From lakeside bungalows to Sumela and Hamsikoy rice pudding: our Uzungol and Trabzon guide for Gulf families, with when to go, where to stay and what to eat.
Uzungol is a lake at 1,100 metres, about 100 kilometres east of Trabzon, surrounded by pine forest, with a village of wooden houses on its shore. Over the past decade it has become the favourite summer address of Gulf families in Türkiye; in July you hear as much Arabic as Turkish in the village streets. This guide describes a typical four-day programme and everything families should know in advance.
Getting there
Trabzon Airport (TZX) has more than fifteen daily flights from Istanbul (1 hour 50 minutes), and in summer direct services from Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha are added as well. From the airport, Uzungol is 90 minutes, Ayder 2.5 hours and Sumela 1 hour. Public transport is very limited; for families the only realistic option is a private vehicle with an Arabic-speaking driver (approximately 600 USD for 4 days). The roads are narrow and winding, so bring medicine for children prone to car sickness.
When to go
June–September is 20–26°C and green; July–August is the busiest period and bungalows sell out two months ahead. May and October are quieter, with more chance of rain but prices around 30 percent lower. In winter (December–March) Uzungol is snow-covered, the lake sometimes freezes and the scenery is completely different; the Sumela road may close on some days. A raincoat is essential in every season: a sunny Black Sea day can turn to rain by afternoon.
Where to stay
Uzungol offers three options: wooden bungalows facing the lake (2–3 bedrooms, kitchen, balcony; one price for 5–6 people, approximately 120–200 USD per night), lakeside guesthouses (breakfast included, approximately 70–100 USD for two) and new boutique hotels above the village. Families prefer bungalows; the kitchen and separate rooms make a big difference. In Trabzon city centre, sea-view 5-star hotels suit shopping and restaurant variety; two nights at Uzungol and one in the city is the most balanced arrangement.
A four-day programme
Day 1: airport meet-and-greet, arrival at Uzungol, walk around the lake, trout for dinner. Day 2: 4x4 up to the Haldizen plateau, Demirkapi waterfalls, optional ATV safari, afternoon rest by the lake. Day 3: Sumela Monastery (early morning, before the crowds), rice pudding at Hamsikoy, Zigana Pass, evening move to Trabzon. Day 4: Ayder plateau day trip (Firtina Valley, Zilkale, hot springs) or city tour (Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, Boztepe, Forum mall), evening flight.
What to eat
Black Sea cuisine is simple and filling: muhlama (a breakfast dish of cornmeal, butter and cheese), kuymak, anchovies (in winter), trout (in summer), Vakfikebir bread and Hamsikoy rice pudding. The meat served in Uzungol's restaurants is halal-slaughtered as a rule, and most have Arabic menus; the large lakeside restaurants have family rooms. Dinner for a family of four costs approximately 40–60 USD. For those cooking in the bungalow there is a grocery in the village, and your driver stops at a large supermarket when passing through Trabzon.
Notes for families
A flat lakeside path rings the lake and suits pushchairs and bicycles; bikes and electric carts are for hire in the village. There is a lakeside mosque and the call to prayer is heard throughout the village; many restaurants offer prayer rooms. The Haldizen and Sumela walks are uphill, so bring a baby carrier. Night temperatures drop to 10°C even in summer; coats and blankets for children are essential. Few hotels have indoor pools, but the lakeside playgrounds and horse riding are entertainment enough for children.
Prices and booking
As an example, a family of 2 adults and 3 children pays approximately 2,100 USD in summer for 3 nights in an Uzungol bungalow, 4 days of private vehicle and driver, the Sumela entrance and airport transfers (flights excluded); prices change, so ask us on WhatsApp for the current rate. Bookings are confirmed with a 60 percent deposit paid online, and the remaining 40 percent is paid on arrival in Türkiye; some peak-summer bungalow rates are non-refundable, and we tell you so before you confirm, so be sure of your dates. Our Trabzon, Uzungol & Ayder 4-Day Family Tour combines all of this in one price, or you can choose the Trabzon Tour (4 Nights / 5 Days) at a net price; just send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp.
