This calm Black Sea coastal town lies between mountains and forests, with local fishermen bringing fresh seafood to waterfront restaurants daily. Traditional Turkish life continues at a relaxed pace.
Ordu sits along Turkey's Black Sea coast, where mountains rise sharply behind a 10-kilometer shoreline. You can take a cable car ride to Boztepe hill for panoramic views of the city and sea, explore the 19th-century Jason's Church on its rocky peninsula, or walk through hazelnut orchards that produce 25% of the world's hazelnuts. The city's restaurants prepare regional Black Sea dishes like hamsi tava (fried anchovies) and fındıklı tatlı (hazelnut desserts).
Transport to Ordu
You can fly into Ordu-Giresun Airport, located on an artificial island in the Black Sea. Daily flights connect to Istanbul. To reach the city center, take a 30-minute bus ride or taxi. If you're driving from Istanbul, follow the coastal highway D010 for about 10 hours.
Weather and Seasons in Ordu
Summer temperatures average 25°C, ideal for swimming and walking, while winters cool down to around 8°C. Rain falls throughout the year, with more frequent showers in winter. Plan your visit between June and September for the best beach weather and outdoor conditions.
Boztepe Cable Car and Hill
The cable car takes you up 550 meters in 6 minutes from the city center. At the summit, follow marked paths around the hill for views of the coast and city. Local families gather at the tea gardens, where you can drink Black Sea tea while looking out over the water.
Black Sea Coast
A wide waterfront promenade extends for 10 kilometers along the shore, with unobstructed sea views. The public beaches come equipped with changing rooms and showers. During summer months, the water temperature reaches 24°C. Head to Çaka Beach for swimming in calmer waters.
Local Food and Hazelnuts
The central market sells hazelnuts straight from nearby orchards - both fresh and roasted varieties. Black Sea cuisine dominates local menus, including pide (long boats of dough) with melted butter and cheese, mısır ekmeği (corn bread), and hamsi (anchovies). Look for the local specialty "yanık dondurma" (burnt ice cream) with its caramelized milk flavor.
Historical Sites
Visit the Taşbaşı Cultural Center, an 1890s Greek Orthodox church perched above the sea. Drive 28 kilometers to Cape Jason to see the 1869 stone church and learn about the Greek legend of Jason and the Argonauts. The Paşaoğlu Mansion museum displays original furniture and household items from an Ottoman family home of the 1890s.
Mountain Areas
The mountains behind Ordu contain high plateaus covered in oak forests. At Ulugöl, 17 kilometers from the city, walk around a volcanic lake on marked forest trails or stop at designated picnic spots. Climb to the Çambaşı plateau at 1,850 meters to hike a 5-kilometer marked trail with views across multiple mountain ranges.
