Trabzon sits where the green Pontic mountains drop straight into the Black Sea, a port city that was once the capital of a Byzantine empire of its own. Today it is the gateway to north-eastern Anatolia: a compact set of historic sights in the city itself, and two of Turkey's most photographed day trips — Sümela Monastery and Uzungöl — within easy reach.
- Region
- Black Sea coast
- City sights
- Half a day
- Top day trips
- Sümela · Uzungöl
- High season
- June – September
01Why a Trabzon tour
Most travellers reach Trabzon for one of two reasons: the Byzantine heritage of the old city, or the highland scenery that surrounds it. A guided tour pairs the two well. In a single morning you can walk the frescoed Hagia Sophia, take in the Atatürk Pavilion's wooden mansion and gardens, and climb to Boztepe for a panorama over the whole bay — then give the next day entirely to the mountains.
Few Turkish cities let you stand in a Byzantine church before lunch and a cloud-wrapped monastery the next morning.
02Route options
- City half-day · 3–4 hours · Hagia Sophia → Atatürk Pavilion → Boztepe viewpoint, returning to the centre
- Sümela day trip · 6–8 hours · Trabzon → Maçka valley → Sümela Monastery, with a highland lunch stop
- Uzungöl day trip · 8–9 hours · Trabzon → Of → Uzungöl lake and the surrounding plateaus
- Combined two-day · 2 days · City sights on day one, Sümela or Uzungöl on day two
- Highland plateau tour · full day · The yaylalar (summer pastures) above the city, best in midsummer
032026 tour types and prices
| Tour type | Duration | Range |
|---|---|---|
| City sights (self-guided entries) | 3–4 hours | €20 – €40 |
| Guided city half-day tour | 3–4 hours | €35 – €70 |
| Sümela Monastery day trip (group) | 6–8 hours | €40 – €90 |
| Uzungöl day trip (group) | 8–9 hours | €45 – €95 |
| Private car + guide (per day) | full day | €180 – €600 |
These are estimated 2026 ranges and prices vary with season, group size and whether meals and entry fees are included. Group day trips are the best value for solo travellers and couples; a private car with driver-guide pays off for families or anyone wanting to set their own pace across the highland roads.
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04Day trips from Trabzon
- Sümela Monastery · A 4th-century Greek Orthodox monastery clinging to a sheer cliff in the Altındere valley, roughly 1.5 hours south of the city.
- Uzungöl · A long alpine lake ringed by wooden houses and steep green slopes, about 1.5 hours east — the region's signature postcard view.
- Maçka and Hamsiköy · Valley villages on the Sümela road, known for sütlaç (rice pudding) and mountain air.
- Highland plateaus · Pastures such as those above Çamlıhemşin and Of, accessible only in the warmer months.
05Best time to go
The best months are June to September. This is when the highlands are green and the day-trip roads to Sümela and Uzungöl are reliably open. The Black Sea coast is one of Turkey's rainiest regions, so pack for showers in any season. Spring and early autumn are quieter and still pleasant for the city sights, while deep winter can bring snow that limits access to Sümela and the high plateaus.
06Food and highlights
City sights:
- Hagia Sophia of Trabzon — a 13th-century Byzantine church with restored frescoes
- Atatürk Pavilion (Atatürk Köşkü) — a white mansion in hillside gardens
- Boztepe — the classic viewpoint over the city and bay
- Trabzon Castle walls and the old bazaar quarter
- Ortahisar (Fatih) Mosque — formerly the Panagia Chrysokephalos church
Black Sea cuisine to try:
- Hamsi — anchovy, served fried, in pilaf or even in bread
- Akçaabat köfte — grilled meatballs from a nearby district
- Kuymak (mıhlama) — a cornmeal-and-cheese fondue
- Vakfıkebir bread — a large round sourdough loaf
- Highland sütlaç — baked rice pudding from Hamsiköy
07Frequently asked questions
How long does a Trabzon tour take?
A half-day city tour of Hagia Sophia, the Atatürk Pavilion and Boztepe takes around 3–4 hours. A full-day Sümela Monastery trip runs 6–8 hours, and the Uzungöl day trip is a full 8–9 hours including travel from the city.
Should I do the city tour or a day trip first?
Most visitors spend a half day on the Trabzon city sights — Hagia Sophia, the Atatürk Pavilion and Boztepe — then dedicate a separate full day to Sümela Monastery or Uzungöl, since both are 1–1.5 hours outside the city.
Is booking ahead necessary?
For Sümela Monastery and Uzungöl day trips, booking 2–3 days ahead is advisable in the May–September high season as small-group seats fill quickly. The in-city sights can be visited independently without a reservation.
What is the best time to visit Trabzon?
June to September offers the warmest, greenest weather for the highland day trips, though the Black Sea coast can see rain in any month. Spring and early autumn are quieter; Sümela may have restricted access in deep winter due to snow.
What food should I try on a Trabzon tour?
Black Sea cuisine centres on hamsi (anchovy) dishes, Akçaabat köfte meatballs, kuymak (cornmeal-and-cheese fondue) and Vakfıkebir bread. Many full-day tours include a lunch stop at a highland or lakeside restaurant.