Trabzon, Honestly Told: Food, Day Trips, and My Family's Tips

My entire family comes from Trabzon, and our roots there go back centuries. I was born in Germany and usually spend only a few weeks a year here. That makes Trabzon a second home to me, even though I sometimes still feel like a visitor.

This is exactly the perspective I’m writing from: with family stories, memories from my childhood, and an eye for what might be unfamiliar to travelers. I don’t speak for everyone in Trabzon. But I can tell you where I like to eat, which trips I’d recommend, and what I’d rather not spend my money on.

If you only take away three tips: Eat away from the coastal promenade. Plan a separate day for the mountains. And don’t try to squeeze Trabzon and the neighboring provinces of Rize and Artvin into a single trip.

Food: Better Small Eateries Than Big Promises

Breakfast: A Sea View Isn't a Mark of Quality

I’m skeptical of breakfast spots right on the coast. In my experience, you quickly end up paying extra for the view and location. That doesn’t mean every restaurant by the water is bad. But I prefer to look for my breakfast in the town centers of Sürmene or Araklı: small bakeries, simple eateries, a manageable menu.

Serpme kahvaltı is a breakfast with many small dishes meant for sharing. The concept itself isn’t a tourist trap. I would just ask beforehand: Is the price per person? For how many people must it be ordered? Are tea, hot dishes, and refills included? If all I really want is bread, cheese, and something warm, I prefer to order items individually.

Things to try: Kuymak, a hearty dish made from cheese, butter, and cornmeal; kaygana, a savory egg pancake; or fresh bread with regional cheese. These are suggestions from the local cuisine, not mandatory orders. The official overview of Trabzon gastronomy offers more details.

Lunch: As Much of a Break As You Need

On warm, humid summer days, I prefer a lighter lunch. A café, a few glasses of çay (tea), and a simit or another pastry are sometimes enough for me. Of course, you don’t have to skip a meal if you’re hungry. Tea is just as essential to me as water.

If you’re looking for something savory, keep an eye out for an esnaf lokantası: a simple eatery that often serves everyday dishes to local workers and neighbors. Check out the daily specials and ask for the price before ordering. A modest-looking place is a good starting point, but it's not a guarantee of quality.

Dinner: Time to Sit Together

In my family, dinner is the occasion to come together. In autumn and winter, fish is a must for me; ask locally what is fresh that day. Hamsi are the small Black Sea anchovies that form part of the regional cuisine. Sürmene pidesi (a local pide, or Turkish flatbread, from Sürmene) and Akçaabat köftesi (Akçaabat-style grilled meatballs) are also worth trying. The regional tourism board presents these and other dishes in its gastronomy overview.

Some of my favorite meat dishes I’ve eaten in the mountains. For that, I plan a trip during daylight,not a spontaneous drive after dinner. Of course, you can find great food down in the towns, too. Location alone doesn't decide quality.

Swimming: My Coast Lies East of the City

For swimming, I’m drawn to Araklı or Sürmene. In Sürmene, there’s a quieter sandy beach where I’ve been swimming since I was a child. The spots I go to are pretty basic, with no changing rooms or showers, so some families bring a small tent to change in.

Beach projects have been implemented or announced in Araklı. However, this doesn’t reliably tell you which showers, changing rooms, or snack bars will be open on the day you visit. Ask about the current facilities before you head there. The municipality reports on a beach project in Araklı without confirming today's amenities.

For women, there is the Sürmene Kadınlar Plajı. The city lists it in its tourism guide. Check opening hours, access, and rules for accompanying children directly with the operator.

For your beach day: Bring water, sun protection, and a changing cover if needed. Pay attention to local swimming advisories and conditions on-site; a calm-looking beach is not automatically a safe place to swim.

Sultan Murat Yaylası (Sultan Murat Highland): Escaping the Coastal Heat for a Day

If I were to recommend one day in the mountains, Sultan Murat Yaylası (Sultan Murat Highland) would be high on my list. A yayla is a high-altitude pasture or highland settlement traditionally used in summer. The plateau near Çaykara is at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), as described by the regional tourism authority.

I’m drawn there by the vast landscapes and the views. When the air is thick and still down on the coast, a day up there often feels completely different. But the view is weather-dependent: if it’s foggy, you might not see much at all.

Plan a full day, start early enough, and bring a jacket and sturdy shoes. Check the weather and road access locally before you go. I wouldn't take a supposed shortcut on a navigation app for narrow or unfamiliar mountain roads. If you don't want to do that kind of driving yourself, a driver or an organized tour can be a good idea,with a pre-agreed total price and a clear route.

Meydan and Shopping: Choosing Your Moment Wisely

The Meydan, the central city square, is a part of Trabzon. But I personally dislike driving there when it’s crowded: traffic and the search for parking can ruin my mood for a short city visit. This is my everyday preference, not a reason to talk you out of visiting the center. If you’re here for the first time, plan a walk and a tea break instead of trying to run several errands by car.

For a straightforward afternoon of shopping, Forum Trabzon is an option. Based on my experience, I would try to avoid the hours between 4 PM and 7 PM,though that’s not a reliable traffic forecast, of course.

If you’re heading to Rize anyway, you could combine the trip with a visit to Şimal AVM. However, I wouldn’t promise that driving to Rize just to supposedly save time is a good idea.

Trabzonspor: More Than Just Football Is at Stake

Sometimes I feel like the city’s mood rises and falls with Trabzonspor's latest result. A home game of the Bordo-Mavililer, the Claret and Blues, is therefore one of my most personal recommendations.

And yes: As of September 30, 2026, Mohamed Salah is on Trabzonspor's official roster with the number 10. Whether he plays on the day of your visit depends, of course, on the match schedule and the lineup. Check the current official squad before your trip.

Check the details for the upcoming match and entry requirements early on through the club's official channels. Don’t buy tickets from random social media contacts; the club itself has warned against unauthorized ticket sales. Allow plenty of time for getting to and from the stadium.

Sümela: Worth Seeing, but Not a Stroll with a Stroller

For me, the Sümela Monastery, clinging to a cliff face in the Altındere Valley, is one of the most impressive sights in the region. Access involves a footpath and stairs; the official museum description also points this out.

For that reason, I wouldn't call it unsuitable for families across the board. It can work with children who are used to walking. With a stroller, very young children, or limited mobility, you should clarify the access details carefully beforehand. Sturdy shoes and enough time will make the visit more relaxed.

Check opening hours and any partial closures on the official museum website immediately before your trip. An old time from a blog post won't help you at the entrance.

Uzungöl: Why I Prefer Other Places

Personally, I would skip Uzungöl if time is short. It has become too touristy for me, and the construction around the lake takes away much of the natural feeling I’m looking for.

This is a personal assessment. Other travelers want to see the famous lake for that very reason. If you do go, compare prices and clarify parking and any extra services beforehand. For my own vacation, I’d rather plan a day at Sultan Murat Yaylası or in the hinterlands.

Hamsiköy, Karaca, and Pazarcık: Trips with a Good Food Break

Hamsiköy and the Karaca Cave

Hamsiköy is known for its sütlaç, a rice pudding. For me, it’s a nice excuse to combine the scenery with a leisurely break. The official gastronomy overview also lists Hamsiköy sütlacı.

If you have more time, you can continue your drive towards Gümüşhane. The Karaca Mağarası, or Karaca Cave, is located near Cebeli in the Torul district. Its dripstone formations are the real reason for the visit. Plan Hamsiköy and Karaca as a separate trip and check for seasonal opening hours; the cave is not right next to the village. The Gümüşhane tourism site provides details.

Pazarcık: My Tip from Araklı

If you want to stay within Trabzon province, the hinterland of Araklı is worth a look. Pazarcık is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the district center, according to the Araklı municipality. The municipality also mentions trout farms and restaurants there.

From my own visits, I recommend the Pazarcık Alabalık Dinlenme Tesisleri as a potential stop for trout. Ask about opening hours and what's available before you go. In the summer, I've also eaten kete there, a pastry I associate with these trips. Ask whether it will be freshly made on the day of your visit.

Rize and Artvin: Better More Time Than More Ticks on a List

For tea landscapes, I would plan a trip to Rize first. If you want to stay in the city, you can mark the Botanik/Ziraat Çay Bahçesi, a botanical tea garden, for a tea break with a view. For a more active excursion, the Fırtına Valley is interesting; rafting on the Fırtına River is among the officially described activities there. Clarify the route, suitability, and conditions with the provider.

I would consider Artvin more of an extension to your trip. One potential nature destination is Borçka Karagöl. Tea is also grown in the coastal areas, for example around Hopa, but Artvin is not just tea fields. Allow enough time for the mountain roads and individual destinations.

Getting Around: Car, Bus, or Dolmuş?

The coastal road connects many of the places I've written about here. But as soon as you head into the hinterland, the drive changes significantly. Kilometers on a map say little about how relaxing a mountain route will be.

For several trips to Sürmene, Rize, and the yaylas, I find a rental car practical. For a stay only in the city center, it’s not automatically necessary. Compare the total price in advance, including insurance, deductible, deposit, and mileage policy. Airport pickup can be more expensive, but not always.

I’m still not very familiar with the dolmuş, the local shared taxis or minibuses. That does not mean there is no digital information: the city offers the Trabzon Ulaşım app with bus routes, stops, and schedules. This bus information is not automatically a complete timetable for every dolmuş. For an unfamiliar route, ask about the destination and price before you get on.

Five Turkish Phrases That Help

A few Turkish words are helpful, especially in small eateries. In tourist-oriented businesses, you might also find English or Arabic, but I wouldn't count on it everywhere.

Internet: Sort It Out Before Your Trip, Take Offline Maps

Mobile data is handy for navigation, translations, and finding your next meal. A travel eSIM is one option, alongside suitable roaming packages or local SIM cards. Compare the costs before you spontaneously buy from the first counter after landing.

With an eSIM, check your device's compatibility, the coverage, and especially the start of the validity period. Installation and activation are not always the same thing. Set it up with a stable internet connection and follow your plan’s instructions. Also, download offline maps: you shouldn’t expect constant reception, especially in the mountains.

At Avelis, you can compare the latest data plans for Turkey. Check there to see what's included in your chosen package. Our eSIM activation guide explains the setup step by step. This guide is on the Avelis blog; the link to the plans leads to our own offer. If you have heard conflicting reports, our guide to the eSIM restrictions in Turkey explains the current situation and what to check before you travel.

How I Would Split Up the Day Trips

This isn't a list you have to complete. My favorite kind of day in Trabzon often has fewer agenda items: eating something good, meeting people, finding a beautiful spot, and staying longer than planned.

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Sources and Fact-Check Date

Facts as of: 30.09.2026. Opening hours, road access, entry rules, rosters, and offers may change. Please check current information directly with the linked official sources.

1. Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism: Regional Gastronomy
2. Araklı Municipality: Announced Family Beach Project
3. City of Trabzon: Tourism Guide with Sürmene Kadınlar Plajı
4. Trabzon Provincial Directorate: Yaylas and Sultan Murat
5. Şimal AVM: Official Website
6. Trabzonspor: Current First Team Squad
7. Trabzonspor: Warning About Ticket Fraud
8. Turkish Museums Authority: Sümela Monastery
9. Gümüşhane Provincial Directorate: Karaca Cave
10. Araklı Municipality: Pazarcık Yaylası
11. Rize Provincial Directorate: Water Sports on the Fırtına River and Botanik/Ziraat Çay Bahçesi
12. Artvin Provincial Directorate: Borçka Karagöl and Hopa
13. City of Trabzon: Update to the Trabzon Ulaşım App from 15.05.2026