Rize is a picturesque town in northeastern Turkey, located between Trabzon and Artvin on the Black Sea coast.
It is known for its endless tea plantations, dense forests, mountain valleys and genuine hospitality.
Rize is not just a city, but a symbol of greenery, rainfall and tea culture of Turkey.

📍 Geography and climate

• Region: Eastern Black Sea

• Population: about 350,000

• Terrain: mountains, gorges and coastline

• Climate: humid subtropical

  • Summer: mild and warm (+25°C)

  • Winter: is cool (+7-10°C) and rains often.

• Feature: is the rainiest region of Turkey, thanks to which the nature here is unusually rich in colors.

Every slope here is covered with tea bushes, and the clouds sometimes descend so low that it seems as if the city lives in a fog.

🏛 History

Rhize has ancient roots - even in the times of ancient Colchis and Pontic Kingdom there were settlements here.

• In antiquity it was known as Rhisos;

• Under the Romans it became an important trading port;

• In the Byzantine period it was a fortified point on the way to the Caucasus;

• After the conquest by the Ottomans in the XV century Rize became part of the province of Trabzon.

But the modern glory of the city is not connected not with antiquity, but with something much more flavorful - tea.

🍵 The city of tea is the symbol of Rize

🌿 Birth of the Tea Capital

Tea began to be actively cultivated in Rize in the 1940s and since then it has become the main wealth of the region.
Today, more than 60% of all Turkish tea is produced here.

Endless terraces of bushes can be seen on the hillsides, and the sweet tea aroma hangs in the air.

🫖 What to see:

• Çaykur Çay Müzesi (Tea Museum) - located in an old mansion, tells the story of Turkish tea.

• Çaykur Fabrikası - Turkey's largest tea factory, where you can see the process of processing the leaves.

• Çay Bahçesi (Tea Gardens) - dozens of tea terraces throughout the city with panoramic views of the sea and mountains.

The main drink here is black tea from Rize, which has a mild taste and rich aroma.

🏞 Nature and attractions

Rize is one of the most picturesque regions of Turkey, with mountains, rivers, plateaus and waterfalls.

🌄 Ayder Plateau (Ayder Yaylası)

• Located 1.5 hours drive from Rize.

• A high mountain plateau at an altitude of 1350 meters, surrounded by forests and thermal springs.

• Famous for its wooden chalets, scenery and alpine atmosphere.

• A great place for ecotourism, trekking and relaxing in the mountains.

🌊 Fırtına Valley (Fırtına Vadisi)

• The name translates as "turbulent river" - no coincidence!

• An ideal place for rafting, kayaking and hiking.

• Along the shore are ancient stone bridges, mountain hotels and cafes above the river.

🏰 Rize Castle (Rize Kalesi)

• Built by the Byzantines, later fortified by the Ottomans.

• From the top there is a panoramic view of the city and the sea.

• At the bottom there is a cozy cafe where you can drink tea and enjoy the fog over the coast.

💧 Waterfalls and nature

• ŞimşirliŞelalesi, Palovit Şelalesi, Gelintülü Şelalesi are waterfalls with crystal clear water.

• Kaçkar Dağları Milli Parkı is a national park and mountain range with peaks exceeding 3900 meters.
  A favorite place for mountaineers and photographers.

🧿 Culture and traditions

The culture of Rize is a mixture of Black Sea temperament and mountain identity.
The locals are energetic, hospitable and very proud of their region.

• TheHoron dance is the national dance of the Black Sea and is performed to fast rhythmic music.

• Musical instruments: kamli (local fiddle) and tulium (bagpipes).

• Clothing: women often wear brightly colored shawls, while men wear traditional hats and leather vests.

🍽 Cuisine of Rize

The region's cooking reflects its nature - simple, hearty and flavorful.

What to try:

• 🐟 Hamsi - anchovies in all kinds: fried, baked, in pies and even with rice.

• 🌽 Mıhlama (Kuymak) - corn porridge with pulled cheese and butter.

• 🧈 Tereyağı - local butter, one of the best in Turkey.

• 🍯 Anzer balı - rare mountain honey with medicinal properties, harvested at an altitude of over 2000 meters.

• 🍞 Laz böreği - a dessert made of pastry and cream sprinkled with powdered sugar.

• ☕ Çay Rize - of course, tea brewed in a traditional çaydanlık teapot.

🏨 Where to stay

Rize offers a choice for all tastes:

• Hotels in the center - for business travel and city life.

• Guest houses and wooden chalets in the mountains - for secluded vacations.

• Aider and Fırtınja are the best areas for ecotourism and adventure.

🚗 How to get there

• ✈️ The nearest airport is Rize-Artvin Havalimanı (opened in 2022), receives flights from Istanbul, Ankara and Dubai.

• 🚗 Excellent highway D010 along the sea - connects Rize with Trabzon (1 hour) and Artvin (2.5 hours).

• 🚌 Intercity buses run regularly along the Black Sea coast.

✅ Why go to Rize

✔ Turkey's most picturesque mountains and rivers
✔ Real tea culture
✔ A chance to see Sumela, Ayder and Kaçkari
✔ Unique cuisine and mountain hospitality
✔ Ecological and authentic vacation without crowds of tourists

📌 Conclusion

Rize is the epitome of natural harmony and Turkish sincerity.
It is a place where mists embrace the mountains, rivers sing their songs and tea warms not only the body but also the soul.
Once here, you will understand why Turks consider Rize a symbol of purity, comfort and natural perfection.