Located in the north-eastern part of Turkey, Trabzon Port is a scenic city along the Black Sea. Formerly known as Trapezus and Trebizond, this historic city is a melting pot of religions, cultures and languages and is considered as the trade gateway to Iran, Russia and the Caucasus. In fact, due to Trabzon’s trade importance, the city was made as the capital of the Empire of Trebizond. Today, Trabzon is a hectic city full of cars, taxis, minibuses and people. But despite the city’s crazy bustling environment, its coastal area is still a popular place for relaxation.
Things to do
Trabzon is a sprawling port city which offers a wide variety of tourist spots and fun activities for its visitors. One of the must-see places while in Trabzon is the Aya Sofya Museum. The museum was actually a gorgeous church which was transformed into a mosque. Visitors can find a nice outdoor tea garden on the grounds where they can simply hang out and relax. You may also want to visit Gunes Sanat Galerisi, an art gallery created by famous painter and thinker Azmi Aytekin.
A few kilometers south of the city is the famous Sumela Monastery which was built in the 6th century in the mountainous area of the region. There is an admission fee of 5 YTL (5 Turkey Lira is equivalent to 3.35 USD) before you can enter. While in Trabzon, you may also want to visit the gorgeous lake located up in the mountains in the eastern part of the city called the Uzungol Lake. The city is also home to Trabzonspor, the most successful football team outside of Istanbul. You can watch the team play at the Huseyin Avni Stadium located west from the city’s main square. You may also want to visit the lovely villa on the city’s outskirts.
Restaurants and Bars
Turkey is famous for their local cuisine, such as pide, which is a kind of pizza made from bread and cheese, and the kiymali, which is a delicious Turkish dish, made of meat and served with butter. The best place to eat local delicacies is a place called “Cardac Pide Salonu” located at the heart of the city. Another great dining venue is Kuzen located in Cevdet Akcay Sokak right beside a shopping mall. Not far from the city’s main square is another great restaurant called Harran Kepab which also serves local cuisine. But if you want to have a night of great drinks, head over to the popular pub called Beer Time located near the main square, or to the Keyif Coffee & Tea Sotre located near the Ataturk Alani square.
Getting around
The city has bus lines which take visitors to some of the tourist spots. You may want to book your bus tickets early for long distance bus trips; there are several ticket agent shops around the main square where you can do this. Visitors may also hire private vehicles but at a higher cost.