Turkish Trabzon is considered to be a provincial transit city. They come here for inexpensive products or simply examine the surroundings on the way to Istanbul. But local attractions can surprise even a whimsical tourist. Take a walk through the coniferous forests along the coast, study abandoned temples and get acquainted with the culture in the bazaars – and we will tell in detail about everything.
Why go to Trabzon
Inner airport with cheap tickets
It is convenient to plan a journey throughout Turkey from Trabzon: from here, planes fly to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Adana or Izmir. Budget options can be found even in the tourist season. For example, the prices for a ticket to Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) start from 3,000 rubles* in one direction, to Antalya (Sunexpress) – from 5,000 rubles*.
Proximity to the border with Georgia
Trabzon is the largest Turkish city near the Georgian border. It can be reached through the Sarpi border point in three hours by car or four by bus.
Noneristic Türkiye
The northern part of the Turkish coast is not considered a resort, so the price tag for rest in the Trabzone is much more democratic than in Antalya, Fethiye or Marmaris. There are many shopping centers with local and international brands, supermarkets and bazaars with local products. In addition, due to the small number of vacationers, the sea is much cleaner here than in the neighboring Georgian Batumi.
How to get
From Moscow to Trabzon there are flights with transfers in Ankara (Pegasus Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines). One way tickets cost from 31,000 rubles*.
Another option is to make an intermediate stop in Georgia: from Moscow with transfers in Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) you can fly to Batumi, and then get to the Trabzon by bus, taxi or car.
Where to stop
Hotel Aksular (8.5 rating) – a hotel on the coast of a 15 -minute drive from the center. In walking distance are local supermarkets, the temple of St. Sophia and the Green Boulevard along the sea. The cost of the room starts from 7,000 rubles per night*.
Hann OTEL (rating 8.8) – a minimalist hotel with a terrace and sea views. Suitable for those who plan to visit Trabzon transit: Airport in just two km. The cost of the standard number starts at 9,000 rubles per night*.
Hotel Zorlu Grand (rating 8, .2) – a five -star hotel with light rooms in the historical part of the city. On the contrary, the Central Park Meidan with Turkish snacks, fast food and taxi parking. The cost of the standard number starts from 15,000 rubles per night*.
Route for a day
Breakfast in Albades Coffee House
Start a walk along the Trabzon from the old part of the city and look here on coffee. The menu has many variations of the drink-from Turkish coffee to positions with ice or alternative milk. You can have a bite with sandwich or donuts.
Central Park Meydan
Despite the name, the space is more like a square with a recreation area, summer cafes and shopping centers around. Go through the park to the street Meydan Cami to see the mosque of the 16th century.
The city fortress of Trabzona
Once upon a time, Roman legionnaires were on duty on these walls, water flowed along the aqueduct, and the fortress towers rose hundreds of km around. It is impossible to say to reliably when exactly the fortification appeared – for example, the Greek philosopher Xenophon, already in the 5th century BC, mentioned the construction in his letters. Now only the foundation remained from the fortress, several bastions and part of the western wall, which orcates medieval streets with coffee houses and souvenir shops.
Zagnos Valley Park
The city authorities adapted the dry moat of the fortress wall under the park space. There are a lot of alleys, ponds and arbors for relaxation. Ancient buildings in the park are inscribed in a modern landscape. Take a walk to the amphitheater, explore the aqueduct, and then go down to the square with a waterfall – water flows hit directly from the fortress wall.
Lunch in the cafe Berweuli Ala Carte
Despite the fact that there is no observation deck on the walls of the city fortress, it is still possible to admire views from this height. The Berweuli Ala Carte cafe is located in one of the medieval lanes, and its terrace occupies the picturesque part of the fortress wall overlooking the mosque and coast. The menu has many traditional Turkish dishes: balyk, pilaf tavuk, kebabs and baklava.
Botanical garden
The location with exotic plants and places for relaxation is located on a hill with which a panoramic view of the Black Sea opens. Despite the small size of the garden, you can linger here – on the territory there is a restaurant and a children’s play area. The entrance is free.
Ataturk Museum
You can meet the sunset in the pine forest at the villa of the first Turkish president Mustafa Ataturk. It is best to get here by taxi or your car: the road from the center will take about 30 minutes. On the territory there is an exposition about the history of the city and the flower garden. The museum is under reconstruction until September 2023, so now it will be able to admire only outside. Take a walk along the forest and look at the summer cafe Köşk Garden.
Nature and surroundings
The monastery Panagia managed
The monastery of the 4th century, hidden in the mountains of Altindere National Park, is an hour away from Trabzon. One of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world has a difficult fate. His inhabitants for centuries resisted the onslaught of the Arabs, but at the beginning of the 20th century they surrendered: the temple and other buildings suffered from the fire, and the government forced the monks to leave the monastery and return to Greece, and since then the monastery has been empty. There are many stairs on the territory, old cells and frescoes.
Now the shrine is popular with tourists: upon arrival, be prepared to pay for entry into the territory of the National Park and parking (125 lire – about 525 rubles*). The monastery itself is on the hill: you can either use a paid minibus (20 lire – approximately 84 rubles*), or walk about two km on foot, but with a view of the snowy mountain peaks. The entrance to the museum is also paid, the cost changes depending on the season.
Lake Uzungel
This is a fresh lake in a green mountain crevice. You can get to Uzungel by taxi, your car or with a tour, the road will take about two hours. On both sides of the almost kilometer lake are hotels and campsites. The coastline is ennobled – rent a bicycle or scooter or take a walk. A lot of trout lives in the lake, so we are advised to rent spinning fans for fishing fans – local restaurants will offer to prepare a catch.
Monastery of Panagia Feusoscastos
This almost destroyed former right of the monastery has survived worse than the famous panagia managed. The nuns were also expelled from here at the beginning of the 20th century, and now there were walls and several frescoes from the construction. There is a park with tea and restaurant right above the ruins. Until you to admire the views of the Trabzon and visit another local attraction – the AHI EVREN DEDE mosque.
Surmee Camburnu National Park
In Turkey, there are only two places where the coniferous forest enters the sea coast, and the Surmeene Camburnu National Park is one of them. The passage is located right at the Central Highway Trabzon-Riza. After a walk, you can go down to the beach, and then look at the Sargona Balik restaurant, which specializes in fish and Black Sea cuisine.
Shoping
Toptic Center forum. Perhaps the largest shopping center in the city. Inside you find restaurants with Turkish cuisine, fast food and familiar brands. You can get to the airport in five minutes.
Trade center Trabzon Cevahir. The option is for those who value budget shopping. There are a lot of outlet boutiques of famous brands and local Turkish brands.
Uzun Sokak market. Long shopping arcades next door to the Central Park of Meidan resemble Takiklal Street Stambul. There are many local clothing stores, antique and jewelry shops, confectionery with oriental sweets.
Avrasya Pazarı market. Authentic The Turkish bazaar, where you almost never meet tourists. Be prepared for bustle, chaotic trade rows and merchants without knowledge of English. Enterprising locals sell everything that can be sold here from antique souvenirs to household appliances, dishes and farm products.
Shop Nargile & Bakırcılık. In this handicraft shop you can find a souvenir for all fans of Handmade-West. The assortment has national copper dishes, home decor and hookah.
Temples, mosques and churches
The temple of St. Sophia
Before Trabzon fell under the power of the Ottomans, the city was called the Trapezund and was the capital of its own state, which the Greeks founded after the collapse of the Byzantine Empire. Then the temple of St. Sophia appeared. Now there is the current mosque, and in the garden nearby you can drink Turkish tea.
Armenian church
This is the only Armenian religious building in the region. The church was built at the beginning of the 15th century. The services here took place until 1915, until there was a fire. Now the walls of the church resemble textured ruins, and the building is waiting for restoration.
Mosque Gulbahar Khatun
It was built in the 16th century on the orders of Sultan Selim, who was nicknamed Grozny. He dedicated to the building itself to Princess Gulbahar, known for the fact that she patronized both Muslims and Christians. The entrance to the mosque is free, and next to it you can find the mausoleum with the remains of the princess. Combine a walk here with a visit to the fortress wall of Trabzon and the Zagnos Valley park: 10 minutes on foot.
Church of St. Anne
This structure survived the formation and collapse of the Ottoman Empire: presumably the church was erected in the VI century. The building is made in the Byzantine style, and over the front door you can even see the image of a warrior and a winged lion.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
