Stops along the way
Stops between Trabzon and Rize
140 km, roughly 3 hours of driving. The stops below are ordered as you pass them — the same road in both directions.
In short
The drive between Trabzon and Rize is 140 km and takes roughly 3 hours. There are 200 described places within 20 km of this route; it crosses 3 provinces, and the densest stretch is in Rize (40 places).
There are 200 places within 20 km of this corridor; the 25 below are spread evenly along the drive.
1
Sümela Manastiri
Maçka, Trabzon
Sümela Monastery is a historical site located in the Altındere Valley of Maçka, Trabzon. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this monastery attracts visitors with its impressive location and rich history.
2
Santa Harabeleri
Gümüşhane merkez, Gümüşhane
Santa Ruins is located approximately 82 kilometers from the city center of Gümüşhane, within the borders of Dumanlı Village of Yağmurdere Township. Santa was established on three separate slopes divided from each other by the valleys where the Santa Yanbolu Stream originates. The Santa Region was conquered during the period of Fatih Sultan Mehmet - between 1461-1476 - together with the whole of Trabzon and the Eastern Black Sea region, and was incorporated into the lands of the Ottoman Empire.
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3
Ahi Evren Dede Camii
Ortahisar, Trabzon
It is adjacent to Ahi Evren Dede Camii located in Boztepe. The square-planned tomb is covered with a dome. This tomb, restored by Hacı Hakkı Baba in 1887-1888, took its present form. Next to the grave of Ahi Evren Dede are also the graves of Hacı Hakkı Baba and his sons.
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4
Kuş Gözlem
Ortahisar, Trabzon
Bird Watching Trabzon plateaus and especially Altındere Valley National Park offer favorable opportunities for bird watchers. The National Park is within the borders of Maçka district. It is quite rich in terms of biodiversity and bird diversity.
5
Ayasofya Cami
Ortahisar, Trabzon
Ayasofya Cami was reopened for Muslim worship after 52 years, with the performance of the daily prayer on Friday, 28 June 2013. Trabzon Ayasofya Museum, which is a mosque today, was built during the reign of 1. Manuel Komnenos, one of the kings of the Trabzon Empire (1238-1263). The bell tower, dated to 1427, is located to the west of the church. The remains of the three-apsed chapel to the north of the church belong to an earlier period.
6
Cephanelik
Ortahisar, Trabzon
Cephanelik is one of the most striking and debated structures among the buildings of Trabzon. Under the photograph of the structure in the Yıldız Sarayı albums, it is written that it was commissioned in the year H.1305. The tughra of Abdülhamit II above its door and the inscription also confirm this. It is clearly understood that Cephanelik was commissioned in 1887. It consists of two concentric circular sections with an approximate diameter of 25-40 meters. The inner section has four storeys, while the outer section has three storeys.
7
Paşa Hamamı
Ortahisar, Trabzon
Paşa Hamamı, also known as İskender Paşa Hamamı, was commissioned in 1531 by Trabzon Governor İskender Paşa, and although its inscription was destroyed, the bath itself has survived intact to the present day. The architecture of İskender Paşa Hamamı is a typical example of Ottoman architecture. The bath, which has two separate sections for men and women, has a double bath plan layout. Above the men's section, there is an octagonal roof supported by columns.
8
Pileki Mağarası
İyidere, Rize
Pileki, made from a special stone, is a kitchen utensil unique to the Black Sea region, and it is round and in the form of a hollowed-out bowl. This special stone is extracted and processed from Pileki Cave in İyidere Çiftlikköy, and as a result of this process, which has been carried out for thousands of years, Pileki Cave was formed. The cave consists of two large areas at the entrance and many tunnels behind them, and there are wells and lakes inside it.
9
Çay Müzesi (beyaz Ev)
Rize merkezi, Rize
It is located in the city center next to Rize Museum (Sarı Ev). The structure, consisting of a stone basement and two normal floors, dates to the 19th century. The building, which contains local residential architectural features, has a square plan. Today, it is used by the General Directorate of Tea Enterprises as the Tea Museum called "The Adventure of Tea"; where the stages of tea production from past to present are explained and the machinery and equipment used in its production are exhibited.
10
Doğa Fotoğrafçiliği
Rize merkezi, Rize
In Rize, which has a unique natural beauty, tours are organized for photography enthusiasts where unique shots can be captured. In the Kaçkarlar, reaching an altitude of 3900 meters, you can fit into a single photograph the exquisite landscapes born from the togetherness of plant and animal species as well as mountains, clouds, and people. Rize, which has a different beauty in every season, offers great opportunities for photography enthusiasts.
11
Doğa Yürüyüşü
Rize merkezi, Rize
Nature walking (Trekking) is one of the most enjoyable tourism activities you can do in Rize. Nature walking offers all opportunities from the simplest to the most difficult. Nature walking can be done in Rize in every season. For nature walks where you can pursue many interests such as relaxing, doing sports, taking photographs, birdwatching and botany within a single activity, village and plateau roads, trails and many alternatives are offered.
12
Hüseyin Hoca Köyü Sahil Camii
Rize merkezi, Rize
The mosque was dismantled from Keler Village of Of District and brought to Hüseyin Hoca Village in Kalkandere District. On the inscription located on its pediment, there are four lines of writing and the date H.1250. It is made entirely of wood. On the surface of the wooden mihrab, there is an ornamental band with muqarnas, braid, and tulip motifs respectively. It is a work that contains rare examples of Black Sea wood carving and woodworking arts.
13
Atatürk Evi Müzesi
Rize merkezi, Rize
The house, reflecting the characteristics of 20th century Turkish architecture, is one of the examples of civil architecture with regional value in architectural and cultural terms. It was built as three floors over a basement within the garden. Photo: Rize Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism The basement, built with stone material, was used for storage purposes. The upper floors are living spaces.
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14
Gülbahar Merkez Camii
Rize merkezi, Rize
It is in the city center. The construction date of the mosque, which is thought to have been built in the name of Gülbahar Hatun, the mother of Yavuz Sultan Selim, is not known for certain. The inscription of the present mosque bears the date 1906. The mosque, which underwent restoration in 1952, has a single dome on a square plan and a minaret with a single balcony.
15
Kurşunlu Camii / İslampaşa Camii
Rize merkezi, Rize
The mosque, located within a large cemetery in İslampaşa Neighborhood in the center of Rize, is known as İslam Paşa Mosque or Kurşunlu Mosque. It was commissioned by İskender Cafer Paşa in H.978- M. 1571. Built of rubble stone with a rectangular plan, the mosque has a dome with 24 windows.
16
Kibledağı Mesire Yeri Ve Kent Ormanı
Güneysu, Rize
In the area arranged as a picnic area within the framework of the “Urban Forest Project,” there are 12 open gazebos and 3 enclosed social facilities. It is a social facility equipped with walking paths and wooden children’s playgrounds.
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17
Aşıklar I Köprüsü
Çayeli, Rize
The bridge, extending in an east-west direction, has a round arch and a single span. It is located on Aşıklar stream between Yalı Mahallesi and Yeni Pazar Mahallesi, approximately 3 kilometers from Çayeli District.
18
Kız Kalesi
Pazar, Rize
It is built on a small peninsula to the west of the Pazar district center. The castle, which stands on a rocky ground, has been cut off from the land. The regular stone workmanship on its walls is striking. Although its construction date is not known for certain, it is thought to have been used in the 13th or 14th centuries. Today, it stands with a single watchtower.
19
Ciha Kalesi
Pazar, Rize
It is located to the east of Hemşin Deresi. It has a circular plan. The stonework of the fortification walls is not regular. The entrance gate of the castle is in the northeast and is supported by two towers. In the middle, there is another tower with a circular plan. It is thought to have been used for surveillance and communication. Restoration works have been initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
20
Kaptanpaşa Köprüsü
Çayeli, Rize
Kaptanpaşa Köprüsü is an arch bridge located in the Çayeli district of Rize. The bridge has a single span and a round arch. Cut stone was used in the arch and railings of the bridge, while rubble stone material was used in the other parts. Tanıtma Genel Müdürlüğü The bridge extends in an east-west direction. The bridge roadway was built with irregular rubble stone. The arch piers were seated on the bedrock in the stream bed. The bridge is 26 meters long and 2,40 meters wide.
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21
Kavak Köprüsü
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Kavak Bridge is the first bridge of the old transportation system located over Hala Stream in the Çamlıhemşin district. The bridge, 1 kilometer from the district center, was built by the local people in the 19th century. Kavak, one of the most photogenic bridges in Rize, is 36 meters long and 15 meters high. Like its other similar examples in Fırtına valley, it is also registered by the Monuments Board.
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22
Kaleköy Yaylası
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
The main feature of the plateau at an altitude of 1990 m. is that it is home to Kale-i Bala Castle. The castle on the historic road coming from Fırtına Valley is located in a strategic area at the junction point of the valley.
23
Kale-i Bala
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
It is located within the borders of Hisarcık Village, 40 kilometers from the Çamlıhemşin district center, at a point overlooking Fırtına Deresi. It shows similarities with Zil kale in terms of topography and wall masonry, therefore it is thought to belong to the same period. (14-15th centuries) It is located close to Başhemşin and Tatos Pass, through which the Kaçkarlar provided passage to Anatolia. The rectangular-planned castle was built on a steep rock.
24
Elevit Yaylası
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
It is located at an altitude of 1884 meters in Çamlıhemşin District. The plateau is mostly visited by expatriates during the summer months. The traditional plateau houses of the plateau, which has accommodation facilities, are also आकर्षive. Elevit Yaylası also draws attention with the festivals held in August, as it is famous for its horons. Other wild animals unique to the Black Sea, especially the wild goat, are also found.
25
Ambarlı (Balıklı) Gölü
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Ambarlı Lake is reached with a walk of approximately 3,5 km from Ambarlı Plateau. From Fırtına Valley to Kito Plateau, Ambarlı Plateau is reached by following a scenic dirt road through the forest and then along the ridge line. Ambarlı Plateau is the last point that can be reached by vehicle.
Move the stops into your own plan, split them across days, and add places to sleep and eat.
Frequently asked
- How far is it between Trabzon and Rize, and how long does it take?
- Driving between Trabzon and Rize is roughly 140 kilometres and takes about 3 hours without stops.
- Where is it worth stopping between Trabzon and Rize?
- There are 200 described places within 20 km of the road between Trabzon and Rize. toroti lists 25 of them spread evenly along the drive, in the order you pass them; Sümela Manastiri comes early on, and Ambarlı (Balıklı) Gölü sits near the end.
- Which provinces does the Trabzon to Rize route cross?
- The route between Trabzon and Rize crosses Gümüşhane → Trabzon → Rize. The stretch richest in places to visit is in Rize.
- Should I take the toll highway or traditional route between Trabzon and Rize?
- Toll motorways save driving time between Trabzon and Rize, whereas traditional state roads pass directly through historic town centers, local culinary stops, and scenic nature viewpoints.
- How should breaks be scheduled between Trabzon and Rize?
- For a drive of around 3 hours, taking a break every 2 to 2.5 hours is recommended. The catalogued attractions in Rize and neighboring provinces offer memorable stopovers compared to generic highway rest areas.
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