Trabzon City Full-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia & Ataturk Mansion
Overview
Trabzon City Full-Day Tour: Hagia Sophia & Ataturk Mansion
Discover the rich legacy of culture, history and faith on Turkey's Black Sea coast with a full-day Trabzon city tour.
Ortahisar and Boztepe Hill
Trabzon offers much more than its sights. Its history blends Byzantine, Ottoman and modern times, and every stop, from the cobbled streets of Ortahisar to the panorama from Boztepe Hill, has a story to tell.
If you like to go beyond the highlights, this tour is for you: a city of empires, with a culture, beauty and coastal charm that continue to inspire.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Trabzon City Tour
Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby to begin exploring Trabzon, the historic capital of the Black Sea region.
The first visit is the Hagia Sophia, built as a Byzantine church in the 13th century during the reign of Emperor Manuel Komnenos. Admire its beautifully preserved frescoes and stone carvings, and hear how it changed from church to mosque and museum, a reflection of the city's layered history.
You continue to the Ataturk Mansion, an elegant early 20th-century house surrounded by lush gardens. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stayed here during his visits to Trabzon, and it is now a museum with his personal belongings and period furniture.
Next is Ortahisar, the historic core of Trabzon. With its preserved city walls and stone citadel, it has been home to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations. Walking its cobbled streets, you see traditional houses, Ottoman fountains and bridges such as Zagnos and Tabakhane.
The historic Alacahan and Bedesten bazaars still keep the spirit of Trabzon's trading past, with local handicrafts and copperwork.
You then visit Kizlar Monastery (Panagia Theoskepastos), built during the reign of Alexios III (1349-1390) on the slopes of Boztepe. Surrounded by high walls above the city, it is peaceful and has panoramic views over Trabzon.
The day ends with a relaxing tea break on Boztepe Hill, with sweeping views of the Black Sea and the city below.
At the end of the tour you drive 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
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Trabzon city tour: what you need to know
This private full-day tour shows you the rich history of Trabzon, the historic capital of the Black Sea coast, from $75. With your local guide you visit the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, the Ataturk Mansion, the Kizlar Monastery (Panagia Theoskepastos), the Ortahisar district, the Bedesten and Alacahan bazaars, and end with tea and a view over the city from Boztepe Hill. A private van and museum tickets and attraction fees are included.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 to 8 hours |
| Price | from $75 |
| Type | Private, your group with a local guide |
| Start and end | Your hotel |
| Highlights | Hagia Sophia, Ataturk Mansion, Kizlar Monastery, Ortahisar, bazaars, Boztepe Hill |
| Included | Private guide, private van, museum tickets and attraction fees |
| Not included | Meals and drinks, tips |
What is there to see in Trabzon?
| Stop | What it is |
|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia of Trabzon | A 13th-century Byzantine church with frescoes, overlooking the sea |
| Ataturk Mansion | An elegant white mansion in a garden where Ataturk stayed |
| Kizlar Monastery | The rock-set Panagia Theoskepastos monastery |
| Ortahisar | The old walled district on a hill between ravines |
| Bedesten and Alacahan | Historic covered bazaars and an old trading inn |
| Boztepe Hill | Tea with a panoramic view over Trabzon and the Black Sea |
Why is Trabzon historically important?
Trabzon, ancient Trebizond, was a major port on the trade routes between Persia and Europe and, for over two centuries, the capital of the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond. Its Byzantine churches, Ottoman bazaars and later mansions show how many cultures have passed through. The Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, smaller than its namesake in Istanbul, is known for its frescoes and its setting above the sea.
Which Black Sea tours combine well with the city tour?
| Black Sea tour | Price from |
|---|---|
| This tour | $75 |
| Sumela Monastery tour | $120 |
| Uzungol day trip | $80 |
| Ayder Highland and Storm Valley | $85 |
A good plan for three or four days is the city tour on arrival, then Sumela, Uzungol and Ayder on the following days.
Is the city tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. It is the best introduction to Trabzon, covering the main sights in one comfortable day with time for the bazaars and a tea break. The private van means you do not have to tackle the city's steep streets on foot between stops.
What should you eat in Trabzon?
Trabzon is known for hamsi, the Black Sea anchovy, especially in winter, for Akcaabat meatballs and for local hazelnuts and tea. A tea break on Boztepe Hill, looking over the city and the sea, is part of the tour.
When is the best time to visit Trabzon?
Late spring to early autumn is the most pleasant season. The Black Sea coast is humid and often rainy, so the city tour is a good choice for a cloudy day when the mountains are hidden. Winters are mild on the coast.
What should you bring?
Comfortable shoes, a light rain jacket, modest clothing for the church and mosque visits, and cash for the bazaars, where you can buy local tea, hazelnuts and silver filigree.
How do you book?
Choose your date on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your Trabzon hotel. We confirm in writing and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Black Sea tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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