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Things to Do in Maçka, Turkey
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Maçka, Turkey
1. Sümela Manastırı
Imagine a monastery bolted to a vertical cliff face, accessible only by a mountain path and a bridge carved from rock. You'll climb stone staircases past 200-year-old frescoes into cave chapels cut directly into the mountainside.
Quick facts: Clings to a sheer cliff face nearly 300 meters above the Altındere Valley, a gravity-defying perch that took centuries to complete. Some of the most vivid frescoes inside date to the 18th and 19th centuries, their colors remarkably preserved by the protected mountain microclimate.
Highlights: A hidden spring inside the cliff wall flows through the monastery complex, the same water source the founding monks relied on in the 4th century. Visitors can still cup their hands and drink from the stone spigot inside the cave chapel, an unbroken chain of pilgrims stretching back over 1,600 years.
2. Çakırgöl
A high-altitude crater lake surrounded by wildflower meadows and roaming ponies. Breathe the crisp mountain air while hiking forest trails that open onto shimmering turquoise waters.
Quick facts: Rising 2,150 meters above sea level, the lake reflects surrounding fir forests and alpine meadows in its mirror-like surface. Three distinct hiking routes circle the area, with the longest loop stretching 12 kilometers through wildflower-covered highlands.
Highlights: Come at sunrise when mist rolls off the lake surface and the eastern slopes catch golden light before the rest of the valley has woken up. Wild ponies roam freely around the shoreline, often grazing within meters of hikers taking a break on the grassy banks.
3. Maçka Merkez
Maçka Merkez is the authentic mountain gateway to the legendary Sumela Monastery and the lush Altındere Valley. Here you'll sip strong çay with locals, watch the clouds roll over pine-covered peaks, and eat hamsi fresh from the Black Sea.
Quick facts: Maçka Merkez sits at the heart of a district surrounded by lush forests and steep mountain slopes in Trabzon Province. The area is a popular jumping-off point for exploring the nearby Sumela Monastery, which clings to a cliff face 300 meters above the valley floor.
Highlights: On any given morning, the smell of fresh corn cooked over charcoal carts mixes with the crisp mountain air as locals play backgammon in tea gardens under centuries-old plane trees. The central square offers a rare front-row seat to daily life in a Black Sea mountain town, where the pace slows to the rhythm of clinking tea glasses and distant chants from the nearby mosque.
4. Maçka Tarihi Evleri
Wander a living Ottoman neighborhood where wooden mansions stacked along hillsides tell stories of silk traders and mountain life. You will smell chestnut timber and woodsmoke as you explore restored interiors and cobbled lanes with valley views.
Quick facts: These 19th century Ottoman wooden mansions cling to steep hillsides overlooking dense forests, with some featuring hand-carved ceilings that took master craftsmen over a year to complete. More than 40 of these traditional structures have been restored, their upper floors jutting out on wooden brackets above narrow cobblestone lanes.
Highlights: Each mansion was built without a single iron nail, using interlocking chestnut wood joints that have held firm through earthquakes and a century of Black Sea humidity. Look for the hidden wall compartments once used to store silk and hazelnuts, and notice how the second floors are intentionally wider than the ground floors, creating sheltered walkways below for market stalls.
5. Şolma Yaylası
Escape the Black Sea coast heat and step into a living highland pasture at 1,700 meters. Breathe crisp mountain air, watch shepherds at work, and walk through meadows dotted with wildflowers and grazing cattle.
Quick facts: At 1,700 meters elevation, this highland meadow stays a cool 15°C even during peak summer heat in the valleys below. Local families have been grazing livestock here for generations, and the plateau still hosts seasonal transhumance migrations each June.
Highlights: Unlike many nearby yaylas that have been heavily commercialized, this plateau retains its authentic pastoral rhythm with cows grazing freely and shepherds tending their herds. Wander past wooden haystacks and small stone huts while the air fills with the sound of cowbells and the scent of wild mountain thyme crushed underfoot.
6. Kılıçköy Yaylası
Escape to a pristine alpine meadow where centuries-old pastoral life continues untouched by tourism. Wander through wildflowers, share fresh gözleme with shepherds, and watch the sun melt into a sea of green peaks.
Quick facts: At 1,650 meters elevation, this highland plateau stays a crisp 20°C even during peak summer heat. Local families have been bringing their livestock here for summer grazing for over 300 years, a tradition still alive today.
Highlights: Unlike busier Trabzon plateaus, mornings here unfold without a single shop or cafe, just the sound of cowbells echoing across the valley as fog lifts from the spruce forest. Local women still churn butter in wooden yayık barrels using methods passed down through eight generations, and they'll happily let you try your hand at it.
7. Coşandere Köprüsü
Step onto a centuries-old stone bridge that still serves as a vital passage through Maçka's lush valleys. You will hear nothing but the stream below, birds in the canopy, and your own footsteps on worn cobbles.
Quick facts: Three centuries of travelers have crossed this single-arch stone bridge spanning the rushing Coşandere stream. The bridge's hand-carved masonry blocks fit together without mortar, yet have withstood heavy rain and earthquakes that regularly shake the region.
Highlights: Stand at the center of the arch and look upstream: the bridge frames a perfect corridor of green where the stream disappears around a bend between steep, moss-covered cliffs. Local shepherds still lead their flocks across these same stones, continuing a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.
Where to Stay in Maçka, Turkey
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Hamsiköy Sütlacı
This famous baked rice pudding originates from the Hamsiköy village in Maçka. It is slow-cooked in wood-fired ovens until it develops a thick, caramelized golden crust on top.
Laz Böreği
This Black Sea specialty features layers of phyllo dough filled with a custard-like muhallebi (milk pudding). It is baked until crispy and golden, then drizzled with simple syrup.
Kabak Tatlısı
This traditional pumpkin dessert is slow-cooked with sugar until tender and caramelized. It is typically topped with crushed walnuts and a drizzle of tahini or clotted cream.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Kuymak (Mıhlama)
This iconic Black Sea comfort dish is made by melting cornmeal and local cheese (typically Colot or Tel peyniri) in butter until it becomes a rich, gooey, stretchy texture. It is eaten straight from the pan with a spoon.
Hamsi Pilavı
This layered rice dish is baked with fresh anchovies, currants, pine nuts, and aromatic herbs. It is a beloved specialty along the Black Sea coast where anchovies are abundant.
Akçaabat Köftesi
Originating from the nearby Akçaabat district, these hand-rolled meatballs are made from high-quality beef with no breadcrumbs or eggs. They are grilled over charcoal and prized for their juicy, tender texture.
Traditional Beverages
Karadeniz Çayı (Black Sea Tea)
The lush mountains around Maçka are part of Turkey's famous tea-growing region. This deep amber, brisk black tea is traditionally brewed in a double-stacked çaydanlık and served in small, tulip-shaped glasses.
Ayran
This refreshing yogurt drink is a staple alongside savory dishes like Kuymak and Köfte. It is made by blending yogurt with cold water and a pinch of salt until frothy.
Mısır Çayı (Corn Tea)
In the highland plateaus of Maçka, locals make a soothing herbal infusion from dried corn silk. It is enjoyed for its mild, sweet flavor and believed to have calming properties.
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Most popular day trips
Sumela Monastery
Historic Greek Orthodox monastery carved into a steep cliff face
Trabzon City Center
Historic Black Sea port city with Hagia Sophia museum and bazaars
Hidirnebi Plateau
Highland plateau with panoramic views and traditional yayla culture
Zigana Mountain
Mountain pass with hiking trails and winter sports opportunities
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Getting there
Airports
Train stations
Intercity buses to major Turkish cities (no direct rail; nearest rail is Erzincan or Samsun)
From Trabzon Airport, take a taxi or Havaş shuttle to Trabzon city center, then a minibus to Maçka. Total journey is about 45 minutes.
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Comments (7)
Honestly a bit boring if you are not into nature. Beautiful scenery but not much to do after two days. Glad I combined it with Trabzon.
The river valley views are stunning but some of the roads are terrifying. Narrow with no guardrails. Drive carefully or hire a local driver.
The greenery here is unreal. Felt like driving through a jungle. Sumela Monastery was cool but the winding roads up there nearly did me in.
Weather was perfect in late May. Not too crowded yet. The locals were incredibly friendly even though my Turkish was terrible.
Bring cash. Most places in Maçka dont take cards especially the small village restaurants and market stalls. The ATM in town runs out on weekends.