Trabzon can feel busy, then this tour quietly changes the pace. I love the combo of Sürmene knife craftsmanship and tea culture in the morning, because it shows a different side of the Black Sea than you get from postcards. I also like the way the day saves time for Uzungöl views without turning it into a rushed photo sprint. The main drawback to plan around is that communication from the organizer doesn’t always feel proactive—one booking noted they only got in touch after the scheduled start time.

If you want a smooth, guided day, look for signs you’ll be well looked after. One standout detail from a recent guest: manager Hakan was quick to respond and helped the day run extra smoothly. For you, the practical consideration is weather and timing: the tour runs rain or shine or snow, so you’ll want the right outer layer and shoes.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Sürmene knife stop (Akif Usta Bıçakçılık): watch how quality and sharpness are talked about in a real workshop setting
• Tea factory experience (İkicay): tea tasting plus a tea ceremony moment, with shopping if you want to take it home
• Cultural stop for sweets (Ali Baba Lokumcusu): Turkish delight and local treats with food tasting time
• Uzungöl Bayraktepe viewpoint: you get the “from above” view before you get down to the lake area
• Sümela Monastery included: a major regional landmark that adds real substance to the scenic day
• Historical Tiled Bridge photo break: a satisfying stretch of “let me grab one more picture” before heading back to Trabzon

From Trabzon Pickup to the First Craft Stop

This is a full-day group tour that starts with pickup from multiple spots in Trabzon, including major hotels and central landmarks like Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, WEEN OTEL, and even places such as Burger King and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon. You’ll be in an air-conditioned bus, and the schedule is built around keeping things moving while still giving you small pockets of time to look, taste, and ask questions.

Right away, the day focuses on craft and food culture—not just scenery. That’s a smart choice, because it means even if the weather clouds up a bit later, you still have meaningful stops earlier. It also helps if you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re seeing, like why certain products and skills matter in the Black Sea region.

Akif Usta Bıçakçılık: Seeing Why Sürmene Knives Have a Reputation

Your first stop is at Akif Usta Bıçakçılık in Sürmene—one of the names associated with knives from this area. The tour here includes a guided visit, and there’s shopping time built in, so you can actually handle products and ask what makes them different.

What I like about starting with knives is that it’s tangible. You’re not just watching a sales pitch—you’re seeing the craftsmanship story in a way that makes the “quality and sharpness” reputation feel less like marketing and more like a point of pride. If you’re a practical shopper, this is also a good moment to check whether you prefer a more traditional style or something geared toward everyday kitchen use.

The only thing to watch for is your energy level. Workshop stops can mean lots of standing and browsing, especially if you come in from cooler morning air. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t plan anything too intense right before pickup.

İkicay Tea Factory: Tea Tasting With Ceremony and Culture

Next up is the İkicay tea factory, where you get a guided visit plus tea tasting, shopping time, and a tea ceremony. There’s also a traditional dance show included during this stop, which adds a lively cultural layer to what could have been a purely product-focused experience.

Tea is a big deal along Turkey’s Black Sea coast, and this stop helps you understand it beyond the cup you might drink at home. You’re tasting in a setting tied to production, so the experience feels more grounded. Even if you don’t buy anything, the tastings help you notice differences in flavor and strength.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to bring something back that’s not just a souvenir magnet, this is one of the best chances in the day. Still, it’s worth being honest with yourself: you’ll likely get tempted by “perfect gift” packaging. Set a simple budget before you walk in, and you’ll enjoy the stop more.

Ali Baba Lokumcusu: Turkish Delight and Local Sweet Tasting

After tea, the tour moves to Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon, a local sweets shop. This stop is designed for shopping plus food tasting, with time to browse a small market-style selection of treats.

This is one of those “small stop, big payoff” moments. You’ll get to sample local sweets you can’t easily find elsewhere, and you can ask what’s made locally versus what’s imported. The Turkish delight tasting is included, which is great value—because desserts can add up fast if you keep buying them on your own later.

One practical tip: if you’re sensitive to heavy sugar right before lunch time, pace yourself. Your stomach will thank you once you reach Uzungöl and the day’s walking ramps up.

Uzungöl: Bayraktepe View First, Then Time to Explore

The heart of the day is Uzungöl, but the tour doesn’t send you there in one straight line. Before you settle into the lake area, you go to Uzungöl Bayraktepe for a viewpoint stop above the lake. The idea is simple: you get the signature scenery angle while you still have clear mobility and energy.

Then the plan shifts to Uzungöl itself, where you park near a restaurant area and enjoy free time. The tour schedule gives you around 2.5 hours for sightseeing and a nature walk, plus time to eat. Dinner and additional looking-around time are also part of the free window, so you’re not forced into a single fixed “lunch then go” rhythm.

This free time is where you get to personalize the experience. If you want a slower walk, take it. If you’d rather spend the time photographing or checking out side streets and viewpoints, you can. Just keep your timing in mind so you don’t miss the group’s meeting point for departure back toward Trabzon.

Sümela Monastery: A Major Landmark Built Into the Day

One of the biggest reasons people take this specific tour is that it includes a stop at Sümela Monastery. Even if you’re not a hardcore history person, it’s the kind of site that changes how you see the region. You’ll get a sense of why these places mattered—religiously, culturally, and as a landmark in a dramatic setting.

What I find practical about including a monastery on a scenic day: it gives the trip structure. Uzungöl is about nature and calm. Sümela Monastery adds gravity, and it helps you remember this isn’t just a “pretty lake day.” If you like mixing food, craft, and landmark stops, this works well.

Because exact timing in the day can vary, I recommend planning your clothing like you’ll be outside for parts of the visit. Bring layers and keep your rain gear handy.

The Trip Back: Photo Stop at the Historical Tiled Bridge

On the return drive, you’ll get a break to photograph the Historical Tiled Bridge before continuing back to Trabzon. This stop is short, but it’s a nice way to break up the drive and keep the day from feeling like one long bus ride back to the city.

If you’re traveling with a camera, this is a good moment to grab those “last light” shots. The bridge is an easy win for travelers who like architecture details without needing a long walk.

Price and Value: Is $47 a Good Deal?

At $47 per person for an 8-hour guided day, this tour feels priced for people who want structure and included tastings rather than a DIY route. You’re paying for transportation, a guide, and key included experiences: tea tasting and Turkish delight tasting, plus multiple guided stops.

Here’s how I think about the value:

• If you’d otherwise spend time and money figuring out how to combine knives + tea + sweets + Uzungöl + a major landmark, the bundled plan saves mental energy.
• The included tastings help offset what you’d likely buy anyway at local shops.
• The day includes a viewpoint above Uzungöl and a set stretch of free time, so you’re not just stuck in a line of bus-to-stop-to-bus.

One trade-off: food and drinks aren’t listed as included. The tour includes lunch time in the schedule, but you should still expect to budget for meals and drinks during free time at Uzungöl. If you travel with your own snacks, you’ll enjoy the day more—especially if you’re picky about what you want to eat.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This works best for you if:

• you like a guided day with a clear flow
• you’re interested in food culture (tea, Turkish sweets) and local craftsmanship
• you want Uzungöl without worrying about logistics
• you prefer some fixed stops paired with free time to explore at your own pace

It might be less ideal if:

• you hate group schedules or waiting for everyone to regroup
• you’re hoping for a totally independent sightseeing day
• you’re very sensitive to cold or rain and you don’t have proper outerwear (the tour runs rain or shine or snow)

And if you’re traveling with questions, the group format helps. The experience includes a live tour guide in English, Arabic, and Turkish, and at least one recent guest specifically praised responsiveness from manager Hakan, which suggests the provider pays attention to small issues when they come up.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Here’s what I’d do to make this day feel easy, not stressful:

• Pack rain gear and a windbreaker. Weather can change fast along the Black Sea corridor.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Even the “nature walk” portion and viewpoint areas can mean uneven ground.
• Bring a little cash or card budget for snacks and meals. Food and drinks aren’t included in the listed inclusions.
• Keep your group timing simple: once the tour gives free time at Uzungöl, set a mental plan for when you’ll meet back up.

Also note the rules: alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed. If you’re someone who plans to bring drinks, skip that and focus on water and warm layers.

Should You Book This Trabzon to Uzungöl Tea and Nature Tour?

I’d book this tour if you want a real Black Sea-flavored day: craft (knives), tea culture, local sweets, a strong landmark stop at Sümela Monastery, and the signature viewpoint energy at Uzungöl Bayraktepe. It’s a smart value package when you’re short on time in Trabzon and you want both guided learning and personal free time.

If you’re mainly chasing a private, slow, fully self-directed nature experience, you might prefer a different format. But for most first-time visitors—or anyone who enjoys food, craft, and scenery in one loop—this is a solid choice. Just show up prepared for weather, and keep an eye on meeting times so the day stays smooth.

FAQ

How long is the Trabzon to Uzungöl group tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

What language(s) is the live guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from specified locations, transportation by air-conditioned bus, a group leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not listed as included. The schedule includes lunch time at Uzungöl, but you should plan on paying for meals and drinks during free time.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine or snow.

Are there any items you should bring?

Bring rain gear, comfortable shoes, and a windbreaker.

Where are pickup and drop-off locations?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at multiple Trabzon locations, including hotels such as Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, WEEN OTEL, and others listed on the tour’s pickup and drop-off options.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Cappadocia: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Watching ExperienceIstanbul: Hagia Sophia Mosque and Museum Skip-The-Line ComboAlanya: Tandem Paragliding with Hotel PickupAntalya Electric Bike Tour