Sumela MonasteryAttraction
Sumela Monastery
A monastery built into a steep cliff face at about 1,200 metres, in the Altındere valley.
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Things to do in Trabzon
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Trabzon in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Bertramz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsTrabzon Airport (TZX), on the coast east of the city
Getting aroundTaxis, minibuses (dolmuş), buses and hire cars
CurrencyTurkish lira (TRY)
Best monthsJune to September, when rain is lightest
Trabzon in brief
Trabzon is the main city of Türkiye’s eastern Black Sea coast, with green mountains rising behind the port. Greek settlers founded it around 756 BC under the name Trapezous.
From 1204 to 1461 it was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond, and the Ottomans took it in 1461. Byzantine churches, old city walls and 19th-century mansions still stand in and around the city.
Most visitors use Trabzon as a base for the mountains of the province. Sumela Monastery and the lake at Uzungöl are both a day trip away, while the city itself has a museum, a hilltop viewpoint and a Byzantine church to see.
Top attractions in Trabzon
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Sumela Monastery
Uzungöl
Hagia Sophia of TrabzonAttraction
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
A Byzantine church built between 1238 and 1263, known for its surviving wall paintings.
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Atatürk PavilionAttraction
Atatürk Pavilion
A villa in the Soğuksu district where Atatürk stayed, now a museum with a garden.
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Boztepe
Trabzon MuseumAttraction
Trabzon Museum
A mansion built in the early 1900s for a banker, now a museum of archaeology and local life.
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Photo: Sumela Monastery — Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (CC BY-SA 3.0); Uzungöl — Hamdigumus (CC0); Hagia Sophia of Trabzon — Balkanique (CC BY-SA 4.0); Atatürk Pavilion — Yazar Haber (CC BY-SA 4.0); Boztepe — Kadıoğlu Muhsin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Trabzon Museum — Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Run by our own team
These leave from Trabzon and are operated by us, with member prices for account holders.
Trabzon · Operated by Ontripo
Uzungöl Group Day Trip from Trabzon
About 8 hours · Daily · Transport and guide
Price$25 per person
Trabzon · Operated by Ontripo
Ayder Plateau & Fırtına Valley Group Day Trip
Full day · Group tour · From Trabzon
Price$25 per person
Trabzon · Operated by Ontripo
Sumela Monastery, Hamsiköy & Zigana Group Day Trip from Trabzon
About 10 hours · Daily · Transport and guide
Price$25 per person
Trabzon · Operated by Ontripo
Private Car with Driver in Trabzon
Per day · Your own route · Subject to availability
From$140 per day
Trabzon · Operated by Ontripo
Trabzon Airport Private Transfer
Private vehicle · Arrivals and departures · Flight tracked
From$30 per vehicle
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Trabzon Airport (TZX)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel in the city or on the coast. Alternatives are a bus into the centre or a taxi.
Getting around TrabzonTaxis and minibuses (dolmuş) cover the city. The centre is compact enough to explore on foot, while the sights in the mountains need a car, a tour or a longer minibus journey.
Car rentalA hire car gives you freedom to visit Sumela, Uzungöl and the valleys at your own pace. Mountain roads are winding and weather can change quickly, so allow extra time.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
City centre
Close to the main square, the old streets and the harbour. Suits visitors who want restaurants and public transport on the doorstep.
2
Soğuksu and the western hillside
A quieter area near the Atatürk Pavilion, with a garden setting. Suits those who want calm and a short taxi ride to the centre.
3
Near the airport
Hotels on the coast east of the city. Suits early flights and short stays.
4
Uzungöl
A lakeside village in the mountains, about 95 km from the city. Suits travellers who want nature and cool air, and who do not mind a long drive.
Hotels in Trabzon with live prices
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Top hotels in Trabzon
Popular hotels with strong guest ratings. Open a hotel to see photos, facilities and live prices.
Sera Lake Resort Hotel Spa & Aparts★★★★
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Mercure Trabzon Hotel★★★★★
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Holiday Inn - Trabzon-East by IHG★★★★
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Zorlu Grand Hotel Trabzon★★★★★
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Doa Suite Hotel
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Andalouse Otel★★★★
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Ramada Plaza Hotel & Spa Trabzon★★★★★
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Funda Hotel★★★★
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Sera Lake Center Hotel★★★★
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Novotel Trabzon★★★★★
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Panagia Premier Trabzon★★★★★
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First Joy Hotel★★★★
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Trabzon day by day
- Day 1: Trabzon cityHagia Sophia in the morning, the Trabzon Museum, then the Atatürk Pavilion and its garden. End the day on Boztepe for the view.
- Day 2: Sumela MonasteryDrive into the Altındere valley to Sumela Monastery. Allow time for the walk to the entrance and the stairs up to the buildings.
- Day 3: UzungölTake the road southeast to Uzungöl. Walk around the lake and look at the village before returning to Trabzon.
- With a fourth daySpend more time in the old town and by the sea, or add another valley in the province with a local driver.
Local tips
- Weather in the mountains is often cool, wet or foggy even in summer. Bring a light waterproof jacket.
- Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl are far from the city. Start early so that you are not rushing on mountain roads.
- Hagia Sophia is used as a mosque. Dress modestly and check the rules for visitors before you go.
- Wear shoes with good grip for the path and stairs at Sumela Monastery.
- Rain falls through much of the year, and summer is the driest season.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Trabzon
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
June to September is the driest and warmest time to visit, and three days cover the city, Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl. The airport is only 6 km from the centre, so most visitors can stay in the city and make day trips from there.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Trabzon?
Three days cover the city, Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl. Visitors who like walking in the mountains often stay longer.
Which airport serves Trabzon?
Trabzon Airport (TZX) is on the coast east of the city. It has both domestic and international flights.
Can I visit Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl in one day?
It is possible by car, but the two are in different valleys and the roads are slow. Most visitors give each place its own day.
When is the best time to visit Trabzon?
Summer is the lightest season for rain, so June to September suits most travellers. Mountain weather can still change quickly.
Is Hagia Sophia open to visitors?
It is a working mosque. Visitors can usually enter outside prayer times, but rules can change, so check before you go.