Living in Ortahisar: the heart of Trabzon and its surroundings

Ortahisar is the area you mean when you say “central Trabzon”. It brings together the city’s history, markets and institutions, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods that climb the hills until they overlook the sea. Its name means “the middle fortress”, after the historic citadel whose walls are still part of the city.

What will you find in Ortahisar?

• The main square (Meydan) with the cafés and gardens around it.
• The long street (Uzun Sokak) for pedestrians, with its shops and restaurants.
• Traditional markets as well as shops and shopping centres.
• Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, the citadel walls and historic landmarks.
• Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ) and its university hospital.
• Government offices: the land registry, the tax office, the immigration office (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı, the Presidency of Migration Management) and the municipality.

Residential neighbourhoods

The centre and the older neighbourhoods

Flats in apartment blocks of varying ages, close to everything. Suited to those who want to live on foot, with a careful check of the building’s age. See the earthquake building safety guide.

The surrounding hills

Neighbourhoods such as Boztepe, Pelitli, Yalıncak and Konaklar, with modern projects and views over the sea and the city, a short distance from the centre. We cover them in detail in the Pelitli, Boztepe and Yalıncak guide.

Advantages of living in the centre

1. Proximity: the hospital, school, market and government offices are a short distance away. See the Trabzon hospitals guide.
2. Life all year round: the centre is lively in winter too, not just a summer spot.
3. Easy to rent out: demand from students, workers and families is steady. See the rental yield guide.
4. Transport: bus and minibus (dolmuş) lines leave from the centre in every direction. See the Trabzon transport guide.

What to watch out for

• Congestion and parking on the commercial streets.
• The age of buildings in the older neighbourhoods.
• Noise in flats overlooking the main streets.
• Prices: higher than on the outskirts for comparable properties. Compare in the Trabzon prices guide.

Who does it suit?

• Families living there all year round.
• Those who want to live without a car.
• Students and their families near the university.
• Investors looking for steady rental demand.

In short

Ortahisar is the natural choice for anyone who wants everything close by. In the centre, choose the building carefully; on the surrounding hills, you get proximity, a view and modern construction together.

You will find Ortahisar properties with a map and up-to-date prices on the Ortahisar page. Contact us for a tour of its neighbourhoods.