Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond (1204–1461) — a successor state to Byzantium that survived for 57 years after the fall of Constantinople. The Komnenian dynasty left extraordinary Byzantine art and architecture, including a Hagia Sophia whose frescoes are among the finest surviving examples of Byzantine painting in Turkey.
The surrounding province is one of Turkey’s most spectacular natural landscapes: the Pontic Alps rise steeply from the coast, the Fırtına (Storm) Valley cuts deep gorges into the mountains, and Rize’s tea terraces extend for miles along the coast. Uzungöl and the Kaçkar Mountains are two of the finest trekking destinations in Turkey.
- Region
- Black Sea / Eastern Turkey
- Historical city
- Capital of Empire of Trebizond (1204–1461)
- Altitude (Kaçkar)
- 3,937 m
- Known for
- Sümela, Uzungöl, tea gardens, Black Sea cuisine
Sümela Monastery
The Sümela Manastırı is one of the most dramatic monastery sites in the world — a 4th-century Greek Orthodox monastery clinging to a near-vertical cliff face 300 m above the Altındere Valley, 46 km from Trabzon. The complex includes remarkable Byzantine frescoes and a sacred spring whose miraculous properties have attracted pilgrims for 1,600 years. The hike up from the car park takes 30 minutes through dense forest.
Uzungöl
Uzungöl(Long Lake), 99 km from Trabzon, is Turkey’s most photographed alpine destination — an elongated lake framed by steep forested mountains, with a small mosque at the water’s edge and wooden chalets lining the shore. The scenery is almost impossibly picturesque. The surrounding valley offers excellent hiking; the lake area itself can get crowded on summer weekends.
Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum
The Trabzon Ayasofyası (13th century) is not related to the Istanbul Hagia Sophia but is itself a remarkable Byzantine monument — a fully intact cruciform church whose interior retains extensive, extraordinarily vivid frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Among the finest examples of Byzantine painting in Turkey. Located 3 km west of the city centre.
Boztepe Hill
Boztepe is the hill above the city centre with a popular tea garden and the best panoramic views over Trabzon, its port and the Black Sea. A short cable car ride from the city makes it easily accessible. The hilltop is a social centre for locals — multiple tea houses serve Turkish breakfast with Black Sea fish dishes.
Day trips: Fırtına Valley and Artvin
The Fırtına Vadisi (Storm Valley) west of Rize is one of the most dramatic river gorges in Turkey — rushing white water under Ottoman stone bridges, dense subtropical forest and scattered 18th-century towers. Nearby Artvinprovince, to the east, is Turkey’s most scenically spectacular corner: the town of Artvin perches on a vertical cliff, and Yusufeli has extraordinary scenery before the Çoruh river gorge.
Trabzon in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Trabzon
3Fly from Istanbul (IST or SAW) to Trabzon airport — 1.5 hour flight, multiple daily departures. Alternatively, an overnight bus takes 15–18 hours. The Black Sea coastal road from Samsun is a spectacular but slow route.
Yes, though it can be crowded in summer. The lake and scenery are genuinely spectacular; the crowds are usually confined to the main shore. Visiting on a weekday or in spring/autumn gives a much better experience.
Trabzon cuisine is one of Turkey's most distinctive: hamsi (anchovy) cooked in dozens of ways, mısır ekmeği (cornbread), molasses, Black Sea honey, kaygana (a Black Sea omelette), and Trabzon butter. The city's fish restaurants on the harbour are excellent.