☔ Must-Haves for a Trip to the Black Sea

To avoid being caught unprepared for the Black Sea climate:

• 🧥 All-Season Clothing: Even if you go in the middle of July or August, the evenings in the 2,000-meter-high plateaus can be cool enough to light a stove. Be sure to bring a waterproof windbreaker/raincoat, a fleece jacket, and spare shoes (preferably trekking boots).
• 🚙 Vehicle and Traction Choice: The beauties of the Black Sea are not on the asphalt but at the top of the mountains. Plateau roads (especially Hıdırnebi, Karester, or Huser) are quite steep, muddy, and winding. Renting a high-clearance SUV or 4x4 with strong torque is essential for both comfort and vital safety.
• 🎫 Museum Card: The Ministry of Culture's Museum Card is valid at the entrance of Sumela Monastery, Trabzon's most popular stop. Obtain it digitally or physically before you set out to avoid wasting time in the ticket queue.

1. The Land of Clouds: Must-See Places

When you leave Trabzon center and blend into nature, you will encounter world-class historical and natural spots:

⛪ Sumela Monastery (Virgin Mary)

It is the first symbol that comes to mind when Trabzon is mentioned. It is an engineering and faith marvel built like an eagle's nest on steep and sheer cliffs overlooking Altındere Valley (1,150 meters above sea level). The monastery, thought to have been built in the 4th century, is reached by climbing steep forest paths. Seeing the stunning frescoes (wall paintings) inside the rock church and the sacred "Ayazma," and looking down on Altındere Valley is a mystical experience.

🏞️ Uzungöl and Upper Plateaus

This landslide dam lake, formed by the blocking of Haldizen Stream with rocks falling from the slopes, has a postcard-like view with its mosque minaret and green slopes. However, the surroundings of Uzungöl have become quite touristic and crowded in recent years. To truly feel the Black Sea spirit and beauty, you should follow the mountain roads winding up from right behind Uzungöl and reach Karester, Lustra, or Haldizen (Demirkapı) plateaus. Looking at Uzungöl from above the clouds is unique.

🏡 City Center: Atatürk Mansion and Hagia Sophia

If you will spend time in the city center before climbing the mountains or on your way back to the airport, you have two main stops: First, the magnificent white Atatürk Mansion located in the pine forests of the Soğuksu district, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, stayed and wrote his will. The second is the Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque/Museum by the sea, with its unique stone craftsmanship from the late Byzantine period.

2. Plateau Culture: Get Ready for an Oxygen Overload

Real life in Trabzon begins in the heights. From May onwards, when the snow melts, turn your route upwards to mingle with the local people who migrate to the plateaus, stay in traditional wooden houses, and inhale the scent of pine.

• ☁️ Hıdırnebi Plateau (Akçaabat)

  A very popular and lush plateau located just 40 km from Trabzon center, at an altitude of 1,600 meters. Its road is much smoother and easier to access compared to other plateaus. If you coincide with the plateau festivals, you can join the horon circles that last for hours accompanied by the kemençe.

• 🌲 Sis Mountain and Kayabaşı Plateau

  As the name suggests, it is a mystical route that spends most of the year under a dense fog curtain (sea of clouds). It is one of the most untouched and quietest plateaus in the region for photo safaris and long trekking walks.

3. Black Sea Cuisine: A Feast of Butter, Corn, and Anchovy 🍽️

The clean mountain air in Trabzon will make you hungry quickly. Forget dieting; enjoy these buttery and carbohydrate-rich yet natural delicacies:

A breakfast legend cooked in a copper pan with authentic Trabzon butter, roasted cornmeal, and stretchy kolot cheese.

One of Turkey's registered best meatballs, containing only beef, garlic, salt, and very little bread, served with piyaz and roasted peppers.

If you visit in winter, you must try fried anchovy coated in cornmeal and hamsili bread made with local herbs (chard/black cabbage).

☔ Must-Haves for a Trip to the Black Sea

To avoid being caught unprepared for the Black Sea climate:

• 🧥 All-Season Clothing: Even if you go in the middle of July or August, the evenings in the 2,000-meter-high plateaus can be cool enough to light a stove. Be sure to bring a waterproof windbreaker/raincoat, a fleece jacket, and spare shoes (preferably trekking boots).
• 🚙 Vehicle and Traction Choice: The beauties of the Black Sea are not on the asphalt but at the top of the mountains. Plateau roads (especially Hıdırnebi, Karester, or Huser) are quite steep, muddy, and winding. Renting a high-clearance SUV or 4x4 with strong torque is essential for both comfort and vital safety.
• 🎫 Museum Card: The Ministry of Culture's Museum Card is valid at the entrance of Sumela Monastery, Trabzon's most popular stop. Obtain it digitally or physically before you set out to avoid wasting time in the ticket queue.

1. The Land of Clouds: Must-See Places

When you leave Trabzon center and blend into nature, you will encounter world-class historical and natural spots:

⛪ Sumela Monastery (Virgin Mary)

It is the first symbol that comes to mind when Trabzon is mentioned. It is an engineering and faith marvel built like an eagle's nest on steep and sheer cliffs overlooking Altındere Valley (1,150 meters above sea level). The monastery, thought to have been built in the 4th century, is reached by climbing steep forest paths. Seeing the stunning frescoes (wall paintings) inside the rock church and the sacred "Ayazma," and looking down on Altındere Valley is a mystical experience.

🏞️ Uzungöl and Upper Plateaus

This landslide dam lake, formed by the blocking of Haldizen Stream with rocks falling from the slopes, has a postcard-like view with its mosque minaret and green slopes. However, the surroundings of Uzungöl have become quite touristic and crowded in recent years. To truly feel the Black Sea spirit and beauty, you should follow the mountain roads winding up from right behind Uzungöl and reach Karester, Lustra, or Haldizen (Demirkapı) plateaus. Looking at Uzungöl from above the clouds is unique.

🏡 City Center: Atatürk Mansion and Hagia Sophia

If you will spend time in the city center before climbing the mountains or on your way back to the airport, you have two main stops: First, the magnificent white Atatürk Mansion located in the pine forests of the Soğuksu district, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, stayed and wrote his will. The second is the Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque/Museum by the sea, with its unique stone craftsmanship from the late Byzantine period.

2. Plateau Culture: Get Ready for an Oxygen Overload

Real life in Trabzon begins in the heights. From May onwards, when the snow melts, turn your route upwards to mingle with the local people who migrate to the plateaus, stay in traditional wooden houses, and inhale the scent of pine.

• ☁️ Hıdırnebi Plateau (Akçaabat)

  A very popular and lush plateau located just 40 km from Trabzon center, at an altitude of 1,600 meters. Its road is much smoother and easier to access compared to other plateaus. If you coincide with the plateau festivals, you can join the horon circles that last for hours accompanied by the kemençe.

• 🌲 Sis Mountain and Kayabaşı Plateau

  As the name suggests, it is a mystical route that spends most of the year under a dense fog curtain (sea of clouds). It is one of the most untouched and quietest plateaus in the region for photo safaris and long trekking walks.

3. Black Sea Cuisine: A Feast of Butter, Corn, and Anchovy 🍽️

The clean mountain air in Trabzon will make you hungry quickly. Forget dieting; enjoy these buttery and carbohydrate-rich yet natural delicacies:

A breakfast legend cooked in a copper pan with authentic Trabzon butter, roasted cornmeal, and stretchy kolot cheese.

One of Turkey's registered best meatballs, containing only beef, garlic, salt, and very little bread, served with piyaz and roasted peppers.

If you visit in winter, you must try fried anchovy coated in cornmeal and hamsili bread made with local herbs (chard/black cabbage).