Turkey · Region
Trabzon
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Perched on the Black Sea coast beneath green, mist-wrapped mountains, Trabzon blends a historic Ottoman-Byzantine old town with dramatic highland scenery just inland, including the cliffside Sümela Monastery. It's the gateway to Turkey's lush eastern Black Sea region, a landscape of tea terraces, alpine plateaus (yaylas), and a culture distinct from the rest of the country.
Top-rated things to do in Trabzon
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Where to stay in Trabzon
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Frequently asked questions about Trabzon
How do I get to Trabzon?
Most travelers arrive via Trabzon Airport (TZX), which has domestic connections to Istanbul and Ankara and some international routes; there is no mainline passenger rail to Trabzon, so overland travelers rely on long-distance buses into the city's otogar (bus terminal). A light rail line linking the airport to the seafront is under construction but not yet operational.
How many days should I spend in Trabzon?
Plan on ~2-3 days to cover the city center, Sümela Monastery, and a nearby highland plateau at a relaxed pace.
What is Trabzon known for?
Perched on the Black Sea coast beneath green, mist-wrapped mountains, Trabzon blends a historic Ottoman-Byzantine old town with dramatic highland scenery just inland, including the cliffside Sümela Monastery. It's the gateway to Turkey's lush eastern Black Sea region, a landscape of tea terraces, alpine plateaus (yaylas), and a culture distinct from the rest of the country.