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.
Artvin is reached by air (Artvin Çoruh Airport ADF with limited seasonal service, or Trabzon Airport TZX 155 km away), by intercity coach from Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, Erzurum and Rize, or by car on the Black Sea coastal D010 highway. Within the province, dolmuş minibuses connect district towns but a private car or hired taxi is essential for remote churches, plateaus and valleys.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Mountain roads around Artvin are narrow with sharp switchbacks — drive slowly and use the horn before blind corners.
The D950 Artvin–Yusufeli road is scenic but has a history of landslides in spring; check locally before driving after heavy rain.
Fuel up in Artvin city, Hopa, or Şavşat — there are no petrol stations in remote valleys.
The Artvin otogar (bus station) is on the main Çoruh Valley road, 1 km below the city centre — taxi from otogar to city centre costs 30–40 TRY ($0.90–1.20).
During the Kafkasör Festival week (late June), road traffic increases significantly near Artvin city.
Snow chains may be required on mountain passes (Yalnızçam, Şavşat) from November through April.