Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sumela Monastery
IZZET KERIBAR/GETTY IMAGES ©
Visit early or late to avoid the hordes of Turkish tourists. Arriving when the site opens
will beat the midmorning flow of tour groups. At the entrance to the Altındere Vadısı
Milli Parkı (Altındere Valley National Park) there's a " 15 charge for private vehicles.
About 2km further on are riverside picnic tables and a restaurant.
The main trail to the monastery begins over the footbridge past the restaurant, and is
steep but easy to follow, ascending 250m in about 30 to 45 minutes. Alternatively, follow
the concreted road 1km uphill and across two bridges until you come to a wooden foot-
bridge over the stream on the right. This trail is usually much quieter and takes the same
time.
You can drive almost to the monastery ticket office; the 3km drive is challenging at
busy times, with cars coming the other way on the narrow mountain road. En route are
waterfalls and a lookout point , from where you can see the monastery suspended on a
cliff face high above the forest.
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