Open Travel Guide
Day trips from Artvin

Best Day Trips from Artvin 2026

Where a single day out of Artvin can take you, and exactly how to make each trip work.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

The short answer: start with Trabzon & Sümela Monastery, Georgia Day Trip via Sarp Border and Borçka Karagöl Lake. This guide profiles 7+ day trips in Artvin, with prices, timing, and the practical notes that decide whether each one earns a place in your plan.

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 day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

155 km from Artvin city

Trabzon & Sümela Monastery

Intercity bus Artvin–Trabzon (200–350 TRY / $6–10.50; runs every 1–2 hours). From Trabzon, dolmuş to Maçka then taxi to Sümela (50 km from Trabzon, 150–200 TRY/$4.50–6 each way).
80 km Artvin to Sarp; Batumi 10 km past border

Georgia Day Trip via Sarp Border

Bus or dolmuş from Artvin to Hopa (100–150 TRY/$3–4.50, 2 hrs), then shared taxi (marshrutka) or walk to Sarp crossing. Confirm current Georgian visa requirements at mfa.gov.ge before travel.
60 km from Artvin city

Borçka Karagöl Lake

Car from Artvin (60 km via D010 to Borçka then 23 km forest road). Alternatively, dolmuş to Borçka town (50 TRY/$1.50), then shared dolmuş or taxi to Camili (80–120 TRY/$2.40–3.60 each way).
83 km from Artvin city

Şavşat Georgian Church Circuit

Car strongly recommended (4WD for Tbeti and Opiza access roads). Dolmuş from Artvin to Şavşat (2 hrs, 90–130 TRY/$2.70–3.90) for Şavşat town, then taxi for church sites (300–600 TRY/$9–18 for the circuit).
115 km from Artvin city

Rize Tea Country

Bus from Artvin to Rize (200–300 TRY/$6–9, several daily). From Rize, walk or taxi to tea terraces above city (15–30 TRY/$0.45–0.90).
55 km from Artvin city

Yusufeli & Barhal Valley

Dolmuş from Artvin otogar to Yusufeli (70–100 TRY/$2.10–3; morning and midday departures). From Yusufeli to Barhal: dolmuş twice daily in summer (60–80 TRY/$1.80–2.40).
40 km from Artvin city

Ardanuç & Dolishane Monastery

Car from Artvin (40 km on D010 then mountain roads). Dolmuş to Ardanuç (several daily from Artvin otogar, 50–80 TRY/$1.50–2.40), then taxi to Dolishane and Porta (300–500 TRY/$9–15 for full circuit).

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.

Tip

Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.

Tip

Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.

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