Top 9 Things To Do In Rize, Turkey

things to do in rize
William
William 
Published
| 4 min read

Rize is a travel destination worth visiting. Although the town is sparsely populated, it’s famous for having lush green plateaus, pristine rivers, and numerous tea farms. A tour of the region would be incomplete without visiting top tourist destinations such as Rize Castle, Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden, and Rize Museum. Aside from that, you can tour the local traditional villages. The villages are great places to learn about the local culture and interact with the natives. Since Rize is a culinary paradise, indulge your taste buds by sampling delicious foods such as piyaz, dolma, and bulgur. As tea is a popular drink in the area, you are treated to sights of numerous tea plantations. Most residents prefer tea over coffee or beer. That said, you’ll have plenty of activities to create fun and unforgettable memories. Read on for details about the top things to do in Rize, Turkey.

1. Take a stroll inside Rize Museum

Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dave Proffer used under CC BY 2.0

Rize Museum is located in the heart of Rize and only a stone’s throw away from the city square. Its layout, cleanliness, and signage make it easier for you to move around it with ease. Other than that, you’re served by helpful and welcoming staff who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant tour. Some artifacts displayed in this historic place include clothes, furniture, and sculptures.

Rize Museum

Address: Piriçelebi, Antika Sok. No:4, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Rize Museum

Opening hours: 8am - 4:30pm (daily)

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2. Snap a photo outside Muradiye Heleke Camii

Mosque
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user l0da_ralta used under CC BY 2.0

Pictures are a great way to capture moments in our lives, whether good or bad. While visiting Rize, take a picture at Muradiye Heleke Camii. The large mosque serves as both a landmark and a place of worship. As the mosque is set up on a hill, you’re treated to stunning views of Rize and its surroundings. The lush greenery around the mosque makes it an ideal travel destination.

Muradiye Heleke Camii

Address: 53950 Muradiye/Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Muradiye Heleke Camii

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3. Indulge your taste buds at Dagmaran Restaurant

Kumpir - Turkish Cuisine
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mervat Salman used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This modern restaurant is a ten-minute drive from the city center. The establishment takes pride in serving a variety of tastefully cooked meals at pocket-friendly prices. Visit the restaurant for delicious foods such as pide, borek, durum, and kunefe. Aside from that, the facility is set on an elevated point, giving you great views of Rize town. On one side of this establishment, you can also see the majestic Qibla Mountain.

Dagmaran Restaurant

Address: Balsu Cad.Dağbaşı Mevkii Tepeüstü No:103, 53000 Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Dagmaran Restaurant

Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)

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4. Sample local tea at Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden

Turkish tea
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user आशीष भटनागर used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Are you looking for a nice place to sit and drink tea in Rize? If yes, then visit Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden. The establishment is nestled up on a hill so you enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains and villages. Sit under a tree in the facility and enjoy a cup of tea or two in the company of friends or family. Besides that, the garden itself is attractive and comes with nice-smelling flowers. Interestingly enough, most locals prefer tea over coffee and that’s why such a facility came into being.

Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden

Address: Merkez, Atmeydanı, Narenciye Sk. No:16, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Ziraat Botanik Tea Garden

Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)

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5. Dance the night away at Own kafe bar

Turkish shakshuka
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user E4024 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For a combination of good music, a variety of drinks, and tasty food in Rize, consider hanging out in this joint. This entertainment spot is a place where you can enjoy a cold beer while interacting with friends and other merrymakers. The bar’s serene ambiance and live music also add to its attractiveness. Whenever you feel hungry, you can order their tasty food that’s prepared with customers in mind.

Own kafe bar

Address: Ekrem Orhon, Kültür Park No:83, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Own kafe bar

Opening hours: Mon - Tue, Fri: 12:30pm - 1am; Wed - Thu, Sat - Sun: 10am - 1am

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6. Eat out at Oz The Fisherman

Turkish food
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sami Mlouhi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A good way of sampling a travel destination’s food is by eating out. Oz The Fisherman is one restaurant in Rize serving delicious meals such as shish kebab, fish, and fried rice. Inside, the establishment is neat, airy, and nicely decorated, thus, offering a welcoming ambiance. There’s also a nice seating area on the outside where you can sit and enjoy the weather over food or a glass of juice. Additionally, food is sold at a fair price and in generous amounts.

Oz The Fisherman

Address: Ekrem Orhon, Kültür Park No:83, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Oz The Fisherman

Opening hours: 10am - 1am (daily)

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7. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from Rize Castle

Top Things To Do In Rize, Turkey
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Babbsack used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Nestled atop a hill, this partly ruined castle dates back to the 13th century. It’ll take you seven minutes by car from the city center to reach this magnificent site. Being on an elevated level, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Rize and the surrounding scenery. If you’re looking for a perfect spot to take pictures of the extensive town, this is definitely the one. Don’t forget to stop at the facility’s cafe that serves food and drinks such as hot chocolate, sahlep, and winter tea.

Rize Castle

Address: Merkez, Kale Sk., 53100 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)

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8. Spend time at Haura Coffee & Lounge

Uzundere-Çayeli-Rize, Turkey
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Koliva used under CC BY 3.0

Not a lot of lounges are like Haura Coffee & Lounge in Rize. This modern restaurant is known to serve mouthwatering dishes such as pancakes, chicken, and meatballs. In addition to having a wide selection of menu options, food and drinks are reasonably priced. Customer service is also top-notch, with staff who go out of their way to make sure your time in the establishment is worthwhile. This joint is perfect for family or friends to meet up over delicious food and drinks.

Haura Coffee & Lounge

Address: Tophane, Atatürk Cd. No:329 D:333, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Haura Coffee & Lounge

Opening hours: 9am - 12am (daily)

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9. Explore history at Rize Ataturk Museum

Atatürk Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CeeGee used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Established in 1985, this museum serves as a memorial house. It is endowed with photographs and personal belongings explaining Ataturk’s visit to Rize in 1924. Ataturk is Turkey’s founding father. The former president stayed in this house that was later converted to a museum during his visit to Rize. Other amazing exhibitions in the museum include inscriptions and tombstones. If you’re looking for a good place to learn local history, consider touring Rize Ataturk Museum.

Rize Ataturk Museum

Address: Müftü, Kirazlık Sok. No:16, 53020 Rize Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Website: Rize Ataturk Museum

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Create unforgettable memories in Rize

Restricting yourself to one place while visiting a new location hinders you from knowing it better so it is wise to move around and indulge in fun recreational activities during your free time. While visiting, engage in some of the top things to do in Rize, Turkey, and make every minute of your stay worthwhile.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!

In light of the February 2023 earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, Trip101 urges you to be apprised of the latest news if you have any plans to travel to Eastern Turkey. Other parts of the country remain open to travelers.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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William believes that we should strive to make the world a better place. He's passionate about landscapes, the ocean, and people. When not traveling, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and planning for...Read more

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