Trabzon, the jewel of Türkiye, is located on the Black Sea. It attracts tourists with its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and ancient architecture. Thanks to the unique things to do in Trabzon, you will enjoy the journey of your dreams.
9 Unforgettable Outdoor Activities in Trabzon:
1. Sumela Monastery:
Location: Altındere, Altindere Valley National Park, 61750 Maçka/Trabzon, Türkiye
About the place: It is an open cultural museum. The monastery was founded in 386 AD and is also called the Church of the Virgin Mary. The monastery has a rich and long history and is a wonderful example of Byzantine architecture, and its unique cliffside location adds to its splendour.
About the activity: Have fun by moving between a complex network of stairs that connect different sections. Explore different places such as the kitchen, library, guest house, holy spring, student rooms and the unique rock church. The inner courtyard gives you a glimpse into the heart of the monastery complex.
Type of Activity: Explore different places & gaining historical knowledge
Preferred Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall (check for reopening updates due to restoration).
2. Hagia Sophia Mosque:
Location: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
About the place: It started as a Greek Orthodox church, then turned into a mosque, Among the things that make it an architectural masterpiece are the frescoes, in addition to the high central dome and the ornate floor made of brightly coloured stones.
About the activity: Explore architecture. Learn about the fascinating history of the building. Admire the restored frescoes. Taking photos Capture the beauty of the museum interior with your camera
Type of Activity: Visit the mosque & See the different architecture.
Timing: Open year-round (check specific timings).
Preferred Season: Any season.
3. Atatürk Pavilion:
Location: located in the Soğuksu Neighborhood in the centre of Trabzon, Turkey.
About the place: Also known as Kuşcu Ataturk, It is a historic house museum in Turkey, and its importance lies in the fact that it is the former home of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
About the activity: Walk around the pavilion, which is a historic house turned into a museum. The museum’s collection displays items related to the life of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The museum may also provide information about the history of the building itself, from its construction in the early twentieth century until it was gifted to Ataturk.
Type of Activity: Learn about the history.
Preferred Season: Any season.
4. Altindere National Park:
Location: Merkez Mahallesi, Atatürk Cd. No:41, 61750 Maçka/Trabzon, Türkiye
About the place: A natural park located in the Maçka region of the Turkish state of Trabzon contains attractive natural plants and various animals.
About the activity: You can walk through dense forests, see delightful waterfalls such as Vala Waterfall, and you can also breathe fresh mountain air.
Type of Activity: Outdoor Adventure
Preferred Season: Spring, Summer, and early Fall for pleasant weather.
5. Uzungol Lake:
Location:Uzungöl, 61940 Çaykara/Trabzon, Türkiye
About the place: Lake Uzungol is a freshwater lake formed by a landslide centuries ago. Surrounded by green mountains and pine forests, the lake reflects the sky and the surrounding landscape
About the activity: You can enjoy paddling and enjoy the natural scenery surrounding the lake. You can also go fishing. Enjoy a different experience by watching birds. Walking is also a good option to discover the different paths around the lake.
Type of Activity: Exploring & Fishing & paddling
Preferred Season: Spring, Summer, and early Fall for pleasant weather.
6. Ayder Plateau:
Location:Çamlıhemşin district, 90 km from Trabzon city centre.
About the place: A charming mountain resort famous for its stunning natural beauty, Jabali Naqi, and its rich cultural heritage. The plateau was once a summer resort for the Ottoman Sultans.
About the activity: Relax in the serenity of nature. Take a hike or bike tour along the plateau's many trails, and you'll breathe in the almost primal mountain air of the landscape. This plateau is famous for its natural hot springs rich in minerals known for their therapeutic properties
Type of Activity: Relaxation, Nature & Culture
Preferred Season: Spring, Summer (for cooler temperatures), and Winter (for skiing).
Recommended Read: Trabzon Travel Guide: Discover the Gem of the Black Sea
7. Sekiz Direkli Hamam (Eight-Columned Bath):
Location:Pazarkapı, 8 Direkli Hamam Sk. No:1, 61200 Trabzon Merkez/Trabzon, Türkiye
About the place: Built in the 1700s and featuring architectural details that scream the 18th century, This historic bath includes separate changing rooms, a cool-down area, and a hot room.
About the activity: Indulge in the warmth of the hot room (sıcaklık) to loosen up your muscles and melt away stress. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the traditional washing rituals, a refreshing experience that will leave you feeling cleansed and invigorated. To complete your ultimate relaxation, consider treating yourself to a massage, a perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate your mind and body.
Type of activity: Relaxation
Preferred Season: Spring, Summer, and early Fall for pleasant weather.
8. Cal Cave (Çalköy Cave):
Location:Çalköy, 61390 Düzköy/Trabzon, Türkiye
About the place: It is one of the longest caves in Turkey. The cave is located between the mountains near Trabzon and is decorated from the inside with limestone formations. It also contains stalagmites and stalactites that consist of mineral deposits.
About the activity: If you love searching for excitement and discovering caves, then this is your ideal choice to explore Cla Cave with specialised guides.
Type of Activity: Adventure & Nature
Timing: Tours usually operate during daylight hours.
9. Akçaabat and Meydan beaches:
Location:
Akçaabat Beach: Located in the town of Akçaabat, just east of Trabzon city centre.
Meydan Beach: Situated in the heart of Trabzon, next to Meydan Park.
About the place:
Akçaabat Beach is known for its long, sandy beach and shallow waters, making it ideal for families with young children.
Meydan Beach provides stunning views of the Black Sea and the surrounding mountains.
Surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
About the activity: Trabzon is famous for its beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the warmth of the sun, swim in the Black Sea, and practice water sports such as water skiing and also parasailing.
Type of Activity: Relaxation & Swimming, water sports
Preferred Season: Summer for the warmest water temperatures.
4 Different ways to Transport in Trabzon:
Trabzon has various means of transportation, which provides flexibility in moving from one place to another:
Taxis: an easy and convenient way to move around in Trabzon, especially for short internal trips within the city. They are available and can be measured with a meter to protect against any theft.
Buses: Public buses are available, covering most parts of the city and extending to neighbouring towns. The bus is the most suitable option with the lowest budget, but you may encounter some crowding, especially during peak hours. Schedules and route information are available online and at bus stations
Minibuses: Also known as Dolmuşes, they are a shared taxi that runs on fixed and specific routes. They are a more suitable choice than public buses as they are more private and avoid crowding.
Car rental: A good option that gives you flexibility in movement and transfers to explore Trabzon and its surrounding areas. You can find many car rental agencies in Trabzon, at the airport or in the city centre. All you need is to have an international driving licence
Things you need to know before planning a trip to Trabzon:
Range of budgets:
Low budget: $40-60 USD per day can offer you Options for hostels, Tasting local food provides you with a unique experience at a reasonable price, Using public transportation provides you with a wonderful experience in getting to know the country's landmarks and saving money.
Mid-Range: $70-120 USD per day allows you to choose hotels, and some different restaurants, using a local taxi would be a good choice.
Luxury: $150+ USD per day Can get you comfort and pampering through luxury hotels and the most delicious food, you can also Spoil yourself with private tours.
Learn about the most suitable seasons to visit Trabzon:
First, it depends on your preferences and what outdooractivities in Trabzonyou want to do :
In spring (April-May) & Autumn (September-October): It is good weather to enjoy all the things to do in Trabzon during your vacation, those seasons offer fewer crowds and sometimes even better hotel rates in Trabzon.
Summer (June-August): This time is characterised by warm weather for beach days and swimming. this increases prices, so expect larger crowds.
Winter (November-March): If you love the winter atmosphere and enjoy winter sports, this weather offers you a lot of fun things to do in Trabzon, your favourite place to practise skiing and snowboarding.
How to reach Trabzon?
Flying: Trabzon Airport (TZX) receives domestic and international flights. Search for flights that suit your budget and travel time. Book flights to Trabzon
Bus: Long-distance buses connect Trabzon to other major Turkish cities. This can be a budget-friendly option, but travel times can be long.
Car: Renting a car allows for maximum flexibility to explore Trabzon and the surrounding areas at your own pace. Just remember an international driver's licence is required.
FAQs- Things To Do in Trabzon:
Q1: How many days do you need to Enjoy all the Activities to do in Trabzon?
A1: The number of days you'll need to explore Trabzon depends on how you want to explore it.
Quick Trip (2-3 days): An ideal period for a quick trip to discover the most important landmarks focusing on the city's highlights.
Visit Sumela Monastery, Hagia Sophia Museum, and explore the main markets.
You can take a day trip to Uzungol Lake or spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
Standard Trip (4-5 days): Sufficient and appropriate duration to visit tourist attractions and practise various activities
You can enjoy hiking in Altindere National Park delve into Cal Cave and discover the Vazelon Monastery.
Taste local cuisine and stroll through the city's various streets
In-Depth Exploration (7+ days): Perfect for those who want to experience everything Trabzon has to offer.
Explore nearby towns and villages like Ayder Plateau and Çamlıhemşin.
You can also take a day trip to Batumi, Georgia, for a taste of a different culture.
Hike challenging trails is the best choice, go skiing in the winter, or relax on pristine beaches.
Q2: What are the Best Hotels in Trabzon?
A2: Trabzon has many hotels, providing a great variety of them. Here are some options divided according to your budget.
Luxury:
Med-Range:
Budget-friendly:
Q3. Why is Trabzon so popular?
A3. The thing that makes Trabzon unique is its combination of cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty and its delicious local food. Also, all the things to do in Trabzon make it popular and charming.
Rich History:
Trabzon It served as the capital of the Trabzon Empire and a vital stop on the Silk Road, Learn about popular iconic sites like the cliffside Sumela Monastery and Hagia Sophia Museum to whisper secrets with history.
Natural Wonders:
Altindere offers treks through cascading waterfalls, while serene escapes like Uzungol Lake give you a new atmosphere to relax. relax on pristine beaches in the summer and Hit the slopes at nearby ski resorts during winter.
Foodie Paradise:
Trabzen is characterised by local cuisine, delicious flavours, and foods with a Turkish identity, giving you a delicious taste experience, starting from the main dishes to the various desserts.
Cultural Immersion:
Trabzon the city of adventure, go spelunking in Cal Cave, trek challenging mountain trails, or embark on a day trip to the charming Georgian city of Batumi.
Accessibility:
Trabzon has an international airport connected to all cities, which provides a great opportunity to reach it easily. It also provides public transportation, private car rentals, and taxis.
Trabzon offers something for everyone.
Q4. Can I go from Istanbul to Trabzon by train?
A1. At present, you cannot take the train directly, as there is no direct line linking Istanbul to Trabzon. However, you can take the train for a partial trip to experience the scenic train trips in Turkey.
Train from Istanbul to Erzurum: Take the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) from Istanbul's Haydarpaşa Train Station to Erzurum. This trip benefits you by seeing the landscape of the countryside.
Bus or Plane from Erzurum to Trabzon: When you arrive in Erzurum, you will need to use either the bus or take a plane to continue your trip to Trabzon. Buses are your best choice to suit an average budget, and if you are looking for a shorter time to arrive, then using flights is the most appropriate for you.
You can also: Choose a direct flight from Istanbul to Trabzon. Many airlines provide direct flights between the two cities.
Important Resources for Trabzon:
Flights to Trabzon | Flights from Trabzon | Hotels in Trabzon | Hotel Apartments in Trabzon | Places to stay in Trabzon
Recommended Hotels in Trabzon:
Here are some of the most visited hotels in Trabzon: Zorlu Grand Hotel Trabzon, Sera Lake Resort Hotel Spa & Aparts, Novotel Trabzon, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, Panagia Premier Trabzon, Peerless Villas Hotel, Bayrak Grand Hotel, Mövenpick Hotel Trabzon, Cebeci Grand Otel & Sabirlar City Suites Otel
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