Artvin City
Turkish city surrounded by mountains
Clinging to steep river valleys near the Georgian border, Artvin attracts hikers and rafters to the Kaçkar foothills and Çoruh River; narrow wooden bridges, tea houses and mountain villages give the place a slow, alpine rhythm.
Artvin at a Glance#
Costs: $40-90/day (budget-mid) - inexpensive local food and guesthouses; mountain travel raises transport costs.
Safety: Relatively safe but remote - low petty crime; take care on mountain roads and in winter conditions.
Best Time: June-September - best conditions for hiking, festivals and mountain views.
Why Visit Artvin?#
Mountain scenery and distinct highland culture draw travelers to this northeastern Turkish town at the edge of the Kaçkar range. Rugged passes and alpine pastures invite hikers, while the Kafkasör plateau and its annual festival showcase local music, traditional sports and folk customs. Nearby glacial lakes, wooden highland villages and hearty regional dishes-honey, black tea and Kurdish/Georgian-influenced specialties-round out the appeal for nature and culture seekers.
Best Things to Do in Artvin#
Artvin Bucket List#
Hatila Valley National Park - Deep gorge park with waterfalls, lush forests, and walking trails through rich biodiversity.
Kafkasör Plateau (Kafkasör Yaylası) - High plateau offering panoramic mountain views and traditional pastureland used for festivals.
Karagöl-Sahara National Park - Remote alpine lakes surrounded by meadows, ideal for hiking and seasonal wildflowers.
Camili (Macahel) villages - Traditional mountain village network with ancient beech forests and warm local hospitality.
Borçka Karagöl - Lakeside picnic spot with cedar forests, wooden paths, and peaceful reflections.
Çoruh River rafting - Thrilling whitewater rafting through dramatic canyons and fast-flowing rapids for experienced paddlers.
Şavşat - Charming timber villages, historic stone houses, and access to alpine meadows and waterfalls.
Borçka Karagöl Nature Park - Short drive to tranquil lakes, boardwalks through cedar forests, and easy hiking loops.
Best Time to Visit Artvin#
Artvin is best in late spring and summer when mountain greenery and rivers are at their peak. Winters bring cold, frequent rain and snow at higher altitudes - great for dramatic scenery if you’re equipped.
December - February
0-6°C (32-43°F)
Cool, often wet and foggy in the valleys; higher elevations get snow, making travel slower but scenery dramatic.
March - May
6-18°C (43-64°F)
Green mountains and frequent rain showers - wildflower hikes can be stunning, but pack for sudden wet weather.
June - August
15-25°C (59-77°F)
Warm, lush and pleasantly humid; best time for valley drives, riverside cafés and exploring Artvin’s dramatic landscapes.
Artvin's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1076 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -1° - 5° | 2° | 111 mm | overcast | 91% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 7° | 2° | 91 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 6° | 73 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 72 mm | overcast | 77% | 1.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 69 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.4h |
| June | Very Good | 13° - 24° | 18° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.0h |
| July | Very Good | 16° - 26° | 21° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.7h |
| August | Very Good | 16° - 26° | 21° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 1.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 110 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 8° | 114 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 7° | 2° | 133 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
How to Get to Artvin#
Artvin is a mountainous province best accessed by air to Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV) or by road from Trabzon; there is no direct rail link. Overland travel uses intercity buses or shared minibuses and can be long due to winding mountain roads.
Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV): This airport (opened recently to serve Rize and Artvin) is the principal air gateway for Artvin province. From RZV you continue overland by shuttle/minibus or private transfer to Artvin city; road transfer times are typically around 2-3 hours depending on route and weather, and minibuses (dolmuş) operate scheduled or semi-scheduled services.
Trabzon Airport (TZX): Trabzon is another arrival option with more frequent flights; overland travel to Artvin from Trabzon is longer (roughly 3-5 hours by road) and usually done by intercity bus or private transfer.
Train: There is no direct long-distance rail service to Artvin - the region is mountainous and served mainly by roads.
Bus / Dolmuş: Intercity buses (otobüs) and local minibuses (dolmuş) link Artvin with Trabzon, Rize and other provinces. Bus terminals in regional towns operate regular services; travel times vary widely with road conditions and can be several hours.
How to Get Around Artvin#
Artvin relies on air-to-road connections and an extensive network of intercity buses and minibuses; there is no rail option. Shared minibuses are the cheapest and most flexible local choice, while private transfers save time on mountain roads.
- Airport transfer (minibus / shuttle) (TRY 150-400 (approx.)) - Shuttles and shared minibuses run from Rize-Artvin Airport toward Artvin city and surrounding towns. They are the main link after flights; journeys can take 2-3 hours depending on route and stops. Book or confirm schedules in advance during low season.
- Intercity bus (otobüs) (TRY 100-400 (approx.)) - Long-distance coaches connect Artvin with Trabzon, Rize and eastern Turkish cities; buses are comfortable and commonly used for regional travel. Expect multi-hour journeys on winding mountain roads - bring water and warm clothing for higher elevations.
- Dolmuş / shared minibus (TRY 20-100 (approx.)) - Shared minibuses handle shorter hops between towns and valleys; they’re flexible, frequent and the cheapest local option. They depart when full and can be crowded, but are indispensable for local travel in the province.
- Taxi / Private transfer (TRY 200-1000 (approx.)) - Taxis or hired cars provide door-to-door service in the hills, useful for small groups or when schedules are limited. Rates are higher than buses but save time and hassle on remote routes; negotiate or confirm fares beforehand.
- Car rental (€30-€80/day (or local equivalent)) - Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring Artvin’s valleys, national parks and high passes. Roads are mountainous and can be challenging in winter; 4x4s are useful for remote excursions.
- Walking - Within towns like Artvin walking is the best way to reach local sights, markets and viewpoints. Expect steep streets - comfortable shoes are essential for exploring on foot.
Where to Eat in Artvin#
Artvin’s food blends Black Sea seafood, mountain game and herb-forward treatments - trout, walnuts and local honey feature heavily in family-style meals and village cafés.
Small tea houses and roadside eateries serve regional pastries, fresh breads and hearty stews, highlighting artisanal honey, walnuts and the area’s tea-drinking culture.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Artvin’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Artvin#
Shopping is modest and local: small shops and bazaars sell regional products such as honey, tea and handicrafts. For a wider range of goods you’ll usually rely on larger towns outside the province.
Nightlife in Artvin#
Nightlife is subdued - social life centres on tea houses, small cafés and a few bars. Evenings are mainly low-key and community focused rather than tourist-oriented.
