Trabzon is the vibrant heart of Turkey's eastern Black Sea coast, a green and misty region where cloud-wrapped mountains, tea gardens, and alpine meadows meet a proud, ancient port city. Once the capital of the Empire of Trebizond, a long-lived Byzantine successor state, and a key terminus on Silk Road trade routes, it pairs remarkable historical sites with some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the country.
The experiences worth building your trip around.
A spectacular Greek Orthodox monastery clinging to a sheer cliff in the Altindere valley south of Macka, roughly an hour from the city. Its rock-cut chapels and vivid frescoes make it the region's most iconic sight.
A serene mountain lake in Caykara district, ringed by forested peaks with a small mosque on its shore and famous for mirror-like reflections and cool highland air. It is a beloved day trip about 90 minutes southeast of Trabzon.
A well-preserved 13th-century Byzantine church near the sea, built under the Komnenos rulers and decorated with fine frescoes in leafy grounds. It reflects the artistic golden age of the Trebizond empire.
An elegant white villa in the wooded Soguksu neighborhood on a hillside above the city, where Ataturk stayed during his visits. It now serves as a museum with period furnishings and sweeping views over Trabzon.
The classic panoramic viewpoint on the ridge overlooking Trabzon, the harbor, and the Black Sea. Locals and visitors gather at its terraced tea gardens, especially toward sunset.
Remnants of the city's medieval walls wind through the historic Ortahisar district above the Kuzgun ravine. The old lanes lead to the domed Fatih (Ortahisar) Mosque, a former Byzantine church, and stone houses that reveal the city's layered past.
Trabzon's mountains hide green summer plateaus such as Hidirnebi above Akcaabat and Kadirga near Tonya, dotted with wooden chalets and grazing herds. They offer walking, cool weather, and a taste of traditional Black Sea highland life.
The lively city center around Meydan Park and the covered Bedesten bazaar is the place to sample local specialties like hamsi (Black Sea anchovies), Akcaabat kofte, and cornbread. It is ideal for soaking up the everyday rhythm of the city.
A relaxed, realistic plan you can adapt to your pace.
Start at Meydan square and browse the covered bazaar, then visit the frescoed Hagia Sophia of Trabzon near the coast. In the afternoon tour the Ataturk Mansion and its gardens in Soguksu, then climb to Boztepe Hill for tea and panoramic views over the harbor at sunset.
Take a full-day trip south into Altindere National Park to the cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery, one of Turkey's most dramatic sights. Walk the forested valley path up to the monastery, then stop in the mountain town of Macka for a leisurely lunch on the way back.
Drive southeast to Caykara and the tranquil Uzungol Lake, framed by mist-draped peaks and traditional wooden houses. Walk the lakeshore, try the local trout, and, if time allows, continue up to a nearby yayla such as the Haldizen highlands for cooler air and sweeping views.
The best time to visit Trabzon is late spring through early autumn, roughly May to September, when the highlands are lush and the mountain roads to Sumela and Uzungol are reliably open. Summer offers the most comfortable weather for exploring the plateaus, though the Black Sea climate means rain is possible in any season, so pack a light waterproof layer. Winter is cool, misty, and often snowy in the mountains, which can restrict access to higher sites.
See the Month-by-Month Guide →Trabzon is easiest to reach by air: Trabzon Airport sits just east of the city center and has frequent domestic flights from Istanbul and other Turkish cities, plus some seasonal international connections. From the airport a short taxi ride or the Havas airport bus brings you into town, and the compact center around Meydan square is very walkable. The region's headline attractions are more spread out, however, so Sumela Monastery, Uzungol, and the highland plateaus are best reached by rental car, private transfer, or an organized day tour, as public transport to these mountain sites is limited and seasonal. Within the city, dolmus minibuses and taxis cover most local needs, and the coastal highway makes onward travel to nearby Black Sea towns such as Rize straightforward.
Best areas to base yourself in Trabzon.
The lively heart of Trabzon, walkable to the bazaar, restaurants, and transport, and ideal for first-time visitors who want everything close at hand.
Quieter hotels on the slopes above town reward you with fine views over the city and sea, just a short ride from the center.
For a nature-focused escape, wooden lodges around the lake let you wake to mountain mist and stay immersed in the highland scenery, about 90 minutes from the city.
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The eastern Black Sea is one of the wettest parts of Turkey and mountain areas stay cool even in summer, so bring a light waterproof jacket and a warm layer year-round.
Reaching Sumela Monastery involves a forest walk and steps, and the old town and plateaus have uneven ground, so good walking shoes make a real difference.
Sumela, Uzungol, and the yaylalar are spread out with limited public transport, so arranging a car or organized tour ahead of time saves time and secures access.
At mosques and active religious sites, cover shoulders and knees, and women should carry a scarf for the head; shoes are removed before entering mosques.
Two to three days is ideal, with one day for the city and one or two for day trips to Sumela Monastery and Uzungol. A longer stay lets you explore more of the highland plateaus at a relaxed pace.
Yes, it is the region's signature sight, a Byzantine-era monastery built into a cliff above a green valley in Altindere National Park. The dramatic setting and colorful frescoes make it a highlight of any Trabzon trip.
Uzungol is in Caykara district, about 90 minutes southeast of the city by road, most easily reached by rental car, private transfer, or an organized day tour. Seasonal minibuses also run, though schedules are limited.
The area is famous for hamsi (Black Sea anchovies), Akcaabat kofte (grilled meatballs), cornbread, and mountain trout, along with rich dark honey and Black Sea tea. Fresh fish and hearty highland dishes are staples.
Late spring through summer, roughly May to September, is when the plateaus are greenest and mountain roads are reliably open. It is also the most comfortable season for walking and sightseeing.
Yes, the eastern Black Sea coast is among the rainiest parts of Turkey and showers can occur in any season. Carrying a light waterproof layer is always a good idea, even in summer.
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