Rize Travel Guide

Rize is one of the most popular touristic destinations in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. The city is mostly famous for its highlands and nature tourism that enables nature lovers from all over the world to visit the city for a unique experience.

After your direct flight from İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Rize Airport with Pegasus Airlines, you can start enjoying the beauties of this coastal city. Rize is a city full of surprises which will welcome you as you go higher and deeper towards the mountains.

General Information

Country:	Türkiye
Region:	Black Sea
Area:	3.920 km²
Language:	Turkish
Average temperature:	16.5°C
Climate:	Humid subtropical and continental
Vegetation:	Forest
The difference between GMT:	UTC+3
Telephone Code:	+90 (464)
Currency:	Turkish Lira (TRY)
Socket Type:	Type F

How to Get to Rize?

Pegasus Airlines offers direct flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Rize Airport (RZV) for convenient transportation. Direct flights between these two cities are the easiest and fastest way to travel to the northeast part of Türkiye. Additionally, travelers from different European countries can take connecting flights such as London Stansted – İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport – Rize Airport to reach this city.

Transportation from Rize Airport to City Centre

The transportation options from Rize Airport to Rize city centre are limited. The easiest way to reach Rize city centre is to take the HAVAŞ buses which are a type of airport shuttle. More information about Rize HAVAŞ buses can be found here. In addition to this airport shuttle, a taxi is another option since Rize Airport is only 34 km away from Rize city centre.

Public Transport in Rize

The public transport in Rize has few options which are the public buses and taxi dolmush which is a type of minibus. While the buses accept bus tickets, the passengers need to pay cash to take the minibusses. These transportation modes cover different routes to reach different districts in Rize as well as neighboring cities such as Trabzon and Artvin.

Best Time to Visit Rize

Rize is one of the most humid cities in Türkiye with the highest precipitation rates. For this reason, fall, winter and spring are almost always rainy and cold. However, summers are warm and dryer which makes June, July and August the best time to visit Rize.

Festivals in Rize

Rize is home to numerous festivals organized throughout the year. Some of the most famous festivals in Rize can be listed as follows:

GastroRize Festival

GastroRize Festival is organized at the end of June and at the beginning of July which welcomes a fine selection of Rize cuisine. Talented cooks and restaurants participate in this festival to promote the rich food culture of the city. The festival is organized by Rize Municipality and more information can be found here.

Formulaz

Formulaz is one of the most anticipated and exciting races organized in Rize. The participants of this race make their own vehicles and race downhill to complete the challenge. Every year, contestants compete in Formulaz and hundreds of people are gathered in Rize to watch this show. More information about Formulaz can be found here.

Places to Visit in Rize

Rize is a city with numerous natural beauties and rich history. The main touristic attractions in Rize consist of highlands while it is possible to see remnants from old civilizations.

Pokut Highland

Located 15 km away from Çamlıhemşin district in Rize, Pokut Highland is one of the most remarkable natural beauties in the city. The highland offers a unique view with clouds, mountains, greens and village houses. There are trekking routes to reach the highland and discover the surrounding area.

Rize Castle

Rize Castle is located in the city centre with a 480 sqm area. The castle dates back to the Byzantine era to Justinianus I and the new sections were later added in the 13th century. The castle has an amazing view of the city and the Black Sea.

Ayder Highland

Ayder Highland is one of the most famous highlands in the area that welcomes thousands of domestic and international tourists. The highland is on the Kaçkar mountain and the rich flora and fauna of this place make it one of the top attractions in Rize.

Anzer Highland

Anzer Highland which is famous for its honey is one of the best trekking destinations in Rize. The flora and fauna of this highland is extremely rich and there are special measures to protect and preserve this nature.

Kaçkar Mountain National Park

Kaçkar Mountain National Park offers all the beauty and calmness of nature. The national park covers a large area from Erzurum to Artvin including Rize. The park consists of a total of 3 mountains with 9 villages and 33 highland settlements.

Where to Stay in Rize?

Rize offers different accommodation options for different expectations. It is possible to find city hotels in the city centre as well as luxurious bungalows in the highlands. Some of the highlands do not offer any accommodation options so it is better to check where you can stay in Rize before planning your trip.

What to Eat in Rize?

Rize has different dishes prepared with local food such as black cabbage, corn flour and anchovy. The most famous dish in the region is fried anchovy which is regularly consumed among locals. Also, muhlama which is prepared with a special cheese, butter and corn flour must be tried.

Shopping in Rize: The Best Souvenirs to Buy

Rize is famous for tea so buying tea is considered to be the best souvenir. In addition to that, it is possible to find Rize cloth which is famous for its durability. Turkish boxwood spoons are a good souvenir option which can be used as a decorative item. Anzer honey is world-famous honey with a rich and textured taste and this could be a great memory to take back home.

Nightlife in Rize

The nightlife in Rize is limited and there are only a few bars in the city. Most of the time, there are more options in the touristic regions but Rize is not famous for its nightlife. However, it is possible to find a lot of activities to do during the day.

Things to Know Before Visiting Rize

Rize is often humid and rainy regardless of the season. For this reason, it is always better to be cautious and bring an additional layer or a raincoat to be protected from the rain.

Also, if you are planning to stay in the highlands, it is important to note that the highlands can be cold even during summer.

In addition to that, there might be sudden mist in the highlands so it is always better to be careful. So, an extra layer of clothes can be a big plus for a comfortable holiday.

People in Rize are hospitals and it is possible to ask for directions or public transport routes to the local people to find your way in the city.

Essential Phone Numbers to Know

Ambulance: 112

Police: 112

Governorship of Rize: 0(464) 253 00 01