Rize, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Rize

Rize is the tea province: plantations cover the slopes rising from the sea, and most of the tea drunk in Turkey comes from there and the surrounding area. The capital, also called Rize, sits on the coast with a castle on the hill and the headquarters of Çaykur, the state tea company.

Inland, the road climbs the Fırtına River valley, with arched stone bridges, forests and wooden houses. On a rock above the river stands Zilkale, a 14th–15th century castle with eight towers and a watchtower. The Fırtına is also used for rafting.

In Çamlıhemşin, Ayder is the base for the Kaçkar Mountains, a national park with villages and dozens of summer settlements (yayla), and has hot springs. Pokut and Huser, higher up, are known for the sea of clouds that often forms below them on some mornings and afternoons.

In the southwest, the İkizdere valley leads to the Anzer plateau, known for its honey. The cuisine mixes corn and fish: cornbread, muhlama — melted cheese in butter with cornmeal — anchovy (hamsi) in winter and laz böreği, a pastry dessert filled with cream. Tea accompanies everything, served in a small glass.

Destinations

1 destination in Rize

1 city

Trebizonda and the Black Sea highlands

Cities

1 cities in Rize in the guide

Rize

Ayder

Ayder is a mountain base in Rize province, linked to the valleys and highlands of the Kaçkar. The landscape combines forests, slopes and pastures. Stay flexible for rain, fog and changes in access conditions to the surroundings.

When to go

May to September is usually the best time. Tea is harvested from May to October, and the Ayder, Pokut and Huser plateaus are generally accessible from June to September. It rains in all seasons, and fog is common in the mountains. In winter, snow closes some high-altitude roads.

Getting there

Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV), built on reclaimed land in the sea at Pazar, is 34 km east of the city of Rize and is the closest to Ayder and the Fırtına valley. Trabzon Airport (TZX) is another option, following the coastal road. For the valleys and plateaus, a car or combined transport makes access easier.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Rize

Which airport to use for Ayder?

Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV), in Pazar, is the closest. From there you follow the road to Çamlıhemşin and drive up to Ayder. Check road conditions for the time of your trip.

When is the tea harvest in Rize?

The harvest usually runs from May to October, in several stages. During that period the slopes fill with workers and the freshly picked tea is taken to the region's factories.

How to get to Zilkale?

Zilkale is in the Fırtına valley, about 15 km south of Çamlıhemşin, on a rock above the river. It can be reached by car or on an organized tour, via the road that follows the valley.

What is the sea of clouds of Pokut and Huser?

They are high plateaus above Ayder where, on some mornings and evenings, clouds lie below the wooden houses and cover the valleys. It depends on the weather, and the access road is a mountain road.

Do you need a car in Rize?

For the city of Rize, no. For the Fırtına valley, Ayder and the plateaus, a car or combined transport gives more freedom, because the roads are mountain roads and the settlements are far apart.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.