I spent three days in Trabzon, Turkey, and as a solo female traveler I felt safe and comfortable. The city is easy to navigate and the locals were warm and welcoming. While many people outside the region associate Trabzon primarily with its football team, Trabzonspor, the city has much more to offer than sports.
About Trabzon
Sitting on the old Silk Road, Trabzon has absorbed influences from many cultures and religions over the centuries. By population it is a mid-sized city in Turkey, ranking around the 30th largest. Its historical significance includes being the birthplace of the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent, a connection that helped shape its importance during the Ottoman era. The city also appears in the travel accounts of Evliya Çelebi, the 17th-century Ottoman traveler.
As a coastal city on the Black Sea, Trabzon’s cuisine emphasizes seafood. Traditional fish dishes are common at local restaurants, though modern establishments and international fast-food outlets are present in the city center. Dining out is generally affordable; however, alcohol can be less easy to find in some places, so I ended up enjoying a beer in my hotel room after purchasing it locally.
Transport links are solid: frequent bus services connect Trabzon to major cities across Turkey, and there are regular internal flights as well. I chose a short domestic flight to avoid a very long bus journey from the west coast.
First Impressions
I spent time exploring well-known sites, but I also followed locals down to the seaside promenade, where tea gardens and small seafood restaurants create a lively atmosphere. One striking feature during my visit was the abundance of graffiti—a surprising sight in Turkey. The majority of it, however, was light-hearted and romantic in tone.
Couples were everywhere: shopping, sitting at tea gardens, walking along the waterfront and photographing each other. Wedding dress shops appeared frequently along the main streets, and lovers’ graffiti—hearts, arrows and declarations—appeared on walls throughout the city.
At times I felt like an observer amid this romantic energy. Walking a little farther from the busiest areas gave me quieter corners where I could read the messages left by locals and visitors. Many simply read “Seni Seviyorum,” Turkish for “I love you,” often accompanied by hearts and playful graffiti art.
The love-themed decorations weren’t limited to street art; shopfronts and signs sometimes echoed the same sentiment, creating a citywide motif celebrating romance and companionship.
Even from my hotel window, the romantic theme was visible across the streets. It added a charming, human element to the city and made for memorable urban scenes.
Top Attractions in Trabzon
Graffiti aside, Trabzon offers a number of significant historical and natural attractions. The most popular highlights include:
Sumela Monastery: Located on the city’s outskirts, Sumela Monastery clings dramatically to a cliff face. This Byzantine-era monastery is one of the most visited sites in the region, known for its frescoes and mountain setting.
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon: Smaller than Istanbul’s famous Hagia Sophia, Trabzon’s Aya Sofya is still worth visiting. It has served as a church and a mosque and today operates as a museum, showcasing historic architecture and religious art. Try to visit outside large coach arrival times to appreciate the interior calmly.
Atatürk’s House: Perched on a hill with views over the city, Atatürk’s house commemorates the founder of modern Turkey. The house and grounds provide context on his connection to the region and offer pleasant views of Trabzon.
Uzungöl: For a taste of the region’s natural beauty, Uzungöl is a valley destination known for its lake and green surroundings. Day trips are popular, though the journey takes time; if possible, plan an overnight stay to explore at a relaxed pace.
Further Reading about Trabzon
An Early Morning Tour of Trabzon – Kate Going Global
Where to Eat Pide in Trabzon – Turkish Muse
Black and White Pictures of Trabzon – This site