Rize, located next to the Black Sea and near Türkiye's northeastern border, is a little-known "fairyland" destination.
Rize attracts nature lovers who want to explore a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This coastal locality has some of the most pristine terrain in Türkiye, surrounded by rolling hills. With high annual rainfall, Rize's mountain villages are a popular summer getaway for many visitors.
The mountainous town of Çamlıhemşin is Rize’s most attractive spot, where nature remains largely untouched. Here you will find simple homestays run by locals and cafes run by young people who have left the city to live in the mountains.
Wild landscape in Çamlıhemşin, Rize.
From the Black Sea coast, the road to Çamlıhemşin cuts through a lush mountain valley, along the Fırtına River, where time seems to stand still in this mountainous region. The people of Çamlıhemşin make a living from forestry, beekeeping and cattle raising.
Visitors looking to experience local culture can stay in Çamlıhemşin’s traditional Karadeniz houses. Check out Puli Mini Hotel, a traditional Karadeniz house made of stone and weathered chestnut wood in the center of town. The house has many windows with direct views of the Fırtına River, allowing fresh air to flow in.
There are not many dining options around town, but visitors can dine with the locals. The town’s usual breakfast is mıhlama, a mixture of melted cheese and cornmeal, served hot with bread. Alternatively, visitors can visit Puli Cafe, which serves creative dishes made from local ingredients, such as tavada hamsili, a grilled anchovy pilaf.
About an hour south of the town center of Çamlıhemşin, yayla - a village in the highlands, is also an ideal place to explore the indigenous life in the place known as "fairyland". The roads here are not developed, visitors have to travel by off-road vehicle. Fresh air, lush forests, and endless green grasslands are gifts that nature bestows on visitors. Waking up in the traditional houses here, visitors will greet the new day with the fragrant smell of toasted bread, listening to the clear sound of cow bells outside in the pasture.
Traditional Turkish wooden houses on the Hazindak plateau, near Senyuva in Çamlıhemşin.
Meals in Yayla also revolve around dairy products such as fresh cream, cheese, and butter. There is also honey, jam, eggs, bread, and fruit from the garden. After a day of exploring the plateau, visitors can gather with a local family, enjoy simple meals, and sing all evening in a cozy atmosphere.
About 8 km south of the town center of Çamlıhemşin, the village of Şenyuva is famous as a retirement village for locals who once worked hard in the bustling city. Apo and Elif Taşkın, who were born in Rize and then left their hometown to work in the capital Istanbul, returned to Şenyuva to live and open a cafe here. In addition to serving drinks, Apo and Elif Taşkın also devoted themselves to cooking dishes from local ingredients such as elderflowers, wild strawberries, and blackberries to serve tourists.
"The peaceful life in Rize suits us. We came here after getting married. Now we have a four-year-old son and a group of close friends who support the cafe business," Elif said.
A wooden house cafe in Şenyuva village.
She said that Rize’s tourist attractions are underdeveloped due to travel restrictions. However, thanks to this, the nature here has not been affected much. Late May to October is a good time to visit the highland villages. Elif recommends staying in traditional houses to truly experience the local culture and cuisine.
In addition, first-time visitors should book a local guide to explore the mountain climbing trails and culturally rich tourist attractions. Moreover, the guide also knows the weather conditions to ensure the travel schedule.
No More Lies, a street artist born in Rize, commented that the "essence" of this place is peace and quiet. Some of No More Lies' friends have visited Rize and just stayed indoors enjoying the feeling of absolute peace and relaxation.
One of the main reasons why tourists love Rize is the villages perched high in the mountains. The street artist’s favorite village is Elevit Yaylası, which has no cafes and only the quiet life of the locals. In addition, the villages of Amlakit and Hazindağ are also worth visiting to enjoy the pristine nature.
Meanwhile, the most famous village in the region, Ayder Yaylası, is gradually becoming overcrowded due to the increase in tourists in recent times.
"Some tourists come to Rize but do not appreciate the value of this place because of lack of knowledge about the local culture and nature. I think people who come to Rize should not travel by just passing through everything and taking a few selfies. They should spend time staying in the yaylas, really breathing the air, absorbing the scent of nature, drinking water from the streams. Only then will they understand where they are and become part of this amazing natural world," No More Lies said.
Bich Phuong (According to CNN )
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