Major city · Türkiye (Turkey)
Rize
Spend 1–2 days in Rize as a tea‑region base; fly in, see the castle, museum and tea garden, then head to Ayder or Trabzon.
Rize is a small Black Sea city famous for tea production. The airport connects to Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and the town centre is walkable. Main sights are a free museum, 13th‑century castle and tea garden. Use one night for a quick base before heading to the Kaçkar mountains or Trabzon.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TRY
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy, cooler)
- Airport
- RZV
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Rize112 ▾
- General112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rize, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Turkish lira (₺, TRY).Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTurkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs at airports (passport needed); they are dearer than in town shops — check.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated and chlorinated but tastes of it; locals buy bottled or 19-litre dispenser water.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- TippingcheckSit-down restaurant: 5–10% in cash, even if the card machine does not offer a tip; check for a 'servis' charge first.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SafetyRize is generally safe; keep an eye on traffic when crossing streets, and store cash in small notes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets (alaturka) in older mosques and bus stops.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMany museums close Monday (Topkapı closes Tuesday) — check; mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers and Friday midday…Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRZV Rize‑Artvin Airport (Daily flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir; 36 km (22 mi) east, taxi or hire‑car needed).RZV Rize‑Artvin Airport (Daily flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir; 22 mi (36 km) east, taxi or hire‑car needed).
- Getting aroundTown is compact; walk to most sights.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RZV Rize‑Artvin Airport (Daily flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir; 36 km (22 mi) east, taxi or hire‑car needed)RZV Rize‑Artvin Airport (Daily flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir; 22 mi (36 km) east, taxi or hire‑car needed)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Dec (16 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rize: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is compact; walk to most sights. Dolmuş minibuses run the main east‑west street; taxis for airport (≈30 km).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ayder Plateau
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Dolmuş to Çamlıhemşin (≈45 min) then local minibus 15 min
Start early for hiking; tea‑region scenery.
Trabzon
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Rize bus terminal, 73 km (45 mi), ≈1 h 30 minBus from Rize bus terminal, 45 mi (73 km), ≈1 h 30 min
Connect to Sümela Monastery or city attractions.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Rhisos Otel
Central, street‑noise possible; B&B double 3000 TL
Grand 464 Otel
Clean, comfy, central; B&B double 3000 TL
Otel Keleş
Value‑for‑money near centre; B&B double 2500 TL
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₺150–250 (≈ US$4–7) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₺250–400 (≈ US$7–10) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel/hostel2 × 1 night × ₺3,000 | ₺6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₺250 | ₺500 |
| RZV ↔ Rize centre taxi (one‑way)2 × ₺120 · check | ₺240 |
| Dolmuş to Çamlıhemşin (Ayder gateway)2 × ₺30 · check | ₺60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₺680 |
| Trip total≈ ₺3,740 per person per day, bed included | ₺7,480≈ US$190 |
Based on listed B&B prices.
2026 estimate in TRY; flights and long‑distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea (glass, local café) | ₺5–8 (≈ under US$1) |
| Muhlama (cheese‑oatmeal dish) | ₺30–45 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Hamsi boreği (anchovy pastry) | ₺25–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi 5 km | ₺70–90 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Dolmuş ride (city centre)check | ₺5–8 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last dolmuş runs around midnight; plan taxi if late.
- Rize‑Artvin Airport shuttle discontinued; arrange transport.
- Tea garden may close in winter; check opening times.
Emergency numbers
- General
- 112
Pocket card
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RizeRize
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
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Bu adrese lütfenTo this address, please
Emergency
- General112
Embassy
US consulate in Istanbul; Turkish embassy in Ankara (check details).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- RZV → Rize centre (taxi): ≈ ₺120, 30 min (check)
- Dolmuş Rize ↔ Çamlıhemşin: ≈ ₺30 each way
Say or show
- Affedersiniz — Excuse me / Sorry (affedersiniz)
- Teşekkür ederim — Thank you (teşekkür ederim)
- Ne kadar? — How much is it? (ne kadar)
- Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? — Can I pay by card? (kartla ödeyebilir miyim)
- Tuvalet nerede? — Where is the toilet? (tuvalet nerede)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rize. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy, cooler) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contract for RZV (taxi fallback).
- Dolmuş schedule monitoring for early‑morning departures.
Sources
Ask about Rize
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