Trabzon is Turkey's Black Sea city, where green mountains meet the sea directly and the cliff-clinging Sumela Monastery is one of the most striking sights in the whole region. Thanks to its closeness to Georgia, Trabzon is a natural, affordable destination for the Georgian traveler — a break from the bustle of Istanbul and Antalya. Let's see how to reach Trabzon from Tbilisi and what to see there.
✈️ Flights from Tbilisi
- A direct flight is often seasonal; the main route is via Istanbul (IST or SAW), about 4-6 hours in total
- Turkish Airlines and AJet cover the Istanbul-Trabzon leg several times a day
- Ticket price: $170-360 round trip, depending on the season and how early you book
- Trabzon Airport (TZX) — about 6 km from the center, right on the sea coast
- To find cheap dates, see the Travel365 price calendar
🛂 Visa and entry
Georgian citizens don't need a visa to travel to Turkey — entry is possible with an electronic ID card or passport, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport (or ID) must be valid for the entire duration of your visit.
Since it's visa-free, Trabzon is ideal for a short, spontaneous trip — with no lengthy applications or waiting. Get an eSIM on arrival for internet, so your maps and taxi apps work right away.
Turkey's currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city, though a little cash in lira is handy for small cafés and the bazaar.
🏛️ Top attractions
- Sumela Monastery: an Orthodox monastery clinging to a cliff in Altındere National Park — about 50 km from the city, a must-see
- Hagia Sophia of Trabzon (Ayasofya): a Byzantine church-museum with frescoes and a sea view
- Atatürk Köşkü: a white mansion-museum in green gardens, with a panorama of the city
- Boztepe: a hill with the best view of the city and the Black Sea
- Uzungöl: a mountain village with meadows and a green lake — a popular day trip
- Trabzon Meydan: the central square, cafés and city life
💰 Budget
- Hotel: 3★ $55-95/night || 4★ $105-170/night
- Food: a local lunch $8-13; a fish dinner at a seaside restaurant $18-33
- Transport: a city bus/dolmuş $1-2; a taxi from the airport to the center $11-18
- Sumela excursion (with transfer): $22-45 per person
- Uzungöl day tour: $26-52, with a guide and transfer
🗓️ Best season and practical tips
The best time to visit Trabzon is May to September, when the mountains are green and the weather is warm. In summer the valleys are especially beautiful, though sometimes misty — the Black Sea climate is rainy all year round, so bring a light rain jacket.
Trabzon stands apart from Turkey's noisier destinations with its nature and calm — if you want contrast, add Istanbul or Antalya to one trip. Compare flights and dates on the Travel365 price calendar.
The Sumela Monastery is sometimes partly closed for restoration work — check the opening hours and accessibility from an official source before your visit.
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