2 places to visit in the Çanakçı district of Giresun: Çanakçı Streams and Çanakçı Plateaus. Plan your trip to Çanakçı with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Çanakçı is the smallest district of Giresun province. It lies in the interior and has no coastline on the sea.

Culture

The whistled language known locally as “bird language” (kuş dili), used in the district, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2017.

History and Culture

The whistled “bird language” (kuş dili) used by local people in the district was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2017. Çanakçı was a village attached to Görele from 1960 until it became a district in 1991. The district’s name comes from the wooden bowls and containers that have been made in the centre since ancient times.

Highlights

A document dated 1486 records the place as Kuzca during the Ottoman period, when it consisted of nine households. Kuşdili (whistled language) has been used for centuries in Kuşköy village in Çanakçı district and its surroundings.

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Places to Visit in Çanakçı

Nature

Çanakçı Streams

Streams and valleys running through the district offer nature walking and photography routes within a lush forest landscape.

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Nature

Çanakçı Plateaus

The plateaus in the higher parts of the district are preferred for camping and nature tourism in the summer months, thanks to their cool air and natural beauty.

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Places to Visit Around Giresun Province

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While you are in Çanakçı, you can also see the highlights of Giresun province. These places are in other districts; Çanakçı is about 50 km from the provincial centre.

  • Giresun Island — An island of 40,000 m², about 1.6 km off the coast; together with Kefken Island it is one of the two islands in the Black Sea belonging to Türkiye.
  • Giresun Castle — A castle on the top of the peninsula north of the city, probably built in the time of Pharnaces I, King of Pontus (2nd century BC); its central tower and southern walls still stand.
  • Zeytinlik — A historic neighbourhood at the foot of the castle with mansions built in the mid-19th century by merchants selling hazelnuts to Europe, using materials brought from Europe; the houses are placed so as not to block one another's light or views.
  • Giresun Museum (Gogora Church) — A basilica in Zeytinlik built in the mid-18th century by the Greek Orthodox community; it was used as a prison between 1948 and 1967 and has been an archaeology and ethnography museum since 1988.
  • Kuzalan Nature Park and Blue Lake — An area at Dereli, 45 km from Giresun, declared a nature park in 2013; its five turquoise lakes with travertine steps formed by the Göksu Stream, the largest 30 metres across, recall Pamukkale.
  • Kümbet Plateau — A highland pasture at Dereli, 52 km south of Giresun, at an altitude of 1,640 metres; together with the surrounding summer settlements (oba) it is known for camping, hiking and highland festivals.

Practical Information for Visiting Çanakçı

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Summer months (June-August)
Places to visit
2 places

What to Eat in Çanakçı

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  • Kuymak (cornmeal, butter and cheese dish)

    Prepared by cooking cornmeal, butter and fresh cheese in a copper pan, kuymak is an essential part of Çanakçı's breakfast tables.

  • Karalahana Sarması (stuffed kale leaves)

    Prepared by wrapping kale leaves around rice or minced meat and cooking them. It is an essential winter dish in Çanakçı.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Çanakçı

  • Black Sea Village Life

    Çanakçı is one of the smallest districts of Giresun and a settlement where traditional Black Sea village life is preserved.

Local Products

  • Çanakçı Fındığı (Çanakçı hazelnuts) — Hazelnuts grown in Çanakçı's humid climate form the basis of the district's economy.
  • Doğal Bal (natural honey) — Çanakçı honey, made from mountain flowers, is known for its organic character.

Economy

Çanakçı is one of the smallest districts of Giresun. Hazelnut farming and livestock breeding are the main sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Çanakçı

Çanakçı is about 50 km from Giresun city centre and is reached by road. Ordu-Giresun Airport is about 70 km away.

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Çanakçı: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Çanakçı?

The 2 highlights in Çanakçı are: Çanakçı Streams and Çanakçı Plateaus.

What to eat in Çanakçı?

Kuymak and Karalahana Sarması are the standout dishes on Çanakçı's tables.

What is Çanakçı famous for?

Çanakçı is known for Çanakçı Hazelnuts and Black Sea Village Life. Hazelnuts grown in Çanakçı's humid climate form the basis of the district's economy.

How do I get to Çanakçı?

Çanakçı is about 50 km from Giresun city centre and is reached by road. Ordu-Giresun Airport is about 70 km away.

How long should I spend in Çanakçı?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: summer months (June-August).

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Other Districts of Giresun

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