Places to Visit in Rize and Great Suggestions

Rize is a city located in the east of the Black Sea, where you can see a thousand shades of green and be enchanted by its nature. This beautiful province, with its back to the Kaçkar Mountains and its face to the turbulent Black Sea, has carried the traces of different cultures throughout its history, and today it captivates visitors with its unique lifestyle and unparalleled nature. Rize welcomes nature lovers from all over the world and is famous for its highlands. The Ayder, Pokut, Huser, and Anzer highlands are popular destinations for visitors, thanks to their cool air and breathtaking views. The Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey's fifth highest mountain range and one of 200 areas selected worldwide for ecological protection, are a unique center for mountaineering and nature sports. Another feature that makes Rize special is the tea gardens that surround it on all sides. In these lands, which can be considered the homeland of tea, the view of the green fields stretching out in the morning mist is etched in one's memory. With the sound of rivers, the tranquility of villages, and nature that changes with the seasons, Rize offers a different beauty in summer, winter, spring, and autumn. Rize is one of those rare cities that can be visited in any season, deserving to be discovered not only for its places to visit but also for its soothing atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and warm people.

Food and Drink Recommendations in Rize

1. Rize Kavurması: One of the most famous dishes of the Black Sea cuisine, Rize kavurması is a special flavor certified with a geographical indication. It is prepared only from high-quality beef and cooked for hours over a wood fire in copper pots. This long cooking process softens the meat fibers and gives it a delicious texture that melts in your mouth. It is traditionally served with cornbread, butter, and pickles. Liman Restaurant and Ottoman Table are good places to try this delicacy in Rize.
2. Anchovy Rice: Anchovies, a staple of the Black Sea region, are combined with rice to create pilaf with anchovies. Fresh anchovies are deboned, coated in corn flour, mixed with rice, and baked. This dish, especially popular in winter, is served with lemon and pickles. In Rize, Kuzey Balık Restaurant and Nalia Black Sea Cuisine are recommended for anchovy pilaf.
3. Rize Pide: Rize pide, which has become the symbol of the Derepazarı district, is prepared with pure butter and natural spring water. There are open minced meat, closed minced meat, mixed, roasted, and plain varieties. Serving the pide uncut preserves its freshness. To taste the best pide, try Zelkif Usta Pide Restaurant, Köşk Pide, Huzur Pide and Kebap, or Keskin Pide.
4. Rize Simit: The biggest difference between Rize simit and simit from other parts of Turkey is that it doesn't have sesame seeds. The dough is dipped in black grape molasses before baking, giving it a unique crunchy taste. One of the best places to try Rize simit, which dates back to the 1930s, is Kale Simit Bakery.
5. Muhlama: Prepared with kolot cheese, butter, and corn flour, muhlama is a breakfast staple. It is cooked in a copper pan and eaten with a wooden spoon. To taste this dish, which makes you feel warm, especially in winter, you can choose Nalia Karadeniz Mutfağı, Manzara Cafe & Restaurant, or Şahin Tepesi Restaurant & Cafe.
6. Meat and Dried Beans (Çayeli Style): Çayeli's meat and dried beans, famous beyond the country's borders, are a filling and aromatic dish prepared by cooking for a long time. It pairs perfectly with cornbread. The best places to try it are Hüsrev Restaurant, Zelkif Usta Pide Restaurant, and Evvel Zaman Yöresel Yemek.
7. Cornbread: An indispensable part of Black Sea cuisine, cornbread baked in stone ovens has a crispy crust and a soft interior. It goes especially well with kavurma, muhlama, and hamsili pilav. For this, Evvel Zaman Yöresel Yemek or Çayla Rize are good choices.
8. Swiss Chard Stew, Black Cabbage Soup, and Pickled Vegetable Stew: Rize cuisine is rich not only in meat and fish, but also in vegetables. Swiss chard stew, black cabbage soup, and pickled vegetable stew add both flavor and health to the table. You can find these dishes at Kvacoli Fish Restaurant, Lale Restaurant, or Yenibahar Restaurant.
9. Desserts: Pepeçura, Molasses Pumpkin Dessert, and Enişte Lokumu: Pepeçura, made with black grapes, is a light dessert with a custard-like consistency. Molasses pumpkin dessert is prepared with pumpkin and molasses, which are unique to the region. Enişte lokumu, a traditional wedding dessert, is a special treat made with butter and flour. Evvel Zaman Yöresel Yemek, Eltiler Tatlı Evi, and Dağmaran are the most recommended places for this dessert.
10. In Hamsiköy, you should try the delicious sütlaç, which will leave a lasting impression on your palate.
11. In Çayeli, I recommend you don't leave without trying the dried beans at Lale Restaurant. In Çayeli, the trout at Rasot Dağ Evi is also amazing... You pass through incredible roads on the way to Raşot.
12. In the Pazar district, there is a place called Dayı's place; it's a small, shabby fish restaurant, but the fish is very tasty.
13. In Dağmaran, try muhlama and sarma, eat at Huzur Restaurant and have a turbo dessert, try kavurma at Liman or Durak Restaurant, and of course, Turkish coffee at Evvel Zaman.
14. In Ayder, just above Kardelen restaurant, you must go and eat lokum meat. Nadir Bey's meat is much better than Nusret's. Oh my goodness!
15. At the Koboş bridge, don't leave without trying the onion eggs and muhlama at Yolun Dibi Cafe. What was that?
16. In the center of Fındıklı, Orme Tostçu makes the best toast I've ever had in my life. It's a toast with minced rib meat and 20 different spices. Dear Evrim, the owner of Bageni Pansiyon, took us there. We were completely blown away.

Anchovy Rice

Places to Visit in Rize

• You can visit Zil Castle, which is about 15 kilometers away from Çamlıhemşin. The castle was built on a hill that can see the Fırtına Creek and the valley, dominating the whole beautiful view. The 57 kilometer long Fırtına Creek flows into the sea around Ardeşen.
• You can go to Hazindak Plateau, one of the many plateaus in Çamlıhemşin and the most famous one. You can see the chalets and the magnificent greenery here.
• I recommend you to visit the "Sendagez" cafe, there are already all the facilities there, there are even jeep tours.
  You can visit Kale-i Bala, which is a bit far from Çamlıhemşin. You can see Zeleki Castle located in Çayeli district.
• In Rize, which also has opportunities in terms of thermal tourism, you can visit Ayder Hot Spring and places such as İkizdere Drinking, Çayırlı Mineral Water and find healing. I would also say go to Agaran Waterfall.
• If you have not been to İkizdere, do not say you have been to Rize! ikizdere valley is one of the few valleys in the world. The advantage of not having too many tourists is that it keeps it cleaner and more beautiful. It already has most of the plateaus in İkizdere Rize and has the largest territory of Rize in terms of area. From its hot springs to its villages, it is very beautiful and still preserves its naturalness.
• Haremtepe - Çeçeva village is also a very photogenic village. Çat valley is the same way. Countless actually Rize.
  Go to İyidere Pileki facilities... Put your feet in the flowing stream and sip your miss-like rize tea while your feet are in the cool waters of Rize in that beautiful nature ...
• Climb to Pileki cave by following the 2 km walking path that runs along the creek. I cannot say that the cave is worth seeing, but the view from that hill is wonderful. Zipline and picnic areas are also available.
• Lakes Region: Take a break at the Black Sea Lake in the lakes region of Upper Kavron and reach the Çengovit lakes where you will see the Kaçkar summit with a short ascent.

How to Get to Rize?

Rize, located in the eastern part of the Black Sea region, is a city famous for its lush green nature and tea gardens, offering various transportation options. The nearest airport to Rize is Trabzon Airport. Although Rize does not have its own airport, reaching the city via Trabzon is quite convenient. There are direct flights to Trabzon from major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya. Trabzon Airport is about 70 kilometers away from Rize, and the journey takes around one hour by car. From the airport, you can reach Rize by renting a car, using Havaş shuttle services, or arranging a taxi or private transfer.

Traveling by road is also very practical. There are regular bus services to Rize from many cities across Turkey. Buses from Istanbul take about 18 to 20 hours, while those from Ankara take around 12 to 13 hours. Although the journey is long, the stunning Black Sea coastal scenery makes the trip enjoyable. Traveling by private car is another good option, thanks to the coastal highway. From Istanbul, drivers can follow the Bolu, Samsun, and Ordu route to reach Rize in about 16 to 18 hours. From Ankara, the route through Samsun to the coastal road takes approximately 10 hours by car.

Getting from Trabzon to Rize is also very easy. Regular minibuses and shared taxis operate from Trabzon Bus Terminal to Rize, and the trip takes about one hour. By car, following the coastal road also allows you to reach Rize in a short time. For travelers coming from Istanbul, the fastest option is by plane. The flight from Istanbul to Trabzon takes about one and a half hours. From Trabzon Airport, transfer services, car rentals, or shuttle buses make it simple to continue on to Rize. Bus travel from Istanbul takes much longer, while traveling by private car via the Samsun–Ordu–Giresun route is also possible.

Those traveling from Ankara also have several options. A direct flight to Trabzon takes about one hour, followed by an easy transfer to Rize. By bus, the journey takes roughly 12 hours. For those traveling by car, the route through Samsun to the coastal highway is the best choice, with a total driving time of 10 to 12 hours depending on conditions. Travelers planning to explore the highlands may also take breaks along the way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Black Sea region.

Rize Accommodation Recommendations

1. Haşimoğlu Hotel & Spa, Ayder: Surrounded by magnificent mountains and valleys, Ayder Haşimoğlu Hotel offers charming rooms and bungalows, each featuring a private balcony or veranda. The hotel is only 2.5 km from Kaçkar Mountains National Park. All accommodation units at Hotel Ayder Haşimoğlu are equipped with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, minibar, and private bathroom.
2. DoğadaKal Bungalow: DoğadaKal Bungalow promises a peaceful vacation surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, on the banks of a stream. The rooms, designed in different concepts inspired by nature, are located separately and in isolation from each other. This ensures a secluded, quiet, and comfortable accommodation experience.

DoğadaKal Bungalow

For accommodation recommendations, please visit our Rize Hotels page.