Turkey’s Black Sea Coast — Trabzon, Rize, Uzungöl and Ayder: the Complete Guide for Gulf Families
Turkey’s Black Sea coast runs from Samsun east to Artvin on the Georgian border: green mountains dropping into the sea, cloud-topped plateaus, lakes, tea gardens and a cool summer that Gulf families escape to. Its base is Trabzon with an international airport, from which Uzungöl, Sümela, Hıdırnebi, Ayder and Rize are visited. Seen organises the region with Trabzon VIP programs: private car and driver, 5-star hotels and pay on arrival.
Quick facts
The key places on the Black Sea coast
Trabzon, the base
The coast’s main city with its famous Meydan square, restaurants and markets; around it Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Boztepe hill, Atatürk Pavilion and Sera lake minutes away. Good hotels in the centre and on the sea make it the best place to stay and set out from daily.
Sümela Monastery
A monastery carved into a cliff at about 1,200 m above the Altındere valley, about 45 km from Trabzon. The view from the road alone justifies the trip; the walk up takes about 20 minutes.
Uzungöl
The lake and wooden village about 100 km from Trabzon (1.5 to 2 hours): a lakeside walk, trout restaurants and a safari to the highlands. The Uzungöl tour is included in Seen’s packages.
Hıdırnebi plateau
A plateau at about 1,600 m near Akçaabat with meadows, clouds drifting past and the small “fish lake”. A half-day trip from Trabzon, included in Seen’s VIP packages.
Rize and the tea gardens
Turkey’s tea capital about 75 km east of Trabzon: terraced tea gardens on the hills and Ziraat hill for tea with a view over the city and the sea.
Ayder, Zil castle and the Fırtına valley
Rize’s famous plateau at about 1,350 m with hot springs, a waterfall and cabins, about 3 hours from Trabzon. The Ayder and highlands day tour is on the site.
Ordu and the Boztepe cable car
About 180 km west of Trabzon: a cable car climbs from the beach to Boztepe hill above the bay, with cafés on top. For those spending a full week in the north.
Where to stay on the Black Sea coast
Best time to visit
June to September: cool on the plateaus, mild on the coast, the months Gulf families choose. May and October are quieter and cheaper with full greenery and a higher chance of rain. Winter brings snow to the plateaus and some roads close, but Trabzon itself is visited year-round.
Getting there and around
Direct flights from Istanbul to Trabzon take about 1 hour 50 minutes, with direct summer flights from several Gulf cities. Moving between the sights needs a private car with a driver who knows the mountain roads; Seen’s VIP packages include airport pick-up and 8-hour daily tours in a private car, with a 5-star hotel and breakfast.
Black Sea Turkey FAQ
How many days are enough?
Five days cover Trabzon, Uzungöl, Sümela and Hıdırnebi comfortably. Seven add Ayder and Rize or Ordu. Seen’s 7-day Trabzon VIP packages are built on this.
What are the distances?
Trabzon to Sümela about 45 km, to Hıdırnebi about 55 km, to Rize about 75 km, to Uzungöl about 100 km, to Ayder about 160 km and to Ordu about 180 km. The roads are mountainous, so count in hours, not kilometres.
Is the region suitable for families and children?
It is Turkey’s first family destination in summer: cool weather, reasonable distances by private car, family restaurants and calm activities such as boats, cable cars and lake walks.
Trabzon or Istanbul for a family?
Istanbul for history, shopping and the Bosphorus; Trabzon for nature, cool air and plateaus. The common combination is 4 days in Istanbul then 5 in Trabzon by domestic flight, and we arrange both together.
Do I need a car with a driver?
In practice yes: public transport does not reach the plateaus easily and the mountain roads need a driver who knows them. Seen’s packages include a private car with driver for 8 hours a day.
How do I book and what do I pay in advance?
Message us on WhatsApp; we send the package, hotel and program at the prices published on the site, and you pay on arrival with no deposit. Seen is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency, number 11824.
Plan your Black Sea trip with Seen: 5-star hotel, car and driver, Uzungöl, Sümela and Hıdırnebi tours, pay on arrival.
Ask for the Trabzon package on WhatsApp