TrabzonStory N° 12
Turkey Black Sea Coast — Trabzon to Artvin
Drive Turkey's lush Black Sea coast from Trabzon's mountain monasteries to the emerald gorges of Artvin and Rize tea gardens
The itinerary.
5 days · 13 stops
Saturday
Day One
Arrive Trabzon, explore Atatürk Köşkü and the old city before heading to the mountains
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Atatürk Köşkü
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Black Sea villa set in lush gardens. Beautiful white mansion on a forested hillside overlooking the city.
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Trabzon Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Lively covered market — buy local anchovy (hamsi) products, hazelnuts, and Trabzon pide bread to take home.
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Fevzi Paşa Pidecisi
Legendary Trabzon pide restaurant. The local flat bread with eggs, meat and cheese is unlike anything in western Turkey.
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Hotel
Novotel Trabzon booking.com
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Getting around
- Rent a car for the 5-day road trip — essential
Sunday
Day Two
Sümela Monastery — one of Turkey's most dramatic cliff-face monasteries
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Sümela Monastery
Founded in 386 AD, this Greek Orthodox monastery is carved into a sheer cliff face 300m above the Altındere valley. One of the most dramatic sights in Turkey. Entry: 200 TRY. Drive 46 km from Trabzon.
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Altındere National Park
The valley below Sümela has beautiful hiking trails through lush Black Sea forest. The waterfall walk takes 45 minutes each way.
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Boztepe Viewpoint
Evening panoramic view over Trabzon and the Black Sea from the city's highest point. Tea gardens here are perfect for sunset.
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Hotel
Sera Lake Resort Trabzon booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive from Trabzon to Sümela (46 km, 1 hour via D915)
- Park in the national park car park (30 TRY), then 20-minute uphill walk to monastery
Monday
Day Three
Rize tea gardens and the magical Ayder Plateau highland
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Rize Tea Gardens
Rize produces almost all of Turkey's tea. Stop at a roadside tea garden — emerald terraces cascade to the Black Sea. Visit Rize Tea Research Institute for guided tour.
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Ayder Yaylası Plateau
A fairytale highland village at 1350m altitude surrounded by waterfalls and misty peaks. The wooden houses and thermal springs make it one of Turkey's most charming spots.
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Ayder Thermal Baths
Natural thermal springs in the village centre. After driving, soaking in the warm sulphur pools while surrounded by snow-capped mountains is deeply restorative.
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Hotel
Ayder Yaylası Termal Otel booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive Trabzon → Rize (75 km) → Ayder (53 km via winding mountain road — allow 2 hours from Rize)
Tuesday
Day Four
Artvin and the emerald Çoruh River gorge — Turkey's wildest river canyon
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Çoruh River Gorge
One of the world's fastest-flowing rivers carves dramatic gorges through the Pontic Mountains. The D010 highway follows the river for 80 km — one of Turkey's great drives.
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Artvin Old City
Artvin's medieval houses cling to impossibly steep slopes above the Çoruh. The castle ruins offer extraordinary views into three river valleys.
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Kamiloğlu Restaurant
Local Artvin cuisine — trout from the Çoruh, wild mushrooms, and the regional corn bread (mısır ekmeği).
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Hotel
Karahan Boutique Hotel Artvin booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive from Ayder to Artvin via Yusufeli (130 km, 2.5 hrs via mountain roads)
Wednesday
Day Five
Return drive along the coast and fly home from Trabzon
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Uzungöl Alpine Lake
On the return drive, stop at Uzungöl — a picture-perfect lake surrounded by forested peaks and wooden mosques. One of Turkey's most photographed landscapes.
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Turkey Black Sea Coast — Trabzon to Artvin?
5 days. The itinerary runs from Saturday to Wednesday and covers 13 curated stops across 5 days.
How much does Turkey Black Sea Coast — Trabzon to Artvin cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Turkey Black Sea Coast — Trabzon to Artvin?
Novotel Trabzon is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Turkey Black Sea Coast — Trabzon to Artvin itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 13 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Trabzon.
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