Things to Do in Trabzon
Trabzon's Black Sea setting — cooler, greener, and less touristed than Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts — centers on the cliffside Sumela Monastery and dramatic mountain scenery. This collection ranks what's worth doing.
Good to know: The Black Sea region gets genuinely more rain than the rest of Turkey — pack for it even in summer. English is less widely spoken here than in the tourist-heavy coastal cities; a translation app helps. Sumela Monastery involves a real uphill walk from the parking area — wear proper shoes.
See our dedicated Sumela Monastery Visit Guide and Getting to & Around Trabzon for the specifics.
Your trip to Trabzon
A quick roadmap before the ranked list.
Reach Trabzon from Istanbul
Direct domestic flights from Istanbul, about 2 hours.
Get from the airport into the city
Airport transfer or taxi to central Trabzon: about 20-30 minutes; Sumela and Uzungol require a car or organized tour.
Where to stay
Central Trabzon, near Ataturk Alani — the main square, close to the bazaar
Search hotels in Trabzon →How long to stay
Plan for 3 days.
