Trabzon Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Kizlar Monastery & Boztepe Hill Tea
Overview
Trabzon Day Tour: Hagia Sophia, Kizlar Monastery & Boztepe Hill Tea
A full-day Trabzon city tour introduces you to the culture, history and faith that have shaped this city on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Layers of History, Sea Views
There is more to Trabzon than a list of sights. Byzantine, Ottoman and modern layers mix here, and each stop has its own story, from the cobblestone lanes of Ortahisar to the wide view from Boztepe Hill.
The tour suits travellers who want to look past the headline attractions. Trabzon is a city of empires, and its culture, beauty and seaside character still leave a strong impression.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Hagia Sophia, Ortahisar, Kizlar Monastery & Boztepe Hill
You meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set out to discover Trabzon, which served as the historic capital of the region along the Black Sea.
The day opens at Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church built in the 13th century under Emperor Manuel Komnenos. Its frescoes and stone carvings are in fine condition. Your guide explains how the building passed from church to mosque to museum, which mirrors the many layers of the city's past.
Next is the Ataturk Mansion, a graceful house from the early 20th century set in green gardens. Whenever Mustafa Kemal Ataturk visited Trabzon, this was where he stayed. Today it is a museum displaying his personal belongings and furniture of the period.
Then you reach Ortahisar, the old centre of Trabzon. Its city walls and stone citadel still stand, and Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations all lived here. On its cobblestone streets you pass old houses in the traditional style, Ottoman fountains, and bridges including Zagnos and Tabakhane.
In the old Alacahan and Bedesten bazaars, local handicrafts and copperwork keep Trabzon's trading history alive.
After that you visit Kizlar Monastery (Panagia Theoskepastos). It stands on the Boztepe slopes and was built in the time of Alexios III (1349-1390). High walls enclose it above the city. It is a quiet place with wide views across Trabzon.
To end the day, you relax over tea on Boztepe Hill, looking out over the city below and the Black Sea beyond.
Once the tour is over, you are driven back to your hotel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Trabzon city tour: the key facts
On this private full-day tour you discover the long history of Trabzon, the old capital of the Black Sea coast, from $75. Your local guide takes you to the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, the Ataturk Mansion, the Kizlar Monastery (Panagia Theoskepastos), the Ortahisar quarter and the Bedesten and Alacahan bazaars. The day finishes with tea and a city view on Boztepe Hill. The price covers a private van, museum tickets and attraction fees.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | 7 to 8 hours |
| Cost | from $75 |
| Tour style | Private: your group and a local guide |
| Starts and ends at | Your hotel |
| Main sights | Hagia Sophia, Ataturk Mansion, Kizlar Monastery, Ortahisar, bazaars, Boztepe Hill |
| What is covered | Private guide, private van, museum tickets and attraction fees |
| What is extra | Meals and drinks, tips |
Which sights does Trabzon have?
| Stop | Description |
|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia of Trabzon | Byzantine church from the 13th century, with frescoes and a view of the sea |
| Ataturk Mansion | A graceful white house in a garden, where Ataturk once stayed |
| Kizlar Monastery | Panagia Theoskepastos, a monastery set into the rock |
| Ortahisar | The historic walled quarter on a hill between two ravines |
| Bedesten and Alacahan | Old covered bazaars and a historic merchants' inn |
| Boztepe Hill | Tea with a wide view across Trabzon and the Black Sea |
What gives Trabzon its place in history?
Known in the past as Trebizond, Trabzon was a key port on the trade routes linking Europe and Persia. For more than two hundred years it was also the capital of the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond. Its Byzantine churches, Ottoman bazaars and later mansions show the many cultures that have left their mark. The Hagia Sophia of Trabzon is smaller than the one in Istanbul that shares its name, and it is famous for its frescoes and its position above the sea.
Which Black Sea tours go well with the city tour?
| Black Sea tour | Starting price |
|---|---|
| This tour | $75 |
| Sumela Monastery tour | $120 |
| Uzungol day trip | $80 |
| Ayder Highland and Storm Valley | $85 |
With three or four days, do the city tour when you arrive and then spend the next days on Sumela, Uzungol and Ayder.
Is the city tour a good choice for a first visit?
It is. This is the ideal way to get to know Trabzon: you see the main sights in one easy day and still have time for the bazaars and a tea stop. With a private van between the sights, you do not need to walk the steep city streets.
What local food should you try in Trabzon?
The city is famous for hamsi, the Black Sea anchovy, which is best in winter, as well as Akcaabat meatballs, local tea and hazelnuts. The tour includes a tea stop on Boztepe Hill with a view over the city and the sea.
What is the best season for Trabzon?
The nicest weather is from late spring until early autumn. The coast is humid and rain is common, so the city tour is a smart pick for a grey day when clouds cover the mountains. On the coast, winters are mild.
What should you pack?
Take comfortable shoes, a light raincoat, modest clothes for visiting the church and the mosque, and cash for the bazaars, where local tea, hazelnuts and silver filigree are on sale.
How do I make a booking?
Pick your date on this page and submit the form, or send us a WhatsApp message with the name of your hotel in Trabzon. We send confirmation in writing, and payment is due only once it arrives. For other ideas, browse our Black Sea tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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