The Turkish North in Summer: Trabzon, Uzungol, and the Green Highlands

When summer heat peaks across the Gulf, one destination draws travelers more than almost any other: the Turkish North. Trabzon, Uzungol, Rize, and the Sultan Murat highlands offer cool mountain air, mist rolling over green peaks, and endless forests along the Black Sea coast. This guide walks you through the best stops in the region, with practical advice on staying connected even in the deepest valleys.

Why the Turkish North in summer?

While Riyadh and Jeddah push past forty degrees, Trabzon stays in the twenties for most of the summer. The flight is relatively short, hotels and restaurants in the region are well used to Gulf visitors, and you will find more Arabic menus in Uzungol than you might expect. The landscape here is completely different from Istanbul and Cappadocia — if you have visited Turkey before but never reached the North, this is a brand new destination. Check the Turkey destination page for coverage details before you fly.

The highlights

Trabzon: the gateway to the region, with its own international airport. Do not miss the Sumela Monastery clinging to a cliff face, the lively city square with its cafes and markets, and the Ataturk Pavilion overlooking the city.

Uzungol: the most famous lake in the North, about an hour and a half from Trabzon. The classic view — the mosque on the lakeshore with mountains rising behind it — is best about an hour before sunset. Walk the full loop around the lake, an easy path that takes roughly an hour.

Ayder Plateau: in neighboring Rize, known for natural hot springs and waterfalls. The winding road through forests and rivers is an experience in itself.

Sultan Murat Highlands: literally above the clouds — many visitors drive up before dawn to watch the sea of fog at sunrise. Pack warm layers even in July.

Connectivity in the mountains: practical tips

Your Simply eSIM works in Turkey on the main local networks with speeds up to 5G where available. In Trabzon city and along the main roads coverage is excellent; in deep valleys and high plateaus the signal can weaken, as it does for every network there. Three simple steps make the difference:

• Install your eSIM before you travel and activate it on landing — see the step-by-step installation guide. It takes only a few minutes.
• Download offline maps of the region before heading to Uzungol or Ayder, so navigation keeps working even if the signal drops in a valley.
• Confirm your phone supports eSIM on the compatible devices page before you buy.

Your primary number keeps working as usual for calls and bank verification messages, while your data runs through the travel eSIM — no need to remove your home SIM or visit any phone shop on arrival.

Quick trip tips

• Rent a car or book a private driver — moving between stops is the heart of a Northern trip, and the mountain roads are winding.
• Book your Uzungol hotel early for July and August, when the region is at peak season.
• Always carry a light jacket. The weather changes fast and rain can arrive at any moment — it is the secret behind all that green.
• For typical use — maps, messaging, sharing photos — around 1-2 GB per day is enough, and you can top up from the app at any time.

Ready to go?

Open the Simply app, browse the Turkey plans, install your eSIM before your flight, and land in Trabzon already connected. And if you are thinking of extending the trip toward Batumi and neighboring Georgia, the Georgia destination page is ready for you too.