Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview
Rising steeply from the Black Sea into the 3,900-meter Kaçkar Mountains, Trabzon and neighboring Rize offer a lush alpine world completely distinct from the Mediterranean: 4th-century Sümela Monastery carved into a vertical cliff in Altındere Valley, Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Uzungöl lake, and high-altitude cloud pastures (yaylalar).
Whether you arrive via Trabzon Airport (TZX, 10 min from center) & Rize-Artvin (RZV) or connect through Trabzon Otogar & Black Sea Coastal Express, Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize rewards travelers who balance early-morning monument visits with leisurely afternoons over tulip-glass Rize tea and regional meze. Expect daily mid-range travel costs around ₺2,200–₺5,100 (€60–€138).
Neighborhoods & areas
Trabzon Meydan & Ortahisar
Walkable historic walled citadel, Boztepe sunset tea gardens, and Kemeraltı copper bazaar.
Uzungöl & Çaykara (90 km)
Pine-clad mountain lake surrounded by wooden chalets and trout streams.
Çamlıhemşin & Ayder (Rize)
Gateway to Kaçkar alpine meadows, hot springs, and Hemşin wooden mansions.
Top sights & experiences
Sümela Monastery (Meryem Ana) in Altındere National Park (45 min south)
Must-visit landmark in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize; arrive between 08:30 and 09:30 for the shortest queues and softest morning light.
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon (13th-century Empire of Trebizond frescoes) & Atatürk Pavilion
Must-visit landmark in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize; arrive between 08:30 and 09:30 for the shortest queues and softest morning light.
Uzungöl Alpine Valley Lake & Karester Plateau Panorama
Must-visit landmark in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize; arrive between 08:30 and 09:30 for the shortest queues and softest morning light.
Rize Botanical Tea Gardens, Zilkale Castle & Fırtına Valley Stone Bridges
Must-visit landmark in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize; arrive between 08:30 and 09:30 for the shortest queues and softest morning light.
Ayder Yaylası, Pokut & Gito Cloud Plateaus in the Kaçkar Mountains
Must-visit landmark in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize; arrive between 08:30 and 09:30 for the shortest queues and softest morning light.
What to eat & local specialties
Kuymak / Muhlama
(melted Kolot cheese & cornmeal in highland butter)
Akçaabat Köfte & Karadeniz Pidesi
(closed Trabzon-style cheese/egg boat flatbread)
Hamsi Tava
(crispy Black Sea anchovies) & Hamsiköy Sütlaç (baked rice pudding)
Fresh Rize First-Harvest Çay
Signature local specialty in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize, freshly prepared at historic lokantas and market stalls.
Where to stay by budget
Budget
Clean family-run pensions and boutique hostels near Trabzon Meydan & Ortahisar run ₺1,400–₺2,800 (€38–€75) per night, often including a generous Turkish breakfast.
Mid-range
Restored Ottoman konaks, cave suites, and 4★ boutique hotels in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize average ₺3,800–₺7,500 (€102–€202) per double room.
Luxury
5★ Bosphorus palaces, cliffside Aegean resorts, and luxury cave hotels with private terraces start from ₺11,500–₺26,000+ (€310–€700+).
Rough nightly ranges in Türkiye: hostels and family-run pansiyons run €35–€75 (₺1,300–₺2,850) per night; mid-range 3★–4★ boutique hotels and authentic Göreme cave hotels run €110–€240 (₺4,200–₺9,100) per double room; 5★ Bosphorus palaces and Bodrum/Antalya luxury resorts run €350+ (₺13,300+). See our Cappadocia cave hotels & Turkish accommodation guide.
Getting there
By Air & Rail: Primary gateway is Trabzon Airport (TZX, 10 min from center) & Rize-Artvin (RZV), paired with ground/rail links via Trabzon Otogar & Black Sea Coastal Express. Direct intercity coaches (Kamil Koç, Pamukkale Turizm, Metro) and Turkish Airlines / Pegasus / AJet / SunExpress domestic flights connect Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize with Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, and Antalya daily.
Getting around
Historic quarters in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize are best explored on foot, supplemented by municipal transit cards (Istanbulkart, Izmirim Kart, AntalyaKart, Kentkart), local dolmuş minibuses, and GPS-hailed taxis via BiTaksi.
Day trips & side trips
Karaca Cave
Karaca Cave (Gümüşhane) stalactite caverns & Zigana Pass
Rize Ziraat Tea Garden & Çeçeva
Rize Ziraat Tea Garden & Çeçeva (Haremtepe) tea plantations
Artvin Borçka Karagöl emerald forest lake
Artvin Borçka Karagöl emerald forest lake
Best time to visit
The optimal window to visit Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize is May–October, when daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 20°C and 27°C and coastal waters or highland trails are at their most inviting.
Local tips
- Carry both a contactless Visa/Mastercard and ₺1,000–₺2,000 in Turkish Lira banknotes for local bakeries, dolmuş minibuses, and tea gardens in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize.
- Check Museum Pass Türkiye (€165) and regional pass coverage before queuing at ticket booths in Trabzon, Uzungöl & Rize.
- Respect mosque prayer windows (5 times daily) and carry a light scarf and slip-on shoes when visiting sacred sites.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: