{"id":18,"date":"2025-06-04T15:07:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:07:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/?p=18"},"modified":"2025-06-04T15:08:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:08:06","slug":"trabzon-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/trabzon-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Trabzon Travel Guide | Discover the Black Sea City in Just 2 Days"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Explore Trabzon: A Black Sea Gem for a Perfect 2-Day Trip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on Turkey\u2019s northeastern coast, Trabzon is a port city known for its dramatic nature and hearty local cuisine. Highlights include the cliffside Sumela Monastery and traditional anchovy dishes. With easy flights from Istanbul, even a short 1-night, 2-day trip lets you enjoy the best of Trabzon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"
\u30c8Sea view from central Trabzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Photo spot on the seaside path<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Seaside promenade in the city center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Getting There: Istanbul to Trabzon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Daily flights are available from Istanbul with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Turkish Airlines (THY)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Pegasus Airlines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • AJET (formerly AnadoluJet)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The flight takes about 2 hours. If you catch an early morning flight, you can join a Sumela Monastery tour on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Getting Around the City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    From Trabzon Airport to the city center (Meydan Square), use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Dolmu\u015f (shared minibus)<\/strong> marked \u201cHavaalan\u0131 – Meydan\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Taxi<\/strong> (about 20 minutes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Dolmu\u015f minibuses are also convenient for getting to the bus terminal (Otogar).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Suggested 2-Day Itinerary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Day 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • 06:00 Depart from Istanbul (e.g., TK2816)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 07:55 Arrive in Trabzon \u2192 Transfer to the city<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 09:00\u201318:00 Join a day tour to Sumela Monastery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 18:00 Return to the city and check-in to hotel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Evening: Dinner and walk around the city<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Day 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Morning: Try a local breakfast (like Kuymak)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mid-morning: Shop for souvenirs and explore the city<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Around 12:00: Head to the airport<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • 12:20 Depart for Istanbul (e.g., TK2823)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Optional: Replace the morning of Day 2 with a Uzung\u00f6l day tour.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          When to Avoid Visiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Winter (December\u2013February)<\/strong> can bring snow and poor road conditions, making it difficult to access the Sumela Monastery. It may also be temporarily closed, so always check the latest updates before your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Local Cuisine You Must Try<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Anchovy dishes (Hamsi):<\/strong>\n
              \n
            • Hamsili Tava<\/em>: Fried anchovies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hamsili Pilav<\/em>: Rice cooked with anchovies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hamsikoli<\/em>: Cornmeal flatbread with anchovies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Kuymak (M\u0131hlama):<\/strong>
              Melted cheese, cornmeal, and rich Trabzon butter \u2013 a breakfast classic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Other dishes:<\/strong>\n
                \n
              • Trabzon Pide<\/em>: Boat-shaped bread with toppings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Ak\u00e7aabat K\u00f6ftesi<\/em>: Grilled meatballs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Hamsik\u00f6y S\u00fctlac\u0131<\/em>: Burnt-topped rice pudding<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • S\u00fcrmene Pidesi<\/em>, Karalahana Sarmas\u0131<\/em>, Pepe\u00e7ura<\/em>, Cornbread<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                What to Buy: Local Products with Geographical Indication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
                \n
                \"\"
                Grilled Black Sea anchovies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n
                \"\"
                Turkish breakfast in Trabzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n
                \"\"
                Kuymak \u2013 stretchy cheese heaven!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Vakf\u0131kebir Bread<\/strong>\uff1aLarge stone oven bread (50cm), long-lasting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Tonya Butter<\/strong>\uff1aBarrel-fermented from grass-fed milk, rich and fragrant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Hamsik\u00f6y Rice Pudding<\/strong>\uff1aCreamy with a toasty top<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Ak\u00e7aabat K\u00f6fte<\/strong>\uff1aSavory grilled meatballs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
                  \n

                  \u201cCo\u011frafi \u0130\u015faret\u201d means a local specialty officially recognized for its traditional recipe and regional ingredients. It\u2019s like a stamp of quality from that area!<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

                  Top Sights Nearby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                  \n
                  \"\"
                  Sumela Monastery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                  \"\"
                  Frescoes inside the cave chapel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                  \"\"
                  Interior of Sumela Monastery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Sumela Monastery<\/strong>
                    A dramatic Byzantine monastery perched on cliffs at 1,200 meters. Don\u2019t miss the frescoes inside the caves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Uzung\u00f6l<\/strong>
                    A scenic lake resort surrounded by mountains, about 2 hours by car from Trabzon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Where to Stay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Meydan Square in central Trabzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Busy Meydan area, even at night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Sunrise view from City Port Hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                    If you’re traveling without a car, stay near Trabzon Square Park<\/strong> in the city center for easy access to sights and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Recommended Hotel: City Port Hotel<\/strong>
                    Just 10 minutes from the center on foot, offering sea-view rooms at a great price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Local Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Karaca Cave wonders<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Hamsik\u00f6y view from the hillside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                    \"\"
                    Hamsik\u00f6y\u2019s famous rice pudding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                    Join a guided tour in English or Turkish combining:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Sumela Monastery<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Hamsik\u00f6y village<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Karaca Cave<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      Price: \u20ac30\u201350 per person
                      Popular tour companies: Eycetours<\/strong>, Zenofontours<\/strong>, Zagnos Tours<\/strong>
                      Tip: Even if the tour is in Turkish, it’s a great way to visit remote areas that are hard to reach on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Trabzon is full of charm \u2013 from stunning landscapes to unique regional cuisine. It\u2019s easy to reach from Istanbul, and even a short stay lets you discover the beauty of the Black Sea coast. Whether you’re into nature, history, or food, this city offers a refreshing side of Turkey you won\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      A perfect 2-day getaway from Istanbul! Discover Trabzon\u2019s cliffside Sumela Monastery, Black Sea cuisine like Kuymak and Hamsi, and charming coastal views. Spring to autumn is the best time to visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":59,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-in-turkey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18\/revisions\/19"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}