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Turkey Highlights & Black Sea Explorer Tour – 11 Days Istanbul to Trabzon

Istanbul, Safranbolu, Amasra, Kastamonu, Sinop, Samsun, Trabzon, Surmene, Istanbul,
Duration

11 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

1-40 people

Physical Level

easy

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Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey from Istanbul to the Black Sea, combining Türkiye’s most iconic cultural treasures with its lesser-known coastal gems. This all-inclusive tour offers a perfect blend of history, nature, architecture, and authentic local experiences.

Begin your adventure in Istanbul, discovering the world-famous Old City landmarks such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, and the scenic Bosphorus. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Ottoman town of Safranbolu, the charming coastal gem Amasra, and the historic city of Kastamonu.

Your journey then takes you deeper along the Black Sea coastline, visiting the northernmost city Sinop, historically rich Samsun, and the cultural hub of Trabzon. From the mystical Sümela Monastery to peaceful Uzungöl Lake, traditional tea houses, Ottoman bazaars, breathtaking viewpoints, and lush mountain landscapes, this tour offers an immersive experience filled with beauty, tradition, and local flavor.

Perfect for culture lovers, nature travelers, photographers, and those seeking an authentic, extended exploration of Türkiye.

Activities
Historical Discovery In-depth Cultural Photography Sightseeing Solo Travel Explorer

Tour Features

Duration
11 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-40 people

Tour Code
THBSET11DIT

Departure Type
scheduled

Tour Category
Culture & Historical

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
11 - 99

Istanbul

Pickup Time:

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Istanbul

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Historic Istanbul: Explore iconic landmarks including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar.

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by one of our colleagues with a sign of Efendi Travel. He/she will accompany you to our vehicle and you will be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul.

Day 2

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will be picked up from your hotel at around 09:00 for the Full-Day Walking Tour. You will visit: Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern (Underground Water Palace) and Roman Hippodrome. You may also visit the Harem in the palace which is optional extra cost. Lunch break. The afternoon part starts at around 13:00. You will see: St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Million Stone, Tomb of Sultan Mahmud and ancient Ottoman cemetery and Cemberlitas (Burnt Column). The tour ends at around 16:30 with free time in Grand Bazaar. You will be advised by your guide to return to your hotel on your own. Accommodation in Istanbul. 

Day 3

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
Pick up time is about 08.30 from the hotel. You will visit : Golden Horn ( from the bus ), Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) and then have a boat cruise on Bosphorus. You will also view Imperial gardens of Royal Yildiz Palace, Çiragan Palace Hotel Kempinski and Beylerbeyi Palace during the tour. After lunch, you will drive to the Asian Side of Istanbul, and you will have a unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asian) side in 2 minutes using the Bosphorus Bridge. The first stop is Beylerbeyi Palace which is the summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with Harem.  The next stop is Camlica Hill which is the highest natural point in Istanbul.  At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. After the tour, your guide will drop you off at your hotel at around 18:00. Accommodation in Istanbul. 

Day 4

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will be picked up from your hotel at around 07:00 and start driving for Safranbolu, which takes around 4 hours’ journey, stopping on the way for breakfast and when needed. You will arrive at around 11:30, and you will have a half-day tour around the town of Safranbolu, which gets its name from the saffron flowers cultivated here (only cultivation area in Turkey), an important trading center and caravanserai in the old east-west trade route and famous for its Ottoman houses still standing to date. You will go up to Hidirlik Hill to get a good view of the town. Then you will go down and visit Kaymakamlar Museum, in which you can get information about the history of the town and the structure and architecture of the Ottoman Houses of Safranbolu. Then you will walk through the town, seeing the Clock Tower, Old Ottoman Prison, Grand Mosque, handicraft bazaars of the town, and visit Cinci Han Caravanserai (serves as events venue, hotel and café today) and the Cinci Turkish Bath, where you can have the Turkish Bath experience if you would like (use of the bath is at your own expense). After the tour, you will check into your hotel. Accommodation in Safranbolu. 

Day 5

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and drive to Amasra, named after a Persian princess Amastris in 12th century B.C., one of the most beautiful towns on Black Sea coast. Before arriving to Amasra you will visit Kuskayasi (Bird Rock) monument and see the beautiful Amasra from the Bakacak Hill. This is one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia. In the course of history, the town passed through Pontic, Roman and Genoese hands. Then Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror seized it in 1460. The largest church was converted into a mosque, and Amasra became one of the most beautiful Ottoman towns. Upon arrival to Amasra, walk from Kucuk Liman to Boztepe Island. En route see Direkli kaya, Kemere bridge and Sormagir (Amasra) castle. In Boztepe, you will visit Fatih Mosque and see Rabbit Island. We will take photo break before checking into your hotel. Accommodation in Amasra. 

Day 6

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart for Kastamonu, which takes around 3,5 hours’ drive. The city gets its name from the castle (Kastra) built around 10th cent AD for Byzantine ruler Komnenos. Then Kastra Komnenos evolved into Kastamonu in time. The traces of first settlements here date back to 50000 BC. Upon arrival, you will visit the city Kastamonu Castle, the Clock Tower, see province building, Mahmut Bey Mosque and have a walk through Ilgaz National Park in the mountains. After your visit, you will return back to city center and check in at your hotel. Accommodation in Sinop

Day 7

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
In the morning, you will depart for Sinop and drive for about 2,5 hours. Sinop is the most northern city of Turkey and it has the only natural harbor of the country. The city gets its name from a woman called Sinope, who is not clear where she was from (either Greek or Ancient Anatolian). As it was located on a sea and land trade route, the city was prominent in Ancient history. Upon arrival at the city, you will visit Pasha Bastions, Ethnographical &Archeological Museums, Suleiman Pervane Madrasah, Alaeddin Mosque, Sinop Castle and Sinop Prison (Turkish Alcatraz). After your visits, you will check into your hotel. Accommodation in Sinop.

Day 8

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and drive for Samsun for about 2,5 hours. Its name comes from its former Greek name, Amisos. It has changed many times through history, controlled by Greeks, Pontus, Trebizond Kingdom, Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans. The first settlements date back to Paleolithic period (around 60000 BC). Samsun is also considered as the starting point of Turkish Independence War. Upon arrival at Samsun, you will visit Archeology and Ethnography Museums, Gazi Museum, Mater Dolorosa Church and The Republic Square. After the tour, you will check into your hotel and stay overnight. Accommodation in Samsun. 

Day 9

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
You will depart from your hotel in the morning and start driving for Trabzon, through a journey of 5,5 hours. Upon arrival you will view Sumela Monastery (from outside – currently under renovation), clings to a sheer cliff facing a deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, return to city center and visit Ayasofya Church, a 13th century church and study extraordinary collection of byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside retreat) visit Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town) drive to Boztepe, enjoy your tea with the panoramic view of the city. After the tour, you will be get to your hotel and stay overnight. Accommodation in Trabzon. 

Day 10

(Breakfast at hotel, lunch on the tour)
Flight to Istanbul: You will depart from your hotel and start driving for Uzungol through Surmene – a pretty village which is popular with its good quality knives and we also visit the historical mansion of Memisaga Konagi. There will be a short visit to one of the local tea producer factories en route and we taste delicious and traditional Turkish tea. Around 13:00, we arrive at Uzungol where you will have free time for your lunch, pastoral walks and photograph opportunities. Uzungol – which is located in the middle of mountains, was formed by a landslide having blocked the stream bed is known as Uzungol and the town around was named after the lake. The houses of the village called ‘Åžerah’, which are harmonious with the environment, complete the beauty of the nature. At around 17:00, you will get on the vehicle and start driving back to Trabzon, stopping for a short photo stop at Kiremitli Bridge. Then you will arrive at Trabzon Airport and take an evening flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul. 

Day 11

( Breakfast at Hotel )
Free time depends on your flight time. Private transfer to the Istanbul Airport minimum 4 hours before flight hour.
Our tour will end with your airport transfer. 

Included

4 nights’ BB accommodation in Istanbul
1 night’s BB accommodation Safranbolu
1 night’s BB accommodation in Amasra
2 night’s BB accommodation in Sinop - Sinop Koru Otel or Similer
1 night’s BB accommodation in Samsun
1 night’s BB accommodation in Trabzon

Professional English - speaking tour guides

10 open buffet breakfasts

9 local lunches at restaurants during to tours 

All Airport transfer mention in site the Itinerary
Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach

Guided Istanbul Old City Tour

Guided Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour

Guided Safranbolu Trip

Guided Amasra Trip

Guided Kastamonu Trip

Guided Sinop Tour

Guided Samsun Tour

Guided Trabzon Trip

Guided Surmene & Uzungol Tour

Excluded

International flights
Trabzon-Istanbul flight tickets

Insurance

Dinner
Personal expenses
Turkey entry visa
Tipping
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
Please Note: Domestic flight price for adult travelers is approximately: 80,00 Euros for one way.
Please Note: Domestic flight price for under 2 years old, approximately: 20,00 Euros as an insurance policy.

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Apr 26, 2026 May 6, 2026 €3550 (%20 Off) €2840
Double room
Apr 27, 2026 May 7, 2026 €3550 (%20 Off) €2840
Double room
Apr 28, 2026 May 8, 2026 €3550 (%20 Off) €2840
Double room
Apr 29, 2026 May 9, 2026 €3550 (%20 Off) €2840
Double room
Apr 30, 2026 May 10, 2026 €3550 (%20 Off) €2840
Double room

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