The Best Things to Do in Türkiye's Black Sea Region: Trabzon, Rize, Uzungöl, Ayder and Ordu

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Türkiye's Black Sea region offers far more than Uzungöl and Ayder.
It is a landscape of green mountains, waterfalls, rivers, tea plantations, highland pastures, quiet villages and distinctive local food.

This guide brings together the region's main activities and experiences,
from Trabzon, Rize, Uzungöl and Ayder to Ordu and the surrounding highlands and valleys,
to help you put together a four-to-seven-day itinerary covering the main highlights.



1️⃣ Trabzon — the region's hub and gateway to the mountains 🌊🏙️​


1) Trabzon Meydan and the waterfront​


  • 🏙️ Trabzon Meydan:
    • A lively area with restaurants, cafés, shops and places to walk.
    • A convenient place for a relaxed evening after a day trip.
  • 🌊 The promenade and waterfront:
    • Spend an evening beside the sea.
    • Try a fish restaurant or café overlooking the Black Sea.
  • ☕ Simple activities:
    • Take a walk, take a few photographs and enjoy Turkish tea or coffee at a local café.

2) Boztepe hill 🌄​


  • ⛰️ Panoramic views over Trabzon and the sea:
    • Reach it by car, taxi or an outing with a driver.
    • Sit at a café overlooking the city.
  • 📸 When to visit:
    • Late afternoon through to evening lets you see the city lights come on below, with the sea and mountains visible when conditions allow.

3) Sümela Monastery 🏛️​


  • Set among green mountains in the Maçka area.
  • Built dramatically against a rocky cliff.
  • One of the best-known historic sights in Türkiye's Black Sea region.

  • 🕒 Planning the visit:
    • An early start is useful.
    • It is often included in an agency excursion or a trip with a private driver.
  • 📌 Practical tips:
    • Wear comfortable walking shoes.
    • Keep enough battery power for photographs: the scenery deserves it.



2️⃣ Uzungöl — a mountain lake and highlands above the clouds 🏞️🌧️​


1) The lake and the walk around it​


  • 🏞️ Uzungöl lake:
    • One of the region's most recognisable destinations.
    • Surrounded by wooden-style hotels, restaurants and cafés.
  • 🚶 Main activities:
    • Walk around the lake, especially early in the morning or before sunset.
    • Consider bicycles or small electric vehicles where seasonal hire and permitted routes are available; confirm local arrangements.
    • Sit beside the lake with tea or coffee.

2) Highland outings near Uzungöl and farther afield​


  • ⛰️ Karester near Uzungöl; Gito requires a separate Rize itinerary, depending on the agency or driver:
    • Karester offers high views over Uzungöl. Gito, also listed as Kito, is in Çamlıhemşin in Rize, rather than above Uzungöl.
    • Expect cooler air and intermittent fog on some days.
  • 📷 The experience:
    • Photograph the scenery from natural viewpoints.
    • Pause at simple wooden cafés overlooking valleys, where available.

3) Gentle activities for families and children​


  • 🛝 Look for small playgrounds and slides in some areas around the lake.
  • 🐴 Horse rides or small vehicle and cart attractions may be offered seasonally; check exactly what the activity involves and who operates it.
  • 🍽️ Grill restaurants and local dishes:
    • Try kuymak or mıhlama, made with cheese, cornmeal and butter.
    • Look for cold-water fish dishes, particularly trout, known locally as alabalık; check the fish offered on the menu.



3️⃣ Rize, Ayder and Fırtına Valley — tea plantations and mountain rivers 🌿☕​


1) Rize — Türkiye's tea centre ☕🍃​


  • 🏞️ Visit tea plantations:
    • See green terraces across the hills.
    • Sit at a tea house overlooking the plantations.
  • ☕ Sample different teas:
    • Enjoy the distinctive flavour of Turkish black tea.
    • Buy locally packaged tea as gifts.

2) Fırtına Valley — Fırtına Vadisi 🌊🏞️​


  • 🌊 A fast-flowing mountain river:
    • A popular setting for adventure activities; the level of difficulty varies with the activity and conditions.
  • 🚣 Rafting:
    • Take a guided trip in an inflatable raft.
    • Some outings cater for young people and families; confirm age limits, river conditions and suitability, and follow the safety instructions.
  • 🪢 Ziplining:
    • A short crossing above the river between its banks.
    • An appealing option for teenagers and younger adults who meet the operator's requirements.
  • 🌉 Old stone bridges:
    • Popular places for photographs above the river.
    • Cafés and restaurants offer places to sit along the valley.

3) Ayder highland — Ayder Yaylası 🌲⛰️​


  • 🌲 A well-known mountain highland:
    • Wooden buildings, small hotels and places to sit outdoors.
    • Nearby waterfalls and occasional mist.
  • 💦 Hot springs and thermal pools, if included in your visit:
    • Some facilities may offer warm-water bathing; confirm operation and conditions of use. Treat this as a bathing experience rather than a promise of pain relief, and seek individual medical advice if a health condition affects suitability.
  • 🍽️ Restaurants overlooking the river or valley:
    • Grilled food, local dishes and a substantial Turkish breakfast.



4️⃣ Ordu — a cable car and relaxed sea views 🚡🌊​


1) Boztepe cable car — Boztepe Teleferik​


  • 🚡 A cable car from the city to a hill overlooking Ordu and the Black Sea:
    • One of Ordu's best-known experiences; check its operating status before travelling.
    • Panoramic views of the city and coastline.
  • 📸 When to visit:
    • Shortly before sunset can be rewarding when the service is operating and visibility is good.
    • You may see the city by daylight, at sunset and with its evening lights.

2) The promenade and waterfront​


  • 🌊 A long seaside promenade:
    • Walk, run or cycle where permitted.
    • Find relaxed cafés and family restaurants.
  • ⛵ Short boat trips, depending on the season:
    • Look for simple coastal outings and confirm availability with the operator.
    • The atmosphere can feel quieter than the busiest visitor areas of İstanbul and Antalya.



5️⃣ other highlands and waterfalls around Trabzon and the region 🍃💧​


  • ⛰️ Hıdırnebi highland, near Trabzon:
    • Green uplands with intermittent mist.
    • Simple cafés, places to sit and mountain views.
  • 🍃 Other highlands and villages:
    • Explore routes in the districts of Çaykara and Çamlıhemşin and their surrounding highlands, depending on the agency's itinerary.
    • The idea is to leave the busiest parts of Uzungöl and Ayder behind and experience rural life; quieter conditions depend on the place and season.
  • 💧 Waterfalls:
    • There are waterfall outings in the wider Trabzon and Rize areas.
    • Agencies and private drivers may combine a waterfall, highland and valley in a day; check distances, road conditions and how much time each stop allows.



6️⃣ Black Sea food — simple, hearty dishes 🍲🐟​


  • 🥘 Kuymak or mıhlama:
    • A breakfast staple made with cheese, cornmeal and butter.
    • Delicious and rich: a little goes a long way.
  • 🐟 Hamsi — Black Sea anchovies:
    • Small fish, often served fried.
    • Especially associated with the winter season, while restaurants offer other fish dishes throughout the year; check the day's menu.
  • 🍚 Other local dishes:
    • Rice with vermicelli prepared in the local style.
    • Meat or chicken dishes with simple sauces.
  • ☕ Rize black tea:
    • Enjoy a glass overlooking the sea or mountains.
    • It is served almost everywhere.



7️⃣ a suggested five-to-seven-day Black Sea itinerary ⏱️​


  • 📅 Day 1 — arrive in Trabzon:
    • Check into your hotel.
    • Take an easy walk around Trabzon Meydan and the waterfront.
    • Have a relaxed dinner and explore your accommodation's neighbourhood.
  • 📅 Day 2 — Trabzon and Sümela Monastery:
    • Visit Sümela with an agency or driver after confirming the open route; the official portal displays a partial-closure notice, so do not assume access to every section.
    • Stop for photographs and scenery along the way.
    • Spend the evening at Boztepe or around Meydan.
  • 📅 Day 3 — Uzungöl:
    • Leave for Uzungöl in the morning.
    • Walk around the lake and try a few gentle activities.
    • Stay overnight in Uzungöl if it suits your trip: this avoids returning the same day.
  • 📅 Day 4 — highlands near Uzungöl:
    • Visit a highland viewpoint such as Karester, depending on your itinerary.
    • Return to Trabzon in the evening or spend a second night in Uzungöl, as you prefer.
  • 📅 Day 5 — Rize, Fırtına Valley and Ayder:
    • Leave Trabzon in the morning; this is a busy day, so adjust the stops to realistic driving times.
    • Stop at tea plantations in Rize.
    • Visit Fırtına Valley, with rafting or ziplining if you wish and the conditions are suitable.
    • Continue to Ayder for waterfalls and time outdoors.
    • Stay in Ayder or return to Trabzon, depending on your travel style and the time available.
  • 📅 Day 6 — Ordu, optional:
    • Travel to Ordu by road, or consider a domestic flight arrangement only if a suitable service is actually available for your dates; do not assume a direct Trabzon–Ordu flight.
    • Ride the Boztepe cable car if operating, then explore the waterfront.
    • Return in the evening or stay overnight in Ordu.
  • 📅 Day 7 — spare time, shopping and relaxation:
    • Keep the day free for anything you missed:
    • Shop in Trabzon.
    • Spend time beside the sea.
    • Prepare for departure.



8️⃣ practical tips and common mistakes ❌🎯​


  • 1️⃣ Take the weather seriously:
    • Rain and fog are part of the region's character.
    • Bring a light jacket or layers, even in summer.
  • 2️⃣ Avoid squeezing everything into three days:
    • This is a trip for nature and relaxation, rather than a race through attractions.
    • Five to seven days gives you more room to enjoy it without rushing.
  • 3️⃣ Plan for mountain roads:
    • If hiring a car, the driver should be confident and comfortable with bends and steep terrain.
    • An alternative is an experienced private driver or an organised agency excursion; check the provider and arrangements.
  • 4️⃣ Leave time to enjoy the view as well as photographing it:
    • Give yourself a quarter of an hour at a viewpoint without your phone or camera.
    • The landscape rewards slowing down and switching off for a while.



A chance to unwind:
Türkiye's Black Sea region offers breathing space away from the busiest cities:
– lakes such as Uzungöl,
– highlands such as Ayder and Hıdırnebi,
– rivers and waterfalls in Fırtına Valley,
– a cable car and sea views in Ordu,
alongside simple but rich and filling local food.

Build your itinerary around nature, gentle activities and relaxation,
and the trip can leave you feeling that you have stepped away from the crowds and returned refreshed.

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