Things to Do in Arhavi: 8 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Arhavi

• 2 Historic
• 2 Religious
• 4 Nature

🌳 Natural Wonders 4

5 🌳 Nature

Arhavi Waterfalls

Numerous waterfalls are found in the mountainous parts of Arhavi. Formed by the rainy climate and steep slopes, they lie along hiking routes through lush forests.

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6 🌳 Nature

Arhavi Plateaus

The plateaus in the high parts of Arhavi offer an ideal setting for nature lovers in summer, with cool air and green meadows. The Pilarget and Kamilet plateaus are the best-known highland areas.

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i Photo: Onerhoca (CC BY 4.0) · Source

7 🌳 Nature

Kamilet Valley

Stretching south of Arhavi, the Kamilet Valley is notable for its dense forest cover and rich biodiversity. Endemic plant species and various bird species can be seen in the valley.

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8 🌳 Nature

Mençuna Waterfall

A waterfall in Arhavi district, near the Çifteköprü bridge in Ortacalar village.

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While you are in Arhavi, you can also see the highlights of Artvin province. These places are in other districts.

• Artvin Castle — Known locally as Livane Castle, it was built in 937 by the Georgian king Ashot the Great and controlled the approach to the town and traffic along the Çoruh.
• Kafkasör Plateau — A forest-ringed highland pasture at an altitude of about 1,200 metres, 12 km from the city centre; it hosts the bull wrestling of the annual Kafkasör Culture, Tourism and Arts Festival.
• Hatila Valley National Park — A narrow V-shaped valley, in places a canyon, 10 km from Artvin centre; slopes reach gradients of up to 100 per cent in places.
• İşhan Monastery — A Georgian monastery in the village of İşhan in Yusufeli; it was founded in the 9th century by the monk Saba on the site of a 7th-century church and renovated in 1032 by the architect Ivane Morchaisdze.
• Dörtkilise (Othta Eklesia) — A 10th-century Georgian monastery 5 km from the village of Tekkale in Yusufeli; its name is a translation of the Georgian Othta Eklesia ("four churches").
• Barhal (Parhali) Church — The main church of the monastery in the village of Altıparmak in Yusufeli, built between 961 and 973 by the Georgian king David III; a three-aisled basilica measuring 28 × 19 metres, it is one of the best-preserved Georgian buildings in the region.

Practical Information for Visiting Arhavi

Suggested time

1-2 days

Best time to visit

Summer months (June-August)

Places to visit

8 places

• 🍽️

  Arhavi Kestane Balı (Arhavi chestnut honey)

  Arhavi Kestane Balı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 10 November 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1252). Product group: honey. Registered by: Arhavi Chamber of Agriculture.

• 🧈

  Kuymak (Muhlama)

  Kuymak, made with cornmeal, butter and civil cheese, is Arhavi's most loved traditional dish. It is served stirred continuously over a fire until it reaches a stretchy consistency.

• 🥬

  Karalahana Sarması (stuffed collard leaves)

  Collard greens wrapped around a rice filling, this dish is an indispensable winter meal in Arhavi cuisine. It is served with butter and cornmeal.

• 🐟

  Hamsi Tava (pan-fried anchovies)

  The anchovy, the emblematic fish of the Black Sea, is served in Arhavi fried in cornmeal in the form of a tava. Anchovies are at their most delicious in the winter months and are the main source of protein for local people.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Arhavi

• 🍵

  Tea Culture

  Tea cultivation and the tradition of drinking tea are an inseparable part of daily life in Arhavi. The tea-picking season is an important period that shapes the social life of local people.

• 💃

  Black Sea Horon Tradition

  The traditional Black Sea folk dance, the horon, is performed at weddings and festivals in Arhavi. Danced to the accompaniment of the kemençe, the horon is an important part of the region's cultural identity.

Local Products

• Arhavi Termonisi — Arhavi Termonisi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 May 2025 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1732). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Arhavi Municipality, Arhavi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Tea — Arhavi is one of the most important tea-producing centres in Eastern Black Sea. The tea gardens in the coastal parts of the district are the backbone of the local economy.
• Kiwi — Kiwi cultivation has become widespread in recent years in Arhavi's mild coastal climate. Kiwis grown in the area have become one of Türkiye's important kiwi-producing areas.
• Honey — Honey obtained from Arhavi's forest and plateau areas is known especially for its chestnut honey variety. Beekeeping is a traditional livelihood in the region.

Economy

Arhavi's economy is made up of tea cultivation, fishing and tourism. Tea production is the backbone of the district's economy. Fishing is carried out on the coast, and livestock farming and beekeeping in the inland areas. Kiwi cultivation has also become widespread in recent years. Plateau tourism is a developing sector.

How to Get to Arhavi

Arhavi is reached by road, 60 km from Artvin city centre and 80 km from Rize. Rize-Artvin Airport is 50 km away. There are intercity bus services to the district, which lies on the coastal road.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Artvin

Arhavi: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Arhavi Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Artvin The province's 19 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Artvin

• Artvin Central District 11 places Artvin Castle, Çoruh River Valley and Camili Biosphere Reserve
• Ardanuç 10 places Gevhernik Castle, Ardanuç Castle and Bulanık Church
• Borçka 8 places Borçka Karagöl, Macahel Valley (Macahel Vadisi) and Borçka Dam
• Hopa 6 places Sarp Border Gate, Hopa Port and Hopa Coast
• Kemalpaşa 5 places Sarp Border Gate, Remains of Makriali Church and Kemalpaşa Coast
• Murgul 5 places Murgul Copper Mine, Murgul Dam and Lake and Murgul Forests
• Şavşat 13 places Karagöl-Sahara National Park, Şavşat Castle and Sahara Plateau
• Yusufeli 10 places Barhal (Altıparmak) Church, Çoruh River Rafting Course and Barhal River Rafting Area