Sightseeing Guide

What to See in Trabzon

Explore 57 landmarks, monuments, and attractions in Trabzon, Turkey. From iconic sights to hidden gems — curated from real traveler experiences.

57 sights Turkey
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  1. Uzungöl Lake

    40.61900, 40.29200

    A lake up in the mountains at an altitude of 1090 m. A great number of broken rocks from the slopes filled up Haldizen stream and Uzungöl was formed in this way. The lake is 1000 m long, 500 m in width and 15 m in depth. - It is surrounded by forests. Uzungöl has an interesting view with the village houses around it. And there are some other small lakes on the mountains which are 15-20 km.…

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    from Uzungol. The lake is also surrounded by convenient tracks for hiking. There are some facilities such as bungalows and some establishments which rear trout. Travel agencies organize day tours during summer (40 TL). Uzungöl is the most touristic location in Trabzon province. Its beauty lies not so much in the lake or village itself, but more in the surrounding landscape, which is easily accessible by foot or rented bike.

  2. Aya Sofya Museum

    Ayasofya Caddesi 41.00240, 39.69550

    A beautiful and picturesque church converted into a mosque and later into a museum that still has stunning frescoes within—just like its namesake in Istanbul. There is a peaceful open-air tea garden on the grounds.…

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    While the main hall of the church has been converted into a mosque (its legal status is still under debate) all of the best preserved frescos are still visible in the narthex.

  3. Cevdet Sunay Memorial House

    Çaykara-Sultan Murat Rd

    Cevdet Sunay was the fifth president of Turkey. He was born in this small town and grew up in Trabzon. His birthplace has been a museum since 2001. Incidentally, it is located near the Sultan Murat Yayla, where an important memorial site from the First World War is located at Martyrs Hill (Şehitler Tepesi)

  4. City walls

    41.00340, 39.71880

    Most of the city's defense walls and a few towers remain standing, surrounding the historic center. Only the northern section near the coastal highway has been removed. The walls can best be viewed from Zagnos bridge and park. Sections of Roman, Byzantine, Trebizond and Ottoman Empire times remain visible.

  5. Günes Sanat Galerisi

    village Zigana (also called Kalkanli) 40.60780, 39.36490

    This art gallery is made by mr Azmi Aytekin, a 73 year old painter and thinker from Zigana. He has traveled around the world, and has settled in the small village Zigana (also called Kalkanli) near the magnificent Zigana mountains. Visit his homepage for pictures.

    Official website

  6. Hüsnü Gökkuş Paşa Mosque

    41.00230, 39.73500

    Former St.Elefterios church. Unfortunately, the building was recently defaced with a kitsch facade and a LED ticker board. Also, the municipality has started demotion of large parts of the historical port quarter Çömlekçi, where the former church is located.

  7. Trabzon Museum

    Tu-Su 09:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 3 TL 41.00503, 39.72655

    Former Mansion of Banker Kostaki Teophylaktos (Kostaki Konağı), built in 1889. The first floor houses the gallery of ethnographical artefacts. In the basement is a bronze statue of the Greek god Hermes, found at Tabakhane bridge nearby.

  8. City Museum

    41.00588, 39.72808

    The city museum shows the history of Trabzon from its Greek inception to the Ottoman times. It also has sections on local flora and fauna, clothing, music, dance, arts and craft, and as of 2015 it is under construction.

  9. Memorial House Museum of Akçaabat

    41.02030, 39.56320

    Akçaabat (former Platana, the village closest to Trabzon city) is home to dozens of historical wooden mansions in the local Pontic/Caucasian style. It also has two church buildings, one of which is being restored.

  10. Kalepark Fortress

    41.00800, 39.73430

    It is a former Genoese fortification called Leonkastron. You can get there by walking to the northeast from the eastern end of Meydan square. There is a tea garden just west of the fortress.

  11. Former Panagia Khrysokephalos Church

    41.00450, 39.71950

    Founded in 11th Century on top of a smaller chapel, part of which used to house a Mithraeum until the 3rd century A.D. Turned into a mosque right after the fall of the city in 1461.

  12. St.Anna Church

    Ziyaret Sk No:9 41.00606, 39.72328

    This small Armenian church was built in the 9th century and is possibly one of the oldest buildings in the city. The door is locked, but one can look through the keyhole

  13. Sümela Monastery

    Altındere Vadisi, Maçka 40.68640, 39.65420

    Closed for 1 year from 22 September 2015 for a geological study on the rock face above the monastery due to increased seismic activity in the region.

    Official website

  14. Former Phrontisterion

    41.00770, 39.72870

    Currently the Turkish high school Kanuni Anadolu Lisesi. This monumental building housed the main Pontic Greek school of higher learning until 1921.

  15. Kızlar Monastery

    Desen Sokak and Mht. Coşkun Karaağaçlı Cd. corner, Boztepe Mh. 40.99850, 39.72900

    Founded in 1360's. There is a rock church with fresco's. Currently (2015) being restored and transformed into a cultural arts center.

  16. Silk Road Museum

    41.00892, 39.71973

    Shows objects connected to the silk road trade. Located in the office of the Chamber of Trade and Industry.

  17. Trabzon Bar Association

    41.00290, 39.73220

    The former American consulate, squeezed in between Yavuz Selim boulevard southeast of cental Meydan square.

  18. Arsenal

    40.99240, 39.72230

    In the south of the Tabakhane valley lies the old armory. It is restored and now houses a restaurant.

  19. Office of the chamber of mechanical engineers

    41.00560, 39.72290

    One of the most interesting architectural works in the city. It faces the small Hagia Anna church.

  20. Aqueduct

    41.00050, 39.71780

    In the south of Zagnos Valley Park there is a small late Roman/early Byzantine aqueduct.

  21. İçkale Mosque

    41.00080, 39.71920

    A small but very old mosque, built on the acropolis of the old city, near the palace.

  22. Bedesten

    41.00782, 39.72368

    A former caravanserai. Recently restored and turned into an arts and crafts center.

  23. Alaca Han

    41.00787, 39.72462

    A former caravanserai. Recently restored and turned into an arts and crafts center.

  24. Russian consulate

    41.00410, 39.71990

    This large building is located in the heart of the historic walled city.

  25. Pontic Mountains

    40.50000, 40.50000

    Many trekking, hiking, possibility. Zil Castle, Palovit Waterfall

  26. Office of the chamber of journalists

    41.00475, 39.73085

    Small but quaint historic building on the central Meydan square.

  27. Sürmene

    40.91417, 40.11250

    5 km to the west of Sürmene, stands a ruined medieval castle

  28. Tabakhane Mosque

    41.00510, 39.72270

    Interesting revivalist mosque next to the Tabakhane bridge.

  29. Hızırbey Mosque

    41.00670, 39.71360

    Ottoman mosque built in 1789 around a pre-existing church.

  30. Akçakale Fortress

    41.08070, 39.50360

    Only worth it if you plan on visiting the beach nearby.

  31. Former Trebizond Province Governors office

    41.00460, 39.72040

    This historic building now houses a cultural center.

  32. St. Mary Church

    Sümer Sk 41.00720, 39.73180

    The only church in Trabzon that has regular masses.

  33. Şamil Ekinci Museum

    41.00614, 39.72782

    Prize museum of beloved football club Trabzonspor

  34. St John Church

    Haneci Sokak (1. Çulha Sk.) 41.00790, 39.71500

    This church is mostly used as a cultural centre

  35. Erdoğdu Bey Masjid

    41.00100, 39.71230

    Another former church, next to a newer mosque

  36. Ortahisar education directorate

    41.00600, 39.72460

    Monumental building on Kahramanmaraş street.

  37. Vazelon Monastery

    Maçka district, 40.81670, 39.61670

    Founded in 270 AD. Now, ruined and abandoned

  38. Former Eugenios Church

    Cami Sk 26-76 41.00110, 39.72230

    Now it is a Mosque. Founded in 13th Century

  39. Taş Han

    41.00723, 39.72393

    A former caravanserai. Recently restored.

  40. Mollah Siyah Mosque

    41.00710, 39.71810

    Former Byzantine St. Andreas church

  41. Trabzon Art House

    41.00400, 39.72670

    The former city governors mansion.

  42. Hacı Salih Mosque

    41.00780, 39.72444

    Recently restored Ottoman mosque.

  43. Tekke Mosque

    41.00380, 39.72950

    Ottoman mosque, built in 1591.

  44. Müftü Mosque

    41.00661, 39.72296

    Ottoman mosque built in 1753.

  45. Yeni Kemerkaya Mosque

    41.00680, 39.72910

    Former church built in 1838

  46. Kudrettin Mosque

    41.00080, 39.73410

    Former St.Philip church.

  47. Haji Yahya Mosque

    41.00811, 39.72222

    Small Ottoman mosque

  48. Hoca Halil Mosque Mosque

    Small Ottoman mosque

  49. Semerciler Mosque

    Small Ottoman mosque

  50. Gulbahar Hatun Mosque & Tomb

    Yavuz Selim Bulvarı (Tanjant Cd.) 41.00320, 39.71610

    Founded in 1507

  51. Marketgate Mosque

    41.00780, 39.72070

    Ottoman mosque.

  52. Hacı Kasım Muhittin Mosque

    41.00380, 39.72430

    Ottoman mosque.

  53. Tavanli Mosque

    41.00130, 39.72760

    Ottoman mosque.

  54. Hamza Paşa Mosque

    41.00450, 39.71300

    Ottoman mosque.

  55. Hasanpaşa Mosque

    41.00780, 39.72160

    Ottoman mosque.

  56. Hoca Halil Mosque

    41.00780, 39.71780

    Former church

  57. Former Alaca Turkish Bath

    Kazancilar Sokak

    A monument.

Traveler Guide

Exploring Trabzon: A Guide for Solo Travelers

Trabzon is one of Turkey's most rewarding cities to explore on foot. With 57 documented sightseeing spots — from grand monuments and historic churches to hidden squares and local museums — the city rewards curiosity at every turn. This guide covers everything you need to plan a great sightseeing day in Trabzon, whether you have a single afternoon or an entire week.

How to See Trabzon Like a Traveler, Not a Tourist

The best way to discover Trabzon is on foot, moving between neighborhoods rather than rushing between landmarks on a tour bus. Start your day early — most major sights in Trabzon are significantly less crowded before 9am. Many iconic spots, such as Uzungöl Lake and Aya Sofya Museum, look entirely different at dawn versus midday, and you'll get far better photographs without the crowds.

Budget at least 30–45 minutes for each major attraction in Trabzon, and don't underestimate walking distances between them. The city's neighborhoods are best experienced by wandering rather than following a rigid itinerary. If something unexpected catches your eye — a courtyard, a street market, a viewpoint — follow it. The most memorable moments in Trabzon rarely appear on any official list.

Planning Your Sightseeing in Trabzon

Before you visit major paid attractions in Trabzon, check whether they offer discounts for students, young travelers, or EU residents. Many museums and monuments have free admission on the first Sunday of the month, or offer combined tickets with nearby sites that save significant money. Some of Trabzon's best sights are entirely free — outdoor landmarks, historic streets, and public spaces cost nothing to explore and can be more atmospheric than ticketed attractions.

If you're visiting Trabzon as a solo traveler, consider joining a free walking tour. They typically depart from main squares in the morning and cover the city's most important sights in 2–3 hours with a knowledgeable local guide. These tours are also excellent for meeting other travelers — you'll often find the group ends up exploring Trabzon together for the rest of the day.

Sightseeing in Trabzon with Fellow Travelers

Solo sightseeing in Trabzon is perfectly enjoyable, but exploring with others can transform the experience. When you share a landmark with a fellow traveler, you see it through their eyes — their questions, their stories, their cultural context. A French traveler will notice different things about Trabzon's architecture than a Japanese one. That exchange of perspectives is what makes travel memorable.

Nomax is a free travel companion app that helps solo travelers in Trabzon find each other and plan sightseeing together. Browse profiles of travelers currently in Trabzon, join group activities like city walks and museum visits, or post your own sightseeing plan and invite others to join. Many travelers in Trabzon use Nomax to find companions for specific attractions — someone to split a taxi to an outlying monument, or a walking partner for the old town.

What Makes Trabzon Worth Seeing

Trabzon offers 57 documented sights in this guide alone — and that's only the beginning. Uzungöl Lake, Aya Sofya Museum, Cevdet Sunay Memorial House are among the most visited, but the city's lesser-known neighborhoods and viewpoints are equally rewarding for the traveler willing to explore beyond the main itinerary. Turkey's history, culture, and architecture are all visible in Trabzon's streets and buildings, making it one of the best cities in the region for sightseeing.

Whether you're spending a single day or a full week in Trabzon, this guide gives you a starting point for building your own itinerary. The sights are ordered by the richness of their documentation, with the most detailed descriptions at the top. Use the coordinates to navigate with any map app, and check the hours and entry prices before visiting to avoid disappointment.

Sightseeing in other Turkey cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the must-see attractions in Trabzon?

Trabzon has 57 notable sights including Uzungöl Lake, Aya Sofya Museum, Cevdet Sunay Memorial House. This guide covers landmarks, monuments, churches, museums, and hidden gems curated from traveler experiences and editorial sources.

How many days do you need to see Trabzon?

Most travelers spend 3–5 days exploring Trabzon to cover the major sights comfortably. A focused itinerary can cover the top 10–15 highlights in 2 days. Download Nomax to connect with other travelers and plan a shared sightseeing itinerary for Trabzon.

Are there free things to see in Trabzon?

Yes — many of Trabzon's best sights are free or low-cost. Outdoor landmarks, public squares, parks, and certain museums offer free admission or free exterior visits. Check individual entries above for price information.

What is the best time to visit Trabzon's sightseeing spots?

Early mornings (before 9am) are the best time to visit popular sights in Trabzon to avoid crowds. Many monuments and outdoor attractions are also magical at dusk. Use Nomax to find fellow travelers who can share timing tips and join you for a sightseeing day.

How do I meet other travelers to explore Trabzon with?

Download Nomax — the free travel companion app — to instantly see solo travelers near you in Trabzon. Join sightseeing activities, meet travelers at the same landmarks, and chat before you meet up. It's the easiest way to explore Trabzon with company.

Is Trabzon good for solo travelers?

Trabzon is popular with solo travelers for its rich sightseeing, accessible public transport, and welcoming atmosphere. The Nomax app helps solo travelers find companions in Trabzon so you never have to explore alone — from guided walks to museum visits to spontaneous meetups.

Explore Trabzon with fellow travelers

Download Nomax to find travel companions in Trabzon, join sightseeing activities, and make your trip unforgettable.

Download Nomax — Free

Available on iOS and Android. Free forever.

Travel tips from Wikivoyage contributors, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.