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Voykit pocket guide · Türkiye (Turkey)
Artvin
Spend 1–2 days in Artvin for mountain sports, castle view and local cheese; reach by bus from Istanbul (21 h) or Ankara (15 h).
Artvin is a small mountain town in Eastern Karadeniz, known for hiking, kayaking and winter sports. Its sights cluster near the centre, so a short stay covers the main attractions.
- Country
- Türkiye (Turkey)
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (mountain sports, milder weather)
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (heavy snow may limit access)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TRY
- Money
- Currency is the Turkish lira (₺, TRY). About ₺56 to €1 in late September 2026 — check; inflation was still in the double digits, so prices rise several times a year.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₺30–45 incl. B&B · Mid ₺45–70 incl. B&B · High ₺70+ incl. B&B (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs at airports (passport needed); they are dearer than in town shops — check.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Lokanta / simple café: Leave the coins or round up.; Sit-down restaurant: 5–10% in cash, even if the card machine does not offer a tip; check for a 'servis' charge first.; Taxi: Round up to the next ₺10–50.; Hamam: 10–15% to the attendant (tellak/natır).; Guide / driver day: €10–20 for a guide, €5–10 for a driver per day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₺50–100.
- Water
- Tap water is treated and chlorinated but tastes of it; locals buy bottled or 19-litre dispenser water. Restaurants charge for bottled water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets (alaturka) in older mosques and bus stops. Public toilets (WC) cost ₺10–30 — carry coins or small notes. Most toilets have a bidet spray; paper goes in the bin in older buildings.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local cheese plate | ₺20–35 |
| Tea (glass) | ₺5–8 |
| Kebab (restaurant) | ₺30–50 |
| Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) | ₺40–60 |
| Bus ticket Istanbul → Artvin | ₺200–250 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TZX · Trabzon Airport
- Domestic flights; about 150 km (93 mi) (≈2 h drive) from ArtvinDomestic flights; about 93 mi (150 km) (≈2 h drive) from Artvin
Typical fares
- Istanbul → Artvin bus
- ≈ ₺220, 21 h (check)
- Car rental per day
- ≈ ₺150, 4 h free mileage (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
A car is essential; public transport limited and roads steep. Taxis are scarce; consider renting a vehicle from the bus terminal.
See and do
Known for
- Artvin Castle
- Genya hiking area
- Caucasian bull‑fighting (Kafkasör) in July
- Local dairy products
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rize | Bus from Artvin to Rize, about 1 h 30 min | ≈2 h round‑trip |
| Hopa (coast) | Bus or car west 30 km (19 mi)Bus or car west 19 mi (30 km) | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Huriye Butik Otel
- Town centre, Cumhuriyet Cd 23
- Villa Da Otel
- Northwest edge, 3000 TL B&B double
- Koru Butik Otel
- 2 km (1.2 mi) west, 3500 TL B&B double1.2 mi (2 km) west, 3500 TL B&B double
- Katrevan Butik Otel
- South, 2000 TL B&B double
- Mars Otel
- Hills south, 2000 TL double room
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Merhabamerhaba |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederimteʃekkur ederim |
| How much? | Ne kadar?ne kadar |
| Where is the bus station? | Otobüs durağı nerede?otobus duragi nerede |
| I need a taxi | Taksi lazımtaksi lazım |
| Do you speak English? | İngilizce biliyor musunuz?ingilizce biliyor musunuz |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Merhaba' (hello) or 'Selamün aleyküm' in conservative areas; cheek kisses between friends of the same sex; avoid: Offering a hand to a conservative woman first — wait for hers
- Mosques: Covered clothing, headscarf for women, shoes in hand, quiet voice; avoid: Walking in front of people praying; visiting during Friday midday prayer
- Hospitality: Accept tea or at least a sip; bring sweets or pastries to a home; avoid: Refusing food repeatedly; showing the soles of your feet
- Politics and history: Listen; let hosts raise it; avoid: Opinions on Atatürk, the Kurdish issue, Armenia or Cyprus with people you just met
- Ramadan: Eat discreetly in conservative towns during the day; avoid: Eating, drinking or smoking in front of fasting people in small towns
- Gestures: A slight upward head nod with a tut means 'no'; avoid: The OK hand sign (can be read as rude) and a thumb between fingers
- Dress in town: Shorts are fine in Istanbul and resorts; longer clothes in the interior and east; avoid: Swimwear away from the beach
- Names: First name plus Bey (men) or Hanım (women): 'Ahmet Bey'; avoid: Using the surname alone
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus arrivals are at the terminal 1 km west of town; final climb to accommodation can be steep.
- Artvin Castle path overgrown; no access in 2025 (check for updates).
- Winter snow can block mountain roads; verify road conditions before travel.
Artvin is generally safe; watch mountain roads in winter and keep valuables secure on buses.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Artvin yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Artvin Castle
- Genya hiking area
- Caucasian bull‑fighting (Kafkasör) in July
- Local dairy products
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Artvin official website: artvin.bel.tr
- Wikivoyage: Artvin, revision 5232465 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5232465
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Artvin
Bu adrese lütfen
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance112
US consulate in Istanbul; Turkish embassy in Ankara.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/artvin). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.