Things To Do
in Gümüşhane

Gümüşhane is a mountain city in northeastern Turkey known for its dramatic alpine scenery, plateaus and karst landscapes. Historically a mining and trade center (its name means “silver house”), the town combines rustic Ottoman-era streets with panoramic mountain views. Outdoor activities — hiking, caving and winter sports — are the main draw, and many visitors come for nearby plateaus and the Karaca Cave.

The pace of life is relaxed, local hospitality is warm, and the area offers an authentic slice of rural Turkish culture away from big-city crowds.

Day Trips

Spend a day exploring around

day 1
Exploring Historic Center
morning
:

Start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast at a local café, savoring fresh bread, olives, and menemen. After breakfast, stroll through Gümüşhane's historic center, where you can admire the beautiful Ottoman-era architecture. Visit the Gümüşhane Museum to learn about the region's rich history and cultural heritage.

afternoon
:

For lunch, enjoy some local specialties at a quaint restaurant, trying dishes like kuymak or manti. Afterward, head to the nearby St. John the Baptist Church, a stunning example of Byzantine architecture. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the ancient stone bridges and traditional houses dotted throughout the city.

evening
:

As the sun sets, find a cozy café to sip on Turkish tea while enjoying the view of the mountains. Later, take a leisurely walk along the streets, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Gümüşhane. Conclude your day with dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional wines paired with delicious kebabs.

day 2
Adventure in the Zigana Mountains
morning
:

Set out early for a day in the Zigana Mountains, known for their breathtaking landscapes. After a hearty breakfast, prepare for a hike through the lush trails, surrounded by pine forests and spectacular views. Don't forget to pack some snacks and bottled water to keep your energy up during the hike.

afternoon
:

During the afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the natural beauty of the mountains, taking in the crisp fresh air. After lunch, continue your hike to the summit for panoramic views that stretch across the valleys below. If you're lucky, you might spot some local wildlife along the way!

evening
:

As the day winds down, descend from the mountains and head back to Gümüşhane. Relax at your accommodation before heading out for dinner, where you can indulge in hearty local cuisine. Reflect on the day's adventures while enjoying a warm atmosphere at a local eatery.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
🍽️Meal at inexpensive restaurant$5-10
Coffee or tea at a café$1-3
🚕Short taxi ride (within town)$2-6
🚌Local bus or dolmuş fare$0.50-1.50
🏨Mid-range hotel (per night)$40-80

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Stunning mountain and plateau scenery with excellent hiking and photography opportunities
  • Authentic, uncrowded rural Turkish culture and warm local hospitality
  • Good value for money and affordable food/accommodation
  • Karst landscape and show cave (Karaca Cave) offer unique geological sights
  • Limited nightlife and entertainment options for younger travelers
  • Public transport between remote sites is limited — a car or private transfer is often needed
  • Winter weather can close roads and limit access to some attractions
  • "Merhaba" - Hello
  • "Teşekkür ederim" - Thank you
  • "Lütfen" - Please
  • "Ne kadar?" - How much?
  • "Tuvalet nerede?" - Where is the toilet?
  • "Yardım edebilir misiniz?" - Can you help me?
  • "Hesap lütfen" - The bill, please

Places to Visit in Gümüşhane

Visit one of these nice places.

Castle Ruins Overlooking the City

High vantage point above the town offering sweeping panoramas of the city, valley and surrounding mountains — excellent at sunrise or sunset.

Karaca Cave

Dramatic interior formations of stalactites and stalagmites create striking close-up and wide-angle opportunities; low-light conditions may require a tripod.

Zigana Pass and Plateaus

High mountain roads, deep valleys and expansive yaylas (summer pastures) provide classic alpine and pastoral landscapes, especially in summer and autumn.

Local Markets and Tea Gardens

Street-level scenes of daily life, color from produce and textiles, and candid portraits of vendors and locals enjoying çay.

Culinary Guide

Food in Gümüşhane

Gümüşhane’s cuisine blends hearty Anatolian and Black Sea influences: expect soups, stews, dairy-forward dishes and simple, filling breads and pastries. Meals emphasize local cheeses, butter, seasonal vegetables and preserved products from highland pastures.

Gümüşhane Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Tulum Peyniri

A traditional sheep’s cheese aged in a tulum (skin or cloth container), salty and tangy — widely used at breakfast and in regional recipes. Found at local markets and dairy shops.

Must-Try!

Gümüşhane Mantısı

Local-style mantı (small meat-filled dumplings) served with yogurt and melted butter/paprika oil — usually available at family-run lokantas.

Kuymak / Mıhlama

A Black Sea–influenced melted cheese and cornmeal (or butter) dish — gooey, rich and perfect with bread; popular in mountain cafés and yayla huts.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Central Market / Weekly Bazaar

The city’s market (often held weekly) sells fresh mountain vegetables, cheeses, honey, and homemade pastries — try local tulum cheese, honey and gözleme at market stalls.

Tea Gardens and Street Vendors

Small street vendors and tea gardens sell simit, börek and gözleme; tea gardens are great for tasting local snacks while watching daily life.

Climate Guide

Weather

Gümüşhane has a mountain (continental) climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Precipitation is distributed through the year with mountain snowpack in winter and spring melt impacting rivers and trails. Higher elevations are notably cooler year-round and can see rapid weather changes.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Dress and Modesty

Dress modestly in public, especially near mosques and conservative neighborhoods. Women may prefer to cover shoulders and legs; headscarves are not mandatory for tourists but appreciated in some settings.

Mosque Etiquette

Remove shoes and dress modestly before entering; women should cover heads in some mosques (carry a scarf). Keep quiet during prayer times and avoid visiting during major prayers unless observing respectfully.

Hospitality and Greetings

Turkish hospitality is strong: accept offers of tea if offered, greet elders first, and use right hand for passing items or shaking hands. A small gift or souvenir for hosts is appreciated.

Photography Courtesy

Ask permission before photographing people, especially older residents and women in rural areas. Be cautious photographing military or infrastructure.

Safety Guide

Safety

Gümüşhane is generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur like anywhere, so keep valuables secure. The main safety concerns are mountain hazards: sudden weather changes, icy roads, and challenging trails — use experienced local guides for remote hikes, check road conditions in winter, and carry appropriate clothing and emergency supplies. Emergency number in Turkey is 112.

Tipping in Gümüşhane

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory: leave small change or round up in cafés; 5–10% in restaurants if service is good; a few TL for hotel porters/housekeeping is customary.

Payment Methods

Turkish lira is the local currency. Credit/debit cards are accepted in larger restaurants and hotels; small shops, markets and rural providers prefer cash. ATMs are available in the city but carry cash for plateaus and remote areas.

Best Time to Visit

And what to expect in different seasons...

Summer

Warm days with cool mountain nights; ideal for hiking, plateau visits and escaping coastal heat. Peak time on high pastures (yaylas) when shepherding activity is visible.

Autumn

Crisp air and striking fall foliage on mountain slopes; good season for photography and trekking before heavy snow. Temperatures fall quickly after sunset.

Winter

Cold and snowy with potential heavy snowfall in higher elevations; winter sports are possible in some areas but roads and passes may be closed or slippery. Come prepared for winter driving.

Spring

Melting snow feeds streams and waterfalls, wildflowers bloom on plateaus, and trails become accessible — expect wet, muddy conditions in lower elevations.

Nightlife Guide

Gümüşhane at Night

Nightlife in Gümüşhane is low-key and family-oriented: tea gardens, cafés and a handful of small bars are the primary evening venues. Weekends may bring live folk music at local venues or community events, but large clubs and late-night scenes are rare compared with big cities.

Hiking in Gümüşhane

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Zigana Plateau Trails

Accessible trails on high alpine pastures offering panoramic views, wildflowers in summer and shepherding scenes; routes vary from easy walks to strenuous ridge treks.

Kop Mountains Routes

More rugged, higher-elevation hikes for experienced trekkers; expect steep terrain, remote conditions and rewarding views of the wider mountain system.

Karaca Cave Surroundings

Short walks and nature trails near the cave entrance provide accessible exploration and photography opportunities suitable for families.

Local Yayla (Summer Pasture) Walks

Numerous short hikes between villages and summer pastures where you can observe pastoral life, taste fresh dairy products and photograph traditional highland scenes.

Airports

How to reach Gümüşhane by plane.

Trabzon Airport (TZX)

The largest nearby airport serving national and some international flights; roughly 2–3 hours by road depending on route (Zigana Tunnel/Pass). Regular shuttle buses and car rental options available.

Erzurum Airport (ERZ)

Major airport east of Gümüşhane with domestic connections (and some international charter flights); drive time around 2.5–3.5 hours depending on roads and winter conditions.

Ordu–Giresun Airport (OGU)

On the Black Sea coast west of Gümüşhane; useful as an alternate route with domestic connections, typically a 2–3 hour drive inland to reach Gümüşhane.

Getting Around

Walkability

The compact city center is walkable with most attractions and restaurants within short distances. Getting to plateaus, caves and mountain trails requires a car or tour transfer and is not walkable from town.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Ethnic Turks

The majority population is ethnic Turkish and predominantly Muslim (Sunni), shaping the cultural and social norms of the area.

Aging and Rural Communities

Like many interior provinces, Gümüşhane has experienced outmigration of younger people to larger cities; rural villages often have older populations and traditional livelihoods.

Historical Minorities (historical note)

Historically the region included diverse communities (Pontic Greeks, Armenians) before 20th-century population changes; today the demographic is mostly Turkish but local history still reflects multicultural layers.

Popular Sports

Explore popular sports in region.

Football (soccer)

The most popular sport nationwide and locally; small local clubs and amateur matches are common community events.

Wrestling and Traditional Sports

Traditional Turkish wrestling and folk sports have cultural resonance in the region and appear at festivals and fairs.

Mountaineering and Skiing

Given the terrain, mountaineering, trekking and winter snow sports are popular among outdoor enthusiasts.

Transportation

Traffic

Traffic in town is generally light; streets can be narrow and parking limited in the historic center. Intercity travel is by regional buses and dolmuş minibuses; many scenic routes are mountain roads that can be slow and winding, especially in winter. Renting a car gives the most flexibility for exploring plateaus and caves.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Gümüşhane.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian options exist (soups, vegetable stews, gözleme, salads, cheeses) but choices can be limited in rural eateries. Ask for vegetarian versions and point out no meat. Carry snacks for remote hikes.

Vegan

Vegan options are limited outside larger towns; simple dishes like lentil soup (check for butter), salads, bread and cooked vegetables may work. Communicate restrictions clearly in Turkish ("Et yok" = no meat, "Süt/tereyağı yok" = no milk/butter).

Halal

Most restaurants serve halal meat by default in this conservative region; pork is not commonly served. If in doubt, ask staff.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

Gümüşhane has a provincial state hospital and private clinics that handle routine and emergency care. For specialized treatment or more advanced hospitals, travelers are commonly referred to larger regional centers such as Trabzon or Erzurum. Carry travel insurance and any personal medications; emergency number is 112.

Discover Turkey

Read more in our Turkey 2025 Travel Guide.

Turkey Travel Guide