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Things to Do in Trabzon (2026)
Begin at the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century Byzantine church turned mosque, located on the western coast. The frescoes inside are stunning, and the seaside setting mβ¦ π° Start with History
Begin at the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century Byzantine church turned mosque, located on the western coast. The frescoes inside are stunning, and the seaside setting makes it a perfect first stop. Entry is free, but donations are appreciated, and it's open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
ποΈ Must-See Natural Beauty
Uzungol, a lake surrounded by lush green mountains, is about 99 kilometers south of the city. It's a popular day trip, so arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends. The 1.5-hour drive offers scenic views, and you can rent a paddleboat for around 50 Turkish lira per hour.
ποΈ Hidden Gem: SΓΌmela
The SΓΌmela Monastery, perched on a cliff in the AltΔ±ndere Valley, is a must-see despite its steep climb. It's about 50 kilometers from Trabzon, and the entrance fee is 100 Turkish lira. The monastery is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly, and wear sturdy shoes for the uphill walk.
π½οΈ Taste Local Flavors
Don't leave without trying AkΓ§aabat meatballs, a local specialty, at the famous KΓΆΕker Restaurant in AkΓ§aabat, about 15 kilometers west of the city. A portion costs around 120 Turkish lira, and it's best enjoyed with a side of piyaz (white bean salad). For a sweet treat, head to Tarihi KadΔ±lar KonaΔΔ± for their famous kΓΌnefe, a warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup.
ποΈ Shop Like a Local
Visit the Bedesten, the historic covered bazaar in the city center, for authentic souvenirs like Trabzon butter, hazelnuts, and handwoven textiles. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price. The bazaar is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, but it's liveliest in the late morning.
π Best Evening Spots
As the sun sets, take a stroll along the Black Sea coast at Meydan Park, where locals gather for tea and simit. For a panoramic view of the city, head to Boztepe Hill, accessible by a short dolmuΕ ride or a 20-minute walk from the center. The hill has several tea gardens, and the sunset over the sea is unforgettable.
π Getting Around
Trabzon's public buses and dolmuΕes (shared minibuses) are cheap and frequent, with fares starting at 10 Turkish lira. For day trips to Uzungol or SΓΌmela, consider renting a car or joining a guided tour, as public transport is limited. Taxis are available but agree on the fare before starting your journey.
π‘ Insider Tips
The best time to visit is from May to September, when the weather is mild and the highlands are green. Learn a few Turkish phrases like 'Merhaba' (hello) and 'TeΕekkΓΌrler' (thank you); locals appreciate the effort. Always carry cash, as many small shops and tea gardens don't accept credit cards.
The guide's spot on about AkΓ§aabat meatballs, but if you're there, ask for the "Δ±zgara" version at KΓΆΕker instead of the pan-fried one. It's got a smokier flavor from the charcoal, and the locals swear by it. Also, the kΓΌnefe at Tarihi KadΔ±lar KonaΔΔ± is worth the queue, but go after 6pm when the crowds thin out and you can grab a table by the window.
One thing the guide missed: the Friday market in Ortahisar, right by the old castle walls. It's chaotic and loud, but you'll find fresh black cabbage (the local staple) and the best honey from the highlands at half the price you'd pay in the Bedesten. Go early, like 8am, before the tour groups show up.
honestly the guide's right about the bedesten but for real local shopping, hit the back streets behind it, past the copper shops. there's a tiny spice seller, no sign, just sacks of pul biber and dried mountain herbs spilling out the door. got a kilo of their mixed thyme blend for like 80 lira, way better than anything in the tourist stalls.
also, if you're there on a saturday, the fish market down by the harbor is chaos in the best way. you can grab fresh hamsi (anchovies) from the boats and there's a guy who'll grill them on the spot for a small fee. pair it with the simit from the cart outside, it's the most local breakfast you'll have, no menu, no fuss, just the sea and the smell of charcoal.
yeah the guide nailed it with boztepe for sunset but honestly the real move is going up there for breakfast, not sunset. there's a little tea garden near the top, forget the name, but they do a mean menemen with fresh cheese and simit, and you get the whole city waking up below you. way less crowded than the evening rush too.
also if you're into hiking, skip uzangol on a weekend and hit the hamsikoy pass instead. it's about 30 min past akçaabat, same green mountains but no tour buses, just shepherds and their dogs. there's a tiny waterfall about 20 min up the trail, locals swim in it even in june, water's freezing but that's half the fun.
oh and one thing nobody mentions: the ferry from the harbor to the old town is like 15 lira and takes 10 minutes, way better than the bus if you're staying near the coast. runs every hour until sunset, just ask for "iskele" at the ticket booth.
3 Days in Trabzon: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the historic center around Meydan Park and the Ortahisar neighborhood. Visit the Trabzon Castle ruins and the 13th-century Hagia Sophia (now a mosque), whicβ¦ πΊοΈ Day One: Old Town
Start your trip in the historic center around Meydan Park and the Ortahisar neighborhood. Visit the Trabzon Castle ruins and the 13th-century Hagia Sophia (now a mosque), which is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 and costs 60 TRY. For lunch, head to Tarihi KalkanoΔlu PilavcΔ±sΔ± (Taksim Cad. No: 8) for their famous pilav with butter, a local staple since 1856. In the afternoon, wander through the bazaar streets near GΓΌlbahar Hatun Mosque, where you can shop for silver and traditional textiles.
π Getting Around
Trabzon's public buses (Trabzon BΓΌyΓΌkΕehir Belediyesi) cover most areas, with single rides costing around 15 TRY, but you'll need a Kentkart card (available at kiosks near Meydan). Taxis are plentiful and metered, with a base fare of 40 TRY plus 25 TRY per kilometer; always confirm the meter is on. For day trips to surrounding villages, minibuses (dolmuΕ) leave from the main otogar, with fares ranging from 30 to 80 TRY depending on distance.
ποΈ Day Two: UzungΓΆl
Dedicate your second day to the iconic UzungΓΆl lake, about 99 kilometers southeast of Trabzon city, a 2-hour drive by car or dolmuΕ (round-trip minibus costs around 150 TRY per person). Arrive by 9:00 to enjoy the calm morning reflections before the crowds. Walk the lakeside promenade, then hike up to the Seyir Tepesi viewpoint (entrance 50 TRY) for panoramic photos. For lunch, try the fresh trout at one of the lakeside restaurants, such as UzungΓΆl Restaurant, where a full meal costs 300 to 500 TRY.
π° Day Three: Sumela
On your final day, visit the cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery, located 47 kilometers south of Trabzon in the AltΔ±ndere Valley National Park. The monastery is open from 8:00 to 19:00 in summer, with an entrance fee of 350 TRY, and you'll need to walk about 1.5 kilometers uphill from the car park (or take a shuttle for 50 TRY). Combine this with a stop at the nearby Karaca Cave (open 9:00 to 18:00, 100 TRY), known for its colorful stalactites. Return to Trabzon by late afternoon, allowing 1.5 hours for the drive back.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
Beyond the tourist spots, try local favorites like AkΓ§aabat kΓΆfte at KΓΆΕk Restaurant in AkΓ§aabat (about 20 minutes west of the city), where a portion costs 250 TRY. For a sweet treat, visit the historic Tarihi ΓarΕΔ±'da Εekerci (SΓΌmer Sokak No: 5) for their famous kuymak and helva. Don't miss the chance to taste hamsi (anchovies) during the winter months, served grilled or in a pilaf at seaside restaurants along the Black Sea coast.
π Evening Strolls
Evenings in Trabzon are best spent along the coastal promenade at AtatΓΌrk AlanΔ±, where locals gather to watch the sunset over the Black Sea. For a livelier scene, head to the cafes and tea gardens around Meydan Park, where a glass of Turkish tea costs about 20 TRY. If you're up for a short drive, the Boztepe hill offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea, with a cable car (teleferik) running from 10:00 to 22:00, costing 60 TRY round-trip.
π‘ Practical Tips
Book your accommodation in advance, especially in summer, as Trabzon fills up quickly with domestic tourists; expect to pay 1,500 to 3,000 TRY per night for a mid-range hotel. Carry cash, as many small shops and tea gardens don't accept credit cards. The weather can change rapidly, so pack a light rain jacket even in summer, and wear sturdy shoes for the monastery and cave visits.
the guide nailed the big spots but honestly u should skip the cable car to boztepe and just take a dolmuΕ or taxi up, it's like 10 mins and way cheaper, the view from the top at sunset is unreal. also if ur there on a friday night check out the fish market near the port, not the fancy restaurants but the little stands where locals eat hamsi fresh off the boats, u'll pay half of what the lakeside places charge and it's way more fun. for sumela, go as early as u can, like 8am, because the shuttle queue gets stupid long by 10 and u lose an hour just waiting. and bring cash for the tea gardens around meydan, half of them don't even have card machines, 20 lira for tea is fine but they'll charge u extra if u ask for a receipt lol.
yeah this guide is pretty spot on, but if you've got a spare morning, skip the city and take the dolmuΕ up to Sera Lake instead. it's only about 20 minutes from town, and the walk around the lake with the mountains behind it is way more chill than the chaos of UzungΓΆl, plus you can grab fresh gΓΆzleme from the little stalls near the entrance. also, for the hagia sophia, try to hit it right when it opens, the light through the windows is gorgeous and you'll have the place almost to yourself before the
solid guide, the pilav spot is legit but go for the chicken version not the plain butter one, it's what the locals actually order. also u mentioned akΓ§aabat kΓΆfte but the real move is eating it at the tiny places along the coast road in akΓ§aabat itself, not the big touristy kΓΆΕk, look for the ones with plastic chairs outside, they're grilling right there and it's like 150 lira for a portion with bread and salad. for sumela, if u're not into the 1.5km walk, the shuttle is worth it but the walk is actually kinda nice through the forest, just bring water because there's no stalls until the top. one thing the guide missed: the trabzon museum in the old kostaki mansion is small but has some cool byzantine stuff and it's like 50 lira, good for a rainy hour. and honestly skip karaca cave if ur tight on time, it's cool but the drive from sumela adds like an hour each way and the stalactites look the same as any cave after a while. stick around for the evening call to prayer from the hagia sophia minaret, even if ur not religious it's a vibe with the sea behind it.