Car & Van Hire - Trabzon

Trabzon is a mid-sized, historic settlement on the Black Sea, surrounded by impressive mountains. The coast here is steep and rocky, as the North Anatolian mountains meet the sea. It's interrupted by stunning river gorges and other historic trading cities.

Further inland, the mountains themselves are impressive. Within easy driving distance is the town of Maçka. From there, you can quickly reach the Altindere Valley National Park, famed for its beautiful waterfalls and varied wildlife.

Within the Altindere Valley Park is the celebrated Sumela Monastery, one of the most important ancient sites in the region. It is reckoned to have been founded by Athenian monks in AD 386. The monastery complex is perched at an altitude of 1200 metres, surrounded by dramatic cliffs. It features several chapels, kitchens, student rooms and a library, as well as the celebrated Rock Church.

Trabzon itself dates back to the 8th century. In medieval times, it was a waypoint on the Silk Road, and you can still feel the influence of many different cultures. A great example of this history is the Bedestan trading hall. This 16th-century covered market sells many local souvenirs and features a welcome café on the top floor. But the main attraction is the building itself, which feels more like a church or temple than a commercial building.

For religious buildings themselves, take a tour around Ortahisar Fatih Büyük Camii. Originally a church under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it became a mosque in 1461. It combines the best of Roman architecture and Islamic decoration. With a similar history, Aya Sofya Camii is also well worth visiting.

Trabzon features many beautiful parks and gardens, such as Kanuni Park. It is surrounded by ancient fortress walls and now contains a museum, cultural centre and mosque. Also, check out the Zaǧnos Bridge. It overlooks the parklands of the same name, founded in the 15th century.

With all this history, some museum visits are a must. The Trabzon Museum is the city's main archaeological centre, featuring many ancient artefacts. Trabzon Şehir Müzesi is an ethnological museum, a great resource for understanding the city's rich cultural history. And the little Ortahisar Tarih Museum offers some fascinating old film footage of past times.

For cultural explorers, the local folk dancing tradition is often in evidence. Trabzon frequently hosts international folk festivals, where you can see dancing from across Turkey, eastern Europe and other regions.

In general, car rental in Trabzon is a good choice as the highways are smooth and well-maintained. Signs follow international norms. If you explore further afield, be aware that small roads can be rougher with less consistent signage, so be sure to plan your journey. As with the rest of continental Europe, they drive on the right-hand side of the road and traffic lights follow the standard three-colour system.

Trabzon is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and a beautiful coastal landscape, so there are many opportunities for day-tripping. As for getting to the beauty spots, you'll benefit from car or van rental in Trabzon as there's no rail infrastructure in the region. The Black Sea Coastal Road, the D010, is your best resource for travelling east or west. This 1400km road links Karasu in the west with Kars in the east, passing through many amazing destinations.

Your main route inland is the D885 (also signed E97), which winds its way through mountains and plains into Turkey's vast interior. The main highway here tends to follow river valleys, but if you head off on the smaller roads, the terrain quickly becomes remote, so do take care. You'll find some exciting mountain passes and, when you find a safe place to stop, the views are magnificent.

As for driving in Trabzon itself, the coastal highway gets you from east to west in the city very efficiently. It's also the main route from the Airport. As a coastal city, Trabzon doesn't extend too far inland, so east-west roads are your best resource. A little further to the south, Yavuz Selim Boulevard also runs east to west. Between these two routes lie many of the city's attractions, all easily accessible.

When driving in Trabzon, there are some things to be aware of. Because of its history, Trabzon contains many narrow, winding roads. There are few designated pedestrian zones, but some of the little roads can be difficult to traverse by vehicle. You may also find routes blocked by drivers parking on the street or slow vehicles; in general, you'll find things easier if you use the more major routes through the city.