Artvin is one of the most spectacular provinces in Turkey, a landscape of steep green mountains, deep river gorges, and highland lakes in the far northeast of the country. Its attractions are spread across the province, from the castle above the city to the forests and lakes of its inland districts, and most of them involve the natural world at its most dramatic. Whether you have a single day or a week, this list of the top things to do in Artvin will help you build a visit that matches the scale of the scenery.
Artvin Castle: The City Above the City
The first thing to do in Artvin is to climb to the castle that watches over the city. Perched on a rocky height above the center, the fortress has guarded the valley for centuries, and its walls and towers still dominate the skyline. The climb is short and steep, and the view from the top is the finest in the city.
From the castle walls you look down on the rooftops of Artvin, across the gorge of the Çoruh River, and out to the mountain ridges that circle the horizon. It is the ideal place to understand the city’s position at the meeting point of valleys, passes, and the border country beyond.
Go in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the valley fills with gold. The castle is at its most atmospheric then, and the city below settles into the quiet rhythm of evening. It is a short visit, but it frames everything else you will see in the region.
Kafkasör Plateau and the Bull Wrestling Festival
Above the city, the Kafkasör plateau is the highland that gives Artvin its summer character. Green meadows, pine forest, and cool air sit at an altitude that makes the plateau a refuge from the heat of the valley, and on summer weekends the city moves up the mountain for picnics, tea, and games in the open air.
The plateau is also the home of one of the northeast’s great events: the annual festival whose centerpiece is traditional bull wrestling. Animals are matched in tests of strength while crowds, music, and market stalls fill the meadow. It is a spectacle rooted in the region’s pastoral culture, and it draws visitors from across Turkey.
Outside festival days, Kafkasör is a gentle half-day outing. The walking is easy, the air is fresh, and the views over the mountains are superb. Pack a picnic, or eat at one of the simple tea gardens and highland restaurants that serve the plateau in season.
Hatila Valley National Park
The Hatila Valley cuts deep into the mountains west of Artvin, and the national park that protects it is one of the region’s finest natural areas. The valley is a world of dense forest, rushing water, and vertical walls of rock and green, threaded by a road that climbs past waterfalls and wild country.
Walking in Hatila is the classic way to experience it. Trails follow the river and climb the slopes through beech and spruce forest, with the sound of water never far away. The valley is rich in wildlife, and birdwatchers and plant lovers find plenty to occupy them through the seasons.
The park is close to the city, which makes it easy to visit even with limited time. A morning or an afternoon is enough for the main valley, and the cool shade of the forest is a relief on warm days. It is the closest taste of the wilderness that defines Artvin.
Borçka Karagöl Lake
In the district of Borçka, the mountain lake of Karagöl lies in a bowl of forested slopes, its dark, still water reflecting the trees and sky. The lake was formed when a landslide dammed a mountain stream, and the result is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the northeast of Turkey.
A road reaches the lake, and a path circles its shore, so you can choose between a gentle stroll and a full circuit. The water is cold even in summer, but the setting is what draws visitors: quiet, green, and almost perfectly still, with the high ridges of the Kafkar mountains rising around it.
Karagöl rewards patience. Arrive early to catch the lake in the morning calm, or stay into the evening when the light turns golden. There are simple places to eat near the lake, and the drive from Artvin through the forests of the Borçka valley is part of the experience.
Karagöl-Sahara National Park in Şavşat
The district of Şavşat holds another Karagöl, this one inside the national park that also protects the wide highland of Sahara. The lake here is glacial in origin, set in a high basin, while Sahara is a rolling plateau of pastures and pine that fills with herds and their herders in summer.
The park is the best place in Artvin to experience the yayla life. In the warm months, families move up to the high pastures, the simple houses of the highland settlements open, and the meadows are dotted with cattle and the sound of bells. The sense of a living pastoral tradition is strong here.
Walking and picnicking are the main activities, and the park has trails that link the lake, the meadows, and the viewpoints. The altitude brings cool air even in summer, and the light across the open highland is beautiful through the long evenings.
The Macahel Valley and Its Honey
The valley of Macahel, known officially as Camili, is a remote, forested valley in the mountains above Borçka, and it holds a special place in the natural heritage of Turkey. It is a protected biosphere reserve, recognized for its rich forests and wildlife, and it is home to the Caucasian grey bee, whose honey is famous across the country.
The honey of Macahel is the valley’s gift to the world. Dark, aromatic, and unlike any other, it is produced from the wildflowers of the surrounding forests, and it is one of the most prized foods of the region. Tasting it, and buying it from the valley’s beekeepers, is one of the great pleasures of a visit.
The road to Macahel winds through forests and across the mountains, and the valley itself feels remote and self-contained, with its villages, streams, and fields tucked between the ridges. It is a long day trip from Artvin, but for beekeepers, walkers, and anyone who loves hidden valleys, it is unforgettable.
Rafting the Çoruh River
The Çoruh is the river that gives Artvin its geography, cutting through the province in a series of deep gorges on its way toward the Black Sea. For much of its course it is a wild, fast river, and it has become one of the most popular rafting destinations in Turkey.
Guided rafting trips take you through the heart of the gorge, with its walls of rock and forest, its rapids, and its stretches of calm water between the runs. No experience is needed for the gentler sections, and the operators provide everything from boats to safety gear. It is the most adventurous way to see the landscape.
If rafting is not for you, the river still offers its pleasures from the road. The valley highway follows the Çoruh for miles, crossing bridges and passing villages with views of the gorge at every turn. Either way, the river is the thread that ties Artvin together.
Historic Churches: The Georgian Heritage
Before the region became part of Turkey, Artvin was a center of the medieval Georgian kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, and the province is scattered with churches and monasteries from that era. Hidden in the forests and valleys, these buildings are among the most remarkable monuments of the Caucasus region.
The best known include the church at İşhan, with its carved stone and its position above the valley, and the ruins of the Dört Kilise, the Four Churches, in the countryside of the province. The architecture is ancient, proud, and deeply atmospheric, and the setting among the mountains makes the visit feel like a discovery.
These sites require some effort to reach, often by narrow roads and short walks, but they reward the traveler with solitude and a sense of deep history. For anyone interested in the layers of the region’s past, the churches of Artvin are unmissable.
Highland Villages and the Yayla Life
The culture of Artvin is inseparable from the yayla, the high pastures where families take their herds for the summer. Across the province, the highland settlements fill with life in the warm months, and staying in one, even for a night, is the deepest way to experience the region.
The yayla life is simple and generous: mountain air, dairy food, endless tea, and the work of the herds that moves the day along. Visitors are welcomed, shown the life of the plateau, and fed from the products of the pastures: cheese, butter, kaymak, and honey from the hives that dot the meadows.
To live this life yourself, look for the guesthouses and village homes that open their doors in summer, or simply join the families who picnic on the highlands at the weekend. In Artvin, the mountains are not a backdrop; they are the center of a culture that has thrived here for centuries.
Frequently asked questions
What is Artvin best known for?
Artvin is best known for its dramatic mountain landscape: deep gorges, forested valleys, and highland lakes in the far northeast of Turkey. The Çoruh River, famous among rafters, cuts through the province, while the plateaus and lakes of Kafkasör, Borçka, and Şavşat define its scenery. The region is also known for its honey, especially from the Macahel valley, and for the summer festival of bull wrestling at Kafkasör, one of the cultural highlights of the northeast.
How many days do you need in Artvin?
A minimum of two days lets you see the castle, the Kafkasör plateau, and one lake, such as Borçka Karagöl. Three to four days give you time for the Hatila Valley, the Şavşat highlands, and a rafting trip on the Çoruh. If you also want to reach the remote Macahel valley and the historic churches, plan a full week. The distances are short but the roads are winding, so build in margin.
Is Artvin good for hiking?
Yes, Artvin is one of the best hiking regions in Turkey. The Hatila Valley National Park offers forest trails beside rushing water, the Karagöl-Sahara National Park has highland walks across open pastures, and the mountains around Borçka and Şavşat hold longer routes through wild country. Trails are generally well marked in the parks, but they are real mountain paths, so bring proper shoes, layers, and supplies. The rewards are solitude and scenery on a grand scale.
All Over Information
The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.
More guides like this
History and Culture of Artvin
Artvin is a frontier province in the far northeast of Turkey, where mountains, rivers, and borders meet.
Where to Stay in Artvin
Artvin is a province of steep mountains and deep valleys, and its accommodation is shaped by that geography.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Artvin
Artvin sits in the far northeast of Turkey, in a landscape that seems designed to be photographed: steep green mountains, deep river…
Day Trip Ideas from Artvin
Artvin is a compact province, and almost everything worth seeing is within a day's drive of the city.