All citiesTrabzon Things to do and walking itinerary
Türkiye Trabzon travel guide
11 things to do in Trabzon, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Trabzon
- Hagia Sophia Mosque, Trabzon — Byzantine-era former church in Trabzon, in use today as a mosque (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Fatih Mosque, Trabzon — mosque in Trabzon, northeastern Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Yeni Cuma Mosque — mosque in Trabzon, northeastern Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Anne Church, Trabzon — church in Trabzon, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Trabzon Museum — house museum, archeological museum, ethnographic museum in Trabzon, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Trabzon Castle — Series of walls built around the city of Trabzon, Türkiye (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Kaymaklı Monastery — a ruined Armenian Apostolic monastery (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Saint Gregory of Nyssa Church, Trabzon — church building in Trabzon, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kalepark — fortress in Ortahisar District (visit ≈ 75 min)
- İskender Pasha Mosque, Trabzon — mosque in Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kızlar Monastery — near Trabzon (visit ≈ 40 min)
3-day Trabzon walking itinerary
Starting point: Meydan (Main Square). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 3.6 km · 4,850 steps · 47 min on the way): Saint Gregory of Nyssa Church, Trabzon → Trabzon Museum → Saint Anne Church, Trabzon → Fatih Mosque, Trabzon → Trabzon Castle
- Day 2 (≈ 7.8 km · 10,490 steps · 1 h 44 min on the way): Hagia Sophia Mosque, Trabzon → Yeni Cuma Mosque
- Day 3 (≈ 7.4 km · 9,960 steps · 1 h 38 min on the way): Kaymaklı Monastery
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Trabzon
- Sümela Monastery — Frescoed historic Greek Orthodox monastery clinging to a sheer cliff in the Altındere valley. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Uzungöl — Lakeside village ringed by green slopes and wooden houses, with walks up to the surrounding highlands. (visit ≈ 240 min)
- Akçaabat Ortamahalle — Quiet historic quarter in Akçaabat full of restored Ottoman-era mansions. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Vazelon Monastery — Abandoned old monastery ruins in the forest near Sümela, far from the crowds. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Çal Cave — Long walk-through cave known for its stalactites and an underground waterfall. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Hamsiköy — Highland village on the Sümela road, famous for rice pudding, cool air and forest views. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Trabzon City Museum — Modern museum in the centre on the city's history, port trade and everyday Black Sea life. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Gülbahar Hatun Mosque — Early-16th-century mosque in Ortahisar built for Selim I's mother, with her tomb beside it. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Trabzon Bedesten — Restored historic covered market with thick stone walls in the bazaar, small shops under its arches. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sera Lake — Small lake west of the city formed by a landslide in a wooded valley, ringed by a walking path. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Çamburnu Nature Park — Coastal grove in Sürmene where a Scots pine forest runs right down to the sea, a rare sight. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Trabzon
- Meydan (Main Square): The heart of the city; restaurants, the bazaar and minibuses are here.
- Ortahisar: Among old walls and houses, close to the centre.
- Boztepe: A quiet hilltop stay with city and sea views.
Getting from the airport to Trabzon
- Trabzon (TZX): Minibus ≈ 20 min; taxi ≈ 10 min
Getting around
Minibuses leave the main square in every direction; taxis help on the steep roads. Uzungöl and Sumela need a tour or car.
Classic places to eat
- Cemilusta: Black Sea dishes and Akçaabat köfte on the main square.
- Kalkanoğlu Pilavı: An old eatery known for buttery rice and beans.
- Beton Helva: Trabzon’s famous hard halva.
Romantic views
- Boztepe Hill (Sunset): City and Black Sea views from tea gardens.
- Ganita Seafront (Evening): A seaside promenade with tea gardens.
- Atatürk Mansion (Daytime): A white mansion and garden among pine trees.
Football stadiums in Trabzon
- Papara Park: Home of Trabzonspor
Good to know before visiting Trabzon
- Fine: Insulting the memory of Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities is banned; keep receipts and, for old carpets or objects, ask for a museum export certificate.
- Fine: Photographing military zones and facilities is prohibited; obey "military zone" signs.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and on public transport; lighting fires in forests in summer is fined.
- Warning: Carry your ID or passport; police may ask for it at checks.
- Warning: Shops and kiosks may not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is treated, but most people drink bottled or jug water.
- Tipping: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Türkiye, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Resmî e-Vize, Wikivoyage — Turkey · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Trabzon travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Trabzon?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Trabzon?
- Highlights: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Trabzon, Fatih Mosque, Trabzon, Yeni Cuma Mosque, Saint Anne Church, Trabzon and Trabzon Museum. The map has 11 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Trabzon?
- Meydan (Main Square): The heart of the city; restaurants, the bazaar and minibuses are here. Other options: Ortahisar and Boztepe.
- How do you get from the airport to Trabzon city centre?
- Trabzon (TZX): Minibus ≈ 20 min; taxi ≈ 10 min
- How do you get around Trabzon?
- Minibuses leave the main square in every direction; taxis help on the steep roads. Uzungöl and Sumela need a tour or car.
- What is the emergency number in Trabzon?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Trabzon?
- A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
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