Nomad Watch

Business

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. 30,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. 40,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 TRY)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. 28,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,240,000 TRY)
Corporate Tax
25% (Standard rate for 2024-2026)
Dividend Withholding Tax
10%
Tax System
Worldwide income basis for tax residents (more than 183 days/year)
Highest Income Tax Bracket
40%
VAT
20% (Standard), 10% (Reduced for certain services)
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes, applicable under Turkish Tax Law
Property Tax
Annual tax ranging from 0.1% to 0.6% depending on property type and status
Property Transaction Tax
4% of the declared value (usually split 2% buyer / 2% seller)
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Turkey recently introduced a 'Digital Nomad Visa' for those earning $3,000+/month with specific tax residency exemptions for 1 year
Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. 45,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. 35,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,400,000 TRY)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. 42,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 TRY)

Essentials

City
Trabzon, Black Sea Coast, Turkey
Population
Approx. 820,000
Internet Speed
Average 35-50 Mbps on Fiber; Turkcell Superonline offers stable connections
Currency & Banking
1 USD ≈ 32.50 TRY, 1 EUR ≈ 35.10 TRY (Values fluctuate; March 2026 estimate)
Tap Water
Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (Erikli 19L approx. 90 TRY)
Power
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
SIM Card
Turkcell (Best coverage), Vodafone, Türk Telekom; Tourist SIM (20GB) approx. 900-1100 TRY
Banking for Expats
Garanti BBVA, Akbank, or Kuveyt Türk; Wise and Revolut are excellent for local card payments
Accommodation
Sahibinden for local listings, Airbnb for short-term stays
Cashless Friendly
Yes, major credit cards accepted in malls and supermarkets; cash needed for Dolmuş (minibuses)
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb prices range from $600 to $1,200 per month depending on sea view
Budget Accommodation
Cebeciler Hotel (approx. 1,400 TRY/night) or various apart-hotels in Ortahisar
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Meydan (City Center) for proximity to transport and food
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Kaşüstü or Yıldızlı for modern apartments with sea views and quieter work environments

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Trabzon Teknokent (KTÜ Campus) offers professional environments for tech-focused nomads
Best Cafe for Work
Gloria Jean's Coffees (Meydan) or Starbucks (Forum Mall) for reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
Networking Events
Events hosted by KTÜ (Karadeniz Technical University) or industry meetups at the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce
Social Events for Expats
InterNations (Regional) or 'Expats in Trabzon' Facebook groups

Culture and Attractions

Theater Venues
Trabzon State Theatre (Trabzon Devlet Tiyatrosu)
Local Markets
The Russian Bazaar (Rus Pazarı) for textiles and souvenirs
Music Scene
Live Kemençe music (Black Sea fiddle) at traditional restaurants
Street Art
Ganita Park renovation area features modern sculptures and murals
Cooking Classes
Workshops at the Trabzon Gastronomy Center (Trabzon Gastronomi Merkezi)
Art Galleries
Güzel Sanatlar Galerisi (Meydan)
Historic Buildings
Kostaki Mansion (Trabzon Museum)
Local Heritage
Horon dancing (dynamic circle dance) is the symbol of local culture
Must-See Landmarks
Sumela Monastery (Cliffside monastery, 45km away)
Museums & Art Venues
Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum and the Trabzon City Museum
Historical Sites
Atatürk Pavilion (Atatürk Köşkü) and Ortahisar old city walls
Religious Sites
Gülbahar Hatun Mosque and Santa Maria Church
Annual Events
International Akçaabat Music and Folklore Festival (July)
Cultural Districts
Ortahisar District (The historic heart of the city)

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Uzungöl (Alpine lake, 90km) or Hıdırnebi Plateau
National Parks Nearby
Altındere Valley National Park (Houses Sumela)
Cycling/Walking Paths
Beşirli Coastline (The 'Sahil' walk), extending over 7km
Scenic Viewpoints
Boztepe Hill (Accessible by car or steps for city/sea views)
Birdwatching Locations
Sürmene coast during migration seasons (Spring/Fall)
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Permitted camping zones in Sera Lake (Sera Gölü) picnic areas

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
PTT (Postal Service), Yurtiçi Kargo, Aras Kargo
Tech Repair Services
Teknosa (Forum Mall) or small independent shops in 'Kunduracılar Caddesi'
Table Tennis Spots
Trabzon Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate facilities
Language Classes
TÖMER (Ankara University branch in Trabzon) for Turkish courses
Libraries & Study Spots
İsmail Hamami Kültür Merkezi (City Library)
Community Centers
Trabzon Gençlik Merkezi (Youth Center)
Gaming Lounges
Various internet cafes near the university area (KTÜ)
Casino & Gaming Halls
Illegal in Turkey; closest legal casinos are in Batumi, Georgia (3 hours by bus)

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
BiTaksi (Limited availability); Local yellow taxis are abundant; use Taksimetre
Bike/Scooter Rental
HOP! Electric Scooters available along the Ganita-Beşirli coastline
Best Beach Nearby
Mersin Beach (Akçaabat Area) or Yalıncak Beach (Family friendly)
Top Regional Airline
Pegasus Airlines
Top International Airline
Turkish Airlines (Direct flights to Istanbul, Doha, Berlin)
Highway Access
D.010 Coastal Highway connects the entire Black Sea region
Main Train/Transit Hub
Trabzon Otogar (Main Bus Terminal) for nationwide bus travel; no passenger rail access
Public Transport Passes
Trabzon Kart (Used for municipal buses); reload at kiosks in Meydan
Regional Travel
Dolmuş (Minibuses) are the primary way to reach Akçaabat or Yomra (approx. 20-30 TRY)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Medical Park Karadeniz Hospital or KTÜ Farabi Hospital
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Specific yoga studios are rare; check fitness centers like Life Point for classes
Gyms & Fitness Centers
MacFit (Forum Shopping Center) - approx. 1,200 TRY monthly
Laundry Services
Meydan Kuru Temizleme (Professional dry cleaning and laundry in city center)

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Yemeksepeti or Getir
Best Local Dish to Try
Akçaabat Köfte or Muhlama (Cornmeal and cheese fondue)
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Vejetaryen Trabzon; many local meze spots like Bordo Mavi Balık offer vegetable-based dishes
Best Dessert Spots
Nejla Hanım Ev Tatlıları for Hamsiköy Sütlacı (Rice pudding)
Affordable Shopping Spots
Moloz Local Market for fresh produce and local cheeses
E-commerce/Online Store
Trendyol (Massive selection, fast delivery), Hepsiburada
Grocery Delivery
Migros Sanal Market or İstegelsin
Bar/Nightlife Area
Faroz or Akçaabat Marina for upscale dining with alcohol; Meydan has small pubs
Local Brewery
Efes and Bomonti are locally available; craft beer scene is very limited
Wine Bars
Kule Performance Hall (Occasional wine service with live music)
Street Food Stalls
Hamsi Tava (Fried anchovies) available seasonally near the harbor
Popular International Cuisine
Pasha Grill (Middle Eastern/International) or various Italian spots in Forum Mall

Continue exploring Trabzon