Timeline
15:04
Start with a coffee at Şişman. It is a central spot where one part is family-friendly and the other is men-only, so choose the side that suits you. It is open from 09:00 to 01:30, so it is fully open before you go.
15:34
Walk 5 minutes WNW to Fatih Parkı. It is a quick, flat stroll from the city center that gets you moving uphill toward the fortress area.
15:54
Continue 9 minutes N to Kalepark Fortress. This Genoese ruin, once called 'beautiful castle' (Leonkastron), is now a shambles of stone. It is the perfect vantage point as the afternoon light begins to fade.
16:34
Stand at the fortress walls. The sun is setting toward the WSW, casting a warm golden glow over the ruins and the city below. This is the peak moment for photos and quiet reflection.
17:19
Walk back down toward the city and stop at Bahce Cafe. This relaxed garden cafe with a small menu is open until 23:00, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a meal or a drink after the light has gone.
Local tip
The Hüsnü Köktuğ Mosque is closed for reconstruction, so do not plan to enter it. The fortress offers the best views anyway.
Check before you go
- Şişman is open Mo-Su 09:00-01:30.
- Bahce Cafe is open Mo-Su 08:30-23:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Trabzon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).