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Popular Places in Rize
Your guide to Rize, Ayder & the Kaçkar Mountains
Rize is small on a map and slow in reality. Almost everything worth seeing sits along one river — the Fırtına — that climbs from the Black Sea coast to the Kaçkar snowline in under two hours of driving. Ayder is where most families base themselves; the rest of this list is what you reach from there.
Base in Ayder
Waterfall, thermal baths and evening food within walking distance, and every plateau tour departs from here. Busiest in July and August.
Base in the Fırtına Valley
Lower, warmer and quieter, with river sound instead of crowds. Best if you want Zilkale, the stone bridges and rafting on your doorstep.
Base on the coast
Rize city and Ardeşen have full-service hotels, pharmacies and hospitals. Sensible for a first or last night, less so for a whole week.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Ayder Plateau
Türkiye's most famous highland resort: mist, waterfalls, hot springs and wooden chalets at 1,350 m.
Rize
Çamlıhemşin
The riverside town at the gateway to Ayder, Fırtına Valley and the Kaçkar highlands.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Fırtına Valley
A deep green canyon of turquoise water, stone bridges and rainforest — the most photogenic drive in Rize.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Zilkale
A medieval stone castle standing alone on a forested ridge above the Fırtına Valley.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Pokut Plateau
Wooden highland houses on a ridge above a sea of clouds, facing the Kaçkar peaks.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Sal Plateau
Wide open meadows and wooden houses, usually visited on the same tour as Pokut.
Rize & Artvin
Kaçkar Mountains
Türkiye's greenest mountain range, rising to 3,937 m above the Black Sea rainforest.
Rize
Ardeşen
The coastal town where the Ayder road leaves the sea — rafting base and tea country.
Rize
Rize City
The tea capital of Türkiye: hillside plantations, cable car views and a Black Sea waterfront.