Trabzon
Trabzon opens onto the Black Sea coast and the mountain monastery of Sumela, and Haqqi Tours arranges the local guides, transfers and packages to see them.
Step out of your Trabzon hotel and the air smells of rain, sea salt and fresh bread. Mist hangs on the green mountains behind the city, the Black Sea is a sheet of pewter beneath it, and on Meydan square old men are already arguing cheerfully over glasses of tea grown on the hills just down the coast. Street vendors stack trays of warm simit, the bazaar lanes fill with copper and hazelnuts, and maroon-and-blue scarves of the city's beloved football club flutter from balconies.
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Trabzon at first sight
Trabzon was once Trebizond, capital of a Byzantine empire and a key stop on the Silk Road between Persia and the sea. Today it is the gateway to Turkey's Black Sea region: misty valleys, cliff-hung monasteries, highland lakes and plateaus that feel a world away from the Mediterranean coast.
Why include Trabzon in your itinerary?
- Sümela Monastery and the valleys above. Few sights in Turkey match the first view of Sümela, clinging to a sheer cliff in the forested Altındere Valley, and the drive there through mountain villages is part of the experience.
- The gateway to Uzungöl and the highland plateaus. From Trabzon, misty lakes, wooden villages and summer pastures such as Uzungöl, Karagöl and the Ayder plateau in neighbouring Rize are all reachable, making it the natural base for a green Black Sea journey.
- A distinct Black Sea culture. Trabzon has its own music played on the kemençe fiddle, the fast circle dance called horon, a proud local humour and a cuisine of anchovies, cornmeal, butter and hazelnuts that you will not find elsewhere in Turkey.
Signature experiences in Trabzon
Sümela Monastery in the Altındere Valley
Founded according to tradition in the fourth century and rebuilt over many centuries, Sümela Monastery clings to a cliff face some three hundred metres above the forested Altındere Valley. Its rock church is covered in vivid frescoes, and the path up through fir trees and mist is magical. Our guided day tours combine Sümela with mountain villages and a riverside trout lunch, while our licensed guides explain the monastery's long history and the best viewpoints for photographs.
Black Sea Flavours: Hamsi, Kuymak and Laz Böreği
Trabzon's kitchen is rich and comforting. Taste kuymak, a bubbling pan of cornmeal, butter and stretchy highland cheese eaten with bread, then hamsi, the Black Sea anchovy, fried crisp or baked with rice. Try Akçaabat meatballs, boat-shaped Black Sea pide, black cabbage soup and the custard-filled pastry known as Laz böreği, finished with Rize tea and hazelnuts. Our guided day tours include tastings with trusted local partners in villages and family kitchens where these dishes are still made traditionally.
Ayasofya, Ortahisar and Boztepe
In the city, begin at Trabzon's Hagia Sophia, a thirteenth-century Byzantine church turned mosque whose frescoes and carved portals are among the finest of the period. Wander through Ortahisar, the old walled heart between two ravines, and the Kunduracılar bazaar near Meydan, then ride up to Boztepe hill for tea gardens overlooking the city and the sea at sunset. Our team can arrange a private car with driver to link these sites and the elegant Atatürk Pavilion in a single relaxed day.
Uzungöl and the Highland Plateaus
About two hours from the city, Uzungöl is a long mountain lake framed by spruce forests, wooden chalets and a slender-minaret mosque reflected in still water. Beyond it, roads climb to high plateaus where shepherds' huts, wildflowers and drifting cloud create landscapes that feel almost alpine. Our guided day tours to Uzungöl include viewpoints and village stops, and our multi-day packages extend into Rize, the Ayder plateau and tea plantations, with comfortable vehicles and experienced local drivers.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Trabzon
Meydan and the Bazaar
The lively centre of Trabzon revolves around Meydan Park, surrounded by hotels, tea houses, pastry shops and the narrow lanes of the old bazaar. It is busy, safe and very convenient, with restaurants, shopping and transport all on the doorstep. First-time visitors appreciate being able to walk out in the evening for dinner and a stroll, then meet our day tours right at the hotel door.
Ortahisar and the Old Town
Ortahisar is the historic walled core of the city, built on a plateau between two deep ravines. Stone mansions, Ottoman mosques such as Ortahisar Fatih Mosque, and fragments of Byzantine walls give it real character. It is quieter than Meydan yet still central, safe and pleasant for walking, ideal for travellers who enjoy history and authentic neighbourhoods with fewer crowds.
Boztepe and the Hills
On the slopes above the city, Boztepe and the surrounding hillside neighbourhoods offer some of the best views in Trabzon, with tea gardens, family restaurants and a handful of hotels and apart-hotels. It is calm and green, especially lovely in the evening. A car is useful here, so our private transfers make it an excellent choice for families wanting space and panoramas.
Uzungöl for an Overnight
Many travellers add a night or two beside Uzungöl, the lake village south-east of the city. Wooden chalets, bungalow hotels and lakeside cafés create a cool mountain retreat, and staying overnight lets you see the lake in early morning mist before the day visitors arrive. It is safe, peaceful and family friendly, and our multi-day packages combine it seamlessly with Trabzon.
How long to stay in Trabzon and how to pair it
Recommended stay
Plan four to six nights based in Trabzon. Allow one day for the city, one for Sümela Monastery, one for Uzungöl, and one or two for the plateaus and tea gardens of Rize and Ayder. Travellers who love nature often add a lakeside night in Uzungöl to slow down and enjoy the mountains.
How to pair it
Trabzon pairs naturally with Rize and the Ayder plateau, just along the coast, to form a complete Black Sea circuit. For seven days, combine Istanbul with Trabzon, Uzungöl and Rize. For ten days, add Cappadocia by domestic flight. Over fourteen days, link Istanbul, Bursa, Trabzon, Rize and Cappadocia, or finish on the Mediterranean in Antalya. We issue the domestic flight tickets and arrange transfers at every stop.
Best time to visit Trabzon and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Trabzon is June to September, when the plateaus are green and open, temperatures are mild and the roads to Uzungöl and Ayder are at their easiest. May and early October are quieter and beautifully misty. The Black Sea coast is rainy year-round, so bring a light rain jacket. Winter brings snow to the highlands and very peaceful scenery.
The daily rhythm
A Trabzon day often begins with a generous Black Sea breakfast of kuymak, butter, honey, olives and fresh bread, then an early departure into the valleys before the mist lifts. Lunch is usually trout by a river or pide in a village. Evenings return to the city for a stroll around Meydan, tea at Boztepe and a late dinner of hamsi.
On-the-ground logistics in Trabzon
Arrival
Trabzon Airport sits right on the coast, only around ten to fifteen minutes by road from Meydan and the central hotel district, with frequent domestic flights from Istanbul and Ankara. We issue the flight tickets, and our private airport transfers meet you in arrivals and drive you directly to your hotel or onward to Uzungöl.
Getting around
The centre around Meydan, the bazaar and Ortahisar is walkable, though the city is hilly. Minibuses and licensed taxis cover most routes, while ride-hailing apps are of limited use. For Sümela, Uzungöl and the plateaus, mountain roads and distances make a private car with an experienced local driver, arranged by our team, by far the most comfortable option.
Local etiquette tip
Black Sea people are warm, direct and proud of their region, and the crucial custom is respect for village life in the highlands. Dress modestly away from the city, ask before photographing people, especially women working in tea gardens or on plateaus, and accept a glass of tea when it is offered. Remove your shoes in homes and mosques.
Must-do things in Trabzon
- Walk up through misty fir forest to the cliff-hung Sümela Monastery
- Watch early morning reflections on Uzungöl before the day visitors arrive
- Admire the Byzantine frescoes inside Trabzon's Hagia Sophia
- Drink tea at sunset in the gardens on Boztepe hill above the city
- Taste a sizzling pan of kuymak with fresh bread for breakfast
- Eat crispy hamsi and Akçaabat meatballs at a local family restaurant
- Explore the Kunduracılar bazaar for copper, hazelnuts and Black Sea textiles
- Visit the elegant white Atatürk Pavilion and its gardens
- Continue to the tea plantations of Rize and the Ayder plateau
- Listen to kemençe music and watch the fast-stepping horon dance
Do’s and don’ts in Trabzon
Do
- Pack a rain jacket and layers, even in summer
- Leave early for Sümela and Uzungöl to beat traffic and crowds
- Try Rize tea and local hazelnuts, the pride of the region
- Stay a night in Uzungöl to experience the lake in its quiet hours
- Ask before photographing locals in highland villages
Don’t
- Don't expect beach weather; the Black Sea coast is green because it rains
- Don't drive mountain roads at night unless you know them well
- Don't wear revealing clothing in villages and on the plateaus
- Don't rush the region in one or two days; distances are longer than they look
- Don't leave litter at lakes and plateaus; locals care deeply for their landscapes
Trabzon at a glance
Plan Trabzon with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Trabzon.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Trabzon?
First-time visitors are best based around Meydan, in the heart of Trabzon, where hotels, restaurants, the bazaar and tea houses are all within walking distance and day tours pick up easily. Travellers wanting views and quiet often prefer the Boztepe hills, and many add a night or two at Uzungöl.
Can Trabzon be done as a day trip, or does it need an overnight stay?
Trabzon is too far from other major cities for a day trip, and its highlights are spread across mountains and valleys. Plan at least four nights: one day each for the city, Sümela and Uzungöl, plus time for Rize or the plateaus. Our multi-day packages organise everything smoothly from arrival to departure.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Trabzon?
Trabzon is a modern city but more conservative than the resort coasts. Casual, modest clothing works well; cover shoulders and knees for mosques, and women should carry a scarf. In villages and on plateaus dress modestly, ask before photographing people, accept offered tea and remove your shoes when entering homes.
Is Trabzon tourist friendly?
Yes. Trabzon welcomes many international visitors every summer, and hotels, restaurants and tour services are used to guests from around the world. English is less widespread than on the Aegean coast, but our team and trusted local partners handle the details, and we stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout your journey.
Is it safe to travel to Trabzon now?
Trabzon is generally considered a safe, hospitable city, and the main practical concerns are winding mountain roads and changeable weather. Conditions can change anywhere, so check the official travel advice of your own government before departure and keep our WhatsApp line handy; our team will gladly advise before and during your trip.
What are the must-do things in Trabzon?
Visit Sümela Monastery in the Altındere Valley, spend a day at Uzungöl lake, see the frescoes of Trabzon's Hagia Sophia and drink tea on Boztepe hill at sunset. Taste kuymak, hamsi and Laz böreği, browse the bazaar, and continue to the tea gardens of Rize and the Ayder plateau.
How many days do you need in Trabzon?
Four to six days is ideal in Trabzon: one for the city, one for Sümela, one for Uzungöl and one or two for Rize, Ayder and the highland plateaus. With fewer days you will feel rushed on mountain roads, while a longer stay lets you savour the green, misty landscapes.
Which time of year suits Trabzon's highlands?
The warmer months keep the plateaus around Uzungol and Ayder more accessible, while the cooler, wetter climate common to the Black Sea coast can affect outings earlier or later in the year.
Does Haqqi Tours arrange transport between Trabzon and Batumi?
Yes, a Batumi crossing is offered alongside the day tours and multi-day packages listed for Trabzon, arranged through the same WhatsApp desk that confirms every fixed price in writing beforehand.
What is included in a Trabzon multi-day package?
A multi-day package strings together highland day tours, transfers and accommodation planning through the WhatsApp desk, with an Arabic speaking agent confirming the route and price before booking.
What can I book in Trabzon with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, private airport transfers, multi-day packages and flight tickets, including Hidernebi Tour, Giresun Waterfalls and Ordu Cable Car Tour. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Trabzon?
Trabzon Airport (TZX) sits on the shore only about 6 km east of the city centre, with Uzungöl about 95 km and Sumela about 45 km into the mountains. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Trabzon?
Trabzon has no rail; city buses reach the centre from the airport but not Uzungöl, Sumela or the highland hotels, which are mountain drives of one to two hours where a private car with a local driver is the sensible choice. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Trabzon?
Among them: Hidernebi Tour, Giresun Waterfalls, Ordu Cable Car Tour, Trabzon City Tour and Elevit Tour. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.