Trabzon is a province in the northern parts of Türkiye that borders the Black Sea. It is a place where nothing but green hills and mountains. Alongside streams and waterfalls, the province is a green heaven on earth. Hearing this, you may immediately think it is the haven for all nature lovers.
However, I am not happy to say that there is a dark side that no one will mention about this beautiful Trabzon.
I decided to write this article to convey my experience to all so that you will get a picture of what to expect, see and experience. In other words, to help first-time Trabzon visitors plan their visit well so that they will enjoy their time.
What to Expect While Planning Your Trip
Lack of Information
Unfortunately, you may struggle while searching about Trabzon. You may get results about a few places to visit, but certainly not enough information, especially in English. In case there are, they don’t provide detailed information or guidance.
Lack of Accommodation
International tourism in Trabzon is relatively new. Therefore, the whole province has a limited number of hotels.
You need to book a hotel in Trabzon at least three months ahead of your planned trip, especially if you plan to travel during the summer. Else, you may end up booking in a hotel outside Trabzon.
It is not advisable to book via Airbnb or similar websites unless you have been previously in Trabzon. Most of the hosts can not communicate properly in any foreign language. This may lead to being in a deserted area, high up on a mountain with difficult access to the city, or even moving around.
Adding to this, generally speaking, accommodations (privately owned apartments) there are not well-maintained or clean. By the end of the day, Trabzon is not considered a clean city, so don’t expect to find a clean apartment.
Another problem you may face while looking for hotels or accommodation in Trabzon is the location. You need to pay attention to the full address mentioned and make sure it is Trabzon City, not the province. This problem may occur while renting a house, as you may fail to communicate well with the host.
What to Expect While in Trabzon
Trabzon International Airport
The first disappointment you will encounter is the International Airport. It is designed only to get you into the city, nothing more.
At the runway, there are neither jet bridges nor buses. Passengers are expected to walk towards the arrival entrance with no guidance at all. All you need to do is follow other passengers.
The arrival terminals for both Domestic and International don't provide a Wi-Fi service, despite what is shown on their website.
The airport, especially the international terminal, has only the passport hall and baggage claim area, and then you are out. There is no place to rest or sit. The departure terminal is designed the same way. You will find a small check-in hall with one or two benches, a kiosk, and one gate that accommodates all airlines.
The domestic terminal is a bit more organized, as it has a canteen in the departure hall and around five gates.
The Language Barrier
If you are not travelling on an arranged tour, it may not be easy if you don’t speak Turkish. It is recommended to know a little bit of Turkish. People in Trabzon are indeed kind and helpful, yet it is not easy to go around without knowing Turkish.
If you stay at a hotel, especially a well-known chain, English & Arabic Speaking staff may be available.
Expensive
Trabzon is surprisingly an expensive city, not like any other Turkish city. In fact, in some cases, it may even be more expensive than Istanbul.
Touring & wandering Trabzon will cost you, especially with the lack of public transportation.
Uber Does not Exist
Uber service in Trabzon does not exist, so you may rely on insanely expensive taxis, or rent a car which I don’t recommend to whoever is not used to driving in highlands and mountain areas.
Even if you plan to rent a car, I would advise you to get there first and see how the roads are, and the city’s nature. Then you can decide whether to rent a car or not. Never rent it online before being in Trabzone or from the airport.
The third option which is the most appropriate is to hire a driver. Many companies and locals are offering this service. It is the best option because having a local driver who knows the best roads to take, shortcuts, and is familiar with the city's traffic rules and roads will save a lot of time and money in a city like Trabzone.
Cuisine
The first thing that may come to mind while visiting a coastal city is the seafood varieties. Unfortunately, that is not the case in Trabzon. Local fish have no taste at all, and there is no variety.
Local cuisine is greasy and oily; its main ingredient is fat lamb meat. Unless you enjoy food cooked with too much oil and fatty meat, avoid their local dishes.
Areas to Stay in
If you don’t have a car, then Trabzon city centre is the best area to stay. You can book your daily trips from local agencies in the centre, and then spend your evenings in the centre. Moving around will not be difficult.
Does this mean Trabzon is not worth visiting?
Not really. The dark side I mentioned above is avoidable as long as you are aware of it. I wanted to provide you with a clear picture of Trabzon that you cannot get or find elsewhere. As a first-time traveller to this city, not knowing this information will ruin your trip. However, I would suggest considering different Turkish provinces with better tourism infrastructure and cheaper than Trabzon, such as Antalya & Muğla.
The Top Must-See Places
Trabzon has beautiful places and activities to offer. A four-day trip may be ideal to see the must-see attractions in Trabzon.
Ayder, Rize
Ayder Plateau is around an hour away from Rize, a city in Trabzon province that is 45-50 minutes away from Trabzon airport. Ayder is a mountain area covered by greenery landscapes with rivers and waterfalls running alongside the way. On your way to Ayder, you will come across magnificent views, and you will have a chance to enjoy your lunch, or coffee in one of the restaurants overlooking the stream. Also, there are activities you can enjoy such as rafting, ziplining or swaying over the water and green hills.
Uzungül
Again, Uzungül is located in a high area, so you need to drive through the mountain to reach this breathtaking lake. The village where the lake is has amazing views, narrow old streets and red brick houses that can be a peaceful place to wander around.
Cafes, restaurants, kiosks, and souvenir & antique shops surround the lake. There are bungalows to rent & and stay in which may be a good option if you are looking to spend a couple of days among nature.
Uzungül has many local travel agencies that offer tour packages or activities to do like ATV riding, horse riding or rafting. Most of these tours provide services in the Arabic language.
Trabzon City Centre
Trabzon city centre is a nice area for an evening walk, shopping or visiting museums. Most Museums in Trabzon are located in the city centre within a walk-in distance from each other.
To mention a few museums worth visiting;
Trabzon City Museum
Trabzon History Museum
Trabzonspor Samil Ekinci Museum
Sümela Monastery
Sümela Monastery is a Greek Orthodox church built by two Greek monks in the 4th century AD, covering the mouth of a natural cave. During the Byzantium era, it served as a science and culture centre, and currently, it is one of Trabzon's wonders to visit.
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