What to Wear in Trabzon: Waterproof Shells, Yayla Fleece Layers and Trail Shoes

Packing for Trabzon requires throwing out everything you know about typical Turkish summer beach holidays. Because you will spend your mornings at warm sea level and your afternoons at 1,200 to 2,200 metres up in the Pontic Mountains, where Black Sea clouds can roll in within ten minutes, follow the local Black Sea rule of peelable, water-resistant layers.

Four Essential Items for Every Trabzon Daypack

1. A Lightweight Hooded Waterproof & Windproof Jacket (Even in July and August): rain in the Eastern Black Sea rarely comes with advance warning; a sunny morning in Meydan can turn into a misty mountain drizzle (called çisenti) by the time you reach Sumela Monastery or Uzungöl. A breathable hooded rain shell is far more practical on forest trails and narrow monastery stairs than an umbrella.
2. A Warm Fleece or Merino Wool Jumper (For the 15°C Altitude Drop & Caves): inside Çal Cave and Karaca Cave, the underground temperature stays at a constant 11°C to 12°C even on the hottest August afternoon, and high mountain pastures like Hıdırnebi (1,600m) and Karester (2,250m) drop to 10°C, 14°C as soon as fog covers the sun. Never head up into the mountains in just a T-shirt and shorts.
3. Water-Resistant Trainers or Trail Shoes with Real Rubber Grip: the forest paths and 100 narrow stone steps climbing into Sumela Monastery, the wet wooden boardwalks above the underground river in Çal Cave, and the dewy grass of the yaylas get slippery when damp. Leave smooth-soled leather sandals and canvas plimsolls in the city; wear supportive trail shoes or Gore-Tex trainers.
4. Modest Layers and a Light Scarf: for stepping inside active historical mosques that were once Byzantine churches, such as Trabzon Hagia Sophia, Ortahisar Fatih Mosque and Gülbahar Hatun Mosque, where shoulders and knees must be covered and shoes are slipped off at the carpeted entrance. Check seasonal weather before flying.