Weekend in Trabzon

Ruins of a Byzantine-era fortress right in the city centre, on a hill above the bazaar. Three levels – upper, middle, lower – but the best views are from the upper section near the

Tip: Free to walk around the exterior and climb the walls. The lower castle area is now a residential neighbourhood and not much to see. Focus on the upper castle walls for panoramic shots of the Black Sea.

A large hilltop park with a tea garden and sweeping views of Trabzon, the harbour, and the Black Sea. Accessible by cable car (üç parası) or a winding road.

Tip: Cable car (teleferik) costs about 10 TL one-way (very cheap in 2025). Go just before sunset – bring a jacket as it can be windy. The tea garden charges standard prices, so you can nurse a cay for an hour without being rushed.

Early 20th-century wooden villa built by a Greek merchant, later used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Now a museum with original furnishings and a beautiful hillside garden overlooking the city and sea.

Tip: Free entry, but you need a free ticket from the counter. The garden is the real highlight – bring a picnic and sit on one of the benches facing the sea. Best light for photos is late afternoon.

A grand 19th-century Italianate mansion-turned-museum, built for a local banker. Exhibits cover Trabzon’s history from antiquity to the Ottoman era, plus a beautiful stained-glass ceiling and period r

Tip: Entry is around 20 TL (2025 price), but often discounted for students. The garden is free and worth a wander – look for the hidden mosaic floors in the courtyard. Ask at reception about audio guide – sometimes free if available.

Greek Orthodox monastery carved into a sheer cliff face in Altındere Valley National Park, about an hour's drive from Trabzon. Built in the 4th century, restored in recent years.

Tip: Go early morning (opens at 8am) to avoid tour buses and the worst of the queues. The walk up from the car park is steep, but shuttle buses run for a small fee – worth it on a hot day.