Trebizonda, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Trebizonda

Trebizond (Trabzon) is the main city of the eastern Black Sea and the region’s air gateway. It was a Greek colony, a Roman city, and from 1204 to 1461 the capital of the Empire of Trebizond—the last piece of the Byzantine world to pass to the Ottomans.

In the city, the old Hagia Sophia church, from the 13th century, preserves Byzantine paintings and reliefs and is used as a mosque. Atatürk Mansion (Atatürk Köşkü) sits on a hill amid gardens, and the Boztepe viewpoint overlooks the harbor and the sea.

In the Altındere valley, in Maçka, the Sumela Monastery is embedded in a rock face on the mountainside. It is reached by road and a final stretch on foot.

In the Çaykara district, about 95 km from the city, Lake Uzungöl was formed when a landslide dammed the Haldizen stream. The village and a mosque lie by the shore, between forested slopes. The province’s highland pastures (yayla) host families and festivals in summer.

Trebizond’s cuisine is among the best known of the Black Sea: winter anchovy (hamsi), kuymak of melted cheese and cornmeal, Akçaabat meatballs, and Vakfıkebir bread. At festivals, the horon, a circle dance to the sound of the kemençe, is the region’s hallmark.

Destinations

1 destination in Trebizonda

2 cities

Trebizonda and the Black Sea highlands

Cities

2 cities in Trebizonda in the guide

Trebizonda Capital

Trebizonda

Trebizonda (Trabzon) is a gateway to the eastern Black Sea, with an airport and urban services. the former Hagia Sophia (Santa Sofia) displays the city’s Byzantine heritage. Sumela lies outside the coastal core, on a slope of the Altındere valley.

Trebizonda

Uzungöl

Uzungöl spreads along a lake in a mountain valley in the province of Trabzon. The landscape combines water, wooded slopes and tourist development. Walks along the shore and viewpoints let you experience the valley at different paces.

When to go

June to September is usually the easiest time for Sumela, Uzungöl and the highlands, but rain and fog can appear even in summer. May and October require more flexibility. In winter the coast is wet and cool, and snow reaches the mountains. Anchovy is typically on the table from November to February.

Getting there

Trebizond Airport (TZX), about 6 km from the center, has flights to Istanbul, Ankara and other Turkish cities. Along the coastal road there are buses to Rize, Giresun and Samsun. For Sumela and Uzungöl, use a car, an organized tour or local transport; confirm in advance. Confirm before booking.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Trebizonda

How to visit the Sumela Monastery?

The monastery is in the Altındere valley, in Maçka, south of Trebizond. It is reached by road, by car or on an organized tour, and the final stretch is on foot, uphill. Check opening times and the areas open to visitors before you go.

How long does it take from Trebizond to Uzungöl?

Uzungöl is about 95 km from the city: you follow the coast to Of and ascend via the Çaykara valley. A day trip takes the whole day; many travelers prefer to spend a night in the valley.

How many days to stay in Trebizond?

Two days cover the city and the Sumela Monastery. To include Uzungöl and Ayder, in neighboring Rize, allow five to seven days, with changes of accommodation.

Is Trebizond’s Hagia Sophia the same as Istanbul’s?

No. It is a different Byzantine church, from the 13th century, smaller, by Trebizond’s coast, with paintings and reliefs from the Empire of Trebizond period. Today it is used as a mosque; shoulders and knees should be covered, and women should cover their hair.

What to eat in Trebizond?

Winter anchovy (hamsi) fried or grilled, kuymak of melted cheese with cornmeal, Akçaabat meatballs, and Vakfıkebir bread, large and round.

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.