Artvin is a rugged mountain province in northeastern Turkey, bordered by Georgia to the east and the Black Sea coast to the north. The province shelters a remarkable concentration of medieval Georgian Orthodox churches and monasteries hidden in forested valleys, alongside the Çoruh River — one of the world's fastest-flowing rivers and a world-class whitewater rafting destination. Dense chestnut and pine forests cloak the slopes of the Kaçkar and Karçal mountain ranges, while high plateaus offer cool summer escapes and pastoral landscapes that have changed little in centuries.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Artvin is a predominantly Muslim province — modest dress is expected in villages, mosques, and conservative settings.
Hospitality (misafirperverlik) is central to local culture; accepting tea when offered is a sign of respect.
The Georgian church buildings, though now museums or ruins, are sacred to many and should be treated with quiet respect.
Local men in villages may speak little Turkish if they are of Georgian or Laz heritage — patience and hand gestures help.
Photography of people (especially women) in villages requires permission — ask first by pointing to the camera and smiling.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Accept tea (çay) when offered — declining is sometimes perceived as unfriendly.
- Remove shoes when entering homes (and some pansiyon rooms) — follow the host's lead.
- Greet elders first in a group — seniority is respected.
- Ask permission before photographing people or village life.
- Dress modestly in villages: women should cover shoulders and knees; men avoid sleeveless tops in mosque settings.
Don't
- Do not enter Georgian churches with shoes on if they have been partially reconsecrated — check at the entrance.
- Avoid photographing military installations, border posts, and dam infrastructure.
- Do not loudly discuss political topics (Kurdish issue, Armenia, Georgia relations) with strangers.
- Do not walk away from a tea offer in a village context without at least accepting briefly — offer a polite reason if you cannot stay.
- Avoid public displays of affection in conservative village settings.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Hello
Mehr-ha-BA
Günaydın
Good morning
Goo-NY-din
Teşekkür ederim
Thank you
Teh-SHEK-kur eh-deh-REEM
Lütfen
Please
LUUT-fen
Evet / Hayır
Yes / No
Eh-VET / Hai-YIR
Ne kadar?
How much?
Neh KA-dar
Nerede?
Where?
Neh-REH-deh
Yardım edin lütfen!
Help please!
Yar-DIM eh-DEEN luut-fen
Fotoğraf çekebilir miyim?
May I take a photo?
Fo-TO-raf chek-eh-BEE-leer mee-yeem
Çay lütfen
Tea, please
Chai LUUT-fen
Muhlama var mı?
Is there muhlama? (local dish)
Mu-HLA-ma var mi
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Artvin.
Items:
- Faith
- Islam (Sunni)
- Presence
- Predominant religion in Artvin. Five daily calls to prayer heard from mosques throughout the province.
- Visitor note
- Visitors are welcome in mosques outside prayer times; remove shoes, women should cover hair.
- Faith
- Georgian Orthodox Christianity (historical)
- Presence
- Represented by dozens of surviving medieval churches (Dolishane, Tbeti, Ishan, Porta, Opiza etc.); no active Orthodox congregation resident in Artvin but they are revered heritage sites.
- Visitor note
- Treat with same respect as active churches even if currently used as museums or are ruined.