Trabzon Tourism: Ulungol Suml a and Best Hotels
Trabzon, another face of Turkey: green mountains and mist instead of sun and beaches.
Trabzon sits in northeast Turkey on the Black Sea coast, about 1080 kilometers by road from Istanbul and less than two hours by air.
The road distance between Istanbul and Trabzon exceeds a thousand kilometers, which is why the two cities are not combined in one trip except by domestic flight. Anyone attempting it by car would spend more than twelve hours on the road, a route that only makes sense for someone planning a long coastal loop.
What sets Trabzon apart is its climate and vegetation, unlike the rest of Turkey. Rain falls year-round, the mountains are cloaked in forests and tea, and villages cling to the slopes. Those seeking sea and swimming will be disappointed; those seeking greenery, coolness, and fog will find something not found elsewhere in the region.
Most famous sights in Trabzon and places to visit
The most famous landmarks are Sümela Monastery perched on a cliff, Trabzon Square in the city center, and Boztepe Hill overlooking the coast.
Sümela Monastery is the region’s most famous site: a sculpture carved into a rock face set in a forested valley about 45 kilometers south of the city, reached by a walking path after parking. It is sometimes closed or parts are restricted for renovations or bad weather, so check its status before dedicating a day.
Trabzon Square is the main square in the heart of the city, surrounded by cafes, shops, and hotels, the meetup point from which the evening kicks off. On Boztepe Hill overlooking the city are cafes and gardens with the broadest view of the coast. Other sights include the historic Hagia Sophia Trabzon Mosque, Atatürk’s Palace with its wooden garden, and the Çal cave, one of the region’s longest caves.
Uzungol and the highlands
Uzungol is a lake and a mountain village about 95 kilometers southeast of Trabzon, taking about two hours to reach due to the mountainous road.
The distance on the map looks short, but the road is winding and narrow in parts; don't measure it in kilometers but in hours. Uzungol is the image most visitors come for: a lake surrounded by mountains, a mosque on its shore, and wooden huts on the slopes. July and August are crowded; arriving early or staying there changes the experience entirely.
Hazeya Diga Akder? (Note: This entry describes HaD ider Nabi Plateau near the city; additionally nearby Sira Lake described as the Blue Lake, best for a short stroll.)
Where you’ll stay: city or chalets
Staying in Trabzon offers two distinct options: city-center hotels near Trabzon Square, and wooden chalets in Uzungol and the highlands.
Staying in the city center or by the coast puts you near restaurants, shops, and transport, and makes day trips depart from one hub. This is the best option for a first visit and for four days or less.
Wooden chalets in Uzungol and the highlands offer a very different experience: quiet, fog, and direct mountain views. They are far from services, the road there at night isn’t easy, and food options are limited. The smartest plan for five days or more is to combine both: several nights in the city and two nights up top.
Apartments in Trabzon are a practical option for large families, and the best Trabzon hotels are spread between the city center and the coast. Hotels on the sea offer a nice view, but the Black Sea here is for looking at, not swimming, most of the time.
Getting around Trabzon and renting a car
Trabzon’s major sights are spread 45 to 95 kilometers outside the city, and public transport doesn’t realistically reach them, so a car is almost a must.
This is the key practical point of the entire trip. Sümela, Uzungol, and the highlands are all outside the city and on mountain roads, with few buses and schedules that don’t fit a tourist’s program. You have three options:
- Self-drive car rental in Trabzon: best for those who can drive on narrow winding mountain roads
- A car with a driver in Trabzon: the most common choice among visitors, and it frees you from the road, fog, and looking for parking; many Trabzon car rental offices offer it
- Daily organized tours: cheapest per person, but group time constraints don’t suit those with kids
If you choose to drive yourself, watch three things: fog can drop suddenly on the highlands and cut visibility to meters, the final mountain roads to Uzungol are narrow and two-way, and the valley sometimes loses signal, so load a Trabzon map for offline use before you climb.
Inside the city itself, distances are short, walking, buses, and taxis suffice, and you only need a car when venturing out.
Trabzon Weather and best time to visit
Trabzon is one of Turkey’s rainiest regions year-round, with peak visiting in July and August when temperatures range from 22 to 28 Celsius.
Rule of thumb: rain is not unusual in any month. Don’t expect a clear day to go out; bring a waterproof coat, non-slip shoes, and go anyway. Fog is part of the scene, not a barrier, and Uzungol and the highlands look more beautiful in fog than in sun.
Summer is when most visitors come to escape Gulf heat; crowds peak in July and August. Spring and fall are much quieter with greener scenery, cooler temps, and more rain. Winter is cold and foggy, and some mountain roads may close.
Getting to Trabzon
Trabzon Airport sits on the coast east of the city center, about 10 minutes by car, and serves domestic flights from Istanbul and seasonal international flights.
Its proximity to the city is one of its best features: you won’t need more than a quarter-hour from the arrivals hall to your hotel in the center. Those without a direct flight can arrive via Istanbul on a domestic flight under two hours, which is much wiser than the long road drive.
Shopping and dining in Trabzon
Shopping in Trabzon centers on the city square and the old bazaar next to it, plus the main mall on the outskirts of the center.
Trabzon markets and malls are few but easily covered. The old bazaar near the square is the best place for gifts: regional tea, honey, nuts, and local products. The jewelry street nearby is known for gold and silver shops. The malls offer familiar brands and a comfortable option on a rainy day.
In Trabzon’s restaurants, try bread baked in a stone oven, anchovy fish famous to the region in various styles, mountain cream with honey at breakfast, and the local tea served everywhere. Restaurants are in the square and along the coast, and in Uzungol, there are lake-facing eateries.
How long for a trip to Trabzon
The budget item overlooked in Trabzon is transportation, because every main sight requires a day trip by car.
Count transport as a separate item, not a detail. Four day trips to Sümela, Uzungol, the highlands, and Rize mean four days with a driver or rental, which may equal what you spend on accommodation. For a small group, this item decreases significantly when shared.
How many days do you need in Trabzon
Five days is the right length for Trabzon: one day for the city, three days for the mountain trips, and one flexible day for weather.
Any Trabzon itinerary should include a reserve day. Thick fog or heavy rain may spoil Sümela or make the highland roads uncomfortable, and having a flexible day means a postponement, not a cancellation. And don’t put two mountain trips in one day, no matter how short they look on the map.
Trips from Trabzon
The closest day trips from Trabzon are Sümela Monastery at 45 kilometers away, and the farthest is Rize at about 75 kilometers.
Access to Ayder Plateau is typically via Rize; the road there is longer than Rize itself, so those who want it should allocate a full day, not half a day added to another trip.
Where is Trabzon?
In northeast Turkey on the Black Sea coast, and it is the capital of the province bearing its name.
How far is Trabzon from Istanbul?
About 1080 kilometers by road, more than twelve hours by car, or less than two hours by domestic flight.
How far is Uzungol from Trabzon?
About 95 kilometers, but the road is mountainous and winding and takes about two hours.
How far is Rize from Trabzon?
About 75 kilometers, about an hour and a quarter on the coastal road, also written as Riz e.
How many days are enough to visit Trabzon?
Five days: one for the city, three for mountain trips, and a flexible day to compensate for weather.
What is the best time to visit Trabzon?
July and August are the most popular and warmest months; spring and fall are quieter and greener with more rain.
Do I need a car in Trabzon?
Yes, practically. The main sights outside the city are on mountain roads, not served well by public transport, and the common choice is a car with a driver.
Can you swim in the Black Sea at Trabzon?
The Black Sea here is more for looking at than swimming; the weather is variable and the shores are mostly pebbly, so those seeking swimming will find it elsewhere.
Should I stay in the city or in Uzungol?
The city is best for a first visit and for four days or less. For five days or more, combine stays in the city with two nights in chalets.
Is Sümela Monastery worth visiting?
Yes, it’s the region’s most famous landmark. Check its opening status before going because it is sometimes closed for renovations or bad weather.