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.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Borçka Karagöl Lake
Best time: 07:00–09:00 for morning mist reflections; 16:00–18:00 for golden hour
Artvin City Panorama (Çoruh Valley Viewpoint)
Best time: 06:00–08:00 (low mist in valley); 18:00–20:00 (sunset behind Karçal range)
Dolishane Monastery Frescoes
Best time: Midday (natural light enters through windows); avoid harsh midday exterior light
Kafkasör Plateau (Festival and Landscape)
Best time: Early morning for mist; festival week for action shots of bull wrestling
Çoruh River Valley from D950
Best time: Morning (east-facing river lit by early sun); sunset creates dramatic shadows in canyon
Macahel Walnut Forest Autumn Colour
Best time: 09:00–11:00 and 15:00–17:00 for sidelit canopy
Karagöl-Sahara Lake (Şavşat)
Best time: Early morning (still water reflections; mist lifts by 09:00); blue hour just before sunrise
Kaçkar Summit and Alpine Lakes
Best time: 06:00–09:00 for alpenglow on summit; avoid afternoon for lightning risk
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.