Places to Visit in Rize

Zilkale

The castle was built during the time of the Trabzon-Rum Empire. You might wonder why it was built in such a remote location with nothing around it, but it was used to send messages to the city center about potential dangers. Additionally, caravans used to stop here as it was an alternative route of the Silk Road during the summer, and taxes were collected based on their loads. This practice continued during the Ottoman period, but as taxes increased, Westerners discovered sea routes. Its original name was Kale-i Zir (Lower Castle), but over time it evolved into Zilkale.

I always thought castles on such hills were only in Scotland or Germany, but we have one too. Plus, it comes with a stunning view surrounded by greenery. I can say it was my favorite spot in Rize. My recommendation is to first take a photo of the castle from a distance at designated points, then explore the inside and capture the surrounding scenery. There’s also a café right outside the castle where you can rest after your visit. If you arrive early, it won’t be crowded. We went in the morning, and while it was quiet then, it was quite crowded when we passed by again later.

Ayder Plateau

Ayder, which we reached by passing through the Fırtına Valley, greeted us with a bit of rain and cool weather. First, we took a bus up to Kalegon. In Kalegon, a river runs through the middle, but since the weather wasn’t great, it didn’t feel very special.

While on the bus, our guide pointed out Gelintülü Waterfall, but due to the fog, it was barely visible, like seeing it through a veil. The area around Galer Düzü is now filled with numerous establishments; my mother, who had visited the region years ago, said it didn’t use to be this crowded. Although it wasn’t overly crowded due to the weather, it was still packed, especially with all the facilities. In the end, Ayder didn’t impress me much, both due to the weather and the overall environment.

Çamlıhemşin

The Fırtına River flows vigorously in some spots, while in others, it’s shallower. There’s also rafting on the river, and an activity called ziplining, where you cross from one side to the other by sliding on a cable. A group who tried the zipline said it was quite fun, but we didn’t try it, so no comment from me:)

In general, I liked this region; it’s green all around. Yes, there are houses and apartments, but fewer than in many other places. Some houses are built in colors that blend with nature, and I wish they all were. There are many tea plantations in the area, and if your hotel is nearby, I recommend walking up towards the hills. We stayed at Dere Butik Otel, which I’ll talk about in the accommodation section, and walked up the path behind the hotel towards the tea plantations. The trail greeted us with beautiful views, which I highly recommend.

Şenyuva

On our way to Zilkale, we stopped at Şenyuva Village. The most significant structure here is the 300-year-old Çinçiva Bridge, which dates back to the Genoese (though I remembered it as the Genoese Bridge, its actual name is Çinçiva Bridge). The village became famous as the filming location for the TV series Sevdaluk, and a house near the bridge was built for the show. It’s a cute village, and there are some lovely little cafés just past the bridge.

Palovit Waterfall

It flows fiercely, standing 15 meters high, in a pristine area. You can climb down a staircase that holds only 4-5 people at a time to get very close to the waterfall, though you might get a little wet, but it’s worth it for the thrill. If it’s a hot day, you’ll get refreshed too 🙂

Accommodation in Rize

Dere Butik Otel: Dere Butik Otel is a small wooden hotel located on the Fırtına River. It’s clean and charming, with spacious rooms where you can step out onto the balcony and watch the river. In fact, you fall asleep to the sound of the river at night. The restaurant area is also by the river, and both the food and breakfast are good. The surroundings are perfect for a nice walk.