Boztepe, located in Altınordu district, Ordu Province, Turkey, is a historically significant neighborhood. With a population of only 599 people as of 2022, this tranquil hamlet provides a pleasant respite from the bustling city beneath. Despite its small size, Boztepe is an important part of local culture, acting as a vantage point that both residents and visitors have long admired.

Boztepe Hill, which rises 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level, is a distinctive topographical feature of Ordu, offering stunning panoramic views of the city and the huge expanse of the Black Sea. The hill’s prominence makes it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and those looking for a moment of peace above the urban sprawl. The cold mountain air, combined with the subtle murmuring of pine trees, provides a peaceful ambiance that is impossible to replicate anywhere. As the sun sets below the horizon, Boztepe changes into an ethereal vantage point, with city lights gleaming like dispersed pearls against the dark sea.

At the hill’s summit, a well-known restaurant welcomes travelers to savor traditional Turkish food while taking in the breathtaking views. Visitors can sample regional dishes like pide, a type of Turkish flatbread sometimes topped with minced meat or cheese, and kuymak, a creamy cornmeal-based dish flavored with melted cheese. The restaurant’s terrace offers an unobstructed view of Ordu’s coastline, making it ideal for both casual lunches and romantic evening feasts. Many tourists and residents find themselves lingering over a cup of Turkish tea, taking in the serene backdrop while the salty breeze from the Black Sea adds to the sensory experience.

The Ordu Boztepe Gondola, which opened in June 2012, revolutionized access to the mountaintop. This contemporary aerial lift system provides a smooth and attractive route from Ordu’s seashore to the peak, avoiding the meandering roads that were historically difficult for passengers. The gondola can transport up to 900 passengers per hour and ascends in just 6.5 minutes, giving riders an amazing airborne view of the beautiful surroundings below. Passengers have a bird’s-eye perspective of Ordu’s vivid cityscape against the huge, ever-changing hues of the Black Sea as the cabins float above rich forests and undulating terrain.