Where to Stay in Trabzon 2026: City Centre, Uzungöl and Kaçkar Base
The accommodation decision in Trabzon depends on what you’re visiting for. For the city’s Byzantine heritage (Sumela, Hagia Sophia, castle), staying in central Trabzon makes sense — convenient for airport, transport, and day trips. For the Kaçkar Mountains and the high yaylalar, staying in Çamlıhemşin or the mountain villages gives more direct access. Uzungöl village is worth an overnight specifically for the lake atmosphere.
For hotel specifics, see best hotels in Trabzon.
City centre
Central Trabzon is the practical base for the majority of visitors — convenient for the airport (7km), the Sumela day trips (organised tours depart from the city), the Hagia Sophia, and the castle.
Character: A functioning Turkish provincial city without resort infrastructure. The main commercial streets (Atatürk Alanı area) have hotels, restaurants, and the transport connections for day trips.
Best for: First-time visitors; those with limited time; anyone doing Sumela + Uzungöl as day trips; those flying in and out.
Price range: ₺500–4,000/night across the full range.
Uzungöl village
Staying overnight in Uzungöl gives the morning mist and the lake atmosphere after the day visitors leave — the village quietens substantially after 6pm.
Character: Mountain lake village; heavy domestic tourism infrastructure (large number of guesthouses and hotels built for Arab tourist groups, which dominate the market). The underlying landscape is beautiful; the tourist development is heavy.
Best for: Those who want the Uzungöl experience after dark; those combining with Sumela on the following day.
Price range: ₺600–3,000/night. Prices have risen significantly as Arab domestic tourism has grown.
Çamlıhemşin and Fırtına Valley (Kaçkar access)
Çamlıhemşin is 80km east of Trabzon — the main access town for the northern Kaçkar Mountains and the extraordinary Fırtına (Storm) Valley. Staying here puts you at the base of the mountain trails.
Character: A small river valley town with guesthouses serving trekkers. The Fırtına River flows through — one of Turkey’s fastest rivers, the basis for white-water rafting. The valley above town is wild and forest-covered.
Best for: Kaçkar trekkers; those wanting to explore the high yaylalar; those specifically interested in the Black Sea mountain culture.
Price range: ₺500–2,000/night (guesthouses and small hotels).
Area comparison
| Area | Price/night | Transport hub | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City centre | ₺500–4,000 | Airport, tours | Functional city | Most visitors |
| Uzungöl | ₺600–3,000 | 2 hrs from city | Mountain lake | Overnight lake experience |
| Çamlıhemşin | ₺500–2,000 | 1.5 hrs east | Mountain trekking base | Kaçkar access |
For hotel details, see best hotels in Trabzon. For activities to plan around your base, see things to do in Trabzon.
Planning ahead: Flights to Turkey into the nearest airport are well-served from most European hubs — book early for July and August. Travel insurance covering cancellation is worth adding at the same time you confirm your accommodation.
Book an experience
Top-rated experiences in Trabzon Travel Guide
The highest-rated tours and activities in Trabzon Travel Guide. Book today, cancel free if plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which area of Trabzon is best to stay in?
- The city centre (around the main square and the bazaar district) is the most convenient base — walking distance to the Hagia Sophia, the bazaar, and the bus connections to Sumela and Uzungöl. The seafront area below the city has some hotels with Black Sea views. For travellers spending most time at Sumela or Uzungöl, staying in the centre is still better than the outlying areas — the day-trip logistics are easier from the central transport hub.
- Is it worth staying in Uzungöl rather than Trabzon?
- Uzungöl suits travellers who want the mountain lake atmosphere and 2 or more nights in the highlands. The village has guesthouses and hotels directly on the lake. However, Uzungöl is overdeveloped and crowded in peak season; Trabzon has a better food scene, better transport connections, and more to do. A single night in Uzungöl works as a different experience; two weeks in Uzungöl is not what most visitors want. Use Trabzon as the main base and Uzungöl as a night away.
- Are there good hotels in Trabzon?
- Trabzon has a full range from budget guesthouses (₺400–800) to mid-range business hotels (₺800–2,500) and a small number of boutique properties in the old city. The airport is only 7km from the centre; most hotels offer transfers. For the most interesting accommodation, the older districts near the Byzantine castle and the bazaar have some boutique options in converted historic buildings. The seafront hotels have Black Sea views; the centre hotels have walking access.
Sorted your stay?
Here's how to get there — and get around once you arrive.
Airport Transfer
Fixed-price airport pickup to Trabzon Travel Guide — driver meets you at arrivals, no haggling.
Book a Transfer →Car Hire
Compare rates from local and international suppliers — 90-day price lock included.
Compare Cars →We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.