Skip to content
Locrawl
Daytime

Trabzon Daylight Walk

Start at the city's most historic landmark when the morning light is soft and the crowds are thin, then wander through the nearby fortress ruins and finish with a snack in a garden.

Best time: noneAbout 135 min

Timeline

  1. 08:30

    Hagia Sophia

    Arrive at Hagia Sophia as it opens. Explore the Byzantine church, looking for the uncovered pre-Islamic frescoes and arches that have been hidden since 2013. The free-standing bell tower from 1427 is a good landmark to note.

  2. 09:00

    Sofia Garden

    Walk two minutes to Sofia Garden for breakfast or coffee. The menu selection is good and quality is high, making it a pleasant spot to sit and plan the next leg of the walk.

  3. 09:30

    Kalepark Fortress

    Take the dolmuş marked 'Aya Sofya' three kilometers west to Kalepark Fortress. Walk up to the Genoese ruins from 1306. The structure is a shambles of rubble, but the view from the top is worth the climb.

  4. 10:15

    Cemilusta

    Walk five minutes from the fortress to Cemilusta, a popular restaurant by Meydan square. Grab a light lunch or a snack here to end the walk.

Local tip

The dolmuş from Hagia Sophia to the fortress is clearly marked. Hagia Sophia is open 24/7, but visiting early is best for atmosphere. Cemilusta is open until 23:30, so you have plenty of time to finish your meal.

Check before you go

  • Hagia Sophia is free and open 24/7.
  • Sofia Garden is open from 08:30.
  • Cemilusta is open Mo-Su 08:00-23:30.
  • Transport to the fortress is by dolmuş marked 'Aya Sofya'.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Trabzon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Back to Trabzon