Between misty mountains and untamed sea, Trabzon stands where natural beauty and civilisation have long negotiated their borders. The city once marked a crucial stop on the Silk Road, drawing merchants from Persia and the Caucasus to its harbour. Today, its slopes remain covered with tea gardens and hazelnut groves that echo the same rhythm of exchange. The culture carries Anatolian warmth, Black Sea Region character, and Caucasian memory, reflected in its dialect, rituals, and food.
Top Attractions in Trabzon
The Black Sea coast goes from Istanbul to the Georgian border and twists around Trabzon, Turkey (Türkiye). The cloudy slopes, and rivers cut deep into rock, and people still speak forgotten languages in settlements.
Trabzon’s Hagia Sophia
Built between 1238 and 1263 as a Greek Orthodox Church, the site is a major example of late Byzantine architecture. After the Ottoman conquest in 1461, the church became a mosque, serving as a hospital during World War I. In 1964, it reopened as a museum.
Since 2013, Trabzon's Hagia Sophia has functioned as a mosque and a museum. Visitors can view well-preserved frescoes depicting Biblical scenes alongside Islamic motifs. The building’s compact layout allows for exploration of its courtyard, bell tower, and coastal views within an hour.
Boztepe Hill
Overlooking Trabzon with panoramic views of the city and the Black Sea, Bozatepe Hill sits above the centre. Reachable by car, taxi, or a 30–40-minute uphill walk. The tea gardens here serve Turkish semaver tea and local breakfast items such as Trabzon bread, butter, and chestnut honey. Most visited at sunset, the hill features gazebos, open terraces, and vendors selling roasted corn.
Sumela Monastery (50 km from Trabzon)
Set up in the 4th century by Barnabas and Sophronios, Sumela Monastery sits 1,200 metres above sea level. Perched on a cliff in Altındere Valley National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is 47 km south of Trabzon.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the complex includes a rock church with frescoes, monks’ quarters, and a library. It expanded through the 18th century and was abandoned in 1923, but was later restored for tourism. Open daily from 08:00 to 20:00, with a single-entry fee of 20 EUR, the Museum Pass Turkey covers the site. Day tours from Trabzon are available for visitors without a car.
Trabzon Castle (Walls of Trabzon)
Consisting of ancient defensive fortifications, Trabzon Castle stretches from the hill above Ortahisar to the Black Sea shore. Raised by Roman-era stonework, later Byzantines and Ottomans modified it. The structure divides the city into the Upper, Middle, and Lower towns.
The Upper Castle features the ancient body of a palace, while the Middle section contains Ottoman-era walls. The site is essential for Trabzon activities, reachable on foot from the city centre within minutes.
Trabzon Square Park
Wonder what to see in Trabzon? In Ortahisar, Trabzon Square Park is the city’s main meeting point. Filled with walking paths, shaded seating, and landscapes, the area is suitable for relaxation.
Surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and local shops, the park also hosts occasional public events and performances. The area is pedestrian-friendly and easily connects to other local culture attractions, including the museum and bazaars.
Trabzon Markets and Bazaars
- Bedesten Market: This covered market in Çarşı District has been around since the Ottoman Empire. Here you can find merchants selling high-quality textiles, leather goods, jewellery, pottery, and other handcrafted goods.
- Sunday Market: Here, artisans craft traditional utensils, and the market also sells produce, silverware, and local foods. The market is most famous for its copper workshops.
- Square Market: Located near the main square, it provides clothing, footwear, food products, and souvenirs, with dining options nearby.
- Moloz Market: Also called the Women’s Market, it focuses on dairy, milk, fruits, and vegetables. These products come from local women in Çaykara and Uzungöl.
- Kemeralti Market: In Ortahisar’s centre, Kemeralti Market features fabric shops, handmade accessories, perfumes, and folkloric artefacts within narrow alleys.
Trabzon Museum (Kostaki Mansion)
Reopened and housed in the 20th-century Kostaki Mansion, Greek banker Theofilaktos built this museum. The ground floor exhibits the lifestyle of the mansion’s original owners. The upper floors display documents, photos, and artefacts from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s three visits to Trabzon.
The archaeology section presents prehistoric to Ottoman-era finds, including items uncovered during Trabzon Castle excavations. An interactive room for children, which lays out 720 artefacts on display. Museum Pass covers the entry fee, consisting of 3 Euros.
Atatürk Mansion
Kostaki Theophylaktos constructed this mansion in 1890 in the European classical style. Later, it turned into the Atatürk Mansion, 5 kilometres from the city centre in the Soguksu district. The three-storey edifice contains period furniture, Atatürk’s study and bedroom, and original personal items.
Its gardens include lanes and fountains surrounded by pine trees. The mansion, gifted to Atatürk in 1934, today serves as a museum displaying his belongings, photographs, and documents. It remains a key historical attraction in Trabzon, accessible by car or taxi.
Trabzon City Museum
Among the top things to do in Trabzon is a visit to the Trabzon City Museum, spread over 1,500 square metres and three floors. The museum in the city centre exhibits archaeological and ethnographic collections. The exposition traces the city’s history from ancient times to today.
Visitors can explore artefacts related to architecture, crafts, folklore, and local cuisine. Although many texts are in Turkish, you will find audio guides in multiple languages. The museum is highly recommended among most Trabzon attractions for history enthusiasts.
The House of Süleyman
The House of Süleyman, situated in Ortahisar, marks the birthplace of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Now, it is a museum with wax figures of Ottoman sultans. Exhibits display old weapons, books, and artwork related to Trabzon’s Ottoman history.
The stone building has four floors, including a basement and attic, with detailed wooden eaves and a traditional tiled roof. It forms part of Trabzon tourist attractions, focusing on the Ottoman legacy.
Gülbahar Hatun Mosque
Commissioned by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1514, this mosque is one of the oldest Trabzon historical sites. Once a larger religious complex with a madrasa, now only a mausoleum of Gülbahar Hatun is present in the area. The mosque’s architecture features a five-section narthex, marble mihrab, muqarnas decorations, and detailed vegetal patterns. Restorations in 1885 made it a notable point for Trabzon sightseeing by preserving its history.
Uzungöl Lake
Uzungöl Lake sits 99 km southeast of Trabzon in the Çaykara district. Formed five centuries ago by a landslide blocking the Haldizen River, it is one of the best places to visit in Trabzon. The area attracts fishing, hiking, and cycling enthusiasts, with high mountains and dense forests surrounding it.
Among the Trabzon top attractions, visitors can stay in nearby village hotels and try local salmon dishes. The lake is accessible by road and is best for Trabzon day trips, particularly between May and July when the weather is mild.
Explore Deep Caves
Exploring Karaca and Çal caves ranks high in things to do in Trabzon for nature and geology enthusiasts. Karaca Cave was discovered in 1960 near the village of Cebeli. Highlighting extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites, it has been open to the public since 1996.
Located in Düzköy, about 46 kilometres from Trabzon, Cal Cave is one of the longest caves in the world, extending over 8 km. Wooden footpaths and small waterfalls lead travellers through chambers made by underground streams. These caves are essential stops on Trabzon nature tours for their unique geological formations.
Sultan Murat Plateau (106 km from Trabzon)
At 2,200 metres above sea level, Sultan Murat Plateau is among the top destinations for Trabzon nature tours. Named after Sultan Murad IV, who prayed there in 1635, the plateau affords views of valleys, meadows, and wildflowers. Visitors can find small hotels, a mosque, and restaurants serving local food. Accessible by car, it is often part of Trabzon day trips for hiking and mountain exploration in summer.
Sera Lake
Nestled 10 kilometres from Trabzon, a landslide in the early 20th century formed Sera Lake. Forested hills surround the lake and provide boating, cycling, and walking facilities. The lake is a common picnic spot and birdwatching site with restaurants and cafés nearby. Perfect for short Trabzon sightseeing visits, it is often included in Trabzon travel guides.
1-Day Itinerary: Things to Do in Trabzon
Morning:
Start your day at the city's lively heart, surrounded by shops, cafés, and historical architecture, Trabzon Square. Indulge in breakfast with menemen, local cheeses, and Turkish tea at a nearby traditional café. From here, it is just a short stroll to Zagnos Valley Park, a green oasis among the city’s old Byzantine and Ottoman walls. The park is ideal for easy wandering and photography, with views of Trabzon Castle rising above.
Afternoon:
While exploring Trabzon, continue towards Hagia Sophia, only a 10–15-minute drive away. This 13th-century gem combines Byzantine art and Ottoman touches, known for its frescoes, stone carvings, and coastal views. Stop at Berweuli Ala Carte Restaurant, a local favourite in a restored structure with city views. Kuymak, a cheese and cornmeal dish, and Akçaabat köfte are both delicious options.
After lunch, head to the Atatürk Pavilion, a short uphill drive to the Soğuksu district. This elegant mansion surrounded by gardens documents the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and delivers panoramic views of Trabzon.
Evening:
In the evening, unwind at Boztepe Tea Garden, only 10 minutes away. Group tours at this emblematic viewpoint in Trabzon will let you sip Turkish tea while watching the Black Sea and the city below.
Round off your day with dinner at Bordo Mavi Balık-Erşan Yılmaz, known for its fresh seafood and calm ambience. Before returning, visit Uzun Sokak, the primary shopping street in Trabzon. There, you can browse the local stores for souvenirs, handmade knives, tea, and hazelnuts, which are the region's signature products.
Top Things to Do in Trabzon in 2 Days
Two days in Trabzon are enough to witness its wild nature, history, and culture.
Day 1 - From City Streets to Mountain Lakes
Morning:
Begin your morning with a traditional Turkish breakfast at Mado or a local lokantası. Start with freshly baked bread, olives, cheeses, and black tea to get ready for your journey outside. Proceed to the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century Byzantine church-turned-museum exhibiting remarkable frescoes and carvings. The nearby Meydan Park grants you an easy stroll with cafés, gardens, and the hum of city life.
Afternoon:
For lunch, visit Cemilusta Restaurant to taste the local anchovy dishes that define the regional cuisine, such as Akçaabat meatballs and hamsi.
Then drive toward Uzungöl, one of Türkiye’s most famous lakes. The route winds through lush valleys and wooden villages. Upon arrival, walk along the lakeside trail, where you can also rent a bicycle or enjoy tea in a wooden chalet. This chalet has a view of the Pontic Alps reflected in the water.
Evening:
Return to Trabzon by evening. At Akçaabat Restaurant or Nihat Usta, you can savour grilled lamb, pide baked in stone ovens, and local desserts such as sütlaç. A late-night walk along the coast completes your day before returning to your hotel.
Day 2 - Mountains, Monasteries, and Markets
Morning:
On the 2nd morning, set out early toward Sumela Monastery, clinging to a cliff in Altındere National Park. Explore its frescoed interiors and the forest trails surrounding it, where the sound of waterfalls fills the air. Nearby village cafés serve melted cheese with a cornmeal dish, muhlama, and pure Black Sea delicacies like fresh trout.
Afternoon:
Back in the city, stop at the Atatürk Köşkü, a 19th-century mansion surrounded by manicured gardens. Head to Boztepe Hill for panoramic views and a glass of Turkish tea overlooking the Black Sea. Spend your late afternoon in Uzun Sokak, filled with local boutiques and traditional helva shops like Beton Helva. You can taste dondurma (ice cream) or chestnuts from street vendors while browsing through textiles, spices, and handmade crafts.
Evening:
End your trip with dinner at Çardak Pide or a cosy seaside restaurant, watching the city lights shimmer over the sea. After dinner, continue the evening along the coastal promenade, where locals gather in tea gardens and dessert cafés.
3 Days in Trabzon
- Day 1: Follow the 1st Day Itinerary.
- Day 2: Follow the 2-Day Itinerary.
3rd Day in Trabzon:
Morning:
Your final day brings you toward the coast, but not before one last encounter with wild landscape for Trabzon cultural tours. Tour guides will drive you toward Çal Cave, the second-longest cave in the world, located in the Düzköy district. Walkways allow visitors to explore its dripping stone corridors and underground stream. The air is humid but fresh, and locals believe it is good for breathing ailments.
Afternoon:
For lunch, Balıkçılar Lokantası or Fevzi Hoca Balık often caters anchovies, mullet, and sea bass. Pair it with a local salad and lemonade before diving into your last round of sightseeing.
Then, visit Trabzon Castle, whose walls date back to Roman and Byzantine times. From its upper towers, the city skyline and the Black Sea merge in blue haze. Explore the Fatih Mosque (Panagia Chrysokephalos) in Ortahisar. With traces of Byzantine stonework, it is the first church converted to a mosque after Mehmed II’s conquest in 1461.
Later, wander through the Bedesten Bazaar, a 16th-century domed market near the city centre. Artisans sell silver jewellery, textiles, handcrafted souvenirs, and local sweets here. Do not leave without trying Hamsiköy rice pudding, Laz böreği, or Beton Helva from nearby shops.
Evening:
Relax with dinner at Keyf-i Künefe & Balık near the marina. There, you can enjoy freshly grilled fish and end with warm künefe, the city’s favourite dessert of crispy pastry and melted cheese. After dinner, amble along the Ganita–Faroz Coastal Trail, a scenic seaside path with tea houses.
Stop for a final cup of Black Sea tea at one of the open-air cafés, watching the faint lights of fishing boats drift across the water. The sound of waves replaces the city’s noise, a quiet reminder of Trabzon’s enduring link between sea and mountain.