If you ask travelers what the loveliest thing they saw in Turkey was, they will most likely mention travel in Trabzon and Uzungöl: green mountains covered in forest, quiet lakes, mist drifting between wooden houses, and cool, refreshing air in the height of summer. In this guide we gather what you need to plan your trip to Turkey's Black Sea region: how to get there, when to go, where to stay and which places deserve your time, with a suggested seven-day itinerary.
You will see the names of Trabzon and Uzungöl spelled in several different ways, and they all refer to the same places.
Where is Trabzon and how do you get there?
Trabzon lies in northeastern Turkey on the Black Sea coast, and it is the main gateway to the region, which includes Uzungöl, Rize and the Ayder Plateau. Trabzon Airport is close to the city center, which makes arrival easy.
- From Istanbul: several domestic flights a day, taking about two hours.
- From the Gulf: direct flights are available from some Gulf cities, especially in the summer season.
- By road: the road from Istanbul is very long and we don't recommend it for families.
We book you the best-fitting flight through our flights service, whether direct or via Istanbul.
The best time to visit Trabzon and Uzungöl
| Period | Weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May to June | Mild spring weather and bright greenery | Mid-range prices and fewer crowds |
| July to August | Mild, pleasant summer | Peak season for visitors from the Gulf and higher prices; early booking is essential |
| September | Warm, with the first autumn colors | One of the best months for value |
| December to March | Cold, with snow at higher altitudes | Uzungöl in the snow is an enchanting sight, but some mountain roads are affected |
Remember that the Black Sea region is rainy for most of the year, and that is the secret of its greenery. Pack a light waterproof jacket whatever the season.
The top attractions in Trabzon and around it
These are the main stops we include in our programs, and you will find more details about them in our Trabzon travel guide.
Inside Trabzon
- Boztepe Hill: a panoramic view of the city and the sea, with tea cafés.
- Atatürk Pavilion: an elegant mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens.
- Hagia Sophia of Trabzon: a historic building that functions as a mosque today, overlooking the sea.
- Lake Sera: a short stroll and restaurants on the water.
- Local markets: for buying honey, tea, nuts and local products.
Around Trabzon
- Sümela Monastery: a monastery carved into a rock cliff in the Altındere forest, and one of the region's best-known landmarks.
- Zigana and Hamsiköy: a beautiful mountain road, and a village famous for its rice pudding.
- Ayder Plateau (Rize): wooden houses, waterfalls and green pastures, with Rize's famous tea plantations close by.
- Fırtına Valley: for river rafting and old stone bridges.
- Sultan Murat Plateau: about 35 kilometers from Uzungöl, with its wide pastures.
- Haidar Nabi Plateau: high-altitude views, pastures and a cool breeze.
Uzungöl: the lake visitors fall in love with
Uzungöl is about 100 kilometers from central Trabzon, which is two to two and a half hours by car. It is a small village around a lake surrounded by towering mountains, and its mosque overlooking the water appears in most of its famous photos.
What is there to do? Walk the path around the lake, enjoy tea and local fish at the restaurants overlooking it, visit the honey and sweets shops, and climb to the high viewpoints to photograph the whole lake. On the way, most tours stop at tea factories and horse farms.
Is a day trip enough? Yes for those staying in Trabzon, but one night in Uzungöl gives you a quiet, misty morning before the visitors arrive, and it is an experience we recommend. Read more in our Uzungöl travel guide.
Trabzon & Uzungöl 7-Day Program
| Day | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival at Trabzon Airport, pickup, and an evening stroll | Trabzon |
| 2 | City tour: Boztepe, Atatürk Pavilion, Hagia Sophia and Lake Sera | Trabzon |
| 3 | Sümela Monastery, Zigana and Hamsiköy village | Trabzon |
| 4 | Transfer to Uzungöl with stops at tea factories and horse farms | Uzungöl |
| 5 | Sultan Murat Plateau in the morning, then free time around the lake | Uzungöl or Trabzon |
| 6 | Rize, the Ayder Plateau and Fırtına Valley | Trabzon |
| 7 | Light shopping, then the transfer to the airport | - |
This itinerary is close to our Trabzon and Uzungöl 7 days program, and for those who want a wider tour of the north there is the Black Sea 10 days program.
Where to stay: Trabzon, Uzungöl or Ayder?
| Place | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trabzon city | Large families and lovers of services and shopping | A practical base for day trips, and close to the airport |
| Villas around Trabzon | Families who want privacy and a view | You need a private car to get around |
| Uzungöl | Couples and lovers of quiet | One or two nights are enough, and options fill up in summer |
| Ayder | Lovers of mountain cabins | Cabins are often small and don't suit large families |
We recommend the right hotel or villa through our hotel booking service, taking into account the number of rooms, the view and ease of access.
Experiences and flavors you shouldn't miss in Turkey's Black Sea region
- Rize tea: most Turkish tea is grown on the slopes of Rize, and visiting a tea farm or factory is one of the loveliest stops on the road.
- Hamsi: small anchovies, the best-known Black Sea dish, at their best in the colder months.
- Muhlama or kuymak: a hot dish of cornmeal, butter and melted cheese, often served for breakfast on the plateaus.
- Rice pudding in Hamsiköy: a must-stop on the road to Sümela.
- Plateau honey: mountain honey shops are common in Uzungöl and Ayder, so ask where it comes from before buying.
- Rafting in Fırtına Valley: a fun adventure in summer, with age and safety requirements.
Trabzon and Uzungöl in winter
Few people know that Turkey's Black Sea region is also beautiful in winter, when Uzungöl and the plateaus are covered in white and the crowds thin out a lot. But a winter trip needs different planning: some high roads may close because of snow, and some facilities on the plateaus operate in a limited way. In winter we recommend staying in Trabzon or Uzungöl, with a driver experienced in mountain roads and a car equipped for snow.
From Trabzon to Batumi in Georgia
Trabzon is relatively close to the Georgian border via the Sarp land crossing, which is why some visitors add a trip to the coastal city of Batumi. Before planning that, check Georgia's entry requirements for your nationality, bearing in mind that a Turkish residence permit alone does not exempt you from a visa, and that Georgia has required health insurance for all foreign visitors since the start of 2026, according to what it has announced. We check the requirements for you before booking.
Tips before traveling to Turkey's Black Sea region
- English-speaking private driver: Distances between sights are long and the roads are mountainous, and an experienced driver saves you a lot of hassle.
- Book summer early: July and August are peak season, and villas and hotels with views sell out fast.
- An umbrella and a light jacket: Rain comes suddenly, and the highlands are noticeably cooler than the city.
- Cash in lira: Some shops in the villages and highlands do not accept cards.
- Don't overpack the schedule: One day in Ayder and one day in Uzungöl is better than trying to fit both into a single day.
- Motion sickness: Mountain roads are winding, so bring what the children need.
Plan your trip to Trabzon with OYA
We arrange the whole trip for you: flights, airport pickup, accommodation and day tours by private car. Send us the number of travelers, your travel date and the type of accommodation you prefer on WhatsApp, and we will send you a detailed itinerary that suits you.
