Turkish Trabzon is considered to be a provincial transit city. People come here for inexpensive groceries or just to explore the surrounding area on their way to Istanbul. But local attractions can surprise even the most whimsical tourist. Walk through the pine forests along the coast, explore abandoned temples and get acquainted with the culture at the bazaars – and we will tell you everything in detail.
Why do people go to Trabzon
Domestic airport with cheap tickets
It is convenient to plan a trip throughout Turkey from Trabzon: planes fly from here to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Adana or Izmir. Budget options can be found even during the tourist season. For example, ticket prices to Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) start from 3,000 rubles* one way, to Antalya (SunExpress) – from 5,000 rubles*.
Proximity to the border with Georgia
Trabzon is the largest Turkish city near the Georgian border. It can be reached through the Sarpi border checkpoint in three hours by car or four by bus.
Non-tourist Turkey
The northern part of the Turkish coast is not considered a resort, so the price tag for a holiday in Trabzon is much more affordable than in Antalya, Fethiye or Marmaris. There are many shopping centers with local and international brands, supermarkets and bazaars with local products. In addition, due to the small number of vacationers, the sea here is much cleaner than in neighboring Georgian Batumi.
How to get there
From Moscow to Trabzon there are flights with transfers in Ankara (Pegasus Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines). One-way tickets cost from 31,000 rubles*.
Another option is to make an intermediate stop in Georgia: from Moscow with transfers in Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) you can fly to Batumi, and then get to Trabzon by bus, taxi or car.
Where to stay
Hotel Aksular (rating 8.5) is a hotel on the coast, a 15-minute drive from the center. Within walking distance are local supermarkets, the Church of Hagia Sophia and a green boulevard along the sea. Room rates start from 7,000 rubles per night*.
HANN OTEL (rating 8.8) – minimalist hotel with a terrace and sea views. Suitable for those who plan to visit Trabzon in transit: the airport is only two km away. the cost of a standard room starts from 9,000 rubles per night*.
Hotel Zorlu Grand (rating 8.2) – a five-star hotel with bright rooms in the historical part of the city. Opposite is the central Meydan Park with Turkish eateries, fast food and a taxi stand. The cost of a standard room starts from 15,000 rubles per night*.
Itinerary for the day
Breakfast at Albades Coffee House
Start your walk around Trabzon from the old part of the city and stop by here for a coffee. The menu has many variations of the drink – from Turkish coffee to items with ice or alternative milk. You can snack on sandwiches or donuts.
Meydan Central Park
Despite the name, the space is more reminiscent of a square with a recreation area, outdoor cafes and shopping centers around. Walk through the park to Meydan Cami Street to see the 16th century mosque.
Trabzon City Fortress
Once upon a time, Roman legionaries were on duty on these walls, water flowed through the aqueduct, and the fortress towers rose hundreds of kilometers around. It is impossible to say for sure when exactly the fortification appeared – for example, the Greek philosopher Xenophon already in the 5th century BC mentioned the construction in his letters. Now all that remains of the fortress is the foundation, several bastions and part of the western wall, which surrounds medieval streets with coffee shops and souvenir shops.
Zagnos Valley Park
The city authorities adapted the dry ditch of the fortress wall into a park space. There are many alleys, ponds and gazebos for relaxation. Ancient buildings in the park are integrated into the modern landscape. Walk to the amphitheater, explore the aqueduct, and then go down to the park with a waterfall – streams of water flow directly from the fortress wall.
Lunch at the Berweuli Ala Carte cafe
Despite the fact that there is no observation deck on the walls of the city fortress, you can still admire the views from this height. The Berweuli Ala Carte cafe is located in one of the medieval alleys, and its terrace occupies a picturesque part of the fortress wall overlooking the mosques and the coast. The menu includes many traditional Turkish dishes: balik, tavuk pilaf, kebabs and baklava.
Botanical Garden
The location with exotic plants and places to relax is located on a hill, which offers panoramic views of the Black Sea. Despite the small size of the garden, you can linger here – there is a restaurant and a children’s play area on the territory. Admission is free.
Ataturk Museum
You can watch the sunset in the pine forest near the villa of the first Turkish President Mustafa Ataturk. The best way to get here is by taxi or your own car: the journey from the center will take about 30 minutes. On the territory there is an exhibition about the history of the city and a flower garden. The museum is under reconstruction until September 2023, so now you can only admire it from the outside. Take a walk through the forest and stop by the summer cafe Köşk Garden.
Nature and surroundings
Panagia Soumela Monastery
The 4th-century monastery, hidden in the mountains of Altindere National Park, is an hour’s drive from Trabzon. One of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world has a difficult fate. Its inhabitants resisted the onslaught of the Arabs for centuries, but at the beginning of the 20th century they surrendered: the temple and other buildings were damaged by fire, and the government forced the monks to leave the monastery and return to Greece, and since then the monastery has been empty. There are many stairs, ancient cells and frescoes on the territory.
Now the shrine is popular among tourists: upon arrival, be prepared to pay for entry into the national park and parking (125 liras – approximately 525 rubles*). The monastery itself is located on a hill: you can either take a paid minibus (20 liras – approximately 84 rubles*), or walk about two km, but with a view of the snow-capped mountain peaks. Entrance to the museum is also paid, the cost varies depending on the season.
Lake Uzungol
This is a fresh lake in a green mountain crevice. You can get to Uzungol by taxi, your own car or on a tour; the journey will take about two hours. There are hotels and campsites on both sides of the almost kilometer-long lake. The coastline has been landscaped – rent a bike or scooter, or take a walk. The lake is home to a lot of trout, so we advise fishing fans to rent a spinning rod – local restaurants will offer to cook the catch.
Monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos
This almost destroyed former monastery has been preserved worse than the famous Panagia Sumela. The nuns were also expelled from here at the beginning of the 20th century, and now all that remains of the building are walls and several frescoes. Directly above the ruins is a park with a teahouse and restaurant. Climb up there to admire the views of Trabzon and visit another local attraction – the Ahi Evren Dede Mosque.
National Park Surmene Camburnu
There are only two places in Turkey where coniferous forests overlook the sea coast, and Surmene Camburnu National Park is one of them. The passage is located right next to the central Trabzon-Rize highway. After the walk, you can go down to the beach and then check out the Sargona Balik restaurant, which specializes in fish and Black Sea cuisine.
Shopping
Forum shopping center. Perhaps the largest shopping center in the city. Inside you will find restaurants with Turkish cuisine, fast food and familiar brands. The airport can be reached in five minutes.
Trabzon Cevahir shopping center. An option for those who value budget shopping. There are many outlet boutiques of famous brands and local Turkish brands.
Uzun Sokak Market. The long shopping arcades next to Meidan Central Park are reminiscent of Istiklal Street in Istanbul. There are many local clothing stores, antique and jewelry stores, and pastry shops with oriental sweets.
Avrasya Pazarı Market. Authentic Turkish bazaar, where you will hardly see tourists. Be prepared for bustle, chaotic shopping arcades and merchants who do not speak English. Enterprising locals sell here everything that can be sold, from antique souvenirs to household appliances, dishes and farm products.
Nargile & Bakırcılık. In this craft shop you can find a souvenir for all lovers of handmade things. The assortment includes national copper dishes, home decor and hookahs.
Temples, mosques and churches
Hagia Sophia
Before Trabzon fell to the Ottomans, the city was called Trebizond and was the capital of its own state, which the Greeks founded after the collapse of the Byzantine Empire. At the same time, the Church of Hagia Sophia appeared. Now there is a functioning mosque here, and in the garden nearby you can drink Turkish tea.
Armenian Church
This is the only Armenian religious building in the region. The church was built at the beginning of the 15th century. Divine services were held here until 1915, when there was a fire. Now the walls of the church resemble textured ruins, and the building is awaiting restoration.
Gulbahar Khatun Mosque
It was built in the 16th century by order of Sultan Selim, who bore the nickname Grozny. He dedicated the building itself to Princess Gulbahar, known for her patronage of both Muslims and Christians. Entrance to the mosque is free, and next to it you can find a mausoleum with the remains of the princess. Combine a walk here with a visit to the Trabzon fortress wall and Zagnos Valley Park: it’s a 10-minute walk to them.
St. Anne’s Church
This building survived the formation and collapse of the Ottoman Empire: the church was presumably built in the 6th century. The building is made in the Byzantine style, and above the front door you can even see an image of a warrior and a winged lion.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
