Artvin City Guide

Artvin, the province in the Eastern Black Sea Region, is located on the coast of the Black Sea. The city is bounded by Ardahan and Georgia to the east, Rize to the west and Erzurum to the south. Artvin has three different climate types. The coastal region of Artvin, where Cankurtaran Mountains are located, has a temperate climate distinctive to the Black Sea Region. Central Artvin, Borcka and Savsat regions have a colder climate with less precipitation. Ardanuç and Yusufelin have a partially continental climate and Mediterranean climate. The region of Artvin has a mountainous and very rugged terrain. There are over 20 types of tress in Artvin forests such as spruce, scotch, beech, oak, chestnut tree, linden, hornbeam, ash, walnut, poplar, willow, acacia, and juniper. A total of 268 tree species are identified within the boundaries of Artvin, 119 of which are endemic plants.

There are nine districts in Artvin as Artvin (city center), Ardanuç, Arhavi, Borcka, Hopa, Kemalpasa, Murgul, Savsat and Yusufeli.

Artvin's unique local delicacies include kalaco (porridge made of corn flour and served with honey or grape molasses), kaygana (local crepe with herbs), kuymak (dish made of corn flour and milk cream for breakfast), yoğurtlu silor (a dish made of phyllo pastry, yogurt and butter), mısır ekmeği- çadir (corn bread), hamsili ekmek (muffin made of anchovies and leeks), cevizli kete (local bread), laz böreği (dessert of pudding on pastry), kara lahana sarması (stuffed savoy cabbage leaves), fried savoy cabbage, turşu kavurma (a dish made of fried pickles), şalgam yemeği (a local dish of turnip), rice with anchovies, fried spotted trout, cağ kebabı- yatık döner (kebab on skewers) and local pitta bread.