Gezgin Çoban in Çayeli, Rize: 5 Spots

Researched by Varedelo

Planning notes for Rize

Must-try foods in Rize

• Muhlama (Kuymak)
  Muhlama (Kuymak)The quintessential Rize breakfast dish, this is a rich, stretchy fondue-like mixture made from local cornmeal, high-quality butter, and 'kolot' cheese. It is traditionally served piping hot in a copper pan and eaten by dipping crusty bread into the gooey center.
• Çayeli Kuru Fasulyesi
  Çayeli Kuru FasulyesiNamed after the Çayeli district, this is arguably Turkey's most famous white bean stew. It is slow-cooked for hours in copper pots with generous amounts of Rize butter and cubes of beef, resulting in a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that locals travel miles for.
• Rize Kavurması
  Rize KavurmasıA celebrated meat dish consisting of beef slow-cooked in its own fat and juices. The result is incredibly tender, flavorful meat that is often served with rice pilaf or inside freshly baked bread. It is a staple of traditional Rize 'Esnaf' (tradesmen) restaurants.
• Laz Böreği
  Laz BöreğiDespite its name (börek usually implies savory), this is a unique dessert. It features layers of thin, buttery phyllo dough filled with a thick, black-pepper-flecked custard and soaked in a light syrup. It represents the perfect balance of sweet and slightly spicy.
• Hamsili Pilav
  Hamsili PilavA visually stunning dish where a mound of aromatic rice (seasoned with herbs, onions, and currants) is completely encased in a 'shell' of fresh Black Sea anchovies. It is baked until the fish is crispy and the rice inside has absorbed the oils of the hamsi.
• Karalahana Çorbası
  Karalahana ÇorbasıA hearty, nutritious soup made from black cabbage (collard greens), which thrives in the humid Rize climate. It typically includes corn, beans, red pepper flakes, and sometimes marrow bones or tallow for a deep, smoky flavor.

Trip guide

• About Rize
  About RizeRize is a coastal province in northeastern Turkey, situated between the Black Sea and the Kaçkar Mountains. Historically, the area was settled by Milesian Greeks and later became part of the Kingdom of Pontus, the Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire. In 1461, it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. The architectural heritage of the region is characterized by stone and timber construction.
• When to go
  When to goThe best time to visit Rize is from June to August, when the weather is warmest and relatively drier, making it ideal for exploring the lush tea plantations and high-altitude plateaus like Ayder. While this is the peak tourist season with higher prices and more crowds, the region remains humid year-round and experiences heavy rainfall and fog during the off-peak autumn and winter months. For a balance of manageable weather and fewer tourists.
• Getting around
  Getting around Rize

  • Flight to Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV) The fastest way to arrive is via Rize-Artvin Airport, located on an artificial island approximately 35km from the city center. HAVAŞ shuttle buses and taxis provide frequent transfers to the city.
  • Intercity Bus (Otobüs) Rize is well-connected to major Turkish cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Trabzon via modern long-distance coaches. The central bus terminal (Otogar) serves as a hub for these affordable services.
  • Local Dolmuş (Minibus) For local travel and reaching mountain highlands (yaylalar), small shared minibuses called dolmuş are the primary method. They follow fixed routes but can be hailed anywhere; passengers pay in cash and these are.
• Local tips
  Local tips

  • Always accept the first offer of tea (çay) as it is a fundamental sign of local hospitality and rejecting it can be seen as dismissive.
  • Dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees to respect the conservative local culture, especially when visiting rural villages or highland pastures.
  • Use your right hand for eating, passing food, or shaking hands, as the left hand is traditionally considered less clean.
• What’s new
  What’s new in Rize

  • Ayder Plateau Eco-Transformation: The completion of a major renovation project featuring a new thermal hotel, underground parking for 1,500 vehicles.
  • GastroRize 2026: A city-wide push into gastronomy tourism, highlighting local Black Sea delicacies like Mıhlama and Karalahana Sarması following the nationwide expansion of the.
• Rize İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü↗
  Rize İl Kültür ve Turizm MüdürlüğüThe official tourism portal for Rize, managed by the T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism, featuring regional guides, attractions, and cultural heritage.