Rize — the Tea City on the Black Sea: How Far, What to Do, and How to Pair It with Ayder
Rize is Turkey’s tea capital on the Black Sea coast east of Trabzon; its hills are covered with terraced tea gardens down to the sea, and above it lie the Fırtına valley and the Ayder plateau with its hot springs. It is visited in one day from Trabzon or as a stop on the way to Ayder, and Seen Travels’ Ayder and highlands day tour passes the Rize tea factory, the Fırtına river and the Ottoman bridge with car and driver.
Quick facts
Things to do in Rize
Ziraat hill and the tea garden
A botanical garden on a hill above the city where you drink Turkish tea among the bushes with a view over Rize and the Black Sea. The city’s best-known picture, minutes from the centre.
Tea gardens and the tea factory
Tea terraces on every hill around the city, and a factory visit to see how the leaves are dried and blended. Seen’s Ayder and highlands tour stops at the tea factory before climbing into the valley.
Rize castle
A medieval castle on the hill above the centre with a garden, a café and a view over the harbour. A short stop on the way to Ziraat.
Fırtına valley and Zil castle
From Rize you climb to Çamlıhemşin and the Fırtına valley: Ottoman stone bridges, a rafting river and Zil castle on its rock. The road to Ayder passes them all.
Palovit waterfall and the Pokut plateau
At the top of the valley, the Palovit waterfall and plateaus higher than Ayder for those spending two days in Rize who like jeep roads.
Local sweets and grills
Rize is known for muhlama with cheese and cornmeal, anchovies (hamsi) in season, and sweets with tea. The coastal restaurants between Rize and Trabzon are a good lunch stop.
Where to stay
Best time to visit
May to October: the tea harvest runs from May to September when the terraces are at their greenest, and the weather is mild between 18 and 26°C. Rize is one of Turkey’s rainiest cities in every month, so a raincoat is essential. Winter is grey on the coast and snowy on the plateaus.
How to get there
From Trabzon along the coast road about an hour by car, and about 45 minutes from Rize-Artvin airport. Seen’s Ayder and highlands day tour leaves from your Trabzon hotel with car and driver and passes the Rize tea factory, the Fırtına river and the Ottoman bridge before the plateau, at a published price with payment on arrival.
Rize FAQ
How far is Rize from Trabzon?
About 75 km east of Trabzon on the coast road, roughly an hour by car. From Trabzon airport about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Is one day enough for Rize?
Yes for the tea, the castle and Ziraat. Adding Ayder and the Fırtına valley needs a long day or a night on the plateau.
Rize or Trabzon?
Trabzon is the larger city with an international airport, 5-star hotels, Uzungöl and Sümela; Rize is smaller and calmer, centred on tea and Ayder. Best to stay in Trabzon and visit Rize on a day trip.
Is Rize suitable for families?
Yes; the tea garden, the castle and the coastal restaurants are easy with children, and rafting in the Fırtına valley suits children over seven on the easy stretches.
Can I visit a tea factory?
Yes, Seen’s Ayder and highlands tour stops at the Rize tea factory, and local tea can be bought there or in the city markets.
How do I book the Rize and Ayder tour with Seen?
The Ayder and highlands tour is on the site with its price, booked on WhatsApp and paid on arrival, and can be added to the Trabzon VIP package. Seen is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency, number 11824.
A day in Rize and Ayder from Trabzon: the tea factory, the Fırtına valley and the plateau, with car and driver, and you pay on arrival.
Book the Ayder and Rize tour on WhatsApp