Istanbul & Trabzon Tour: 2 Days with Flights and Sumela Monastery

Istanbul and Trabzon in two days with Sumela Monastery: the key facts

This package links a guided day in Istanbul with a quick trip to Trabzon on the Black Sea coast. Day 1 is a walk through the Old City, covering the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, followed by an evening flight to Trabzon. Day 2 is the visit to Sumela Monastery, built into a cliff face, and the Ataturk Pavilion above the city, before a flight back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who want to see a part of Turkey most short itineraries skip, people interested in Byzantine and Orthodox history, and anyone who prefers flying to long drives. The price is from $845 per person, with both domestic flights included.

What do we actually see in Trabzon?

The Day 2 itinerary lists two stops: Sumela Monastery and the Ataturk Pavilion, a hillside villa with views over Trabzon. The overview also mentions green tea plantations and mountain scenery, but neither appears as a stop in the day plan. You may see hills and green slopes from the road, but do not assume a tea plantation visit is included. Ask us to confirm the exact stops in writing. If you want more time in the region, our Black Sea Turkey guide explains what else is nearby.

Is Sumela Monastery open to visitors?

Yes. Sumela reopened to visitors in 2021 after several years of restoration, and Turkish press reported record visitor numbers in 2026. Maintenance work does happen from time to time, and the monastery's hours have changed on some days in the past for religious ceremonies. We check the status for your date when we prepare your plan. The site sits high on a rock face, so expect a walk with slopes and steps from the arrival point; tell us in advance if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

How do the flights work, and where do we sleep?

After the Istanbul walk on Day 1 you are taken to the airport for the flight to Trabzon, and a transfer takes you to your hotel. That is the package's only night, with breakfast. On Day 2 you fly back to Istanbul after the tour, and our representative helps with the transfer to your flight home or to a hotel. The page does not name the Trabzon hotel or give flight times, so ask for both in writing. Note that Day 1 begins with a hotel pickup in Istanbul, so you need your own Istanbul hotel for the night before, or ask us to add one.

Which Istanbul sights are included on Day 1?

The walk includes the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are optional, and the page lists the Hagia Sophia entrance ticket at $40. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, so the walk changes on those days. The Blue Mosque closes to visitors during prayers and for longer on Friday around midday, which your guide works around.

How demanding is this trip?

It is compact and busy. Day 1 combines a full day on foot in Istanbul with an evening flight and a late hotel check-in. Day 2 starts after breakfast with the drive to Sumela and the walk up to the monastery, then the Ataturk Pavilion and the flight back. There is little free time. Pack light, since you check out of the Trabzon hotel on the morning of Day 2 and carry on through the day.

What should we wear and pack?

For the mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. Sumela is a former monastery and now a museum site, so modest clothing is sensible there too. Wear shoes with a good grip for the path to the monastery. The Black Sea region is known for its green landscape, which comes from frequent rain, so a light rain jacket is worth packing in any season.

Can we extend the trip or add a show in Istanbul?

Yes. The page lists three priced extras: extending the tour by one day ($115), the Hagia Sophia ticket ($40) and the Whirling Dervishes show at Hodjapasha in Istanbul ($30). Extra nights in Istanbul can be added too. With an extra day in Trabzon, the Uzungol day trip from Trabzon (from $80 per person) or the Trabzon city tour (from $75 per person) are options. For a longer version, see the 4-day Istanbul and Trabzon tour (from $1,455 per person) or the 7-day Black Sea tour from Istanbul (from $2,480 per person). Other routes are under multi-city packages.

How do we book the Istanbul and Trabzon tour?

Send the booking form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your dates, number of guests and your Istanbul hotel. We reply with a written plan that lists the flight times, the Trabzon hotel and the exact Day 2 stops. Because the overview mentions tea plantations that the itinerary does not include, rely on the stops written in your plan. Check it before you pay and read the cancellation policy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TURSAB under number A-15751.