Hotels in Trabzon

Trabzon: Black Sea Gateway to the Pontic Mountains

Trabzon sits on Turkey's northeast Black Sea coast, roughly 1,100 km east of Istanbul and 30 km west of the Pontic mountain wall that defines this region. Founded as the Greek colony of Trapezous around 756 BC, it later served as capital of the Empire of Trebizond (1204–1461) — a Byzantine successor state whose legacy survives in the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century church with rare frescoes now used as a mosque. The Atatürk Köşkü, a 1890s villa set in wooded hills above the city, draws visitors interested in modern Turkish history.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster around Meydan Park in the city centre and along the coastal boulevard, Uzun Sokak — the historic commercial strip — is walkable from central properties. Budget and mid-range options concentrate near the bazaar district; upper-floor rooms on the eastern side catch Black Sea views. For access to the Altındere Valley National Park and the Sümela Monastery (46 km south), a central Trabzon hotel makes a practical base for day trips.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Trabzon Airport (TZX) handles domestic flights from Istanbul in under 2 hours; international connections via Istanbul or Ankara.
• Best season: May–September for highland hiking; the Pontic mountains receive heavy snow above 2,000 m in winter.
• Currency: Turkish lira (TRY); card acceptance is widespread in central hotels and restaurants.
• Local food: Try kuymak (Black Sea cornmeal with cheese) and fresh hamsi (anchovy) — both are regional staples unavailable in most inland Turkish cities.