Trabzon

Trabzon is one of the larger cities on the eastern Black Sea coast. Neighbourhoods climb the hills above the sea, and old trading streets sit alongside modern buildings. History, city life and local food are reasons to spend time ashore. The Byzantine past is particularly evident at Hagia Sophia, a medieval church later converted into a mosque.

A separate excursion from Trabzon leads to Sümela Monastery in a mountain valley. Its buildings are set into a sheer cliff above the forest. This is one of the region’s most striking sights, but it lies inland and needs a dedicated trip.