Trabzon and the Black Sea
Green mountains, Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl, tea plantations and a distinctive Black Sea food culture.
Best time
May to September; spring is lush, summer is lively, autumn is quiet.
Province
Trabzon
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Trabzon city
- Morning: Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Atatürk Mansion and the bazaar.
- Midday: lunch with Akçaabat köfte and kuymak.
- Afternoon: Boztepe for the city view.
- Evening: dinner at the harbour.
Day 2: Sumela and the mountains
- Morning: Sumela Monastery (check access and trail conditions).
- Afternoon: Altındere Valley National Park or a drive to Uzungöl.
- Evening: stay in Uzungöl or return to Trabzon.
Day 3: Rize and Ayder
- Morning: tea plantations and a tea factory around Rize.
- Afternoon: Ayder Plateau (seasonal), waterfalls and forest walks.
- Evening: return to Trabzon or stay in Ayder.
Trabzon city
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
A 13th-century Byzantine church with frescoes, overlooking the sea. It is now a mosque and monument.
Trabzon Castle
The old citadel walls and towers above the city, with views over the harbour.
Atatürk Mansion
A white hillside villa used by Atatürk, with period furniture and gardens.
Trabzon Museum
A mansion museum with archaeology, ethnography and local history.
Boztepe
A hilltop park with tea gardens and a wide view over the city and the Black Sea.
Monasteries and valleys
Sumela Monastery
A dramatic monastery clinging to a cliff in the Altındere valley, with frescoes and a long history. Check access and restoration status before going.
Altındere National Park
A forested valley below Sumela, with walking paths, streams and picnic areas.
Uzungöl
A lake surrounded by forest and steep mountains, popular but crowded in summer. Go early for calm water.
Ayder Plateau
A high plateau with waterfalls, wooden houses and cool air, reached from Rize.
Fırtına Valley
A green river valley with stone bridges, tea gardens and rafting, between Rize and Çamlıhemşin.
Food and local life
Black Sea breakfast
A long breakfast of cheeses, butter, honey, corn bread, anchovies and tea. It is a meal in itself.
Hamsi
Anchovies are central to Black Sea cooking, grilled, fried or in rice. Winter is the season.
Tea gardens
Rize and Trabzon's tea gardens are part of the landscape; stop for tea with a valley view.
More places to see
Sera Lake
A small lake with a walking path, cafes and mountain views, close to the city.
Çal Cave
A large cave in Düzköy with stalactites, stalagmites and an underground stream.
Karaca Cave
A show cave in Gümüşhane with colourful formations and a cool interior.
Hıdırnebi Plateau
A high plateau with pastures, wooden houses and views over the Black Sea coast.
Çaykara
A district of valleys, wooden mosques and tea gardens, on the way to Uzungöl.
Rize tea gardens
Tea plantations and a tea museum around Rize, with green hills and coastal views.
Gümüşhane
A mountain town with mining history, old streets and access to Karaca Cave.
Sümela viewing point
A viewpoint on the Altındere valley, useful if the monastery itself is closed.
Çamlıhemşin
A valley town with wooden houses, rivers and access to the high plateaus.
Pokut Plateau
A high plateau with wooden houses and panoramic views, reached by a winding road.
Gito Plateau
A quieter highland with pastures and views over the Fırtına valley.
Zilkale
A medieval castle on a cliff above the Fırtına valley, with dramatic views.
Palovit Waterfall
A waterfall in the Çamlıhemşin highlands, reached by a short walk.
Şenyuva
An old stone village with a bridge and traditional houses, near Çamlıhemşin.
Sources: GoTürkiye Trabzon
Food to try
Akçaabat köfte, kuymak, hamsi, muhlama, laz böreği, tea.
Where to stay
Trabzon centre; Uzungöl or Ayder for nature.
Practical notes: Trabzon Airport (TZX). Mountain roads can be foggy and slippery; check conditions. Plateau facilities are seasonal.