Trabzon and Sinop: Turkey's Black Sea Gems
“Peace at Home, Peace in the World”
― Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
As protests continue across Türkiye over the arrest of a Republican People's Party (CHP in Turkish) mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, ExitStrategyWorld (ESW) continues its series of articles about Turkish real estate investing. The timing of this content series may seem strange to some readers, but the tourism season is ramping up in Turkey regardless of the headlines. And we at ESW remain bullish on the future of this critical bridge between the Middle East and Collective West, the European and Russian North and Global South.
Photo credit above: A 13th century Byzantine fresco in the church of Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia) in Trabzon (Trebizond)
The Turkish Black Sea cost is a treasure trove of history, natural beauty, and economic potential. Two cities in particular stand out in this region–those are Sinop and Trabzon.
Photo credit above: Aerial View of Sinop in Summer
Uploaded to Pexels by Yunus Tuğ Uploaded on June 18th, 2021
See also:
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An Introduction to Real Estate Markets in Adana and Ceyhan, Türkiye
Deep in the Heart of Türkiye: Does Buying Real Estate in Ankara Make Sense for International Investors in 2025-26?
Türkiye: Best Places for Foreigners to Invest in Istanbul Real Estate in 2025
Citizenship by Investment (CBI/CIP) in the Republic of Türkiye: The Basics
Sinop in comparison to Trabzon is a small, tranquil town, while Trabzon is a regional hub for northern Turkey. However, both of these places have historical and cultural significance, and are attractive to real estate investors and retirees. Of the two, we will first discuss Sinop.
Sinop is the northernmost city in Turkey, it's a place with the kind of serene lifestyle that appeals to retirees and those seeking a quiet escape and living. It is rather unique in the sense that it has a rich Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, being the seat of the short-lived Byzantine offshoot state, the Empire of Trabizond. For those who practice Orthodox Christianity, the legacy of monasteries and churches is very strong in this area, with the Balatlar Church or Sinope Koimesis Church dating from 660 AD. The town is rather traditional, but it blends Turkish culture with modern living.
Photo credit above: Sumela Monastery in Maçka, founded in AD 386, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I (375–395 AD). Uploaded to Pexels by Yasin Selçuklu Uploaded to Pexels on June 19th, 2023
The most important areas in and around Sinop are Akliman, Korucuk, Meydan, and Ada Manzaraları, there is also the nearby coastal town of Gerze.
Akliman is located west of the center of the city, it is a coastal area known for its family-friendly beaches and tranquil environment.
Korucuk, on the other hand, is further inland, but it has a mix of affordable and middle income housing. So it is well suited for expats looking to have a suburban feel but still within proximity to the city center. A portion of the Sinop University campus is located here.
Meydan is just the Turkish word for “City Center”, it is the heart of Sinop, full of shops, restaurants, and historic options, it is there for convenience sake and accessibility to amenities.
Ada Mahallesi is unique compared to the surrounding areas. It is located on a small peninsula which offers stunning coastal views and high end residential options. It is therefore the most expensive and prestigious area in Sinop for real estate investment.
Photo credit above: Empty motorboats on the lake in Gerze, Sinop province, Turkey
Uploaded to Pexels by Pelin Sude Gültegin Photo taken on July 19th, 2023
Gerze is a small coastal town within Sinop Province. Gerze is known for its fishing culture and serene atmosphere. It’s a great option for retirees who want to live close to nature, but besides that, there's not much to add here. It is a viable option for retirees due to the affordability, slow paced lifestyle and lower traffic, and real estate prices are low compared to Turkey's larger cities. So we would say it's a good investment for those seeking long term residence, who don't mind that the economic activity of the town is limited. The lower volume of seasonal tourism here means that property appreciation may prove slower than in Trabzon.
And now about Trabzon.
Photo credit above: Historic Sumela Monastery in Trabzon.
Uploaded to Pexels by Nisa Çokokumuş Uploaded to Pexels on February 4th, 2025
It is a city that was a vital trade hub during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, and it is still an important economic and cultural center on the Turkish Black Sea coast. It has a mix of historical sites, modern amenities, and a thriving real estate market, it is attractive for property investors and retirees alike.
Due to its larger size and equally deep historic roots, it is much more diverse than Sinop, with something for nearly everyone.
Otrahisar is the city center and historic district of Trabzon, with its historic charm and modern conveniences and home to landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon and Boztepe Hill, it is said that the sea and city views from the hill is wonderful, and for that–it has high-end apartments and boutique hotels.
Besides Boztepe, there is Kalkinma, the district is close to Karadeniz Technical University, which makes it a hub for students and young professionals. Investors are likely to find this area attractive for earning reasonable rental income from students and professor tenants.
One of the new neighborhoods in Otrahisar is Cukurcayir, it is a developing neighborhood that recently had several rapid expansions in real estate projects, they are modern with sea views and have competitive prices.
Another district of Trabzon is Yomra, it is one of the fastest growing districts in the city and is located east of the city center. It is home to upscale residential complexes, modern shopping malls, and has easy access to Trabzon Airport.
Kaşüstü is the most sought after area in Yomra, the demand there is high, because it has luxury apartments, hospitals, and international schools. So it is very comfortable to live there, and another developing area is Sana, which is not as developed as the previously mentioned neighborhoods. But it is currently being developed and as such it offers more affordable housing compared to others, there is significant investment potential in Sana.
Another district is Akcaabat, located west of Trabzon and is considered a part of the agglomeration, it is known for its coastal views and relaxed atmosphere.
Söğütlü, is a coastal neighborhood there with spacious villas and apartments.
Yıldızlı, is another attractive seaside neighborhood with modern developments, it should be noted that many expatriates have decided to live there recently.
Photo credit above: Historic Castle on a Rocky Island in Rize, Türkiye
Uploaded to Pexels by Nisa Çokokumuş Uploaded to Pexels on February 4th, 2025
Beşikdüzü is another districted located further west along the Black Sea coast, it is an emerging area with lower property prices compared to those around it, and it is a bit far from the urban core of Trabzon, and as such it is an expanding market – this is an affordable option for those looking to invest in early.
The real estate market in Trabzon has been experiencing steady growth, fueled in part by increasing demand from foreign investors. It is a promising market for 2025-26, as key factors support investment, such as strong appreciation potential, affordability, and retirement friendly lifestyle. The rental income potential during the tourist and student seasons should also be noted.
Therefore, both of the cities are great only for your intended purpose, Trabzon has more economic opportunities and room for property appreciation, while Sinop caters to a slower-paced lifestyle.