57 places in 9 districts: viewpoints, glacial lakes, high plateaus, canyons and thousand-year-old churches. Search or pick a category.
Showing 57 places
Artvin Centre
About 3 km from the centre, Atatepe is home to Turkey's largest Atatürk statue and gives a bird's-eye view of the Çoruh Valley and the town. Run by the municipality, it serves breakfast and food facing the view and has an indoor area. Take a minibus from the bus station to the centre, the free municipal shuttle at weekends, or a taxi.
Artvin Centre
Inside Hatila Valley National Park, about 12 km from the centre, the Glass Terrace sits at 490 m, some 220 m above the valley floor. No overshoes are needed. The entry fee is paid at the national park gate about 4 km before the terrace (October 2026: 190 TRY per vehicle, with receipt). There is no public transport; take a taxi from the bus station or the centre.
Artvin Centre
Perched on a rocky hill, Artvin (Livane) Castle is closed to visitors for safety reasons but can be seen from many points in town. One of the best spots is Kaledibi Marina, run by the provincial administration right on the Çoruh River, where you can watch the castle and the river over tea or coffee.
Artvin Centre
Just 8 km from the centre at 1,250 m, Kafkasör Plateau is famous for its traditional bullfights held every year. Its picnic areas in cool forest are open all year round. The road continues through the city forest to Yankı Hill, Atabarı and Genya. No minibus: go by taxi or car.
Artvin Centre
On the road from Kafkasör to Atabarı, about 1 km before Mersivan Plateau, this wooden viewpoint opens onto the forest. Its name, 'Echo Hill', comes from the echo you hear when you shout towards the opposite slopes. Go by taxi or car.
Artvin Centre
About 18 km from the centre on Mersivan Plateau at roughly 1,800 m, Atabarı is home to Artvin's only ski slope. A chairlift climbs to 2,054 m and the 1,300 m forest run is open November to May. It lies on the same road as Kafkasör and Yankı Hill. It comes alive in winter, when the road can be snowy.
Artvin Centre
On the same route as Kafkasör, Yankı Hill and Atabarı, Genya Hill rises above 2,000 m a little beyond Mersivan Plateau. It is worth the drive on a clear summer day. In winter, late autumn and on rainy days in March-April the road can be snowy.
Artvin Centre
At km 13 of the Artvin–Ardanuç/Şavşat road, on top of the dam body, this terrace overlooks the reservoir, the mountains and Artvin town. Tiered terraces offer picnic spots and a café. At 249 m, Deriner is Turkey's second-highest dam. It is often windy, so don't plan a long stay in cold weather. District minibuses pass by, but a taxi or car is recommended.
Artvin Centre
In Hamamlı village, 6 km northwest of Berta Bridge, Doliskana Church was built by Bagratian King Sumbath. Once partly a mosque, only the church survives, restored in 1958.
Artvin Centre
Founded 449-499 by Iberian King Vahtang Gorgaslan, Opiza Monastery was destroyed in 7th-century Arab raids, then restored under King Ashot I, functioning until the 16th century.
Artvin Centre
Likely built by the Bagratians, Sarıbudak Castle stands on a hill in a deep valley. Though its walls collapsed, the two-storey tower remains, with a cistern inside.
Ardanuç
7 km northwest of Ardanuç, Cehennem Canyon is among the world's notable canyon valleys — 500 m long, 70 m deep, 6 m wide, opening into Ardanuç stream.
Ardanuç
In Ahıza village 5 km from Ardanuç, Ferhatlı Castle is famed as where Ferhat and Şirin met. Built in the 5th century by Iberian King Vahtang, Evliya Çelebi called it 'Battle Castle'.
Ardanuç
In Adakale, this two-storey masonry building of rubble stone and wood reflects local architecture. Next to the historic İskenderpaşa Mosque, it exhibits Artvin's traditional products.
Ardanuç
15 km from the center in Konaklı village, Curuspil Plateau is a wide forest-ringed plain. Its annual festival in the third week of July promotes the district's culture.
Ardanuç
In Çamlık quarter of Bulanık village (17 km from Ardanuç), this 10-11th century monastery had secret passages to Bulanık Creek. Abandoned in the late 16th century, only the church survives.
Ardanuç
Built in 1843, Aydın Village Church (also 'Armenian Church') is now ruined with only outer walls standing. Its cut-stone arch and fresco remains in the apse are notable.
Ardanuç
At 2,100 m, Yanıklı Plateau's houses are built on a single slope to reduce avalanche and wind risks, strengthening neighborly ties.
Yusufeli
In İşhan village, reached 7 km off the Oltu route, this church was built by Priest Seba. Restored in 2020, it is one of Artvin's most visited historical sites.
Yusufeli
In Özgüven village (45 km, 2,400 m), Ciro Waterfall is Artvin's highest at 160 m — ideal for birdwatching, hiking, photo safaris and botanical tours.
Yusufeli
In Tekkale village (4 km from Yusufeli), this 9th-century monastery by Georgian King David — with bell tower, refectory and chapel — is believed to have been a nunnery.
Yusufeli
In Altıparmak village (30 km), Barhal Church was built 961-973 by Georgian King David III. Repaired in the 15th century and restored in 1518, it was converted to a mosque in 1677.
Yusufeli
In Danca village, Esbeki Castle is a notable medieval Georgian complex of monastery, church, chapel and watchtower, walled — likely built to protect the nearby monastery.
Yusufeli
At 3,384 m in Yüncüler village, this glacier lake is Turkey's deepest at 60 m and the largest in the Kaçkars at 750 m².
Yusufeli
At 2,860 m in Hastaf Valley, Dilberdüzü is a 1.5-hour walk from Olgunlar. A camp base for Kaçkar summit climbers; the Transkaçkar route reaches Ayder Plateau.
Yusufeli
Reached via the Arılı route through several plateaus, Güloğlu is an intermediate plateau used by Arılı villagers. Lodging is available at Papuli House in Nopapeni Plateau.
Yusufeli
28 km from Kılıçkaya town, Aros Plateau hosts a festival on the second weekend of July each year.
Borçka
Declared by UNESCO in 2005, Camili Biosphere Reserve is Turkey's first and only, one of the world's 25 hotspots. Home to the pure Caucasian bee, it is a Gene Conservation Area.
Borçka
At 2,740 m atop the Karçal Mountains, Yıldız Lake offers sparkling views, reached by a 2.5-hour walk from Beyazsu Plateau. Its icy waters stay cold even in summer.
Borçka
At 2,750 m on Karçal Mountain, Naçadirev Lake lies in a biosphere reserve. On the road between Çikunet Plateau and İndastimda Pass, it's a 10-minute walk away.
Borçka
In Borçka (41 km), Beyazsu Plateau is named for its abundant foamy spring water. The gateway to Yıldız Lake and a trail to Gorgit Plateau, with Beyazsu Pension for lodging.
Borçka
Surrounded by monumental trees, Gorgit ('old forest') is reached via Borçka Karagöl and Heba Plateau — one of Turkey's finest hiking routes, crossing the 2,900 m Kapılı Pass.
Borçka
One of Macahel's key plateaus, Lekoban offers endemic plants, glacial lakes and stunning sunsets. Reached via Şavşat or Borçka; with no electricity, the stars are vivid.
Borçka
Built in 1846 in Muratlı village on the Georgian border, Maradit Mosque shares the Adjara wooden-mosque style with striking wood carvings. Muratlı Dam is also here.
Borçka
Built by villagers in 1266 in Düzköy, Çihala Mosque is still in use. Simple outside but richly decorated within, the square wooden mosque is 9 km from Borçka.
Şavşat
Covering 3,250 hectares, Karagöl-Sahara National Park (1994) draws crowds in spring-summer. With two parts — Black Lake and Sahara Plateau — it offers bungalows and restaurants.
Şavşat
In Pınarlı village, Fish Lake is ringed by mountains and forests — ideal for camping under the stars. A morning walk to the Sirata lakes offers wildlife watching.
Şavşat
36 km from Şavşat on the Georgian border, Arsiyan Plateau has lakes with floating plant islands, reached by 4x4. Stunning at sunset; the 2,600 m pass descends to Posof.
Şavşat
One of the Eastern Black Sea's most wooded valleys, Papart in Şavşat has rich vegetation, streams and waterfalls — ideal for hiking and photography.
Şavşat
15 km from Şavşat in Sahara Karagöl Park, Kocabey Barracks and Şavşat House showcase wooden architecture. The house is now a restaurant; Yavuzköy terrace offers grand views.
Şavşat
In historic Tao-Klarceti, Tbeti Church was built 899-914 by Bagratian Prince Aşut Koh. Only this ruined church survives, in Cevizli village 10 km from Şavşat.
Şavşat
A 2-hour walk from Aşağı Koyunlu village, Tamara Rooms are a medieval clergy retreat — two spaces including a rock church, with a carved room above.
Şavşat
37 km from Şavşat, Bazgiret village is entirely wooden houses where locals raise livestock. The waterfall at its center is its main natural beauty.
Şavşat
In Şavşat, Yanıklı Plateau's high altitude and natural setting make it a peaceful highland-tourism spot favored by nature lovers.
Hopa
12 km from Hopa at 1,300 m between Güngeli and Balık villages, Çağçağan ('flowing' in Hemşin) plunges 130 m into the forest amid endless green.
Hopa
Near Hopa Port, this early-20th-century mansion was restored into a museum displaying ~2,000 ethnographic works on the region's daily life and crafts.
Hopa
One of Hopa's main swimming spots, Kopmuş Beach has a seaside campsite ideal for caravanners — a stopover for adventurers heading to Central Asia.
Hopa
On Hopa's Orta Avenue, this late-19th-century mosque (renovated 1993-94) has a hipped roof and notable interior decoration.
Arhavi
15 km from Arhavi, Arılı village preserves its historic character with traditional houses. Pensions are common; the whole village is a 1st-degree archaeological site.
Arhavi
In 2012 a former school became this museum (18 km from Arhavi), exhibiting Laz ethnographic items and animated displays of traditional life.
Arhavi
Bordering Yusufeli and Fındıklı, Sırt Plateau lies below the 2,600 m Karagöl. Marsis Hill, East Kaçkar's highest peak, draws climbers; the Salikvan Pass leads to Yusufeli.
Murgul
In Başköy, Delikli Kaya Waterfall was carved through a 4-meter rock by water's force, pouring from 7 m — strikingly photogenic, almost photoshopped.
Murgul
In Damar village under Tiryal Mountain's pines, this is Artvin's third Black Lake. Within a mining area at 1,800 m, it links to Gölbaşı and Kartla plateaus — 16 km from Murgul.
Murgul
A newly discovered waterfall on the Cancereç stream in Petek village. Beside the Mavisu hydro plant, it's reached through a long, intriguing tunnel.
Murgul
In Küre village forest, Gemikaya is 10 m high and 40 m long — named 'ship rock' because villagers likened it to a vessel.
Kemalpaşa
Makrialis Church was built in the 13th century on Hele's grave. In 1367, Georgian King Bagrat V married Princess Anna Komnenos here. It has a single-nave plan.
Kemalpaşa
Thanks to Artvin's topography, 32 migratory bird species can be observed here — most notably the Imperial Eagle.
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Highlights include Atatepe, the Hatila Valley Glass Terrace, Kafkasör Plateau, the Deriner Dam viewing terrace, Karagöl–Sahara National Park, İşhan Church, the Cehennem Deresi Canyon and the Macahel Biosphere Reserve. This guide lists 57 places across 9 districts.
As of October 2026 it is 190 TRY per vehicle, with a receipt, paid at the national park gate about 4 km before the terrace. Prices may change.
Allow at least 4-5 days to see all districts. One or two days are enough for the centre and its surroundings; the Yusufeli, Şavşat and Borçka highlands need separate days.
June to September: the plateaus are green, roads are open and the weather is good. Atabarı is for skiing in winter, when high roads can be snowy.