Giresun is a Black Sea coastal city in northeastern Turkey, famous as the legendary homeland of the Amazons and the origin of the hazelnut known to the world as 'giresun fındığı'. Perched on a hillside above the sea, the city blends Byzantine and Ottoman history with lush green mountains and a thriving hazelnut-farming culture. The ancient Giresun Island — the only island on the entire Turkish Black Sea coast — lies just offshore and shelters the ruins of a Byzantine monastery.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Giresun.
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- Pebble beach
- Beach cafés
- Changing areas (seasonal)
- Parking nearby
- Tea gardens
Giresun City Beach (Merkez Sahili)
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- Pebble and sand beach
- Beach bars
- Sunbed rental (~50–80 TRY / ~$1.50–2.40 USD)
- Showers
- Parking
- Seafood restaurants
Bulancak Beach
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- Sandy and pebble beach
- Beach café
- Parking
- Quieter than city beach
Espiye Beach
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- Pebble beach
- Castle views
- Restaurants nearby
- Parking
Tirebolu Beach
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- Wild pebble beach
- No facilities
- Scenic coast
- Very quiet
Güce Black Sea Shore
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- Rocky cove swimming
- Byzantine ruins atmosphere
- Boat access only
Giresun Island Cove
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Giresun memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.