Weekend in Ordu

A former Greek Orthodox church from the 1850s, now used as a cultural centre. The stonework outside is striking. Inside, the main hall hosts occasional exhibitions and concerts.

Tip: Check the municipal noticeboard outside for free concerts or art shows. Weekday mornings are quiet – you can wander in and look at the old fresco fragments. No entrance fee.

A large coastal park with walking paths, benches and grass areas right by the sea. Good for an evening stroll or sitting with a simit while watching ferries come in.

Tip: The best spot is the wooden pier near the east end. Quietest early weekday mornings. Free public toilets near the main entrance.

A steep hill overlooking Ordu city and the Black Sea. You can walk up on paths or pay a small fee for the cable car. The view takes in the coastline, the port and the city spread below.

Tip: Go just before sunset. The light on the sea is best then, and the tea gardens at the top stay open late. Take a jacket – it gets breezy even in summer.

A rocky headland with a small stone church and lighthouse. Legend connects it to Jason and the Argonauts. The walk around the cape takes in cliff views and wildflowers.

Tip: You need a dolmuş (minibus) to Perşembe, then walk 3 km. No shops – bring water. Best in late afternoon when the light hits the church ruins. Free to enter, parking nearby costs 10 TL.

A restored 19th-century Ottoman mansion with dark wood interiors, period furniture and local ethnographic exhibits. Small but well-kept. The garden has a café.

Tip: Entrance is 5 TL (roughly 20p). Ask at the desk for the English booklet – it's free and explains each room. Allow 30–40 minutes.