Living in Trabzon: a guide for newcomers

Trabzon is a Black Sea city in north-eastern Turkey and the place where Buruj Real Estate began. Newcomers usually notice three things first: the green hills that run straight down to the sea, the calm pace compared with Istanbul, and how busy the city becomes with visitors in summer. This guide covers what daily life is like, where people live and what to arrange in your first weeks, as of October 2026.

Climate and setting

Trabzon is a metropolitan municipality in north-eastern Turkey, built along the coast and up the slopes behind it. The mountains and the sea are close together, so a short drive takes you from the seafront to forests and highland meadows.

The climate is mild and humid. It rains in every season, which is why the region stays green all year, and summers are warm rather than hot. Winters on the coast are generally milder than in inland Turkey, while the mountain areas are cooler. Spring and autumn are mild and green, summer is the season for the plateaus and lakes, and in winter it rains on the coast while snow falls in the mountains. Many streets are steep, so access, parking and lifts are worth checking when you view a home.

Getting there and getting around

Trabzon Airport sits on the coast between the city centre and Yomra, close to our Pelitli office. The city centre and the eastern districts are a short drive from the terminal. There are domestic flights to Istanbul and Ankara all year, and international flights, including from Gulf cities, especially in summer.

Within the city, people get around by car, city buses and shared minibuses (dolmuş). A car makes day trips to the lakes and plateaus much easier, and the coastal road links the districts from Akçaabat in the west to Yomra in the east. In summer, the roads to Uzungöl and the plateaus get busy, so start day trips early.

Where to live: the main areas

• Ortahisar is the central district. It includes the city centre and the neighbourhoods of Boztepe, Pelitli, Yalıncak and Kaşüstü, with shops, schools, hospitals and the university close by.
• Yomra, to the east near the airport, is where many newer residential projects have been built.
• Akçaabat, to the west, is known for its sea views and for its famous köfte.
• Mountain and lake areas are popular for second homes and summer use.

If you will live in Trabzon all year, being close to schools, hospitals and shops is usually the priority, which favours Ortahisar. For summer use, views, quiet and easy access to the airport or the plateaus may matter more.

The Trabzon area guide shows current listings and live figures for the city and its districts.

Healthcare, education and shopping

Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) is the city's main university, and its Farabi Hospital is a teaching hospital. Several private hospitals also serve the city. Pharmacies take turns staying open at night and on holidays (nöbetçi eczane), and the list is posted on every pharmacy door. If you plan to apply for a residence permit, you will need Turkish health insurance, so arrange it early. Families with school-age children should look at school options early, since most schools teach in Turkish.

For shopping, there are modern malls such as Forum Trabzon, alongside local markets where fresh produce from the region is sold. The city centre and the main districts have the usual banks, pharmacies and supermarkets.

Food, culture and day trips

Trabzon is known across Turkey for its food: Akçaabat köfte, hamsi (Black Sea anchovy, best in the cooler months), local tea and hazelnuts. In summer, many villages and plateaus hold traditional highland festivals (yayla şenlikleri) with local music and food.

In and around the city:

• Boztepe, a viewpoint and tea garden area above the city, with wide views of the sea.
• The Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a medieval monument near the coast.
• The Atatürk Pavilion, a historic mansion set in gardens on the hills.
• Sumela Monastery in Maçka, built into a cliff face in a forested valley.
• Uzungöl lake in Çaykara, surrounded by mountains and wooden houses.
• The Ayder plateau in neighbouring Rize, a highland area popular in summer.

The best-known spots are busiest in the height of summer, so weekdays and early mornings are quieter.

Practical tips for settling in

1. Get a tax number at the tax office with your passport. You need it for the purchase, the bank and most contracts.
2. Open a bank account to pay bills and receive transfers.
3. Arrange Turkish health insurance, especially if you will apply for a residence permit. Our residence permit guide lists the conditions.
4. Transfer electricity, water and gas into your name after you move in.
5. Learn some basic Turkish. Trabzon has a well-known Arab summer community, and in summer many restaurants and services have Arabic-speaking staff, but daily life outside the season runs mainly in Turkish.
6. Plan for the rain: good windows, ventilation and heating matter in a humid climate, so check them when you view a property.
7. Register your address after you move in. You need it for a residence permit and for many other official procedures.

Overall, the cost of living and property prices in Trabzon are generally lower than in Istanbul.

How Buruj helps

Buruj Real Estate was founded in Trabzon and has its head office in Pelitli, Ortahisar. We arrange viewings in person or by video call, check the title deed, book the sworn translator and the land registry appointment, and help with the tax number, bank account and utilities. After you move in, we stay available for after-sales questions. Browse apartments in Trabzon or contact us.