Discover Rize, the underrated Black Sea city, in this in-depth travel guide. Find out about its beautiful scenery, popular sights, and tea culture. And whether you’re spending 3 days or 5, get an itinerary for your trip style.
You can see Rize any time of year thanks to different seasonal activities that highlight the area. Eat local, learn about the past and present importance of tea culture, and truly understand the city through cultural experiences.
I’ll show you how to plan a personalized, unique experience and introduce you to the city’s charms and people.
In-Depth Itinerary Suggestions for Various Durations
Heading to Rize? Whether you’re there for 3 days, 5 days, or 1 week, these itineraries will help you with your ideal trip.
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Tea Gardens
Begin your visit with a tour of the Çaykur Tea Factory and Museum to learn all about the tea culture in Rize. Wander through the lively tea gardens and visit the city center next.
Day 2: Rize Castle and Local Cuisine
Visit the Rize Castle for some amazing views. You can walk around and enjoy the natural landscape. And then have an amazing food experience.
Day 3: Nature and Departure
Visit Zil Kale or one of the nearby valleys. Do a mini hike or relax and enjoy the cool, fresh air. Get a souvenir before you go.
5-Day Itinerary
Day 1-2: Tea and City Sights
To get a feel for Rize, head to the tea factory before checking out the sights, like Rize Castle. Don’t forget to enjoy the food and shop.
Day 3: A Day on Ayder Plateau
Head to the amazing Ayder Plateau. Spend a day in the hot springs or hiking in the surrounding hills. It’s a nature lover’s dream.
Day 4: Adventure and Culture
Hope you have a great day white-water rafting on the Fırtına River and a fun night at a local music venue.
Day 5: Relaxation and Departure
Spend your final day relaxing in a peaceful tea garden. Walk through the markets one last time to pick up any one-of-a-kind souvenirs for your way home.
Exploring Rize’s Natural Landscapes Across the Seasons
Rize is one of those places where nature just seems to show off year after year. During the spring, the valleys are full of wildflowers and are a bright green, making it ideal for hiking. The Kaçkar Mountains offer amazing trails and you’ll be treated to all the blooming flora. Just remember to bring your camera — your eyes will not get bored.
And when summer does arrive, the temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities. Visit Rize’s highlands, such as the Ayder Plateau, and enjoy the cold air and stunning views. It’s also a great time to go paragliding or go for a relaxing walk amidst ancient trees. Summer in Turkey is all about getting outside.
There’s something truly enchanting about Autumn in Rize. The landscapes turn into a vivid display of reds, oranges, and yellows. Photographers will be in heaven and even if you’re not a photographer, you can’t help but relax in the serenity of it all. Have some tea and wander through the vivid scenery.
Winter is a magical time in Rize. The land is covered in a thick layer of snow, transforming the region into a winter destination. You can go skiing on Ovit Mountain, or join in any of the snow festivals where the locals and tourists mingle. It is a beautiful, cozy time here.
Brief Guide to Major Attractions
Ayder Plateau
Ayder Plateau is another must-visit to enjoy the green landscapes. Nestled in the Kaçkar Mountains, the area is blanketed in immaculate forests and healing hot springs. Most people visit just to unwind or to trek the area’s valleys. It serves as a great base and breath of fresh air to nature all year round.
Zil Kale
Zil Kale is amedieval fortressoverlooking the Fırtına Valley. It was constructed in the 14th century and used as a defensive fortification. The high up in the rock allows for stunning views of the valley below. When you wander around here, it’s easy to imagine what life was like in the past.
Kaçkar Mountains
A great area for anyone who loves outdoor adventures, the Kaçkar Mountains boast several peaks over 3,900 meters, ideal for hiking, climbing, or skiing. They are part of a national park, keeping their flora and fauna varied, while the views create a picturesque playground for any kind of fun activity outdoors.
Fırtına River
The Fırtına River is well known for its fast-filled rafts and faster piercers. The river winds its way through a pristine valley and features both adrenaline-pumping and mellow waves where you can relax and take in the scenery for a bit. If you’re an adventure junk, you don’t want to miss this.Fırtına Valley
Rize Castle
The popular Rize Castle is in the center of town. From the castle you can see the whole city of Rize as well as the Black Sea, so it’s a popular place for a photo opportunity. It’s also a nice place where you can soak up some of the city’s history while enjoying the view. Head here during sunset, it’s even better.
Anzer Plateau
Anzer Plateau is famous for its flowers and honey. It's relaxing here, as the weather is cool and the flowers are abundant. Tourists visit just to try the well-known Anzer honey, which is believed to have healing powers. A trip here is all about the tastes.
Comprehensive Culinary Adventure
Mihlama
Mihlama is a Turkish dish that everyone in Rize seems to love: locals and visitors alike. It consists of cheese (usually a mixture of local types), cornmeal, and butter, all melted together until rich and gooey and ultimate perfection. It’s served hot, with fresh bread, and is a delicious way to get your day started in Rize. Pair it with a plate of fresh bread for a complete and filling meal. Try a bowl at any small café to get a taste of the Black Sea.
Laz Böreği
Laz Böreği is a classic Turkish dessert that’s going to catch you off guard. While böreks are usually savory, this version is irresistibly sweet. It’s made by layering phyllo dough and a sweet, creamy custard and then baking it until golden brown. A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top provides the finishing touch. It’s scrumptious, but not traditional.
Hamsili Pilav
One of the main dishes in Rize, Hamsili Pilav is a classic that’s all about flavor and history. The dish is prepared by mixing rice, anchovies, fresh herbs, and ingredients, then baked to marry the flavors together. It very much embodies the coastal atmosphere of the region and is ideal for those looking to sample seafood that’s fresh from the area. Stop in to try it out for lunch or dinner and you’ll just feel a little closer to the ocean that day.
Karalahana Çorbası
Karalahana Çorbası, or Black Cabbage Soup, is a popular local dish in Rize. Prepared with cabbage, potatoes, and sometimes cornmeal, it’s hearty and filling. Eat it on a cold day to warm up and experience more of the tasty and delicious local cuisine in the area. Just head to any small restaurant in town to sample it.
Anzer Honey
Anzer Honey gets its name from the Anzer Plateau in the north of the country and is known for its delicious flavor and health benefits. The honey is believed to have therapeutic qualities because of the distinctive flowers the bees use to produce the nectar. Though it’s not a national food, trying Anzer Honey is an added bonus to your visit. It is sold in markets locally, and it’s interesting to hear the history of the product.
Kuymak
Kuymak is another cheese and cornmeal dish (the cheese used varies by region) but is still just as good as mihlama. The cheese and cornmeal are mixed together and melted, creating a gooey, stretchy texture that’s delicious. Another Black Sea staple, kuymak is made piping hot and shared among friends or family. It’s a comforting dish, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Rize Tea Culture: A Trajectory from Tradition to Modern Practices
Tea is serious business inRize. It is literally drink around the clock here.Locals take their first cup as soon as they get up then sip on it all day long. It’s a social thing too; people in this area always find time to stop and enjoy tea with friends or family. It truly brings together the past and present.
In Rize, you will find traditional tea houseswhere you can partake in this tradition. Small, family-run operations, these teahouses are everywhere in the city and provide a laid-back atmosphere in which to sit and chat. Many of them showcase antique samovars, and you’ll get to drink your tea out of a classic tulip-shaped glass. Visitors will be able to experience a warm welcome and perhaps even have a chance to learn how the tea is made.
Tea has been modernized and tours through the region are big draws for visitors. Full, detailed tea tours provide an insight into the life of an industrial tea worker, while sampling the freshly brewed drink also allows travelers to get a good dose of the lively tea culture in Rize. Some go as far as to offer seasonal tea picking experiences.
For travelers who seek tradition with a modern twist, modern tea houses mix and match different teas and create new flavors. They make teas with fruit from the area and add in herbs to create something new. It makes you consider tea beyond its historical purposes and also as a part of the local Rize culture.
Immersive Cultural Experiences and Community Engagement
Experiencing Rize’s lively culture is an adventure all its own and one of the most rewarding activities here is to join a tea harvest tour. You’ll walk through verdant tea fields and observe how tea is harvested and produced directly. It’s an eye-opening exercise that will help you interact with the people who live there and offer a hands-on understanding of the region’s pride of tea.
You’ll get even more out of your visit by seeing one of the local festivals. The International Rize Tea and Tourism Festival, for example, is a week of dancing, music, and traditional activities. By expanding your itinerary to include other activities, you’ll be able to experience more of the area’s vibrant and welcoming communities and enjoy more incredible interactions with the locals, too. You might find yourself dancing along, if you’re lucky, or at a table filled with delicious food.
If you want an even more intimate experience, consider going to a traditional crafts workshop. Many of the residents who work on traditional crafts are happy to offer a class or two on such things as weaving, pottery, or woodworking. It is a great way to learn a little more about the local culture and even buy a souvenir while supporting the local economy. Most workshops take place in the community buildings or local studios, so you’re sure to come across them during your trip.
Conclusion
And with that, our trip through Rize comes to a close. This hidden corner of Turkey is home to a little something for everyone. Whether it’s the scenic tea gardens and historical attractions like Rize Castle or stunning natural landscapes spread out over Ayder Plateau, there are treasures around every corner just waiting to be discovered.
On a speedy three-day trip or perhaps a more relaxed seven-day itinerary, Rize is a destination that will give you exactly what you want out of a trip.
So, do as the locals do and savor in all the delicious food and tea offerings along the way. Whether you are river rafting in the Fırtına River or indulging in a mihlama, take this as an opportunity to fall in love with Rize and curate your newfound travel memories here.