Trabzon has been a major Black Sea port since ancient times — a Greek colony called Trapezus, then a Byzantine empire in miniature, and now a modern city backed by mountains green with tea bushes and hazelnut groves. The area around it is some of Turkey’s most dramatic scenery, culminating in one of the country’s most extraordinary sights.
- Region
- Black Sea
- Best seasons
- May–Sep
- Known for
- Tea, hazelnuts, anchovy
- Don't miss
- Sümela Monastery
Sümela Monastery
An hour south of the city, Sümela Monasteryclings to a vertical cliff face at 1200m altitude — a Byzantine monastery founded in 386 CE, its frescoed churches built directly into the rock. The access trail through beech forest is part of the experience. There’s nothing quite like it in Turkey, and few buildings anywhere in the world occupy a more dramatic setting.
Trabzon Hagia Sophia
In the city itself, the Trabzon Hagia Sophia is a 13th-century Byzantine church with extraordinarily fine frescoes — among the best-preserved Byzantine paintings in Turkey. It became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and has recently been reconverted, but the frescoes are still visible in the narthex.
Uzungöl & the highlands
Two hours southeast of Trabzon, the mountain lake of Uzungölis one of the Black Sea highlands’ most photographed spots — a long blue lake ringed by forested slopes and a small village of timber houses. It’s a popular weekend escape for Turkish families, busiest on summer weekends and serene in spring.
The city — tea, views & football
Trabzon is famous for three things beyond its monuments: its tea (the Black Sea coast grows most of Turkey’s supply), the Boztepehilltop above the city for panoramic views, and its passionate football club, Trabzonspor. The city bazaar and fish market near the harbour are worth an hour’s wander.
Trabzon in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Trabzon
3Visit Sümela Monastery, explore the Trabzon Hagia Sophia frescoes, drive up to the highland lake of Uzungöl, and climb Boztepe for the panoramic city view.
Minibuses run from Trabzon's central park to Sümela (about 1 hour). Alternatively, taxis or car hire give more flexibility. The monastery is open year-round but can be busy in summer.
May through September is the most reliable window — lush and green after spring rains, warm enough for the highlands. The region is often cloudy and wet in winter.