kosovo begins at Pristina International Airport. Operated by the Turkish company Limak, the airport stands as a visible example of the long-standing economic ties between Türkiye and Kosovo. Arriving in a new country and being welcomed by the name of a Turkish company was an unexpected reminder of how infrastructure can quietly strengthen connections between nations. It was a small but meaningful moment that immediately made me feel connected to the destination.
Stepping into Pristina, I was welcomed by a city full of youthful energy. Its cafes were buzzing with students, public squares were alive with conversation, and every street reflected a generation eager to shape the future. Rather than trying to imitate Europe’s larger capitals, Pristina embraces its own identity with confidence. Modern architecture, independent cafes, creative spaces and a growing cultural scene reveal a capital that is evolving while remaining authentic.
During my visit, the city welcomed thousands of international visitors, bringing an extraordinary atmosphere to the streets. Despite the heavy traffic and crowded avenues, there was a sense of excitement everywhere. Restaurants, cafes and public spaces were filled with people from across Europe, transforming Pristina into a lively meeting point where different cultures naturally came together.
Illustrations of people wearing colorful traditional clothing displayed on the streets of Pristina, Kosovo, Aug. 1, 2026. (Photo by Neslişah Yılmaz Hidayetoğlu)
As a fashion designer, I found myself paying just as much attention to the people as to the city itself. Walking through Pristina felt like exploring an open-air fashion exhibition. Festival-inspired fashion blended effortlessly with everyday street style. Cowboy boots, crochet dresses, oversized denim jackets, metallic fabrics, sheer layers, lace details and colorful scarves reflected a generation that dresses with confidence rather than conformity.
What impressed me most was that fashion here was not driven by luxury labels but by individuality. Young people mixed vintage finds with contemporary pieces, creating looks that felt authentic rather than curated. In today’s digital world, where every street corner can become the backdrop for a photograph, personal style has become an extension of identity. Pristina captured that spirit beautifully.
After experiencing the vibrant rhythm of the capital, I traveled to Prizren, a city that immediately offers a completely different atmosphere.
Often described as Kosovo’s cultural heart, Prizren is where history quietly accompanies everyday life. Ottoman bridges, elegant mosques, churches, traditional stone houses and cafes lining the Bistrica River create an environment that encourages visitors to slow down and appreciate the details. Every narrow cobbled street reveals another layer of the city’s multicultural past.
One of the highlights of my visit was climbing to Prizren Fortress, where the panoramic view stretches across terracotta rooftops framed by the surrounding mountains. As the evening light settles over the city, Prizren reveals a timeless beauty that perfectly explains why it is considered one of the Balkans’ most charming destinations.
A general view of the Prizren Fortress, Prizren, Kosovo, Aug. 11, 2023. (Shutterstock Photo)
The city’s rich culinary scene adds another dimension to the experience. Traditional Balkan flavors sit comfortably alongside Ottoman influences, while local cafes invite visitors to spend hours simply watching life unfold beside the river. It is a place where history is not preserved behind museum walls but continues to exist naturally within everyday life.
Leaving Kosovo, I realized that what stayed with me most was not a single destination but the balance between its two most distinctive cities. Pristina represents confidence, creativity and youthful ambition. Prizren offers history, culture and quiet elegance. Together, they present a country that is steadily building its future while honoring its past.
Sometimes the most memorable journeys are not about the event that brings you somewhere – they are about the people you meet, the streets you walk and the stories a place leaves behind. Kosovo did exactly that, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for a destination that deserves to be explored far beyond the headlines.
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As the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee took place in Busan, South Korea, from July 20 to 29, 2026, the World Heritage List once again drew global attention. According to information obtained from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye’s UNESCO-listed ancient cities preserve the traces of thousands of years of civilizations, myths and faiths.
Archaeological site of Troy
The ancient city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s “Iliad” as the setting of the legendary Trojan War, lies in Türkiye’s northwestern Çanakkale province. The archaeological site, which recently returned to the global spotlight with Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998, with a history dating back to around 3000 B.C.
According to legend, Dardanus was born to Zeus and Electra, the daughter of the sea god Oceanus. Dardanus’ son Tros founded the land of Troas, while his son Ilus founded the city of Troy.
Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı), on whose foothills Troy was established, is also known as the place where the world’s first beauty contest took place. The contestants were Hera, Aphrodite and Athena. Serving as the judge, Paris chose Aphrodite after she promised him Helen, the wife of the king of Sparta. Paris’ abduction of Helen then triggered the Trojan War.
Excavations carried out at Troy since 1871 have revealed that the city was repeatedly built and destroyed throughout its history. In addition to nine settlement layers, archaeologists have uncovered 42 architectural layers. Among the remains are a theater, baths, an advanced sewage system and the foundations of monumental buildings.
A general view of the sanctuary walls and wells of Troy archeological site near Hisarlık, Çanakkale, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2012. (Shutterstock Photo)
Ephesus
One of the Mediterranean’s greatest ancient cities, Ephesus was continuously inhabited for nearly 9,000 years, from prehistoric times through the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Beylik and Ottoman periods. Located in today’s Izmir province, it served as a major port city as well as an important center of culture and trade throughout every stage of its history.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, the World Heritage Site of Ephesus features outstanding examples of architecture and urban planning from different periods, reflecting the exceptional urban development, architecture and religious history of the Hellenistic and Roman eras.
With a heritage ranging from the Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to the Church of Mary, where the Ecumenical Council convened in A.D. 431, from the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary, regarded as a Christian pilgrimage site, to Islamic monuments dating to the Beylik period, Ephesus continues to stand as one of the world’s unique centers where different chapters of religious history coexist.
An undated general view of the ancient city of Aphrodisias, Aydın, Türkiye. (Shutterstock Photo)
Aphrodisias
Named after the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the ancient city of Aphrodisias, together with its marble quarries, was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2017. Located in western Türkiye’s Aydın province, Aphrodisias dates back to the fifth century B.C.
The archaeological significance of Aphrodisias lies in the exceptional state of preservation of its largely marble-built structures, along with their associated reliefs and inscriptions, which vividly illustrate the intensive exchange of ideas and values from the Late Hellenistic period through the Roman and Byzantine eras.
Between the first and fifth centuries A.D., the city became one of the Roman world’s leading centers of sculpture. Its artists produced works that were exported across the empire, while the nearby marble quarries supplied the high-quality stone that made Aphrodisias famous as one of antiquity’s finest schools of sculpture, while also making it one of the key sites for studying every aspect of ancient marble art and architecture.
An undated aerial view of the ancient city of Pergamon, Izmir, Türkiye. (Shutterstock Photo)
Ancient city of Pergamon
Located atop Kale Hill in Türkiye’s Izmir province, the ancient city of Pergamon represents one of the finest examples of Hellenistic urban planning with its monumental architecture. The Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trajan, the steepest theater of the Hellenistic period, the library, the Heroon, the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Dionysus, the agora and the gymnasium are among the most distinguished examples of this planning system and the architecture of the period.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the Cultural Landscape category in 2014, Pergamon was an important center of learning and served as the capital of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon. Later, as the capital of the Roman province of Asia, it was also home to the Asklepion, one of the leading healing centers of the ancient world.
Together with its surrounding cultural landscape, the city preserves numerous outstanding remains from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It has also retained its significance through its Ottoman-era mosques, inns, baths and commercial buildings, many of which were built over layers dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
An undated view of the ruins of Sardis, the capital of the ancient Lydian civilization, Manisa, Türkiye. (Shutterstock Photo)
Sardis, the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe
Located in Manisa province, the ancient city of Sardis was the capital and the only known major city of the Lydian civilization. The Lydians, the western Anatolian civilization credited with inventing the world’s first coinage, fundamentally transformed global trade and commerce.
Known for its natural beauty and fertile lands, Sardis flourished between the ninth and sixth centuries B.C. and was described by the Greek historian Polybius as “the strongest place in the world.” Parts of its massive defensive walls, once 20 meters (66 feet) thick, still stand today.
Nearby, the Bin Tepe necropolis is one of the world’s largest burial landscapes. Spread across roughly 7,500 hectares (18,500 acres), it contains more than 119 burial mounds dating from the sixth to fourth centuries B.C., providing exceptional evidence of Lydian funerary traditions.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, Sardis remains an active archaeological site where excavation and conservation work continues.
An undated general view of the ruins of ancient city of Xanthos-Letoon, capital of Lycia, at sunset, Antalya, Türkiye. (Shutterstock Photo)
Xanthos-Letoon
Xanthos, home of Sarpedon, who encouraged Prince Hector with his words during the Trojan War, was the capital and largest administrative center of ancient Lycia, with a history dating back to around 3000 B.C. Letoon, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with Xanthos in 1988, was one of the most important religious centers of the period. Located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) apart, the two sites preserve stone inscriptions containing the longest surviving texts in the Lycian language.
Located near the border of Muğla and Antalya provinces, Xanthos is home to a 2,200-seat theater, built during the Hellenistic period and renovated in the Roman era. Its vaulted entrances, semicircular orchestra and stage building, which forms a unified composition with the theatron, are characteristic features of Roman architecture. North of the theater lies the Roman Agora, a large public square surrounded by porticoes that served as the center of commerce, politics and social life.
Discovered in 1840, the sanctuary of Letoon contains a theater with 36 rows of seats, a basilica, inscriptions, three temples, a circular portico associated with the imperial cult and an L-shaped stoa. Leto and her divine twins, Apollo and Artemis, were each honored with their own temple. The Temple of Leto is the largest of the three, while the Temple of Apollo is notable for resembling the houses depicted in Lycian tombs and for its wooden foundations. The lower parts of the Temple of Artemis remain submerged today as the water levels has gradually risen since antiquity.
An undated aerial view of the Gordion ruins, Ankara, Türkiye. (Shutterstock Photo)
Gordion
Located at the crossroads of the great empires of the ancient world – Assyria, Babylon and the Hittites in the east and Greece and Rome in the west – Gordion occupied a strategic position on the trade routes linking the Aegean and the Mediterranean with the Near East. Located in Türkiye’s capital Ankara, the ancient city of Gordion was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
The settlement has been occupied almost continuously for 4,500 years, making it one of the world’s longest-lived inhabited landscapes.
Gordion is best known as the capital of the Phrygian Kingdom and the city of the legendary King Midas. It offers some of the richest archaeological evidence of Phrygian civilization, whose written records are otherwise scarce.
The landscape around Gordion is dotted with tumuli of varying sizes belonging to Phrygian royalty and elites, dating back to the ninth century B.C. Among them, the Great Tumulus, excavated in 1957, is one of the largest burial mounds in Anatolia, measuring about 300 meters (984 feet) in diameter and rising to more than 50 meters (164 feet) in height. Its wooden burial chamber has survived remarkably intact.
The Phrygian citadel walls and monumental buildings, which demonstrate the architectural expression of royal authority and control over resources, together with the exceptionally well-preserved mosaics, wooden artifacts and textiles, rank among the most outstanding archaeological finds from ancient Anatolia.
European tourists worn down by recurrent heat waves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market.
With temperatures in the European summer regularly climbing up towards 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), cool has become cool.
This year, visitors “have been telling me that they have escaped the heat in southern parts of Europe,” said Terje Viblom Pedersen, a guide who offers tours in southeastern Sweden.
“They are just amazed” by the daytime high temperatures under 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and sea breezes, as well as the lack of crowds compared to tourist hotspots in southern Europe.
Two French tourists, Daniel and Florence Gastaldi, joined Pedersen for a tour of Stockholm’s Old Town.
“It’s good to have escaped the heat wave,” said the recently retired couple from the southern French city of Marseille.
An undated view of Nyhavn waterfront, colorful buliding facades and old ships along the canal, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Shutterstock Photo)
“We’re happy to have found cooler temperatures,” they said.
The concept of “coolcations” – vacations in a cooler clime – has been gathering pace in recent years and appears to have exploded in 2026.
On a French website, searches for rooms in the Danish capital of Copenhagen have jumped by 246% since the first heat wave struck France in May.
Those for Dublin in Ireland have risen by 151%.
The trend is not limited to France.
Jonna Robertson, a New York-based trip advisor, said she had observed the phenomenon in the United States, which has also seen its share of sweltering weather.
“Oslo has seen booking growth of 154% year-over-year, Helsinki 124%… Those numbers tell me that travellers are actively looking beyond the traditional summer hotspots,” said the expert and founder of Coolcation Adventures.
In France, industry experts say they have seen growing popularity of mountain resorts during the summer.
“That’s because at higher altitudes there is a clear drop in temperatures in the evening and during the night, which makes the stays much more livable,” said Jean-Pascal Chopard, head of the tourism body for the mountainous Jura region.
An undated sunset view with colorful sky of the Old Town architecture in Sodermalm district, Stockholm, Sweden. (Shutterstock Photo)
South remains popular
But will this current enthusiasm actually change the geography of international tourism?
Travellers’ choices depend on a whole range of different factors, not least pricing, experts point out.
And southern Europe, which is traditionally cheaper than the north, remains at the top of the most popular destinations.
“All European countries have recorded an increase in tourist arrivals, and there is no discernible trend linked to the heat,” said Swedish professor Stefan Gossling, a tourism specialist.
“Temperature is one aspect people take into account when they go on vacation,” he told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“But there are many other elements. Italy is not Denmark in terms of culture, environment, prices. All of that means people don’t easily change destinations when they have a favorite,” he said.
Norway’s tourism promotion agency agreed.
“Our recent visitor surveys show that around one in five foreign tourists considers cooler summer temperatures to be one of the reasons for choosing Norway” it said.
Nevertheless, “climate is only one of many factors that influence travel decisions,” it argued.
Security, nature, accessibility, air connections and exchange rates also play a role.
An undated panoramic view of Mykonos, Greece. (Shutterstock Photo)
Furthermore, Mediterranean countries have very extensive tourism infrastructures.
Indeed, visitor numbers continue to demonstrate the importance of warm countries.
Greece, for example, had its best year ever in terms of visitor numbers last year, as did Spain.
In Spain, spending by domestic and foreign tourists has already risen by more than 8% in the second quarter of 2026, according to data published recently by Exceltur, an organization that brings together the main Spanish tourism companies.
Jonna Robertson, for her part, is counting on a seasonal redistribution, with trips to hotter countries taking place in spring or autumn, in order to avoid both overtourism and exhausting temperatures.
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Southern Türkiye’s Demre, home to renowned attractions including the St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) Church, the ancient cities of Myra and Andriake, Kekova, Üçağız and Kaleköy, aims to strengthen its tourism sector through year-round offerings, international events, new accommodation investments and sustainable tourism projects.
Local authorities are working to expand cultural, faith, nature and marine tourism beyond the traditional summer season. By combining its rich historical heritage with its well-preserved natural landscape, Antalya’s Demre hopes to establish itself as a four-season destination attracting visitors from around the world.
In an interview on Friday, Mayor Fahri Duran told Anadolu Agency (AA) that although Demre has long been known as an agricultural district, its tourism potential has become increasingly visible in recent years.
“Demre was known for many years as an agricultural district. However, we have always had exceptional assets, including cultural, faith, marine and nature tourism,” Duran said. “With its unspoiled natural environment, Demre is a destination where tourism can flourish throughout all 12 months of the year.”
Duran said faith tourism remains one of the district’s greatest strengths, noting that clergy from different countries gather every Dec. 6 at the St. Nicholas Church to hold religious services commemorating the fourth-century bishop widely associated with the modern-day figure of Santa Claus.
A view from a historical site in Demre, Antalya, southern Türkiye, July 17, 2026. (AA Photo)
He also highlighted the success of the inaugural Santa Claus Festival, held last year, saying the municipality plans to expand it into a larger international event.
“We organized the festival under the motto, ‘Christmas is celebrated in the city of Santa Claus,'” Duran said. “The response exceeded our expectations, and next year we plan to organize a much larger and more comprehensive international festival.”
Duran identified Üçağız and Kaleköy among Demre’s leading tourism destinations. He noted that Üçağız was named one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by the U.N. Tourism organization last year.
With a population of about 700, Üçağız draws thousands of visitors, particularly during the summer season.
“Kaleköy is one of the rare settlements in Türkiye with no road access,” Duran said. “Its distinctive houses, narrow streets and natural setting offer visitors a unique atmosphere. Although Üçağız has a population of around 700, we host between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors on weekends and around 2,000 on weekdays. While visitor numbers have declined in some tourism destinations, Demre was among the few places that welcomed more visitors than the previous year.”
A sailboat cruises along the coast of Demre in Antalya, southern Türkiye, July 17, 2026. (AA Photo)
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism, Duran said the municipality plans to launch a recreational project covering approximately 50,000 to 60,000 square meters in the Çayağzı area in September. Infrastructure projects aimed at protecting the marine environment are also continuing with support from the Antalya Governor’s Office.
He added that accommodation investments have accelerated in recent years, increasing the district’s capacity to approximately 4,000 to 5,000 beds through villas, bungalows, apartment-style accommodations and hotels.
As Demre gains greater international recognition each year, Duran invited both domestic and international visitors to explore the district’s historical, natural and cultural treasures.
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Cappadocia, the UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its dramatic landscapes and ancient rock formations, has been named the world’s best sunset destination in an international tourism study conducted by AllClear Travel Insurance.
The central Turkish region earned a score of 86.1 out of 100, topping the global ranking after being evaluated on weather conditions, scenic quality, visitor experiences and social media engagement. Cappadocia finished ahead of internationally recognized destinations including Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Taj Mahal in India.
Known for its distinctive fairy chimneys, deep valleys and centuries-old rock-carved dwellings formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, Cappadocia offers visitors panoramic sunset views illuminated by vibrant shades of red, orange and gold.
Popular sunset viewing locations include Red Valley (Kızılçukur), Göreme, Uçhisar and Ortahisar, where thousands of domestic and international visitors gather each evening to experience the region’s changing colors.
In addition to its scenic viewpoints, Cappadocia offers a variety of outdoor activities that enhance the sunset experience, including ATV safaris, horseback riding tours and panoramic observation terraces. While the region is globally recognized for its sunrise hot air balloon flights, its sunset landscapes have increasingly become one of its defining tourism attractions.
Beyond its natural beauty, Cappadocia is internationally recognized for its rock-hewn churches, underground cities, historic stone houses and thousands of years of cultural heritage, making it one of Türkiye’s most significant tourism destinations.
Visitors welcomed the announcement, describing the region’s sunsets as unforgettable.
Yasemin Ilgın, a tourist from Germany visiting Cappadocia for the first time, said she thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and believed the region deserved the top ranking.
“I am visiting Cappadocia for the first time. I really enjoyed this view. I think it truly deserves to be ranked first in the world,” Ilgın said.
Visitor Abdulkadir Önügören said everyone should experience Cappadocia at least once.
“Everyone should come and see Cappadocia. Being able to experience the sunset here is very special. I had seen Cappadocia on social media before, which made me want to come and experience this atmosphere myself,” he said.
Berfin Çavdar, who traveled from another province in Türkiye, said the region’s atmosphere gave visitors a sense of peace.
“You feel as though you are in a completely different world here. Watching the sunset against this landscape is truly an unforgettable experience,” she said.
Berke Eren, a Dutch-Turkish visitor from the Netherlands, said he came to Cappadocia to witness what he described as the world’s most beautiful sunset.
“We came to Cappadocia to watch the world’s most beautiful sunset. The atmosphere here is every bit as incredible as people say,” he said.
A Russian tourist visiting Cappadocia for the first time described the experience as deeply emotional.
“This is my first time here. It is incredibly beautiful, with a breathtaking landscape. When I first saw it, I cried. Cappadocia is a very romantic place that embodies love,” the visitor said.
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Perched on steep hillsides where lush forests meet the Black Sea, the northern Turkish city of Giresun is emerging as a destination for travelers seeking nature, outdoor experiences and cultural heritage.
Home to numerous civilizations since antiquity, Giresun takes its name from the cherry cultivation that flourished in the region during ancient times. Today, the city offers visitors a different atmosphere in every season, combining scenic landscapes, historical landmarks and regional cuisine.
Located within easy reach of both Trabzon Airport and Ordu-Giresun Airport, Giresun is about a 45-minute drive from Ordu and roughly 90 minutes from Trabzon.
Among the city’s most popular attractions are Giresun Castle, Giresun Island – the only inhabited island in the eastern Black Sea, the Zeytinlik historic district, the highland plateaus of Kulakkaya, Kümbet and Bektaş, Kuzalan Falls, Mavigöl (Blue Lake) and the Göksu Travertines.
A general view of Giresun Castle, Giresun, northern Türkiye, June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Overlooking Giresun
Rising about 100 meters (330 feet) above sea level, Giresun Castle is one of the city’s best-known landmarks, offering sweeping views of the Black Sea and the surrounding urban landscape.
Known in ancient sources as “Kerasus,” the fortress is believed to have been built by King Pharnaces I of Pontus during the second century B.C. Today, the remains of its walls resemble an open-air museum.
The castle preserves traces of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, while shaded walking paths beneath centuries-old plane trees and tea gardens overlooking the Black Sea make it a popular destination for both history enthusiasts and visitors seeking scenic views. Recent improvements have also transformed the site into a recreational park.
Myth, archaeology
Located about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) offshore, Giresun Island is the only island in the eastern Black Sea suitable for human habitation.
Known as “Aretias” in antiquity, the island is associated with Greek mythology. Legends say it was visited by the Amazons and that Hercules and the Argonauts stopped there during their quest for the Golden Fleece.
During the summer, visitors can reach the island by boat tour to explore Byzantine-era fortifications and church ruins. The island also serves as an important habitat for seabirds, including gulls and cormorants, allowing visitors to observe nesting and breeding colonies.
Kulakkaya Plateau
For travelers seeking the region’s mountain landscapes, the highland plateaus surrounding Giresun provide a striking contrast to the coastline.
An aerial view of Kulakkaya Plateau, Giresun, northern Türkiye, June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Kulakkaya Plateau, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the city center, is among the area’s most popular destinations. The plateau reflects the traditional lifestyle of the Black Sea highlands while offering accommodation options and visitor facilities.
Known for its cool mountain air, peaceful atmosphere and regional cuisine, Kulakkaya has become a favored retreat for visitors looking to escape urban life.
An aerial view of Kulakkaya Plateau, Giresun, northern Türkiye, June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Waterfalls, travertines
In recent years, Kuzalan Nature Park in Giresun’s Dereli district has become one of the province’s leading ecotourism destinations.
The park is home to Kuzalan Falls, where water cascades about 20 meters (66 feet) into a forested valley. Observation terraces and hiking trails make the site especially popular among photographers and nature lovers.
A view of Kuzalan Falls, Giresun, northern Türkiye, June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Nearby, Blue Lake draws visitors with its vivid turquoise waters, a seasonal phenomenon created by the area’s limestone-rich geology and mineral content. The lake’s striking colors, particularly during summer and autumn, have made it a favorite destination for photographers and social media users.
A general view of Göksu Travertines, Giresun, northern Türkiye, June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Adjacent to the lake, the Göksu Travertines feature white mineral terraces and shallow pools formed by calcium-rich waters. Often referred to as the “Pamukkale of the Black Sea,” the site has been developed with walking paths and rest areas, adding another attraction to the region’s growing ecotourism offerings.
Local cuisine
Often referred to as Türkiye’s “hazelnut capital,” Giresun is also gaining recognition as a culinary destination.
The province is renowned for its registered Giresun Tombul hazelnuts, widely regarded among the world’s highest-quality hazelnut varieties.
The local cuisine ranges from seafood to wild edible plants and includes several geographically registered specialties, such as Çamoluk sugar beans, Görele ice cream, Alucra kid kebab, Giresun nettles and the kadayıf dessert made with hazelnut paste.
Giresun also stands out for its plant-based dishes, reflecting the region’s rich biodiversity. Traditional recipes such as karalahana diblesi (rice with black cabbage), taflan kavurması (sauteed cherry laurel), melocan kavurması (sauteed wild shoots) and sakarca dishes offer vegetarian options that appeal to travelers interested in local and healthy cuisine.
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