About Trabzon
Trabzon has been a Black Sea trading port since antiquity and served as capital of the medieval Empire of Trebizond. That layered past shows in its Hagia Sophia, a 13th-century Byzantine church famed for its frescoes, and in the old city walls of Ortahisar. Above town, the tea gardens of Boztepe hill look down over the harbor and coastline, a favorite spot at sunset. In the center, Uzun Sokak runs from the main square past shops selling Trabzon bread and hazelnut treats, while the white Atatürk Pavilion in Soğuksu sits in a quiet wooded garden.
A typical Trabzon itinerary combines a half-day city walk with Sumela Monastery in Maçka and the lake village of Uzungöl. Using the city as a base, you can also take day trips to the Rize tea gardens, Ayder and the Fırtına Valley or highland pastures such as Hıdırnebi, or join a multi-day Black Sea tour that strings these stops together. The center is compact enough to explore on foot, while guided tours or transfers make the out-of-town sights easy. TurTalebi lets you compare programs from local firms and pay for them securely by card.
Trabzon Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
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All ToursTop Things to See
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
Built in the 13th century under the Empire of Trebizond, this Byzantine church stands on a green hill near the sea. It now serves as a mosque and is renowned for its biblical frescoes.
Atatürk Pavilion
A white mansion set in wooded gardens in the Soğuksu district, where Atatürk stayed when he visited the city. It is now a museum displaying period furniture, personal items and photographs.
Boztepe Viewpoint
The hill right above the city gives a sweeping view of the coastline, the harbor and the Black Sea. Locals gather in its tea gardens to watch the sunset and the city lights come on.
Uzun Sokak and the Square
The pedestrian street running west from the main square is packed with bakeries and local food shops, a good place to try Akçaabat meatballs, kuymak and pan-fried anchovies.
Sumela Monastery
This Greek Orthodox monastery clings to a cliff face in the Altındere Valley near Maçka. Its frescoed rock church and dramatic setting make it the best-known day trip from Trabzon.
Uzungöl Day Trip
About two hours from the city, this lake village of wooden houses and misty slopes is the classic highland excursion. Most tours pair it with Sumela, while some add an overnight stay.
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
May to October is the most comfortable period for Trabzon, with mild, humid summers that are also the best time for plateau trips. July and August are the busiest months, when summer plateau festivals draw crowds. In September and October the crowds thin and the hills take on autumn tones. Winter is quiet and is anchovy season, but rain increases and roads to the higher plateaus may close. Pack for rain whatever the month.
Getting There
Trabzon Airport sits right on the edge of the city center and has regular flights from Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities; a short taxi or minibus ride gets you downtown. The Black Sea coastal highway links Trabzon west to Samsun and east to Rize and Artvin, and long-distance buses serve the city from across Türkiye. Sumela is about an hour away and Uzungöl about two hours, both best reached by tour or rental car.
Practical Tips
- Hagia Sophia functions as a mosque, so cover your shoulders and knees, and women should bring a headscarf.
- Head up to Boztepe shortly before sunset so you can watch the evening view and then the city lights from the tea gardens.
- Visitor arrangements at Sumela Monastery can change because of restoration work, so check the current situation before you go.