rize tourism

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best 7 rize attractions

Find out more information about Rize attractions and tourism in the Turkish city of Rize through the following article on your website “Turkey for Expats”.

The city of Rize is one of the most beautiful Turkish cities that tourists are keen to visit; It has a charming nature and stunning landscapes, in addition to the great tourist diversity in it. The city of Rize is located on the eastern side of Turkey, near the Turkish border with Georgia, and “Rize” overlooks from the northern side on the shores of the charming Black Sea.

The city of “Rize” is the capital of the Turkish province of Rize, the area of the city is 3800 square kilometers, and its population is 370 thousand people, and most of the residents work in the fishing craft. The city is also famous for being the city of tea, as it is the main source of tea production in Turkey and it is exported abroad.

How far is Rize from the most important Turkish cities?

The closest Turkish city to the city of Rize is Trabzon, which is about 158 km away from it, and the journey between them takes two hours and 15 minutes by car, and this is what made Rize a tourist destination for many foreign tourists who prefer to visit the city of Trabzon due to its proximity,

The city of Rize is also close to the city of Uzungol. The distance between Rize and Uzungol is about 170 km, and the journey takes two hours and 23 minutes by car,

As for the city of Istanbul, it is about 1229 kilometers from the Turkish city of Rize, and the journey between them takes 15 hours by car on the road, and you pay fees to cross it.

The distance between Rize and Ankara is about 886 kilometers, and the journey takes 11 hours and 5 minutes by car.

History of the Turkish city of Rize:

The name “Risa” is a Greek name given to it by the ancient Greeks who inhabited it in ancient times. It is a name that means “a lot of mountains,” as it is a city surrounded by high mountains that are covered with snow in the winter, plants, and greenery in the summer. The Greeks followed the Byzantine rule in this area until the Seljuks were able in 1080 AD to conquer the city of Rize, control and take it, and thus the Turks began to live in the area since that time.

The climate in Rize:

The climate of the city of Rize is subtropical, hot in summer, and in winter the temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius. It rains heavily and the rain is accompanied by snow. It also has a permanently windy climate during most of the year because it is located on the Black Sea.

THE BEST BALIKESIR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS here

Tourism in the Turkish city of Rize:

The most important rize attractions:.

The city of Rize includes many tourism areas, such as villages with picturesque nature and green farms, vast forests, and magnificent waterfalls, Among the most important tourist attractions in Rize are:

Rize attractions: Ayder Yoylasi village

It is a small village located on a green plateau and attracts foreign tourists in large numbers. Where flowers, lush trees, and orchards cover most of the village’s area, The village is surrounded by the Ayder plateau, valleys, plains, and mountains, which gave it an incomparable splendor and beauty. This village also contains therapeutic hot and sulfur baths, It attracts tourists in large numbers for medical tourism and treatment of rheumatic and skin diseases.

The village is also famous for the presence of a river that connects it with the city of Trabzon, which is used by tourists to practice kayaking.

“Ayder Village” is famous for producing the finest types of Turkish honey, and the stalls that sell it are spread in the city’s streets, and it is exported abroad in large quantities. The “Bushnak” area is considered one of the most beautiful areas of the village, as it fascinates tourists with its beauty and greenery that extends as far as the eye can see.

Rize attractions: Çat Köy Village

It is one of the most beautiful villages in the Turkish city of Rize. As it is located in the middle of a group of high mountains, this village is an excellent destination for lovers of nature and quietness.

Rize attractions: Black Sea beaches

Rize is located on the coast of the Black Sea and has taken advantage of this to establish many tourist resorts and luxury hotels on the Black Sea coast, which is characterized by the purity of its waters and the beauty of its beaches.

Rize attractions: Waterfalls

The city of Rize is famous for its many waterfalls, which are located within the city limits, including Rize waterfalls, Bulut waterfalls, Palovit waterfall, Agaran waterfall, The most beautiful of all is the Gelin Tulu waterfall.

Rize attractions: Gelin Tulu waterfall

It is a waterfall with therapeutic hot water that flows into the Ayder baths and it comes from the Ayder Mountains, and the length of the waterfall is 15 meters.

Rize attractions: Cagrankaya Highlands

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They are mountainous peaks that reach a height of about 2000 meters above sea level, and they are covered in white color and surrounded by clouds.

In the summer, they are covered with greenery and flowering plants, making it a charming place for lovers of relaxation and enjoyment of nature.

It is also a favorite place for barbecues in the middle of the picturesque nature, and the area is also characterized by the spread of wooden huts on the slopes of the mountains, which is a great view for photography enthusiasts, and a wooden hut can be rented for a whole day or several days for a wonderful vacation.

Rize attractions: fırtına deresi River

It is a river that passes in the Turkish city of Rize and is characterized by its clear water, and cafés and restaurants are spread around the river that offers delicious food in a charming romantic atmosphere. The river is also a favorite place to practice kayaking for adventure lovers.

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Plan Your Trip to Rize: Best of Rize Tourism

Explore Rize

Essential rize.

Rize Is Great For

Eat & drink.

The great outdoors

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Rize

Things to do in rize, explore popular experiences, tours in and around rize.

Enjoy Black Sea Tour

Full-Day Private Tour to Ayder Plateau from Trabzon

Organic Pokut Tour

5 Day Private Tour in Rize Trabzon with Bungalow Accommodation

Uzungol Tour: Full-Day Nature Adventure with Tea Factory Visit

Full-Day Private Tour to Uzungöl from Trabzon

Ayder Tour with Fırtına Valley Adventure: Full-Day Experience

Private Drone Photography Tour in Trabzon

Full Day Tour In Uzungol Lake with Turkish Tea Tasting

Sumela Monastery, Zigana and Hamsiköy Village Tour

Multi-day tours.

Top Attractions in Rize

Other Top Attractions around Rize

Tours & Sightseeing

Outdoor Activities

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

Top Things to Do in Rize, Türkiye - Rize Must-See Attractions

Things to do in rize, explore popular experiences, tours in and around rize.

Enjoy Black Sea Tour

Full-Day Private Tour to Ayder Plateau from Trabzon

Organic Pokut Tour

5 Day Private Tour in Rize Trabzon with Bungalow Accommodation

Uzungol Tour: Full-Day Nature Adventure with Tea Factory Visit

Full-Day Private Tour to Uzungöl from Trabzon

Ayder Tour with Fırtına Valley Adventure: Full-Day Experience

Private Drone Photography Tour in Trabzon

Full Day Tour In Uzungol Lake with Turkish Tea Tasting

Sumela Monastery, Zigana and Hamsiköy Village Tour

Multi-day tours.

Top Attractions in Rize

Other Top Attractions around Rize

Tours & Sightseeing

Outdoor Activities

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

The ultimate guide to traveling around Rize Turkey

In this post, i'll tell you about the trabzon, rize, and black sea region of turkey. our absolute favorite of this area was the town of ayder yaylasi, rize turkey. if you head to this region, do not miss this beautiful town..

We rolled up to the Eastern Karadeniz region of Turkey with very little information or knowledge of the area. I had seen pictures of beautiful rolling hills, mountains high above the clouds and rolling tea fields, certainly piquing my interest, but looking into it online left me so confused. I had such a hard time finding out any information about

I couldn’t find any information about it, where to go, where to stay, where to eat, where all these bridges I was seeing in photos were...anything.

A mother in a pink rain jacket holds her young son over her head in play. They are standing on a stone bridge on a hazy rainy day with trees and mountains in the background.

But alas, the mountains called, so I we had to go.

I’m not a stranger to last minute planning, and I’m not a hater of it either. My favorite experiences traveling are when we’re a little lost, trying to figure stuff out, and someone swoops in and guides the way with an invitation to dinner or tea in between. That, or we figure it all out using our wit and shotty language skills.

It's these experiences that reveal either our acumen or they completely restore our faith in humanity — either way, these are my favorite memories traveling.

So that was the carpet we were riding on when we landed in Trabzon on a flight from Istanbul.

We booked two nights at an apartment through airbnb because after a week in Istanbul without a washing machine, we were desperate for one. If I were to visit again, I would stay at the Peerless Villas Hotel because it's gorgeous with a great breakfast.

Trabzon is a decent sized city with a great feel. It’s not touristy at all, so it wasn’t hard to dodge tourist traps. There was delicious Turkish food at a great price everywhere and we saw a nice glimpse into, dare I say it, “the real Turkey”.

There’s no reason to stay there long, however, it is a nice jumping off point to some cool things.

I would also recommend staying in Rize as well, which is close by to Trabzon and an equally good jumping off point.

We typically use booking.com when. search for a place to stay. Find a place to stay here:

Seeing the Black Sea

We found that the best spot to dip our feet into the Black Sea and swim (for those daring enough) was where Hancıoğlu Balık Ve Et Lokantası restaurant is. There are cool bridges and stairs that make exploring around really fun for kids. Just be sure to keep an eye on your little ones while walking around.

After we explored the beach area, we went back up to the restaurant for some fresh fish with an incredible view and outstanding prices (our meal was about $10 for all 5 of us).

A silhouette of a little boy who just climbed stairs to stand on a big boulder at sunset on the Black Sea

Sumela Monastery

I had seen photos of the Sumela Monastery before we landed in Turkey. I saved it in Google Maps, not thinking I'd ever get to see it because it was just way too far away and I had no idea that we would make it this far.

But look at us! We did it!

A view of the Sumela Monastery through pine trees

The Sumela Monastery is best visited early in the morning or even better, late afternoon, especially in the hottest months. Based on the positioning of the Monastery, the sun goes behind the mountain in the afternoon, so it's shaded and way cooler--otherwise you're in the blazing sun on a hot day. The crowds also thin out in the late evening.

To get there, you drive to a certain point, then park in a parking lot where you'll take a shuttle the rest of the way (or sometimes 2). You can continue on past the parking lot, but there are only a few spots to park close to the Monastery, so you may have to backtrack if you don't snag one. The shuttle was easy enough and didn't cost much at all.

Our family of five, standing on the old stone steps of the monetary

The kids love exploring around the monastery, so even though a monastery doesn't seem too child friendly, the kids really enjoyed it. There are spots they can crawl up and climb into that kept them quite entertained.

My expectations of Uzungöl were far from the reality of Uzungöl.

Have you see the photos?

A beautiful and quaint small town with little shops and wooden buildings dotted along a mountain lake, culminating at a towering mosque. So picturesque.

The reality was different. I'm sure Uzungöl was once as I described, but it seems to have been transformed by an influx of tourists.

For me, I felt it was a little gimmicky. A little played up. We spent one night there, which I'm glad we did, both because I was happy to see it as it's beautiful, but also happy to leave.

I had read that as you moved further East in Turkey, the more conservative people are. I had stayed pretty covered up in Istanbul, which is not necessary, but I would have been uncomfortable in shorts or a tank top. When we arrived in Uzungöl, I noticed that the last majority of women were fully covered, and the rest were partially covered or dressed quite conservatively.

Out of respect for the local culture, even though Turkey is a secular country, I started wearing a headscarf. I then realized that the majority of tourism in this area comes from the Arabian peninsula, and it wasn't part of the local culture, in which I shed the headscarf.

Things to do in Uzungol:

1. There are a few Instagrammable swings that overlook the whole town that is worth it if you are up that way. There's one at Kat Cafe Hotel that's beautiful.

2. Walk up to the Observation Deck--It's a lot of steps, but the new is worth it!

3. Children's games--This one surprised me. The town had a carnival theme as there were a ton of gas for the kids to play. We had to pull the kids away because they games were not cheap at all.

4. Paragliding--There were a few companies offering this, and it was cool for the kids to watch them land.

5. Shop! The entire town was either souvenir shops or restaurants, so there are plenty of places to get some goods!

How much do I love this little mountain town, let me count the ways.

The drive to Ayder is about 4 ours from Uzungöl. If you only have time for one town, make it Ayder Yaylasi. This place is just so special.

I was drawn into it instantly. The woman on the side of the road brewing coffee over an open flame, people drinking tea looking out on a hazy green mountain, watching the clouds roll, bringing in rain one minute, then clearing to reveal the towering green mountains over dotted with wooden cottages.

Family in front of large wooden sign that spells out Ayder

Where to eat

Our absolute favorite spot for anything in Ayder was Cafe Sasuk. It's a little spot that will warm your soul and provide you anything you need: Turkish coffee, tea, homemade soup, schwarma, delicious desserts, or just a little snack. It's owned by the sweetest family, and if the son or daughter is working they speak perfect English and are great for a chat. A lot of the food is from their garden and so fresh and delicious. I can't recommend them enough.

small cozy cafe in a mountain town in Turkey. Two basic tea kettles sit atop an old woddstove with wooden furniture and traditional Turkish tapestries hang in the background

Where to stay

For a place to stay, we stayed at Serender Otel. It was right in the center of town, had parking (which is rare in this town), had a decent free breakfast, and above all, cost $35 a night. The owner was super sweet. The room we stayed in was not the cleanest, so I would only stay there if you are on a strict budget. Yayla Bungalov is absolutely gorgeous, has a wonderful breakfast, and the views are incomparable. I recommend this hotel

Polkut Yaylasi

I highly recommend doing a tour to Polkut Yaylasi. It's about a 45 minute drive from Ayder, up a windy, steep, dirt road. If you have a car with high clearance, you can probably make it yourself, but I would only recommend doing it if your experienced on wild backroads. If not, the tour wasn't tour-is. It was just transportation that enabled you to explore around on your own. We went with Gezdurici (Instagram profile link) and did the full day tour to a few towns and stopped at some of the infamous bridges. It was so worth it and absolutely breathtaking.

Mother with a child on her back and looking down at another stand-in in front of some epic mountain views in Turkey

There is a beautiful waterfall to see right in the center of Ayder that doesn't even require a hike to see. It's definitely worth a glimpse, but make sure you go when it's clear--which is a harder feat than you would guess. There is also Tar Selalesi waterfall, which is a nice little hike and completely paved so you can even take your stroller along (it just gets a little steep sometimes).

The fam in front of the Tar Selalesi waterfall

I hope you enjoy this magical, beautiful, wonderful place. Out of everywhere I've been, this is one of my favorites and I'm so grateful to have visited.

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Your Ultimate Travel Guide And Itinerary For Trabzon & Rize, Turkey (2023)

If snow-covered mountains, rushing rivers, and alpine pastures are your idea of paradise, then go ahead and add Trabzon and Rize to your Turkey itinerary ! This area’s natural beauty is right up there with Cappadocia, Turkey as the country’s most stunning. We fell absolutely in love with Trabzon and Rize’s breathtaking wilderness, unique attractions, and friendly locals!

Unfortunately, there is not much information out there to help you plan a trip to Trabzon and Rize, Turkey . But lucky for you, we spent 9 days exploring these beautiful Black-Sea provinces. And after long drives through majestic mountains, white-knuckle adventures to alpine meadows, and failed attempts to reach some of the most epic destinations, we know how you can make the most of your trip here.

To be clear, we didn’t necessarily visit this are the right way. We spent too much time driving around and missed some amazing spots. That’s why we are totally suited to write this objective travel guide for Rize and Trabzon, Turkey! Keep reading to discover the perfect week-long itinerary with the best things to do in Rize and Trabzon.

Note: this post was updated in June 2023.

What To Expect When Visiting Trabzon And Rize, Turkey

The perfect one-week trabzon and rize, turkey itinerary, day 1: arrive in trabzon and pick up your rental car for the week.

Day 2: Explore Altindere National Park And Sümela Monastery

Day 3: Reenergize In Rize City

Day 4: visit uzungöl and your first yayla.

Day 5. Road Trip To Some Of Çamlihemşin's Most Famous Stops

Day 6: Go Hiking Through The Extraordinary Kaçkar Mountains

Day 7: enjoy a relaxed day on the famous pokut yaylasi, other things to do in rize, final thoughts on visiting trabzon and rize, turkey.

Estimated reading time: 37 minutes

Pin This Ultimate Travel Guide & Itinerary For Trabzon And Rize, Turkey!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you book/purchase anything using our links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thanks in advance for supporting WOTW!

About This Trabzon And Rize, Turkey Itinerary

This week-long itinerary for Trabzon and Rize hits all the major sites while traveling at a reasonable pace . Because the distances between major attractions are significant, the itinerary suggests moving your lodging 3 times so you can be situated as conveniently as possible to nearby attractions.

Altindere National Park’s surrounding areas (around Sümela Monastery): 2 nights
Rize City: 2 nights
Çamlihemşin : 3 nights

This itinerary is great for those with a high sense of adventure . Some of the destinations are pretty remote and require venturing off-the-beaten-path. But don’t worry, if white-knuckle driving up to far-away mountain pastures is not your thing. We also include some other things to do in Rize and Trabzon that are more accessible.

Curious to discover more of Turkey’s incredible Black Sea coast? Make sure to check out our post about beautiful little Amasra, Turkey! Amasra is one of the country’s best small towns!

It’s helpful to know that Rize is the name of a province and a city . For the purpose of this post, we will talk about attractions in both the beautiful region and the seaside town. Also, the post contains some can’t-miss sites in neighboring Trabzon province. The most popular things to do in both provinces can be experienced on the same itinerary.

What To Expect Around Trabzon & Rize Province

After spending 9 days traveling around Trabzon and Rize, we concluded that the following traits are essential to these regions’ characters:

They are Turkey’s primary tea-growing region .
They have spectacular mountain ranges and mountain-top plateaus called yaylas .
Rize is where Turkey’s current President is originally from. You won’t fail to notice this point if you spend any time there. Billboards of President Erodgan are everywhere!
The best dairy and honey products in Turkey come from these provinces. Fresh honey and butter on our breakfast rolls? Yes, please!

I expected that we were getting totally off the beaten path in Turkey when we took the overnight bus from the ancient city of Mardin to Rize . But to my surprise, some places in the region are well set up to accommodate a large number of visitors.

But with a bit of planning, it is still possible to explore the unmissable things to do in Trabzon and Rize without the crowds. Keep reading here to find out how to make the most of your trip in what are arguably the most beautiful regions in Turkey!

What To Expect In Rize City

We were surprised to find that Rize is a very religiously conservative city. In some respects, the vibe we got was similar to what we experienced when visiting Konya . We found a lot of traditional clothing, political conservatism, and absolutely zero other tourists in Rize city . We were surprised because we always imagine coastal towns to be more liberal, for whatever reason.

While Rize city isn’t beautiful in the traditional sense, it is easy to get your bearings and feel like you are part of the city’s flow. And because Rize doesn’t receive many international tourists, the locals will be delighted to welcome you to their city. The people in Rize were among the friendliest we met in all of Turkey!

Note : we spent 8 nights in Rize city and only quickly passed through Trabzon city. Therefore we don’t talk about Trabzon city here.

Can’t wait to see Trabzon & Rize? Watch as we explore one of our favorite regions in Turkey!

How To Get To Trabzon And Rize?

Trabzon and Rize are remote cities on Turkey’s northeast coast , situated about 100 miles from the Georgian border. Despite being located far from Turkey’s most popular spots, you shouldn’t worry about how to get to Trabzon and Rize. Turkey’s transportation network is fantastic, and you will have no problem finding your way there.

Getting To Trabzon & Rize By Bus

You can easily find bus tickets to any major Turkish city from almost anywhere . But the enormous distances you might need to travel to reach Rize is the actual problem. We took a nearly 20 hour overnight bus ride from Mardin to Rize! It was long and boring, but totally comfortable and easy. Here are some average drive times by bus from other popular destinations in Turkey :

Istanbul to Trabzon/Rize : 20 hours
Izmir to Trabzon/Rize : 21 hours
Antalya to Trabzon/Rize : 21 hours
Cappadocia (Nevşehir) to Trabzon/Rize: 15 hours
Gaziantep to Trabzon/Rize : 17 hours

WOTW Tip : it is easy and reliable to book your bus tickets online at obilet.com . Obilet is the best online place to purchase bus tickets in Turkey. Just take a screenshot of your reservation, or make sure you can access the confirmation sent to your email.

Getting To Trabzon & Rize By Plane

T rabzon Airport is the airport of choice when traveling to Trabzon and Rize by plane . Located about an hour away from Rize, Trabzon Airport is a convenient little airport that services direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara. On arrival, you can ask for a Havaş bus (pronounced Havash), which runs directly from the airport to Trabzon and Rize’s city center, and vice-versa.

WOTW Tip #1 : Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have extremely affordable domestic flights all throughout Turkey. WOTW Tip #2 : I use SkyScanner when searching for the best and cheapest flights, though I usually book directly through the airlines themselves when it’s time to purchase our tickets.

How To Get Around Trabzon And Rize?

The region is relatively large, and many of Trabzon and Rize’s most popular attractions are somewhat spread out . You will absolutely need a car if you want to see the most incredible places in a convenient amount of time. It is also possible to join tour groups to visit the hard-to-reach places, particularly the yaylas.

WOTW Tip: there are plenty of car rental places located in Trabzon and Rize. We rented a car from Avis in Rize and had a good experience. Remember to ask for a 4X4 if you plan to drive yourself into the remote mountains! A compact SUV is the best option for these narrow, pot-holed roads.

Are Trabzon And Rize Safe To Visit?

Trabzon and Rize are absolutely safe to visit . There is little reason to worry about your personal safety or the safety of your belongings while traveling here. The only disclaimer I would give is to avoid driving up to the more remote yaylas (mountain pastures) on your own if you are not a confident driver or if the conditions are poor. The roads are filled with holes, and space is tight in certain areas.

When To Visit Trabzon And Rize?

There are two main things to consider when deciding when to visit Rize & Trabzon, Turkey :

The weather : as Turkey’s rainiest region, you have to be aware of weather conditions. We visited in early November and got absolutely lucky with cool, sunny days and gorgeous fall foliage. As a general rule, plan for rain but hope for the best.
The crowds : many of the region’s attractions are extremely popular with local and Arab travelers. Who knew? If you prefer lighter crowds, then early October to May is your sweet spot. Just be aware that some sites may be closed.

Remember that we didn’t necessarily visit this part of Turkey the best way possible? Well, our loss is your gain. This section will highlight how to plan an absolutely epic one-week visit to the Rize and Trabzon area. We’ll show you how to maximize your adventures in one of our favorite stops in Turkey! After all, we just want what’s best for you.

Trabzon will likely be your start and endpoint if you fly to this remote area . Therefore it makes sense to rent a car at Trabzon airport and return it to the same place at the end of your trip. While known as a friendly city, there is not an abundance of things to do in Trabzon. Unless you have a burning desire to check-out Trabzon city, it makes sense to immediately head into the mountains and check in to your hotel.

The next two days will be spent exploring the Sümela Monastery and its surrounding areas , so take the afternoon to relax in your hotel surrounded by beautiful wilderness.

Where To Stay Near S ümela Monastery?

There are several hotels near S ümela Monastery where you can be surrounded by the region’s lush natural beauty. This mountain lodge is a beautiful yet affordable option close to the famous monastery. You will stay around S ümela Monastery for two nights.

Day 2: Explore Altindere National Park And S ümela Monastery

You will stay around S ümela Monastery on day two of the itinerary . Enjoy a guided hike through Trabzon’s raw wilderness and the opportunity to enter one of the most stunning structures ever built! Day two kicks off your adventures around Trabzon and Rize with a great blend of nature and culture.

Morning: Take A Guided Hike Through Altindere National Park To S ümela Monastery

Altindere National Park Ways of the World

Price : $36 – $53 per person.
Hours : 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Time needed : 3 hours
WOTW rating : N/A; sadly, I only found this guided hike after we left Rize 🙁

The unmissable S ümela Monastery can be found inside the breathtaking Altindere National Park . Driving through the national park will give you a sample of the area’s natural wonders. But if you really want to experience the region’s raw beauty, you should hike through Altindere National Park to S ümela Monastery!

Unlike national parks in the US, Turkey’s national parks are not the most convenient for self-exploration . There is virtually zero information within the parks themselves, and there is limited signage informing visitors about hiking trails. While I can’t vouch for its quality, this guided hike to S ümela Monastery looks excellent! Please confirm what’s included with the guide to ensure that it is a good fit for you.

Location : Altindere National Park, Trabzon, Turkey .

Fun Fact : we got somewhat lost looking for the Sumela Monastery and decided to try and hike in the direction that Google Maps was pointing us. We just finished saying how the nature reminded us of Canada when we saw giant bear prints on the trail ! There are bears in Turkey?!? We decided we wait to find out if they were friendly bears and walked briskly back to our car.

Discovering bear tracks not your idea of a vacation? Make sure to read about our Turkey adventures at the beach! Read about the top things to do in our favorite beach town – Kas, beautiful Fethiye , and popular Oludeniz.

Afternoon: Explore The Jaw Dropping Sümela Monastery

Price : 300 Lira entrance fee for foreigners ($12.70 US), 40 Lira ($1.70) for parking, 27 Lira ($1.15) for bus transport.
Hours : 8 am-7 pm
Time needed : 1-2 hours depending on how many photos you like to take.
WOTW rating : 5/5

Sümela Monastery is an absolute must-visit when in Rize, Turkey . The stunning sight of a 4th-century monastery perched on a cliff is a highlight of any visit to this area. Constructed by Greek Orthodox Christians, the monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and it continues to hold great importance for the Greek Orthodox Church.

Sümela Monastery’s interior was closed when we visited . But even though we couldn’t go inside, we still loved the experience of seeing this absolute wonder from the outside. Add to that a scenic drive through Altindere National Park, beautiful fall foliage out in full force, and some aimless wandering through nature, and we had ourselves an unforgettable day!

Location : Sümela Monastery, Trabzon, Turkey .

WOTW Tip #1 : you will need to take a bus from the parking lot up to Sümela Monastery or walk 4 kilometers. If you take this bus, keep your ticket with you for the return trip.

W OTW Tip #2 : there is very little signage in the area. If you are visiting in the off-season, and if Sümela is closed for repairs, you may just drive right by it like we did! Google Maps does not take you directly to where you need to go, so keep your eyes up on the mountain to look for the monastery!

WOTW Tip #2: there is a small church next to the path’s starting point to Sümela Monastery. If Sümela is closed for repairs, then this tiny church is the best place to get a glimpse (and photos) of the beautiful monastery. Just walk up the steps to the end of the church.

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On day 3 you will pack up and leave Sümela and head to Rize city.

It hurts to be objective because we loved having Rize city as our base during our 9 days in the area. But for visitors short on time, it is tough to argue that it deserves more than a day on your itinerary. That said, Rize is still an excellent base for exploring Uzungöl before venturing east to the province’s most well-known sites.

If you are interested in mixing-up your itinerary with a bit of city living, then there are enough things to do in Rize to keep you entertained for 24 hours.

Morning: Visit Rize’s Chilled-Out Tea Garden

Price : the exclusive teas are not cheap by Turkish standards. You can expect to pay about $2 US for the premium teas that include lavender, hibiscus and other cool ingredients.
Hours : 9 am-11 pm
Time needed : 1 hour

Ziraat Tea Garden in Rize is probably the most famous attraction in town . The tea garden set at the top of a hill overlooking the city is a world away from Rize’s hectic city center. There is a lush garden where you can walk around and a nice indoor restaurant where you can enjoy one-of-a-kind tea varieties that you won’t find anywhere else in Turkey. This is a great place to relax and taste some truly unique tea varieties alongside delicious pastries.

Location : Ziraat Tea Garden, Rize, Turkey .

Afternoon: Stroll Along Rize’s Sea-Front Promenade

Price : free!
Hours : best experienced around sunset.
WOTW rating : 3/5

Unlike any other coastal town that we have experienced, the pulse of Rize city does not beat around the waterfront. That said, if you wander out to the seaside promenade, you will run into many restaurants, bike rentals, and random carnival-style attractions for children. While it is not the most epic promenade, it’s still a cool place to see Rize’s locals enjoying the waterfront.

Location : you can find the promenade near the giant tea-glass building .

Afternoon: Walk Around Rize’s City Center

Price : free (unless you buy something)
Hours : N/A
Time needed : 1-2 hours
WOTW rating : 4/5

Despite lacking any notable landmarks, Rize’s busy little center is a great place to experience a completely non-touristy Turkish city. Check out the group of shops selling mounds of fresh butter, cheese, and honey. Also, make sure to go for some roasted chestnuts that are sold by the many street vendors across the city. They taste as good as they smell!

Location : Rize Square Park, Rize, Turkey .

WOTW Tip : the honey and butter found in Rize are recognized globally for their incredible quality! The Hemshin people in this area are famed beekeepers and dairy farmers. Definitely don’t forget to try honey and butter on your breakfast pastries!

Sunset: Visit The Rize Castle For Epic Views

Price : free
Hours : 8am-12am
Time needed : 30 minutes
WOTW rating : N/A

A visit to the Rize Castle near the town center is an easy addition to your list of things to do in Rize. While it’s unlikely that a visit to the old fortress will be the most memorable moment of your trip, it is an excellent spot to take in the views and kick back at one of the cafes.

Location : Rize Kalesi, Rize, Turkey .

Where To Stay In Rize City?

We stayed in the Rhisos Otel and had a fantastic experience. The rooms are relatively small, but the staff is beyond incredible, and they do everything to create a wonderful stay. The Rhisos Otel also serves a great breakfast from its wonderful top-floor terrace. You will stay in Rize city for 2 nights.

WOTW Tip #1: the Rize Meydani square is the approximate center of town. Check any lodging options in relation to the square if you would like to stay in the center of Rize.

WOTW Tip #2 : our favorite place to eat in Rize city was by far Liman Lokantasi . The servers there were so friendly and the helped us work on our Turkish pronunciations. And the food was great too!

Day 4 of your Trabzon and Rize itinerary will require a bit of driving . Plan for the one-hour drive from Rize to Uzung öl (each way) and about 30-45 minutes to head up to Karester Yayla (each way).

Morning: Drive To Uzungöl And Walk Around The Picturesque Town

Time needed : 2-4 hours
WOTW rating : 4/5*

Uzungöl is known as the Switzerland of Turkey . I’m not sure why people always need to compare things. I prefer to think of Uzungöl as the Uzungöl of Turkey. These are the types of hot takes that I’m sure you are looking for from your favorite travel blog!

Uzung öl is a picturesque lake town located about an hour’s drive from Rize city . While its beauty can’t be argued, Uzung öl also gets very crowded with visitors during the high season. And judging by the activities and shops around town, it seems like carnival-style attractions and staged photos are the most popular things to do in Uzung öl .

The highlight of our visit to Uzung öl was a relaxed walk around the lake and enjoying a warm cappuccino lake-side. There is also an observation deck that you can access from the street to get beautiful lake views. However, the vista will be similar to what you will get from Uzung öl’s mountainside restaurants.

Location : Uzungol, Trabzon, Turkey .

WOTW Tip #1 : Uzungöl is the first destination that received an asterisk next to its rating. This is because our experience would likely vary depending on when we visited. Uzungöl is immensely popular , and being there with carnival vibes would have taken away from our experience. We visited in early November, and even though the weather was chilly, there were very few other visitors.

WOTW Tip #2 : it is possible to paraglide in Uzungöl . If you want to pump some adrenaline into your visit, then definitely consider going paragliding. We went paragliding in Fethiye and absolutely loved it!

Afternoon: Drive Up To Karester Yayla For Your First Mountain Pasture Adventure

Aimara in Karester Yaylasi Near Rize Turkey

Hours : the drive would be sketchy after sunset, so plan accordingly.
Time needed : 30-60 minutes; about a 30 minute drive from the center of Uzungöl.

If you continue on the road leading up to Uzung öl’s viewpoint restaurants, you can explore your very first yayla! YAYYY-la! Because there are not a ton of things to do in town, adding Karester Yaylasi to your Uzung öl itinerary is a fantastic way to add a unique experience to your day.

Yaylas are alpine meadows or pastures where local farmers raise their livestock to produce dairy products. The landscapes are one-of-a-kind, with beautiful vistas surrounding lush fields with grazing cows.

Unfortunately for us, the pastures at Karaster Yaylasi were empty because the farmers and their cows had moved to warmer places for the winter. But we still loved wandering around the village and taking in the incredible views even though the yayla was empty.

Location : Karester Yaylasi, Uzungol, Turkey .

WOTW Tip : the road up to Karester Yaylasi is not the absolute worst. The roughest section is up to the restaurants overlooking Uzungöl. But once you pass the restaurants, the path becomes wider and much less busy. That said, it requires 100% attention because there are no guardrails to protect you from the edges. Also, it will be more challenging to see the giant potholes if it has been raining.

Sunset: Enjoy The Views Of Lake Uzungöl

Price : slightly higher than most standard Turkish restaurants. We paid about $8 US for two appetizers, waters and tea.
Hours : 8 am – 12 am

Uzungöl has a handful of restaurants located on the surrounding mountainsides that overlook the lake. We visited two, and our favorite was Şomine Kafe, situated the farthest up the mountain. The drive is a bit of an adventure, but it is doable with a little bit of caution.

The restaurants are great for warming up with some local soup or tea after your adventure to the Karaster Yaylasi . The staff at Şomine Kafe were super friendly, and they said we were the first Americans they had ever welcomed to their restaurant! Hopefully, we won’t be the last.

Location: Şomine Kafe, Uzungol, Turkey .

WOTW Tip : many people try kuymak, a regional specialty , while visiting Uzungöl. We tried it at one of the mountainside restaurants, and it felt more like a tourist attraction than an actual dish made to enjoy. I am more confident making that claim because we tried kuymak at an adorable little spot off the road which was much tastier!

Day 5. Road Trip To Some Of Çamlihemşin’s Most Famous Stops

On day 5 you will pack up and leave Rize to head to Çamlihemşin . Located a one-hour drive from the center of Rize, the Çamlihemşin region is the province’s most recognized destination. This will be another day where you will put a lot of miles on your car, but you will be rewarded by a gorgeous route through Kaçkar National Park .

Morning: Head To Senyuva Bridge And Grab An Early Snack

Time needed : 60-90 minutes (including a stop at the restaurant)

The first stop on your mini road trip will be Senyuva Bridge . Along the Firtina River are 20 beautiful Ottoman Bridges, with Senyuva Bridge being the most popular. It is a great place for taking gorgeous photos and enjoying pristine nature. Don’t forget to visit the cute little family-run restaurant and try delicious kuymac. It was way better than the one we tried in Uzungöl!

Location : Senyuva Bridge, Çamlihemşin, Rize .

Afternoon: Stop By Zil Castle And Palovit Waterfall Before A Relaxed Evening In Town

Price : Zil Kale has an entry fee of 12 Lira ($0.50 US)
Hours : Zil Castle: 9 am – 8 pm
Time needed : 30-45 minutes at each stop.

From Senyuva Castle you can make a quick stop at Zil Castle , because why not? Nobody would consider Zil Castle one of the most epic things to do in Rize, but still, it’s a nice little break between Senyuva Bridge and Palovit Waterfall .

Finally, you will reach the powerful Palovit Waterfall, where you can climb down and get drenched by the spray of the falling water.

You will want to head back to your hotel early to get out of your damp clothes and enjoy a relaxed evening and the incredible lodging options in Çamlihemşin.

Location : Zil Castle, Çamlihemşin, Rize .
Location : Palovit Waterfall, Çamlihemşin, Rize .

Where To Stay Around Çamlihemşin

There are incredible places to stay around Çamlihemşin! After your epic adventures you’ll be able to rest your head in dream cabins with gorgeous river views. You will stay here for three nights.

Time needed : varies

It was a total OMG moment when we first caught a glimpse of the Ka çkar Mountain range . We thought we already had been driving through Rize’s most impressive mountains. But when we saw those snow-capped peaks in the distance, we realized that we ain’t seen nothing yet. Seeing the Ka çkar Mountains blanketed in snow emerge was a complete shock. We had no idea that Rize had such dramatic landscapes!

The Ka çkar Mountains are known as one of the best hiking destinations in Turkey . If you are a hiking enthusiast, then the chance to trek among peaks over 2 miles above sea level and through yaylas with grazing livestock is once in a lifetime.

WOTW Tip : it is not easy to find hiking trails in the Kaçkar Mountains . All Trails lists two hikes that range between 5.5 and 6.5 hours. These are serious hikes, so you’ll need proper footwear and equipment.

Hours : it’s best to avoid driving up or back from Pokut Yaylasi in the dark.

Pokut Yaylasi might be the most famous attraction in Rize . Visitors can enjoy incredible views of clouds rolling over the pasture while staying cozy with Turkish tea. There are now several lodging options that allow you to catch epic sunrise and sunsets in one of the most unique landscapes in all of Turkey!

Unfortunately, we did not have the appropriate car to make a trip up to this yayla. Also, it’s a two-hour drive from the town of Çamlihemşin, so it is not exactly the most convenient to access. But if you are up for an adventure, then Pokut Yaylasi is an unforgettable thing to do in Rize .

Location : Pokut Yaylasi, Rize, Turkey .

WOTW Tip : the roads up to Pokut Yaylasi are apparently in very bad shape. Traveling up with your own car could be dangerous if you don’t have 4×4 vehicle or if the road conditions are poor.

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Visit Ayder Yayla

Price : e ntry to the National Park is 11 Lira per car ($1.20 US).
Time needed : 1-4 hours

Ayder is the most easily accessed, and therefore, most popular yayla for visitors to Trabzon and Rize, Turkey. The area around Ayder Yayla is developed with shops and restaurants, and the vibe is definitely more commercial than other yaylas. However, if you simply want to get a sense of what these mountain pastures are all about, then Ayder is an easy win.

Location : Ayder Yaylasi, Camlihemsin, Rize .

WOTW Tip : also in Kaçkar Mountain National Park, Huser Yaylasi is far more remote and much less commercial than Ayder. Tours can take you up to Huser Yaylasi, and it is advised not to try and reach it on your own, as the roads are in poor shape.

Go On A Whitewater Rafting Adventure On The Firtina River

Price : 240-360 Lira depending on difficulty and time.

There are a ridiculous number of whitewater rafting operators along the Firtina River in Rize . And no matter your experience level, you can find whitewater rafting adventures in Rize, Turkey to suit your abilities. This is a perfect option if you want to get your adrenaline pumping while also admiring Rize’s impressive natural beauty.

Click for the most popular rafting options offered by the most reviewed operator in Rize. Available rafting excursions can change based on the season and water conditions.

Location : Dag-Raft Rafting, Rize, Turkey .

Explore The Çeçeva Tea Plantation

Price : 5 Lira ($0.45 US)
Hours : 7 am-10 pm

Rize’s mountainsides are covered in tea plantations. Unfortunately, if you want to visit a plantation to see how Turkey’s highest-quality tea is made, you need to do some homework. Or just keep reading the next paragraph because we already did that for you 🙂

Located about a 30-minute drive east of Rize, the Çeçeva Tea Plantation is a friendly location to explore how tea is grown and produced. It’s also a fantastic place to enjoy Turkey’s highest quality tea and some delicious regional food!

Location : Çeçeva Durak Kafe, Rize, Turkey.

Rize is not an easy place to visit, and the gorgeous wilderness is not the most accessible for first-time visitors who don’t know their way around . That said, we absolutely loved Rize city and its beautiful surroundings. We left Rize feeling like there was still more to explore, and we are hopeful that life will bring us back to that part of Turkey in the future.

After 3 months of slow-traveling through Turkey, we can say that Rize is high on our list of favorite places in Turkey !

Thanks for reading!

Have any questions about visiting Trabzon and Rize? Are you ready to explore Turkey’s Black-Sea Region? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or DM us on Instagram!

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3 thoughts on “Your Ultimate Travel Guide And Itinerary For Trabzon & Rize, Turkey (2023)”

Hi I highly recommend the guided tour to SUMELA MONASTEY with Serap. With her extensive knowledge and great energy she made sure to give us an amazing experience and we had a great time exploring Sumela with her. Link to her airbnb account – https://www.airbnb.ae/users/show/412611413?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1703444332_NjI1MmZkZDc3YjYx

Wow! Great!

As a Rize native, I have to say welcome to my hometown. I hope you had a good time. Greetings from Turkey.

so nice of you for taking time to detail a nice trip which i am planning along with my wife

Rize Castle

Black Sea Coast

Built by the Byzantines on the steep hill at the back of town, Rize's modest kale (castle) has two concentric sections. The upper, inner fortress might date to the 6th century AD; it contains a cafe with sweeping coastal views. To reach the site, head west along Atatürk Caddesi and turn left up Kale Sokak. However, the complex is arguably more impressive seen from the Ziraat Gardens, or from town when illuminated at night.

Piri Reis Caddesi

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

24.14 MILES

The region's most spectacular man-made attraction is the neatly restored 13th-century shell of Zil Castle, a fine stone tower surrounded by sturdy walls…

Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden

At the summit of a steep urban hill, this unexpected little paradise is primarily a delightful teahouse beneath a big, fragrant magnolia tree, but there…

27.07 MILES

On clear days, the views from this summer shepherds' hamlet (elevation 2030m) seem to stretch to infinity with a foreground of typical bungalows climbing…

Palovit Şelalesi

25.94 MILES

This powerful, if fairly narrow, 15m waterfall is best viewed from the roadside overlook, though few visitors can resist the temptation to descend on the…

24.85 MILES

High, high above (lower) Çat village, Çat Yayla sits at around 1800m is a glorious area of comparatively accessible meadows that are at their most…

Rize Museum

Up the stairs behind the tourist-office kiosk, this fine, Ottoman-era house has mannequins modelling traditional costumes. The basement has a mish-mash of…

Nearby Black Sea Coast attractions

1 . Rize Museum

2 . Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden

3 . Zilkale

4 . Çat Yayla

5 . Palovit Şelalesi

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Tourism in Rize – Turkey

Weather in Rize

Rize location, ayder village, hot mineral baths in ayder, rize castle, gelin tulu waterfalls, cagrankaya height – rize , rize mountains, the black sea coast, jewellery street in rize, babillon hotel, ridos thermal hotel & spa, keles hotel, ayder doga resort, how far is riza from trabzon, how far is rize from istanbul, how far is rize from uzungol, how far is rize from ayder, what's the best time to visit riza, tourism in rize.

Rize is one of Turkey's most beautiful tourist places, with many picturesque natural places, making it the favourite destination for many visitors on holidays. The Greeks inhabited the city in the past and called it the beauty of the mountains, thanks to its beautiful snow-covered mountains and green trees.

The weather in Rize is mild and humid in summer, making it an attraction for many visitors, while it is cold in winter with many rainfalls and some snowfalls from January to March. Generally, temperatures range from 8ºC to 22ºC.

Rize is located in north-eastern Turkey and overlooks the Black Sea coast, near Turkey's border with Georgia and the northern side of the Black Sea shores. Rize is about 4,000 square kilometres, and its coastal geographical location has been of great importance for being green and blue.

Top 8 Beautiful Tourist Places in Rize

Ayder is one of Turkey's most beautiful tourist places, featuring natural beauty, charm, green mountains with snow on peaks, where tourists can enjoy unforgettable times. It is located on a green hill in Rize, north Turkey, an attraction for tourists from all around the world who flock to the village to enjoy tourism in Ayder and its natural charm, especially its spreading green farms and forests.

Hot mineral baths are one of Turkey's most beautiful tourist places, a perfect solution for healing rheumatism, arthritis, fractures, dislocations, joint stiffness, knee pain, and depression. Hot mineral water lovers searching for relaxation and healing would like to visit Ayder and enjoy its hot springs.

Rize Castle is one of Rize's most famous attractions, located southwest of the city centre of Riza. The castle consists of an internal and lower section, and only some parts of the wall on the west side remain from the lower castle. The internal castle rises a hundred and fifty meters above sea level, and the entrance to the castle is purely a twisted tunnel leading to a courtyard leading to another door. It was built of stones, and traces of ancient wars continue to bear witness to these periods of partial destruction. The castle has five semi-circular towers, and it has been restored in recent years to attract tourists.

Cagrankaya Height is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Turkey, with excitement, beauty and relaxation, 2,000 metres above sea level, giving visitors a unique sense of nature with its majestic and stunning views.

Spring and summer cover it with a beautiful green dress, embroidered with flowers and coloured roses, while in winter, the snow falls on the top forming white purity.

It also features sprawling houses around it, an ideal place for camping or renting a wooden hut to enjoy grilling meat and have the best time.

Rize has mountain ranges famous for tourism and fun, including Caymakcur, an ideal spot for mountain climbing. The mountain chain is situated across the Black Sea, the first part is located in Rize, and the second one is in Artvin, forming a natural green structure.

Located on the Black Sea coast, Rize is one of the most beautiful black sea cities, perfect for spending holidays and fun times. The coastline has many luxury hotels and resorts, as well as magnificent cottages. Rize's Black Sea coast features natural beauty, a destination for summer holidays, one of Turkey's most famous coastlines.

Located in Rize, the famous jewellery street is decorated with colourful umbrellas and is renowned for selling jewellery. It also has many other shops, as well as street vendors who sell goods on moving vehicles. It is a destination for grooms to buy gold. The street is a collection of streets and alleys overlapping with beautiful buildings; the umbrellas on this street have become a destination for market visitors to take pictures.

Top 5 Hotels and Resorts in Rize

Babillon Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels and resorts in Riza, Turkey. All rooms at the hotel have a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, air conditioning and wardrobe, and some rooms have stunning views from the beautiful balcony, including sea views. The hotel serves breakfast every morning at the property, and tourists can dine in the restaurant, serving Turkish and other cuisines. The hotel also offers a sauna, a traditional bathroom, and a seasonal outdoor pool and fitness centre.

Ridos Thermal Hotel & Spa in northern Turkey is a five-star resort in Rize, with a location close to the tourist attractions of Rize, Turkey. Among the most important features, the resort offers are these high-end rooms, sulphuric pools, massage rooms, jacuzzi, sauna, and gym. It also has a conference room, several restaurants serving local and international cuisine and breakfast and dinner in the form of an open buffet.

Ayder Doga Resort is a popular accommodation for tourists, located on a mountain plateau at the top of Ayder Heights, with a charming view of nature. It offers free Wi-Fi, a sauna, a children's playground, as well as a restaurant overlooking the Ayder Plains. Some rooms have a seating area where guests can relax, and each room has a private bathroom, as well as a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

FAQ about Rize

The distance between Rize and Trabzon is about two hours by car, approximately 160 km away.

The distance between Rize and Istanbul is about fourteen hours by car, approximately 1,200 kilometres from Istanbul.

The distance between Rize and Uzungol Lake is about two and a quarter hour by car, approximately 150 km away.

Rize is about 160 km from Ayder Heights, an hour drive, with a lively and beautiful road.

All times are suitable to visit Rize. Whoever prefers to enjoy the natural beauty of the snow can visit Rize between January and March. Those who prefer to spend a summer holiday can visit Rize from July to September.

Edited by Safaraq Tourism

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Turkish People, Culture, History, and Places inTurkey

Memories of the Ayder Plateau

Out of all my travel memories from around Turkey, the Ayder plateau stands out for a quirky and possibly absurd reason. I remember that it was the end of June, and while my friends on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts were enjoying alfresco dining on warm summer evenings, I was huddled in my hotel room.

Despite wearing two pairs of socks, a jumper, my coat, and covering myself with a thick blanket, I felt an unwelcome shriving cold in my bones. Daytime weather temperatures had been mild but pleasant, so the significant drop at night had caught me off guard.

The reason for the cold nighttime temperatures in summer was the 1,350-metre altitude of the Ayder plateau. As part of the Kackar mountain range in the north-east of Turkey , it has a vastly different climate zone than that of the coastline holiday resorts.

Made up of the Laz and Hemsin communities of Turkey, tradition, and culture still reigned strong. Everything was old style, and most locals built their homes and hotels using wood from the nearby forests. My guide said it would be impossible for me to buy a house in the scenic, mountainous village. I assumed this was because I was a foreigner but even a Turk with no family or friend connections to the area would be hard-pressed to find a local who would sell to him.

Up until the 1980s, only hikers used the Ayder Plateau as a camping base, while they trekked to the summit . Over time, accommodation choices upgraded from camping sites to traditional wooden hotels and tourists like myself flocked en-mass to discover what all the hype was about. Fresh mountain air, scenic views, and an entirely different cultural lifestyle to the rest of Turkey had led some travel writers to compare Ayder plateau to the Swiss Alps.

Exploring the Ayder Plateau

Despite the cold, I did sleep well that night. High altitudes and mountain air have a habit of knocking you out quite quickly. So after breakfast, I eagerly went exploring with a local guide. Green fields filled with yellow buttercups and fat cows that would be perfect for a milk advert dominated the landscape.

The guide looked at me as if I was stupid when I asked why the cows were not in enclosures. It made perfect sense to me because they could wander off, but apparently, black sea cows don’t do that because they have some kind of god-given beacon system and at sunset, instinctively walk back home.

My other vivid memory was of bears. A sign at the entrance to one of the camping sites said to be aware of bears. This stupidly excited me because the thought of snapping the perfect photo of a big grizzly bear was tempting, although common sense dictated running in the opposite direction is the best option.

Luckily, my interest in big bears was all in vain because it was the wrong time of year. They only come down the mountain in winter when a thick blanket of snow covers the ground making it harder for them to find food. At the same time as they descend, the Gelin Tulu waterfall of Ayder plateau turns to ice. Flowing down the edge of one of the vast green hillsides, it resembles a bride’s veil, hence the name.

I loved everything about the Ayder plateau, even the rickety hand-built hotel that I thought would fall down at any minute and the cold night-time temperatures. Anyone seeking an alternative travel experience in Turkey would do well to go there.

Other Places to Visit

Other places to visit in the Northeast Kackar Mountains include Uzungol, a large lake destination. The cities of Rize and Trabzon of which the first is the tea capital of Turkey are also easy to reach with direct flights from most major airports in Turkey.

In addition, the rural honey-making Macahel region that shares a border with Georgia is a remote mountain destination but worth visiting just for the scenic views. Independent travel using public transport is not as easy as other places because of remote mountain roads, so I booked a guided trip with a tour company operating out of Trabzon. Many other Turkey tour agencies also sell the same itinerary.

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Places to Visit in Rize

There are a lot of places to be seen in Rize, which takes on a different beauty in summer and winter . Plateaus , camping areas , waterfalls , castles , storm creek which is especially preferred for rafting, are among the recommended places to be seen . It is recommended that those who have time to explore all the beauties of Rize should spend at least 4 days here.

Şenyuva Bridge

Şenyuva Bridge, which is the oldest bridge built on the Storm River , was built in 1696. It has a height of 20 meters and a length of 40 meters from the surface of the stream . Built – in accordance with the nature and climate of the Black Sea , the bridge has round arches and cut stones were used in the construction of the arch part of the bridge . It is possible to see the bridge , which is 7 km away from Çamlıhemşin, and to see dozens of people who want to photograph it every day

Palovit Waterfall

The waterfall within the boundaries of Kaçkar National Park is 23 km from Çamlıhemşin district cent re . Palovit waterfall , one of the highest waterfalls in Rize, flows from a height of approximately 15 meters . Among the trees and steep cliffs , the high-flow waterfall is one of the most visited places for hikers and photographers . The waterfall is easily accessible after crossing the Zil castle by coming from the direction of Çat village .

Fırtına ( Storm ) Creek

Approximately 20 km from Çamlıhemşin district , Fırtına Creek has a length of 57 km. Fırtına Creek , which is among the frequented points for hiking and camping , is also visited by rafting enthusiasts with its 23 km long rafting trails .

Rize Castle

Located in the city cent re of Rize, the castle consists of the inner castle , lower castle and city walls . The inner fortress and city walls have survived to the present day , but very few have survived from the lower castle . Rize castle with its magnificent structure and magnificent view awaits its visitors . There is a cafeteria around the castle for those who want to enjoy the view of Rize with a drink .

Anzer Plateau

With its vegetation and natural beauty , the Anzer plateau , which was declared a tourism zone in 1991, is 35 km away from İkizdere.Anzer honey which is obtained from endemic flowers is known as the most expensive and the most preferred honey in Turkey . Hiking , photography , rafting and paragliding on Anzer plateau and accommodation is available for those who wish .

It is estimated that the castle , which was established on the western slope of Fırtına Creek , 15 km south of Çamlıhemşin, was built in the 14th century to ensure the safety of caravan roads . Built on a steep rock mass , the castle is 100 meters from the creek bed and 750 meters from the sea . After the castle of Rize, the highest castle in the region , the Zil Castle consists of a city wall , a temple , a guard building and a tower . Entrance to the castle is for a fee and museum card is not a c cepted . The tra nspor tation to the castle is provided with private vehicles .

Rize Camping

Rize is among the most visited places for those who want to do camping with its magnificent nature and view. Ayder plateau is one of the most preferred places for camping. In the plateau, there is the possi...

Kaçkar National Park

Kaçkar National Park, which is located within the borders of Çamlıhemşin district, is 16 km away from Çamlıhemşin centre and was declared a National Park in 1994. Rafting, trekking, mountaineering, waterfall c...

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Things To Do In Rize

Best Things To Do in Rize, Turkey

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Capital of the Rize Province in Turkey, Rize is one of the underrated places in the country, even after having different types of attractions. A well planned stay in this city and you’ll get to experience almost everything. Well maintained gardens, beautiful mosques, swanky hotels, vibrant restaurants, Rize has got it all. The iconic Turkish tea is famous all across the world and the climate of Rize needs to be thanked for that. The city is a major contributor to the tea industry in Turkey.

When in Rize, you can indulge in certain activities. Most prominently if you want to try Rize’s famous tea, then head straightaway to the Botanic Çay Bahçesi (Botanical Tea Garden). Visit Eski Orta mosque (cami) and soak in all the divinity. With this, you can tick your bucket list of visiting the Turkish bath. Other major attractions also include Eski Orta mosque (cami), Cine Klass Sinemalari, Ataturk House & Ethnography Museum and Dag-Raft Rafting.

Below we have a list of things to do in Rize and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Rize getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Rize with confidence.

Things to do with Family & Kids in Rize
Leisure Activities in Rize
Historical Places in Rize
Museums in Rize

Tourist Attractions in Rize

Here is the list of things to do in Rize and tourist attractions in city.

Firtina Deresi

Water Body, View Point, River

Ziraat- Botanik Cay Bahcesi

Outdoors, View Point, Cafe

Rize Kalesi

View Point, Castle, Historical Site

Rize Museum

Palovit Selalesi

View Point, Nature

Ataturk House And Ethnography Museum

Dag-Raft Rafting

Cine klass sinemalari, pembe kosk sinemalari, vizyon cinema, ayder yaylası - villa de pelit otel, beyaz kosk cafe & restaurant.

Forum Trabzon Alisveris Merkezi

Shopping Center

How to get from Trabzon airport to Rize using public transportation? please advice.

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What to do in Rize in 2 days
What to do in Rize in 3 days
What to do in Rize in 5 days

+90 539 835 99 96

Rize is a province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, known for its natural beauty, tea production, and unique culture. Read for more..

Rize is a province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, known for its natural beauty, tea production, and unique culture. Located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, Rize is surrounded by stunning mountains, rivers, and valleys that offer a breathtaking landscape for visitors to explore. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the highlights of Rize and why it’s worth visiting.

Natural Beauty

Rize is a nature lover’s paradise, with stunning landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. The province is surrounded by the Kaçkar Mountains, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and forests. The Fırtına River is another natural wonder of Rize, which offers opportunities for rafting and fishing. Visitors can also explore the Ayder Plateau, a highland meadow famous for its hot springs and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Tea Production

Rize is famous for its tea production, which is a significant part of the province’s economy. The hills and mountains of Rize are covered with tea plantations, and visitors can explore the tea gardens and learn about the process of tea production. The Rize Tea Festival, held annually in July, is a great opportunity to learn more about Rize’s tea culture and sample different varieties of tea.

Rize has a unique culture that reflects its history and geography. The province is home to several traditional Turkish villages, where visitors can experience the local way of life and learn about the traditional crafts and customs of the region.

Rize is also known for its traditional music, dance, and festivals, which showcase the province’s rich cultural heritage.

Rize’s cuisine is a blend of traditional Turkish and Black Sea flavors, with an emphasis on seafood and fresh produce. The province is known for its anchovy dishes, which are served in many local restaurants and cafes. Visitors can also try the local specialty, “kuymak,” a cheese and cornmeal dish served with butter.

In conclusion, Rize is a beautiful and unique destination in Turkey that offers stunning natural landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and delicious local cuisine. Whether you’re interested in nature, tea, culture, or cuisine, Rize has something to offer everyone. It’s definitely worth adding to your list of places to visit in Turkey.

Rize Irvine

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Review Highlights

“ Wanted to leave him a review and say if you're considering Rize, get in touch with Jonathan ! ” in 6 reviews

“ Greystar as a management company is world class! ” in 2 reviews

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1100 Synergy

Irvine, CA 92614

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Jonathan is great with showing me the apartments and helping me settle in. Jaime is extremely helpful with working orders. Great place so far.

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Community M.

Business Owner

Jan 31, 2024

Steven Y. - we really appreciate the feedback! Thank you again for letting our team know how we did! We look forward to helping again in the future. Take care!

Staff was so nice when we toured. The apt complex is gorgeous with amazing amenities. We applied for an apt but essentially decided to pull our application after hearing a different perspective on their parking situation from a different agent than the one who offered us the initial tour. We were looking for a one bedroom apt with two parking spots, and were told it wouldn't be an issue as there is plenty of nearby street parking. Additionally, though there was a waitlist for an additional spot, it would only be a few months. We learned later that the waiting list for an additional spot could take up to a year. There is no street parking since they are off of Von Karman. The second agent we talked to point blank told us they did not recommend this complex for those needing two parking spots for a one bedroom apt. When we emailed to ask how to revoke our application not even 24 hours after applying, we got no response. However, I noticed the unit that we applied for was put back on their site. So I know they received our email.... We had to call a week later to confirm that our application was removed and we would be receiving a refund. Eventually, we did get our refund but it took close to a month. Movers, beware!

Mar 28, 2024

Tessa H. - we work hard to provide a fantastic experience for all. It's discouraging to hear that you had a negative experience, and we'll check into it to see what we could have done to improve. We would like the opportunity to address your concerns. Please reach out to us directly at (949) 260-1500 when you have a chance. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Out of all the places to live in Irvine, I wish we would have picked literally anywhere else but Rize. If I could give this place zero stars, I would. We first moved here in the summer of 2022, and while the first month seemed great, it quickly went downhill after that. Here's a rundown of what we experienced. - Fire alarms going off way too much. They even went off at 4am, which of course woke everyone up. Staff sent out a generic email stating they identified the problem, and were working to fix it. Come to find out much later after reading some of the reviews on Google, that it was in fact caused by someone's car getting set on fire in the parking garage. I guess the staff did not think we deserved to know the truth of what happened. - The parking garage gate is left open 24/7, meaning literally anyone can walk in off the street (which is probably how a resident's car got set on fire). This is not safe at all. We've already had a homeless person using the clubhouse, and possibly other amenities. And we know that person was homeless because my husband saw her sleeping on the street in another part of town. - Extremely rude neighbors. The worst part for us has been our terribly rude upstairs neighbors. They let their kids run and stomp 24/7. It's so bad that it causes our ceiling fans and light fixtures to shake like there's an earthquake happening. It scares my toddlers, and wakes them from sleep, it's that bad. We can't even have guests over because the noise is so loud and thunderous. It's like a herd of elephants running across the entirety of our apartment ceiling. We've called security multiple times, but they either don't answer the phone or if they do, they don't bother to show up. They are useless. I've emailed management about this problem several times as well, but nothing is ever done. I'm always told they'll be speaking to the neighbors in question, but it obviously does nothing because they keep doing the same behavior. These neighbors are terribly disrespectful and rude. They don't care, and neither does Rize. This, coupled with the lack of concern from Rize, has really ruined our time here. We have been essentially left to fend for ourselves in this matter. Rize doesn't care about their residents at all. If you're looking to move into apartment 1132, my advice is don't. The upstairs neighbors will make your life miserable. - Packages will get stolen. While I never had a package stolen from my front door, I did have one stolen from the mailroom. I gave specific instructions to leave said package at my front door, but the carrier ignored that and left it in the mailroom with a picture of where it was placed. I was already not happy about my instructions being ignored, only to find out when I actually get there that the package was in fact not there. I looked everywhere, and it was just gone. It was baby food and formula. So if you know how bad the baby formula shortage has been, you know this wasn't good at all. I had to scramble to find food and formula for my babies, because a carrier couldn't be bothered to follow simple instructions, and a resident decided to steal what clearly didn't belong to them. Even after they presumably opened the box and saw what was inside, they still didn't feel the need to return my package. Tells you a bit about the character of some of the people living in this building. It took me over a week to receive replacements for what was stolen from me. The only nice person that I've come across in my time living here is Job, one of the maintenance guys. He's nice, professional, and personable. Everyone else? Not so much. The manager Darbie is extremely hard to get ahold of. When my husband needed to talk to her about the problem with our upstairs neighbors, he was told to call at a certain time which he did, and Darbie did not answer, just ignored him and never called us back. She stays in her office a majority of the time hiding from the residents. In fact, one time I was so frustrated with the upstairs neighbors and their horrendous noise, I went down to the leasing office instead of calling. Darbie was there with Jonathan, and she had the nerve to look as though I interrupted her. She seemed put off that I came down in person to speak with her about this ongoing issue. Very unprofessional in my book. TLDR: if you're looking to move to Irvine, don't move to Rize. And if you do, I wish you luck...you're gonna need it.

Feb 20, 2024

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'm sorry to hear you had a negative experience, and will use your input as an opportunity for all of us at Rize Irvine to improve. Please contact us at (949) 260-1500 when you have an opportunity, and we will be more than happy to try and turn your experience around.

Unsanitary conditions at Rize. They pull out the dumpsters and park them in front of the children's play area and fire lane every Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat. The main entrance street is littered with trash, never cleans the area. Every week there are flies, rotten food, broken glass, etc. Unsafe and disgusting environment at Rize. Parking is horrible. Management makes promises about fixing the conditions but never does anything about it.

Unsanitary conditions at Rize Apartments.

Unsanitary conditions. Trash bins block the fire lanes every M/W/F/S, Broken glass, rotten food, even dead bird near the kids play area

I moved in 2022 and in the time I was there we went through 3 management companies. Mostly recently it's being managed by Greystar. If you want anyone to visit you without being anxious about parking don't live here. It's impossible. There is very limited parking for guests. You are given a set amount of guest parking time a month which has helped a little but it's still frequently full. There is no street parking in the area. The front gate is always open during the day, when asked why, was told so visitors, various staff and vendors can get in...but isn't that why the call box exists? There has been 2 fires since my time there...both car fires. Trash is frequently left out at all ours of the day despite the very clear valet trash hours. Although I loved my apartment itself, new appliances, hardwood floors, etc, decided to move give the management style and guest parking situation. It became overpriced for what I was getting.

Job helped me replace the shower head, it was fast and the new shower head works great. Thank you!

Dec 23, 2023

Hi Kristine W., Thank you so much for your positive comments about Rize Irvine! Rize Irvine Management

Jaime the maintenance man is absolutely stellar, and has always taken care of everything that I have ever needed here. I have lived here for over three years and they have switched men management companies so frequently it's been a bit frustrating. That being said, it seems like they have ironed everything out now and this management company. Graystar really really cares about their residents. It's also a really fun place to live. They do all kinds of events for kids and for adults and hold giveaways often (even though I've never won one) The people at the front desk are genuine, and seem to have a vested interest in making their residence smile which is very important to me. This is my third year living here and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone with a small family that likes community because everyone here gets to know one another. Big thanks to the maintenance team especially Jamie. He is phenomenal! Anytime Something needs to be done, He is on it and he does it with a smile on his face and has always gone above and beyond to make sure that it's done to my liking. he should absolutely be singled out as an exceptional employee because it's very evident. He cares about the residence here and he takes pride in the work that he does.. this is rare nowadays

Jan 19, 2024

Aw, Psychic B.! WOW! Your amazing feedback and rating mean the world to us. We will pass your comments along to Jaime and greatly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to write this review. It's our pleasure to assist! Let us know if anything else comes up, and take care.

Ive had an issue with my dishwasher since I moved in and we've asked to have it fixed or replaced for years but the old crew in the office didn't really do anything to help. It was super frustrating I have to say. So I brought it up with the new management team and a few days later the issue was resolved! So awesome! Thank you!! Their response was fast and they were/are so helpful and they're always super nice and professional, so refreshing!

Moved here about 6 months ago. The amenities are fantastic and the staff has been incredibly helpful. My apartment is spacious and I'm so relieved to have a full sized washer and dryer. The community here is welcoming, and I've made some great friends since moving in. Overall, I'm happy to call this my home!

Sep 1, 2023

Mary V., your wonderful feedback and rating mean a lot to us. Thank you, and have a fantastic day!

Jonathan the leasing representative is amazing. We scheduled a tour with him today for one of the units and he made the whole experience very enjoyable. He was super friendly and helpful with any questions we had. The apartments were very nice but they unfortunately did not have any 3 bedrooms like we needed otherwise we would have immediately applied. But thanks Jonathan for all your help!

Feb 27, 2024

Kristie S. - so happy you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to get in touch with any questions! We're always here to help.

5 other reviews that are not currently recommended