Open Travel Guide
Attractions in Artvin

Artvin Attractions Guide 2026

Artvin's essential sights and the lesser-known places locals would rather you found.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

This guide covers 21+ attractions in Artvin — Dolishane Monastery, Borçka Karagöl Natural Lake and Çoruh River Rafting Corridor top the list. Every recommendation carries its practical details: typical costs, the best time to visit, and what to know before you commit.

Artvin is a rugged mountain province in northeastern Turkey, bordered by Georgia to the east and the Black Sea coast to the north. The province shelters a remarkable concentration of medieval Georgian Orthodox churches and monasteries hidden in forested valleys, alongside the Çoruh River — one of the world's fastest-flowing rivers and a world-class whitewater rafting destination. Dense chestnut and pine forests cloak the slopes of the Kaçkar and Karçal mountain ranges, while high plateaus offer cool summer escapes and pastoral landscapes that have changed little in centuries.

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Artvin.

  1. 1

    Dolishane Monastery

    Religious / HistoricalFree1–1.5 hours
  2. 2

    Borçka Karagöl Natural Lake

    Nature / LakeFree2–3 hours
  3. 3

    Çoruh River Rafting Corridor

    Adventure / NatureTour operators charge 400–800 TRY ($12–24) per person for day runsHalf day to multi-day
  4. 4

    Kafkasör Plateau

    Nature / CulturalFree; Festival entry 50–100 TRY ($1.50–3) in June2–4 hours
  5. 5

    Tbeti (Tbet) Georgian Church

    Religious / HistoricalFree1 hour
  6. 6

    Hatilla Valley National Park

    Nature / HikingFreeHalf day to full day
  7. 7

    Ishan Monastery

    Religious / HistoricalFree1–1.5 hours
  8. 8

    Artvin Castle (Çoruh Kalesi)

    Historical / ViewpointFree45 minutes–1.5 hours
  9. 9

    Macahel (Camili) Biosphere Reserve

    Nature / UNESCOFree (guided nature walks available from Camili village at 150–250 TRY/$4.50–7.50 per person)Full day or overnight
  10. 10

    Karagöl-Sahara National Park

    Nature / LakesFreeHalf day to full day

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Tip

Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.

Tip

Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.

Tip

Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.

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