Lake Uzun

There are no stories or monsters, but Lake Uzun (or Uzungöl) is a haven of serenity and tranquillity. Lake Uzun is a sweetwater lake located around 44 miles inland from Rize on the Black Sea coast. It is bordered by rugged hills and forests.

With several chalets dotting the hillsides and cattle grazing in the meadows, it appears to be a piece of Switzerland. When you see the mosque with two slender minarets in the village of the same name reflected in the river, you know you're in Turkey.

You may stroll around the lake for approximately an hour, go up into the mountains on well-marked trails, rent a pedal boat and cruise on the lake, or sit in a really beautiful tea house on the shore, enjoy the serenity, and be astonished by the turquoise waters.