TR RU

12 places to visit in the Ünye district of Ordu: Ünye Castle, Ünye Coast and Ünye Coast and Beaches. Plan your trip to Ünye with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Ünye is the largest district of Ordu province after the central district of Altınordu in terms of population. Its name is one of the rare settlement names that has not changed since the town was founded.

İsim

In older sources, the name Ünye appears in various spellings, including Oinoie, Onea and Unieh. These names derive from the Luwian word “Oinos”, meaning “vine, grape, wine”, and mean “a region of wine, a land rich in wine”.

Tarih

Excavations by Kılıç Kökten have shown that Ünye and its surroundings were among the earliest settlements in Anatolia, with settlement beginning in prehistoric times. Ünye’s known history goes back to the Hittite period. In the 13th century, Ünye Castle was built by John II Komnenos, emperor of Trebizond. In 1461, the Ottomans took Ünye from the Hacıemiroğulları Beylik.

Ekonomi

The district’s economy is based primarily on agriculture, and hazelnut cultivation is the lifeblood of the district’s economy. Ünye holds a significant share of the world’s white bentonite reserves; the mineral is processed and exported as an industrial product to more than 70 countries, chiefly as cat litter. Ünye Cement Factory is the largest non-agricultural industrial establishment in the district.

Mimari

Urban development has spread along the coastal strip, and the district’s boundaries extend to 27 km. It has a long mosque with a single elegant minaret and no dome.

Tarihçe ve Kültür

Ünye Castle was built by John II Komnenos, emperor of Trebizond, within the borders of the Empire of Trebizond. The Ottomans took Ünye in 1461. In 1867, after the establishment of the Trabzon vilayet, Ünye was made a kaza (sub-district) of the Canik sanjak. Saray Mosque was built in 1710 and is still in use. Ünye Yunus Emre Tomb is registered by the High Council for the Protection of Monuments as a 1st Degree Protected Site. In Burunucu, there is a Turkish-Japanese Friendship and Ertuğrul Frigate Martyrs Monument, dedicated to the martyrs of the Ertuğrul frigate.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Ünye

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Museum
  • 2 Nature
  • 2 Beach
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Other

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Tozkoparan Rock Tombs

Roman-period rock tombs carved into the cliffs south of Ünye, notable for their relief decoration and architectural details.

View on map
Historic

Historic Burunucu Peninsula

Right on the sea, with historic structures; one of the city's tourist spots.

View on map

Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Ünye Castle

Built in the 13th century by Trebizond emperor John II Komnenos, the castle was most likely a refuge against external attacks.

View on map

Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Ünye Yunus Emre Tomb

A complex on Şeyh Yunus Emre Hill in Yunus Emre Quarter, containing a mosque, a şadırvan (ablution fountain), the Sufi Path and a Semah Area (whirling dervish ceremony space).

View on map
Religious

Yalı Church

Built for worship in the second half of the 19th century by the Greeks living in the area. Until recently, the municipality used it as a wedding hall and storeroom.

View on map

Museums 1

Museum

Ünye Living Cultural Heritage Museum

A museum located on Cumhuriyet Square, behind the Government Mansion.

View on map

Natural Wonders 2

Nature

Ünye Coast and Beaches

Ünye has the longest coastline in Ordu province. Its sandy beaches, sea parks and seafront promenades make it a popular summer tourism destination.

View on map
Nature

Çamlık Nature Park

A nature park in pine forests to the south of Ünye, with walking trails, picnic areas and viewing terraces; an ideal escape for nature lovers.

View on map

Beaches and Coves 2

Beach

Ünye Coast

Set at the foot of a hill on the Black Sea coast, Ünye was known for building sailing ships.

View on map
Beach

Magnetic Sandy Beaches

Almost all of Ünye's sandy beaches have magnetic properties.

View on map

Attractions 1

Attraction

Çakırtepe

Çakırtepe Locality in Ünye, home to restaurants and tea gardens.

View on map

Other Places 1

Other

Batıpark Millet Garden

A millet garden (national garden) covering 68 dönüm, created by Ünye Municipality.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Ordu Province

See all →

While you are in Ünye, you can also see the highlights of Ordu province. These places are in other districts.

  • Boztepe Viewing Terrace — A hill about 4 km south of the city, known for its viewing terraces with bird's-eye views of Ordu and the Black Sea, its restaurants and its paragliding take-off area.
  • Jason Point (Yason Burnu) — A peninsula associated with the legend of the Argonauts, in the village of Çaytepe in Perşembe; it has the 19th-century Jason Church and a lighthouse.
  • Taşbaşı Church Cultural Centre — A Greek Orthodox church built in 1853 in the Taşbaşı neighbourhood; restored and used as a cultural centre, it stands out for its position overlooking the sea.
  • Paşaoğlu Mansion Ethnography Museum — In the Selimiye neighbourhood, the 19th-century mansion of Paşaoğlu Hüseyin Efendi, who migrated from Batumi after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78; since 1987 it has been an ethnography museum displaying local costume, weapons and household goods.
  • Ulugöl — A landslide-dammed lake among forests at an altitude of 1,200 metres in Gölköy; it is the largest lake in the province and turns into a riot of colour in autumn.
  • Çambaşı Plateau — In Kabadüz, one of the best-equipped highlands in the province, with dozens of highland settlements and wide pastures; highland festivals are held in summer and skiing takes place in winter.

Practical Information for Visiting Ünye

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Summer months (June–September)
Places to visit
12 places

What to Eat in Ünye

Food guide →

  • Ünye Pidesi (Ünye flatbread)

    Ünye pide, with its thin dough and plenty of butter, is one of the best-known versions of the Black Sea pide tradition. The minced meat, cheese and mixed varieties are famous.

  • Hamsi Buğulama (steamed anchovies)

    Fresh hamsi steamed with onion, tomato and pepper. It is the winter speciality of Black Sea cuisine.

  • Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)

    Bread made from cornmeal, a staple of Black Sea tables. It is eaten with fresh butter and cheese.

  • Nemüslü Börek

    Included in Ünye Municipality's list of local Ünye dishes.

  • Isırgan Çorbası (nettle soup)

    Included in Ünye Municipality's list of local Ünye dishes.

  • Mendek Pirinçlisi (rice with mendek)

    Included in Ünye Municipality's list of local Ünye dishes.

  • Turşu Kavurması (pickle stew)

    Pickle stews, found in Ünye cuisine, are listed on the Ünye Tourist Information Office website.

  • Ünye Lokumu (Ünye Turkish delight)

    Listed among Ünye's sweets on the Ünye Tourist Information Office website.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Ünye

  • Ünye Coastal Culture

    Ünye has one of the longest sandy coastlines on the Black Sea. Coastal festivals and water sports events held in the summer months enliven the town's cultural life.

  • Hazelnut Harvest Tradition

    The hazelnut harvest in August and September is Ünye's most important community event.

Local Products

  • Ünye İzabella Grape Juice — Ünye İzabella Grape Juice was registered as a geographical indication on 27 August 2025 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1763). Product group: non-alcoholic beverages. Registered by: Ünye Municipality.
  • Ünye Hazelnuts — Ünye is an important hazelnut-producing centre west of Ordu. The plump Tombul hazelnut variety is in demand on world markets.
  • Ünye Butter — Butter produced from the milk of animals grazing on highland pastures (yayla); known for its yellow colour and intense aroma.

Economy

Ünye's economy rests on hazelnut production, industry and tourism. Hazelnut processing plants and an organised industrial zone provide significant employment. Coastal tourism is a source of income in the summer months. Fishing is also one of the traditional livelihoods.

How to Get to Ünye

Ünye is 75 km from Ordu and 95 km from Samsun. Ordu-Giresun Airport is 90 km away. The coastal road (E-010) passes through the district.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Ordu

Ünye: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Ünye?

The 12 highlights of Ünye are: Ünye Castle, Ünye Coast, Ünye Coast and Beaches, Çamlık Nature Park, Tozkoparan Rock Tombs, Ünye Yunus Emre Tomb, Historic Burunucu Peninsula, Yalı Church, Çakırtepe, Magnetic Sandy Beaches, Batıpark Millet Garden and Ünye Living Cultural Heritage Museum.

What should I eat in Ünye?

Ünye Pidesi, Hamsi Buğulama, Mısır Ekmeği and Nemüslü Börek are the standout dishes on Ünye's tables.

What is Ünye famous for?

Ünye is known for Ünye İzabella Grape Juice and Ünye Coastal Culture. It is a registered product with a geographical indication on TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Ünye?

Ünye is 75 km from Ordu and 95 km from Samsun. Ordu-Giresun Airport is 90 km away. The coastal road (E-010) passes through the district.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Ünye?

Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Ordu

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.