Ordu's beach hideaway

Head off the new Black Sea highway on the west side of Ordu to round Yason Burnu (Cape Jason) and you encounter some of the Black Sea region's most breathtaking seaside vistas. The drive evokes California's Highway 1, with tight turns, beach alcoves, and cliffs that push out to the water's edge. Hidden along this stretch of the sahilyolu (beach road) is one of the region's finest beaches, Çaka Plaji. Crystal clear water, a long sandy beach surrounded by cliffs on each side, and the feeling of being in on a local secret combine to make for a great beach day trip. Restaurants are few, so the best approach is to pack a lunch and then to enjoy the köfte ızgara (grilled ground beef patty) or biftek ızgara (grilled steak) from the local tesis (establishment), Saka Plaj Restorant, in the evening. There, Ayhan and Fatih Cinek will serve up delicious offerings from an open grill. Weekends during the summer can be crowded with locals, but certain weekdays you'll find you have the place almost to yourself.

Grilled köfte

The local grillmaster

Crystal clear water

Various rentals are available

Sunset on Çaka Plaji

Following the beach road around Cape Jason