What Is Trabzon Famous For? Trabzon Means Sümela, Trabzonspor, Anchovies and Horon

Ask what Trabzon is famous for and there's no single answer. Trabzon means the Sümela Monastery perched on a cliffside, the claret-and-blue Trabzonspor, anchovies (hamsi) filling the market stalls in the colder months, the horon dance performed to the sound of the kemençe, highland plateaus among the clouds, and a strong glass of tea. In this article, we've summed up what Trabzon is known for under short headings, and from each one you can jump to our more detailed guides.

First, here's a quick rundown of what Trabzon is famous for:

• Sümela Monastery: a monastery in the Altındere Valley that looks as if it were carved into the rock face.
• Trabzonspor: the first league champion from Anatolia.
• Anchovies and the Black Sea table: a cuisine that ranges from anchovy pilaf to kuymak.
• Horon and kemençe: the rhythm of weddings and festivals.
• Uzungöl and the highland plateaus: the go-to summer escape, with cool air and drifting mist.
• Tea and Boztepe: tea gardens overlooking the city from above.
• Temel jokes: the quick wit of the Black Sea people.
• Local products: butter, Vakfıkebir bread, Akçaabat meatballs and hasır bracelets.

Sümela Monastery: The Symbol of Trabzon

Set on the slope of a sheer cliff in the Altındere Valley in Maçka, Sümela Monastery is one of Trabzon's most recognizable symbols. Legend has it that it was founded in the 4th century by two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronios; protected during the Empire of Trebizond and Ottoman eras, it stood for centuries. Abandoned in 1923, the monastery reopened to visitors with all its sections in 2022 following a lengthy restoration.

You can read about the monastery's founding legend, the journey of the Panagia icon and the August 15 liturgy in our article telling the story of Sümela. For practical information before your visit, check out the Sümela visitor guide, and for great shots, take a look at our article on photo spots.

On our guided tour, which fits Sümela together with stops like Karaca Cave, Zigana and Hamsiköy into a single day, we take care of the drive, the queues and the schedule; all that's left for you is to enjoy the views.

You can see the dates, price and itinerary on the Sümela Tour page and book online. If you'd like a plan tailored to you or your group, message us on WhatsApp and let's put the route together.

Trabzonspor: A Claret-and-Blue City

In Trabzon, football is more than a match. Founded in 1967 through the merger of local clubs, Trabzonspor won the league title in the 1975-76 season, becoming Anatolia's first champion. The club has 7 league titles to date, and in the 2025-26 season it also won the Turkish Cup for the 10th time. In 2026, exactly 50 years passed since that first championship in 1976. Claret-and-blue jerseys, cars with 61 license plates and the excitement that sweeps through the city on match nights are an inseparable part of Trabzon's identity.

We've told the club's story and the city's passion for football in our article on Trabzon's football culture. If you're coming to the city for a match, take a look at our Trabzonspor match and Trabzon trip plan, where you'll find ideas for making the most of your time outside the game.

Anchovies and the Black Sea Table

When it comes to Trabzon's famous flavors, anchovies top the list. With the arrival of autumn, the stalls turn silver, and fried anchovies, steamed anchovies and oven-baked anchovy pilaf take pride of place on the table. Hamsikoli, a cornbread made with anchovies, is another classic of this cuisine. If you visit during the months when anchovies are plentiful, our article on anchovy season and anchovy pilaf will come in handy.

The feast doesn't end with anchovies. Kuymak, made with cornmeal, butter and melting cheese, along with Akçaabat meatballs, black cabbage soup and Hamsiköy rice pudding, are among the must-tries in Trabzon. For the full list, see our guide to what to eat in Trabzon, and for the wider region, check out 10 essential flavors of Black Sea cuisine.

Horon, Kemençe and Temel Jokes

Horon and Kemençe

With the first note of the kemençe, a circle forms, shoulders touch and the horon begins. A dance you might come across at weddings, highland festivals or even on an evening by the sea, it's a tradition that lets you feel the energy of the Black Sea firsthand. You can read its story in our article on kemençe and horon.

Temel Jokes and the People of the Black Sea

The jokes about Temel, Dursun and Fadime are told all over Türkiye, but they're at their best in the Black Sea accent. Fast-talking, quick to flare up and just as quick to laugh, the people of the Black Sea seem like the real-life counterparts of the characters in these jokes. We've explored the quick wit, hospitality and touch of stubbornness behind the jokes in our article on Temel jokes and the people of Trabzon.

Uzungöl and the Highland Plateaus

The region's greenery comes to life on the highland plateaus in summer. Uzungöl in Çaykara, with its wooden houses, surrounding forests and morning mist drifting over the water, is one of Trabzon's picture-postcard views. The lake is a landslide-dammed lake, formed when debris from the slopes blocked the bed of the Haldizen Stream. We've covered the area around the lake in our article 7 places to visit in Uzungöl.

Uzungöl isn't the only option. From Hıdırnebi to Ayder in neighboring Rize, each plateau has its own atmosphere. You can find out which plateau is best in which season in our guide to the Black Sea highland plateaus, and the best time to visit Trabzon in our article on when to go to Trabzon.

The guided Uzungöl Tour itinerary includes stops such as a tea factory, a viewing terrace and the Kiremitli Bridge in addition to the lake, where you'll have free time depending on the season.

Tea Gardens and Boztepe

In Trabzon, the day starts with a strong glass of tea and usually ends with one too. Overlooking the city, Boztepe and its tea gardens are a meeting point for locals and travelers alike; the view of the city and the sea is especially beautiful in the late afternoon. You'll find the view in our article on the Boztepe viewing terrace and other spots in our article on Trabzon's tea gardens.

Boztepe, the 13th-century Hagia Sophia and the Atatürk Pavilion are among the stops on the Trabzon City Tour itinerary. Exploring with a guide, you'll also hear the stories behind these landmarks. We've gathered the city's other sights in our guide to places to visit in Trabzon, and if you're wondering how long to stay, our article on how many days to spend in Trabzon will make planning easier.

Butter, Bread and Hasır: What to Take Home from Trabzon

Some flavors are best enjoyed on the spot, while others make the trip home in your suitcase. Tonya butter and Vakfıkebir bread, known for staying fresh for a long time, are among the products registered with a geographical indication, and Akçaabat meatballs and Hamsiköy rice pudding are on that list too. The finely crafted hasır bracelets in jewelers' windows and hazelnuts are also popular gifts.

We've covered what to buy and where in our article on what to buy in Trabzon, and the bazaar at the heart of the city's shopping scene in our Trabzon bazaar guide. Some of our tours also include stops selling local products and handicrafts.

In short, everything Trabzon is famous for is connected: rice pudding in Hamsiköy on the way to Sümela, a tea break on the road to Uzungöl, and the city view from Boztepe in the evening. To bring all these pieces together without the hassle of planning, you can join our group tours or request a private tour with a vehicle just for you and your family.

You can see the dates, price and itinerary on the Trabzon City Tour page and book online. If you'd like a plan tailored to you or your group, message us on WhatsApp and let's put the route together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do the Sümela, Uzungöl and city tours start?

Departure times and days may vary depending on the tour and the season. The current schedule is listed on each tour's own page, so we recommend checking there before booking. If you add the hotel pickup option, your pickup time will be arranged according to the departure time and communicated to you in advance.

Can we have a private tour for our family or group of friends?

Yes. In addition to group tours, we also organize private tours with your own vehicle and driver. On a private tour, we set the times and stops together, and we can plan the Sümela, Uzungöl or city tour at your family's pace. If you're traveling with children, our article on visiting Trabzon with kids will also come in handy.

Where do you pick us up?

Group tours depart from in front of our office in Trabzon. If you prefer, you can also add the hotel pickup option; the terms of this service vary by area, and details are provided on the tour pages. For private tours, the pickup point is entirely up to you.