Rize, which has lush green forests and mountainous plateaus as well as a deep blue sea, is one of the ideal places to spend a pleasant holiday in touch with nature. When planning your trip, you should not forget that there are many places to see in the city.
Since it rains throughout the four seasons, you may encounter rain during your trip. However, if you choose the spring months, the weather may be better. In addition, it is recommended that you do research on places to visit in Rize before you go. In this way, you can see both the touristic and culturally important places of the city and make your trip much more enjoyable. You can also see and visit all these natural beauties with Black Sea Tours.
List of Popular Places to Visit in Rize
Rize Fırtına Creek
Rize Castle
Gito Plateau
Bridal Tulle Waterfall
Girls Castle
Rize Museum
Rize Ayder Plateau
Pokut Plateau
Zilkale
Palovit Waterfall
Although the most beautiful part of Rize is its lush nature, you can also visit historical buildings in the city. Apart from this, Rize also manages to offer a unique opportunity for those who love nature walks. At the same time, if you like camping, Rize's natural beauties offer important opportunities for camping. If you want to spend more time in the region and extend your holiday, Rize hotels offer you beautiful options.
1.Firtina Creek
When Rize is mentioned, there are many natural beauties that come to mind. One of them is known as Fırtına Creek. One of the most important features of Fırtına Creek, which fascinates those who see it with its natural beauty, is that it is preferred by adrenaline and nature lovers. Fırtına Creek, where many different extreme water sports take place successfully, is visited by thousands of tourists every year!
There are different establishments to meet your eating and drinking needs around Fırtına Creek, which is suitable for water sports throughout the year. Fırtına Creek, which is 57 km long, is a unique natural beauty that must be seen in Rize.
You do not need to pay any fee to enter Fırtına Creek. However, if you want to do water sports, you have to pay certain fees. Fees may vary depending on the activity to be tried and the season.
2.Rize Castle
Rize Castle, one of the favorite places of history and culture enthusiasts in Rize, was built on a mass of 480 m. B.C. The castle, which is thought to have been built between 527 and 565 and was built during the Byzantine period, appears to have been built using chipped stones and Khorasan mortar.
Offering a fascinating panoramic view of the city, Rize Castle also includes many different country gardens and tea gardens around it. This way, you can have a pleasant break during your trip.
You can reach Rize Castle, which can be reached with a 45-minute walk from the center, by minibuses or your personal vehicle. You can enter the castle, which is open every day of the week between 08.00 and 00.00, free of charge.
3.Gito Plateau
Çamlıhemşin is known as the district of Rize that is famous for its natural beauties. Gito Plateau, located on the Çat Valley in Çamlıhemşin, is one of the most unforgettable locations not only in Rize but also in the Black Sea region. Located at an altitude of 2070 meters above sea level, the plateau offers a fascinating view covered in fog.
Among the important features of Gito Plateau is that it hosts endemic plant species. It allows us to have a pleasant nature trip through pine forests and well-organized walking paths. You can try local plateau delicacies and breakfasts prepared with organic products in the restaurants and country gardens in the region.
To reach Gito Plateau, you can choose minibuses departing from the district. You can also reach there with your personal vehicle. There are areas where you can park your car at the entrance to the plateau.
4. Bridal Tulle Waterfall
Gelin Tülü Waterfall, known as one of the most famous natural wonders not only for Rize but also for the Black Sea, is located in a dense forest area. The pure white waters falling from a height of 15 meters above sea level have a veil-like appearance.
Gelin Tülü Waterfall, located at the foothills of the Kaçkar Mountains and close to Ayder Plateau, is known as one of the most popular stopping points for nature trips. Especially spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit the waterfall!
If you are traveling in the summer months, you can swim in the ice-cold ponds and drink tea or coffee on the observation decks. The entrance, which is completely free, is decorated with various seating areas and recreation areas!
5.Maiden's Castle
Maiden's Castle or Maiden's Tower, one of the must-see places in Rize, was built on a small peninsula west of Pazar district center. Even though it is disconnected from the land today, its location on rocky ground creates an impressive view.
Some sources state that the castle was built in the 13th-14th century, and some sources say that it was built in the 8th century. Although the castle, with its external length of 9.66 meters and internal length of 9.07 meters, was damaged for many different reasons, it has managed to preserve its existence until today!
If you want to examine this castle located in Pazar district of Rize, you can choose the market minibuses departing from Rize center. Maiden Castle is located in a location that you can reach with your personal vehicle.
6.Rize Museum
Rize, a city that fascinates those who see it with its natural beauties, also has significant cultural richness. If you want to get to know Rize, which is known to have hosted many civilizations to date, better, you should definitely visit the Rize Museum. Rize Museum, which was transformed into a museum from a house using traditional building materials and techniques, is exhibited on several different floors. The collections exhibited on each floor are different from each other.
The museum is open every day; It can be visited between 08.00 and 17.00. There is no fee for entry.
7.Ayder Plateau
Ayder Plateau, one of the most popular centers not only in Rize but also in the world, is known as one of the most touristic spots in Turkey. The view of the lush green plateau against the Kaçkar Mountains offers a fascinating beauty. Ayder Plateau, one of the spots that attracts the most attention from tourists, is a place you should definitely see during your Rize trip.
Extreme sports are also performed in Ayder Plateau, where you can choose for a peaceful holiday surrounded by nature. You can try different activities such as paragliding, hang gliding and heliskiing in the region, which has beech and spruce forests. Ayder Plateau is known as one of the most visited places in Rize both in summer and winter. If you want to enter the plateau by car, you have to pay a certain fee. Transportation can be done by buses departing from the center or by your personal vehicle.
8.Pokut Plateau
Fırtına Deresi’nin panoramik manzaralarını ziyaretçilerine sunan Pokut Yaylası bölgenin en önemli seyir teraslarında birine sahip. Ahşap mimarili evlerin sıralandığı Pokut Vadisi, Rize’nin turizm olanakları açısından en gelişmiş yaylalarından biri olma özelliğini taşıyor. Her mevsim muhteşem ve büyüleyici manzaralar sunan Pokut Yaylası turizm dergilerinin kapaklarını süslemeyi başarıyor.
Pokut yaylasındaki kamp alanlarında kamp yapabilir veya doğa otellerinde ya da orman köşklerinde konaklayabilirsiniz. Bölgede bulunan pek çok farklı restoran ve organik ürünler ile hazırlanan yemekler Rize’nin Meşhur Yemekleri ile ilgili eşsiz bir deneyim yaşamanıza imkan tanıyor. Giriş ücreti bulunmayan bu yaylaya ulaşmak için 2 saatlik zorlu bir araba yolculuğu yapmanız gerektiğini söylemek gerekiyor!
9.Zilkale
Zilkale, one of the must-see castles of the Black Sea, was built on Mount Umut overlooking the Fırtına Stream. It is estimated that the castle was built between the 14th and 15th centuries to make trade routes safer. The castle, which has a very magnificent architecture, has 8 different bastions and huge watchtowers.
Reminiscent of classical European castle architecture, Zilkale offers a unique view among dense forests. There are also businesses around the castle where you can meet your eating and drinking needs. Zilkale, which was restored and opened to visitors in 2011, is one of the must-see historical buildings of Rize.
The castle is located only 5 km away in Çamlıhemşin district. You can have the chance to examine this structure more closely with guided nature tours or history tours. You must pay a fee of 5 TL for entry. It can be visited every day of the week between 08.00 and 19.00.
10.Palovit Waterfall
Known as one of the most famous waterfalls of Rize, Palovit Waterfall has the highest flow rate in the region. This waterfall, which fascinates its visitors with its lush green trees and unique nature, is among the must-see natural beauties in Rize.
There are various cafes and businesses around the waterfall where you can meet your eating and drinking needs.
To reach the waterfall located in Çamlıhemşin district, you can use buses and minibuses departing from the center to Çamlıhemşin district. You can also reach there with your personal vehicle. There is no fee to enter the waterfall.
11.Haremtepe (Çeçeva Village)
Çeçeva Village, which attracts attention because it is a quiet and peaceful village, is also known as Haremtepe. The most important feature of this village is that it offers panoramic views of Rize's famous tea fields. This village, visited by local and foreign tourists every season of the year, has lush green tea fields stretching along the rugged mountain slopes. When you visit the village, you can visit the tea fields and take unique photos from the observation deck.
There are many restaurants in Haremtepe (Çeçeva Village) where you can experience local flavors. In this way, you can have village breakfasts accompanied by Rize tea and watch the tea fields stretching for kilometers.
To reach the village, you can take the Çayeli and Çeçeva minibuses, which depart every hour from Rize Bus Terminal. In this way, you can reach the village with a 30-minute journey.
12.Ağaran Waterfall
Ağaran Waterfall, one of the natural wonders of Rize, is fed by the snow waters of the Kaçkar Mountains and fascinates those who see it with its untouched beauty. There are many different country gardens around the waterfall. You can sip your tea and have a unique breakfast in the country gardens, where you can watch the waterfall in the most beautiful way.
You can participate in guided nature walks and photography tours at Ağaran Waterfall. For transportation, you can prefer Çayeli and Sıra Köyü minibuses, which depart every hour.
There is no fee to enter the waterfall. The fact that it is only 30 km away from the center of Rize makes it attract more and more attention every day.
"Click for Ağaran Waterfall location"
13.Çat Valley
Çat Valley, one of the indispensable locations for those who want to do nature sports, allows taking unique photographs. Çat Valley, which has managed to attract thousands of tourists, is also home to many different plant species. The Çat Valley, which has a unique beauty adorned with rhododendrons, pine, spruce and hornbeam trees, also offers a magnificent view with its famous plateaus lined up on the mountain slopes.
Çat Valley, which is 1300 meters above sea level, is located approximately one and a half hours away from Rize. Its most important feature is that it is one of the most preferred places for camping in the Black Sea. Çat Valley, located within the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, attracts great attention from nature lovers.
14.Şenyuva Bridge
Şenyuva Bridge, a bridge built over rough waters, has a very impressive architectural structure. The stone architecture bridge, which is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide, is among the examples that most successfully reflect the bridge architecture of the Black Sea.
Şenyuva Bridge, which is tasked with connecting two banks adorned with pine forests, offers an impressive view. Cut stones were used in the upper part of the bridge and rubble stones were used in the lower part. The bridge, which is frequently visited for nature walks and plateau tours, offers a unique view, especially at sunset.
"Click for Şenyuva Bridge location"
15.Çaykur Tea Museum
Çaykur Tea Museum, one of the most important museums not only for Turkey but also for the world, aims to tell Rize's deep-rooted tea history to the whole world. There are also priceless items in the museum, where various artifacts about the history and origin of tea are exhibited.
The Tea Museum, which draws attention because it is a museum of historical importance, was brought to life by transforming a historical 2-storey house into a museum. Tools used in tea production are exhibited in Çaykur Tea Museum. In addition, works describing tea drinking and brewing techniques around the world are also included in the museum's collections.
16.Anzer Plateau
If you want to buy organic honey, you can have a pleasant shopping experience in Anzer Plateau, which is famous for its honey production. Anzer Plateau, which consists of two different parts, lower and upper, is a place where the upper part is called Çiçekli Village and the lower part is called Ballı Village. It is visited by both local and foreign tourists because it offers unique views.
You can experience different sports activities at Anzer Plateau, which provides a peaceful holiday with its unique view. Anzer Plateau is one of the ideal places for many extreme sports, from summit climbing to paragliding.
After reaching İkizdere by using public transportation from Rize center, you can reach the plateau with a certain walking distance. If you are coming with your personal vehicle, the fee you need to pay for entry may vary depending on the type of your vehicle (motorcycle, car, minibus).
"Click for Anzer Plateau location"
17.Pileki Cave
The most important feature of Pileki Cave is that the raw material of pilike, which is used to bake anchovy bread and corn bread, a local flavor specific to the Black Sea, is extracted. This cave, which is an artificial cave but manages to attract attention with its unique features, is visited by many tourists every year.
Pileki is made of a special stone. It is known as one of the most striking and special kitchen utensils from the Black Sea region. To make this material, it must be extracted from the cave. Therefore, Pileki Cave has an important place in terms of Rize cuisine.
There are also wells and lakes in the cave, which has been opened to tourism after its lighting and restoration has been completed. Located in İyider district, the cave is located 3 km away from the district center. You can reach the cave, located within the borders of Çiftlik Village, by minibuses or your personal vehicle.
You can enter the cave, which is open between 08.00 and 17.00, by paying an entrance fee of 10 TL. The ponds and wells inside the cave, which consists of many tunnels, manage to offer an impressive view.
"Click for Pileki Cave location"
18.Cloud Waterfall
Bulut Waterfall, which takes its name from here with its height of 2451 meters above sea level, fascinates those who see it with the views it offers. The waters falling in four stages from a height of 250 meters have a fascinating view.
Bulut Waterfall, also known as Tar Creek Waterfall because it is fed by Tar Creek and located a 15 to 20-minute walk from Ayder Plateau, is the highest waterfall in Turkey. Bulut Waterfall, located within the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, is also famous for its chestnut honey. There are businesses around the waterfall where you can buy and experience local products. To reach the waterfall, you need to follow a 2-kilometer entrance road. You can enter by paying a fee of 10 TL.
