Trabzon
Green mountains falling into the Black Sea, and a monastery built into a cliff above the clouds.
Trabzon is the capital of Türkiye's Black Sea coast — a port city with a Byzantine past, backed by some of the greenest mountains in the country. Tea terraces, highland villages and mist-filled valleys begin less than an hour from the centre.
We plan Trabzon for travellers who want a completely different Türkiye: cool summers, forest roads, and food built on anchovies, cornbread and butter from the high pastures.
What to see in Trabzon
The places worth your time — and the ones we build a day around.
Planning Trabzon
The practical answers, before you book anything.
June–September. The coast is green because it rains, so expect showers at any time; winter is cold in the mountains.
3–4 days to combine the city, Sümela and at least one highland plateau.
Trabzon Airport (TZX) has direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara and is a few minutes from the centre.
Trabzon: common questions
Is Trabzon worth visiting?
Yes, if you want nature and cool summers rather than beaches. It is the best base for the eastern Black Sea's lakes, monasteries and highland villages.
Can you visit Sümela Monastery?
The monastery reopened to visitors after restoration, but access to some sections can change. We confirm the current status before building a day around it.
Which of these is your kind of day?
Tell us what pulls at you and we will build Trabzon around it — the right hours, the right guide, and an honest word on what to skip. How we charge is set out in How we work.