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8 places to visit in the Borçka district of Artvin: Borçka Karagöl, Macahel Valley (Macahel Vadisi) and Borçka Dam. Plan your trip to Borçka with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Borçka is a district of Artvin Province and the seat of the district. The district covers 805 km² and sits at an elevation of 121 metres. Borçka town, on the bank of the Çoruh River, was once one of the landing points for boat transport on the Çoruh.

History and Culture

In the Middle Ages, Borçka was part of the Klarceti region. The Ottomans took it from the Georgians around the mid-16th century. Giorgi Kazbegi, a Georgian general who served in the Russian army, wrote in 1874 that the people of Borçka were engaged in boatbuilding, boatmanship and pottery. Borçka town remained within the borders of Georgia, which was independent between 1918 and 1921, and was later handed over to Türkiye under the Treaty of Moscow.

History and Culture

According to one source, the people who settled in Borçka and its surroundings came from Central Asia and were the Hurrians. Borçka joined Ottoman territory on 7 March 1921 as a subdistrict (bucak), and became a district on 28 May 1928.

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Places to Visit in Borçka

  • 2 Historic
  • 4 Nature
  • 2 Attraction

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Borçka Castle

The castle in the outer quarter of Borçka town. The presence of a church suggests that the structure was built before the Ottoman period.

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Historic

Borçka Martyrs' Memorial

A memorial built in honour of those who fell in the Ottoman-Russian War.

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Natural Wonders 4

Borçka Karagöl - Borçka Photo: Laz (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Borçka Karagöl

Karagöl, 1,500 metres above sea level and 20 km from Borçka town centre, is a landslide lake surrounded by pine forest. Its dark green waters and forested setting make it a popular spot for photographers.

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Nature

Macahel Valley (Macahel Vadisi)

Macahel Valley, part of Borçka district on the Georgian border, is known for its unspoilt nature. The homeland of the Caucasian honeybee, the valley has been placed on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage List.

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Nature

Çoruh River

The river flows along the edge of Borçka town. It was once one of the landing points for boat transport on the Çoruh.

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Nature

Camili-Macahel Valley

In the Camili-Macahel Valley in Borçka district, there are forests with trees that are protected as monuments.

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Attractions 2

Borçka Dam - Borçka Photo: Hüseyin Öcal (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Attraction

Borçka Dam

Borçka Dam, built across the Çoruh River, is notable for the lake it has created. Boat tours operate on the reservoir, and fishing takes place there.

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Attraction

Macahel Camili Village

Camili, a village in Macahel Valley, is known for its traditional timber architecture and its natural way of life. The village is protected as part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

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Places to Visit Around Artvin Province

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While you are in Borçka, 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 Borçka

Suggested time
2-3 days
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (May-September)
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Borçka

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  • Kuymak (cornmeal with butter and cheese)

    Kuymak, made with cornmeal, butter and civil cheese, is Borçka's best-loved traditional dish. It is served over a fire, stirred constantly until it reaches a stretchy consistency.

  • Karalahana Dolması (stuffed kale leaves)

    Kale leaves wrapped around a rice filling, this dolma is an essential winter dish in Borçka cuisine.

  • Macahel Balı ile Kaymak (honey with kaymak)

    Honey from the Caucasian bees of the world-famous Macahel Valley is served with fresh kaymak (clotted cream), an essential part of breakfast tables.

  • Macahel Honey (Macahel Balı)

    Chestnut honey produced in the Macahel area, part of Borçka.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Borçka

  • Macahel Culture

    Macahel Valley is an area where communities of Georgian origin live and traditional ways of life are maintained. Timber architecture, beekeeping traditions and a lifestyle in harmony with nature are the main elements of this culture.

  • Caucasian Beekeeping

    Borçka and Macahel Valley are the homeland of the Caucasian honeybee (Apis mellifera caucasica). This bee species holds an important place in world beekeeping thanks to its calm temperament and high honey yield.

Local Products

  • Borçka Demir Elması — Borçka Demir Elması was registered as a protected geographical indication on 9 December 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1284). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables, and mushrooms. Registered by: Borçka Municipality.
  • Macahel Honey (Macahel Balı) — Honey from the Caucasian bees of Macahel Valley is known for its world-renowned quality. Gathered from endemic plant cover, this honey is valued for its high antioxidant content.
  • Tea — Tea is grown in the parts of Borçka closer to the coast. The tea produced locally is one of the high-quality examples of Eastern Black Sea tea.

Economy

Borçka's economy is based on tea cultivation, beekeeping, forestry and tourism. The world-famous honey of Macahel Valley is an important source of income. Borçka Dam generates hydroelectric power. Karagöl and Macahel Valley are developing destinations for nature tourism.

How to Get to Borçka

Borçka is reached by road, 35 km from Artvin city centre. Rize-Artvin Airport is 100 km away. There are regular minibus services from Artvin and Hopa.

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Borçka: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Borçka?

The highlights of Borçka are 8 places: Borçka Karagöl, Macahel Valley, Borçka Dam, Macahel Camili Village, Borçka Castle, Çoruh River, Borçka Martyrs' Memorial and Camili-Macahel Valley.

What is there to eat in Borçka?

Kuymak, Karalahana Dolması, Macahel Balı ile Kaymak and Macahel honey are the standout flavours on Borçka's tables.

What is Borçka famous for?

Borçka is known for Borçka Demir Elması and Macahel Culture. Registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.

How do I get to Borçka?

Borçka is reached by road, 35 km from Artvin city centre. Rize-Artvin Airport is 100 km away. There are regular minibus services from Artvin and Hopa.

How long should I spend on a trip to Borçka?

Recommended trip length: 2-3 days. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May-September).

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Other Districts of Artvin

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