Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Why visit Yusufeli (Artvin (08))
Yusufeli (Artvin (08)) is a historic district & town (i̇lçe) in Artvin Province (Black Sea Coast & Pontic Alps Region), Türkiye, with a population of approximately 22,093 at an elevation of 613 m. Yusufeli (Artvin (08)) is a historic district & town (i̇lçe) in Artvin (Black Sea).
Getting to Yusufeli & local transit
From Istanbul & Ankara: Take TCDD YHT high-speed rail or a domestic flight via Erzurum Airport (ERZ) / Van (VAN) to Trabzon, then local transit to Yusufeli.
Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Erzurum Airport (ERZ) / Van (VAN) (104.4 km) · Rail / Intercity Bus: Erzurum Gar (Doğu Ekspresi Hub).
Recommended Transit & Museum Cards: Istanbulkart / regional contactless transit & Museum Pass Türkiye. Compare fares with our TCDD YHT Rail vs. Flight Calculator, Istanbulkart & City Transit Calculator, and Museum Pass Türkiye Calculator.
Top things to see & do in Yusufeli
- Yusufeli Merkez Çarşısı & Historic Mosque
- Yusufeli Kent Müzesi & Cultural Square
- Artvin Regional Bazaar & Tea Gardens
- Yusufeli Panoramic Viewpoint & Park
Neighborhoods & quarters
Yusufeli Merkez (Town Center)
Historic center, central mosque, and bazaar quarter of Yusufeli.
Station / Otogar Quarter
Main transport gateway connecting Yusufeli with Trabzon.
What to eat in Yusufeli — Local Specialties & Turkish Culinary Guide
Dining in Yusufeli reflects the culinary heritage of Black Sea Coast & Pontic Alps, combining fresh market produce, wood-fired pide and kebabs, cold olive-oil meze, and traditional Turkish tea house culture.
Signature Local Dishes
Yusufeli Must-Try Specialties
- Regional kebabs & meze
- Kuymak / Muhlama & Rize Kavurması — Molten Kolot cheese and cornmeal whipped with golden highland butter, served bubbling in a copper pan.
- Karadeniz Hamsi Tava & Hamsili Pilav — Black Sea anchovies pan-seared in cornmeal crust around a wheel or baked over spiced pine-nut rice.
- Trabzon Akçaabat Köfte & Vakfıkebir Bread — Garlic-infused beef patties served with giant stone-oven sourdough loaves and Laz böreği custard pastry.
Black Sea Regional Cuisine
Regional Staples & Drinks
Kuymak / Muhlama & Rize Kavurması (Molten Kolot cheese and cornmeal whipped with golden highland butter, served bubbling in a copper pan.) Karadeniz Hamsi Tava & Hamsili Pilav (Black Sea anchovies pan-seared in cornmeal crust around a wheel or baked over spiced pine-nut rice.) Trabzon Akçaabat Köfte & Vakfıkebir Bread (Garlic-infused beef patties served with giant stone-oven sourdough loaves and Laz böreği custard pastry.)
Local Drinks: First-Flush Rize Black Tea (Çay), Fındık Kahvesi (Giresun roasted hazelnut coffee), Karayemiş (Black Sea cherry laurel compote)
Where to Eat in Yusufeli: Lokantas, Meyhanes & Markets
Explore the central çarşı (market quarter) of Yusufeli alongside regional culinary landmarks including Trabzon Kemeraltı & Moloz Fish Market, Rize Çay Çarşısı, Safranbolu Arasta Bazaar for local cheeses, olives, spices, and freshly baked simit and pide.
Recommended Dining Areas: Trabzon Kemeraltı & Moloz Fish Market · Rize Çay Çarşısı · Safranbolu Arasta Bazaar
Local Turkish Drinks & Pairings: First-Flush Rize Black Tea (Çay) · Fındık Kahvesi (Giresun roasted hazelnut coffee) · Karayemiş (Black Sea cherry laurel compote)
Dining Etiquette & Ordering Tips: In Türkiye, midday esnaf lokantası (tradesmen's restaurants) display bubbling trays at the counter where you can order half-portions (yarım porsiyon). Evening meyhanes and ocakbaşı grill houses serve cold meze first; bread and tulip-glass Rize black tea (çay) after meals are typically complimentary. Use our Turkish Phrasebook & Restaurant Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently in Turkish.
Closest neighboring Turkish towns to Yusufeli
- Uzundere — 32.1 km away
- Ayder Yaylası — 39.8 km away
- Artvin — 46.3 km away
- Oltu — 48.9 km away
- Olur — 49.7 km away