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.
Giresun has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with significant rainfall throughout the year — one of the wettest regions of Turkey. Summers (June–September) are warm and moist, with highs reaching 27–30°C. Winters are mild but rainy and occasionally snowy. The inland mountain areas receive heavy snow from November to March. The Black Sea keeps temperatures from extremes.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- July–August
- Level
- High
- Notes
- Turkish domestic tourists; accommodation prices 30–50% higher; book ahead
- Period
- June, September
- Level
- Medium
- Notes
- Best balance of weather and value
- Period
- April–May, October
- Level
- Low
- Notes
- Bargain prices; own the city; rain gear essential
- Period
- November–March
- Level
- Very Low
- Notes
- Near-empty; many restaurants reduce hours; plateau inaccessible in winter
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.