A Coastal Day Between Tirebolu and Görele

The coast between Giresun and Trabzon is one of the most coherent stretches of the Black Sea: castles, fishing harbours and hazelnut slopes follow one another. Tirebolu and Görele are its two ends, twenty kilometres apart.

Getting there: the coast road east from the centre; forty five kilometres to Tirebolu and sixty five to Görele. Shore minibuses run regularly, while a car gives you the freedom to linger.

The day: spend the morning in Tirebolu. Saint Jean castle at the tip of the headland dates from the Genoese period, and walking through its walls to the point leaves sea on three sides. Along the town's shore are old houses, tea houses and a fishing harbour. Move on to Görele in the afternoon. Associated with the kemençe, this town produced some of the best known performers of Black Sea music, and old houses stand in its back streets. Close the day with tea by the sea.

Eating: Görele pide carries the town's name in the region and is the right choice for lunch. Fish is fresh in season in Tirebolu.

Tips: the climb to the castle is short but stony. Traffic builds on the coast road in summer, so an early start helps.