Black Sea Culture Guide: Horon, Tulum, Highland Weddings ...

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: The Black Sea Turkey culture is a vibrant and resilient tapestry woven from the energetic horon dance that mimics the anchovy, the haunting sounds of the kemençe and tulum , a unique highland ( yayla ) lifestyle, and a cuisine defined by tea, corn, cabbage, and the all-important anchovy. It is a world away from the Mediterranean coast, shaped by its misty mountains, fierce independence, and deep-rooted community traditions in northeastern Türkiye . In Black Sea cooking, I encounter local ingredients such as maize flour, kolot cheese and Anzer honey. For authentic Vakfikebir bread and special mihlama experiences, I choose small, family-run restaurants in the highlands rather than tourist establishments. On crossings to Giresun Island (Aretias), the Black Sea's only habitable island, I find that wave heights can rise suddenly. I check private-boat berthing permissions with the coastguard and harbour authority at the time of arrival. Fact Detail Region Eastern Black Sea (Karadeniz), Türkiye Best Season for Culture June - August for highland festivals and vibrant yayla life Key Cities Trabzon , Rize , Artvin , Giresun , Ordu Recommended Trip Duration 7-10 days to immerse properly Price Band Moderate (Approx. $150 - $300 USD per day, confirm on booking) UNESCO Heritage Kuşköy's Whistled Language (Intangible Cultural Heritage) Key Experience Attending a highland ( yayla ) festival in July Welcome to the Karadeniz, Turkey's Black Sea coast—a land of perpetual green, swirling fog, and a culture as dramatic as its landscape. As licensed guides who have spent countless seasons on these winding mountain roads, we at My Turkey Adventure want to take you beyond the postcards of misty valleys. This is a region you feel in