Trabzon: Black Sea Cliffs, Byzantine Frescoes and Misty Highlands
Trabzon doesn't look like the rest of Turkey — it's a port city stacked on green ridges above the Black Sea, with tea terraces climbing into fog and a Byzantine past still visible in its churches and city walls. It was once the capital of the Empire of Trebizond, a last outpost of Byzantine culture that outlived Constantinople by eight years. Today it's the gateway to some of Turkey's most dramatic highland scenery, just an hour's drive inland.
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Sumela Monastery
A Byzantine monastery clinging to a sheer cliff face in the Altındere valley, founded in the 4th century and reachable by a steep forest path.
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
A 13th-century Byzantine church, now a museum, famous for its well-preserved frescoes and carved stone reliefs overlooking the sea.
Trabzon Castle and old city walls
Fortifications built by the Komnenos dynasty, still standing through the Ortahisar neighborhood's narrow lanes.
Atatürk Mansion (Atatürk Köşkü)
A white belle-époque villa on a hill outside town where Atatürk stayed on visits to the city, now furnished as it was in his time.
Uzungöl
A highland lake ringed by pine forest and wooden guesthouses, about 90 minutes from the city and one of the most photographed spots on the Black Sea coast.
Boztepe Hill
A viewpoint above the city with teahouses and gardens, the classic spot to watch Trabzon and its harbor spread out below.
Kaymaklı Monastery (Vazelon)
A quieter, less-visited cliffside monastery ruin near Maçka, similar in spirit to Sumela but almost empty of tourists.
A Sample Day
Food to Try
Black Sea cooking is built around anchovies, corn, and the region's own soft, mild cheese, and it tastes noticeably different from the rest of Turkey.
Late May through September is best, when the highland plateaus and Uzungöl are green and accessible and the coastal fog lifts; July's Kadırga Festival brings traditional horon dancing to the high pastures above Çaykara.
Trabzon's city center is compact and walkable, but Sumela, Uzungöl, and the highland plateaus require a car, dolmuş minibus, or organized day tour from the otogar or city center. Taxis and a limited tram line cover the coastal city itself.
Visit Sumela Monastery early on a weekday morning — tour buses from cruise ships and domestic groups fill the site by midday, and the steep uphill path is far more pleasant before the crowds and heat arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Trabzon?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the city sights, Sumela Monastery, and a day trip to Uzungöl or the highland plateaus without rushing.
Is Sumela Monastery worth the trip?+
Yes — the cliffside setting is genuinely striking, though be prepared for a steep 30-45 minute uphill walk from the parking area to reach it.
Do you need a car to visit the Black Sea highlands around Trabzon?+
A car or organized tour makes the highland plateaus and Uzungöl much easier to reach, though dolmuş minibuses connect the city to Uzungöl and Maçka on a set schedule.
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