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Artvin

5 places · 1 route · Black Sea Türkiye

Deep forested valleys on the Georgian border: mountain lakes, wooden villages and medieval churches in the gorges.

Today in Artvin: sunrise 06:33 · sunset 17:21 (calculated)

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Karagöl and Macahel2 days · 2 stops

Open / closed: Istanbul time, Fri 10:12. Ticket = foreign-visitor price. Visit times are our estimates.

  1. Nature · 7.6 km ~17 min by road

    Karagöl-Sahara National Park

    Hours not verified Not verified ~2–6 h

  2. Nature · 45 km ~1.3 h by road

    Borçka Karagöl

    Hours not verified Not verified ~1.5–3 h

  3. Nature · 46 km ~1.3 h by road

    Macahel (Camili) valley

    Open space Free ~4–8 h

  4. Nature · Area-wide activity

    Hatila Valley National Park

    Hours not verified Not verified ~2–4 h

  5. Nature · Area-wide activity

    Yusufeli and the Çoruh valley

    Open space Free ~3–8 h

Also in this area

Caves, waterfalls, gorges, hidden gems and viewpoints within 50 km (straight line) of the places above.

Adventure nearby: Rafting (Çoruh river) · Horse riding (Kaçkar mountains) · Hiking (Kaçkar mountains)

On this map and in our themes: Macahel (Camili) valley (hidden gem)

Local food with a registered name: Hopa Hamsili Ekmeği · Hopa Laz Böreği

Caves & waterfallsHidden gemsViewpointsAdventureRegional food

Climate: when to go

Monthly averages for Artvin province: warmest in August (average high 26.8 °C), coldest in January (average low 0.1 °C). Averages hide heat waves and cold snaps — check the forecast before you travel.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high6°9°13°18°22°24°26°27°24°20°13°8°
Average low0°1°3°7°11°15°17°18°15°11°6°2°
Sunshine, hours a day2.43.44.35.16.47.26.86.86.44.83.22.1
Rainy days12101314161391010121110

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), 1991–2020 climate normals for Artvin province (this month is highlighted). Values are averages for the whole province as MGM publishes them, not for one beach or hill.

About Artvin

Artvin is one of the most forested provinces in Türkiye, a knot of steep valleys where the Çoruh river cuts down towards Georgia. The villages still build in wood and keep bees in the trees; roads are narrow and slow.

The Karagöl-Sahara national park near Şavşat and the Macahel valley near Borçka are the green highlights. South, Yusufeli has changed with the new dam, but its side valleys lead to old Georgian churches and the eastern trailheads of the Kaçkar mountains.

Is Artvin worth visiting?

Yes, for travellers who like remote landscapes and do not mind long drives. It is one of the least visited corners of the Black Sea.

Allow at least two or three days; a hire car is almost essential.

Best for
Road-trippers, nature lovers, hikers.
How long
2–4 days.
Getting there
Rize–Artvin airport is about 2 hours from Artvin town; buses run from Trabzon, Hopa and Erzurum. General directions, not checked against timetables.

Best time to go Jun–Oct

Summer and autumn, when the mountain roads are open; October brings autumn colours. Mountain passes can be closed by snow in winter.

Part of Black Sea Türkiye — all destinations, when to go and more places in the region.