İkizdere
İkizdere offers an extraordinary, world-famous Anzer honey, geothermal thermal spa, and high alpine wilderness experience. Its primary natural jewel is Anzer Plateau (Anzer Yaylası - Ballıköy)—a 2,100-meter high alpine meadow famous for its hundreds of endemic flower species where world-renowned PDO Anzer Honey is harvested by local beekeepers. Visitors can relax at Ridos Thermal Spa Resort in Ilı
Tourist experience
İkizdere offers an extraordinary, world-famous Anzer honey, geothermal thermal spa, and high alpine wilderness experience. Its primary natural jewel is Anzer Plateau (Anzer Yaylası - Ballıköy)—a 2,100-meter high alpine meadow famous for its hundreds of endemic flower species where world-renowned PDO Anzer Honey is harvested by local beekeepers. Visitors can relax at Ridos Thermal Spa Resort in Ilıcaköy—featuring rich geothermal mineral hot spring waters—hike through Cimil Valley, or experience winter snowsports in the Ovit Pass. Gastronomy features PDO Anzer Honey, fresh mountain trout, Muhlama, and local butter.
Key points of interest
Investment outlook
İkizdere commands an impressive Transparent Investment Score of 90.8/100, recognized as Northern Türkiye's premier Anzer apiculture export, geothermal thermal spa wellness, and Ovit Tunnel mountain logistics market. Driven by global demand for PDO Anzer Honey and thermal health tourism, land and spa hotel property values average $1,150/m² with rapid annual capital appreciation (~46.2% YoY in USD).
Living here
Residing in İkizdere offers a quiet, healthy, and pristine mountain valley lifestyle with pure spring water and clean high-oxygen air. Residents enjoy geothermal heating access, organic mountain foods, safe community streets, and close-knit highland solidarity.
History & cultural identity
İkizdere (historically Kura-i Sab'a), set in a dramatic high mountain valley at the junction of two rushing rivers south of Rize Central along the historic Ovit Pass highway leading to Erzurum, holds a world-famous apiculture, thermal spa, and alpine mountain history. Known historically for its dense pine forests and steep mountain passes guarded by the 14.3km Ovit Tunnel—one of Türkiye's longest highway tunnels—İkizdere is globally celebrated for producing world-famous PDO Anzer Honey (Anzer Balı) on the high-altitude Anzer Plateau (2,100m).
Frequently asked questions
What makes Anzer Honey (Anzer Balı) in İkizdere world-famous?+
Anzer Honey is globally famous for its medicinal qualities, harvested exclusively on Anzer Plateau from over 500 plant species (including 90 endemic flowers).
What is Ridos Thermal Spa in İkizdere?+
Ridos Thermal is a premier geothermal hot spring resort set in Ilıcaköy pine forests, used for rheumatology and wellness hydrotherapy.
How far is İkizdere from Central Rize and Rize-Artvin Airport?+
İkizdere is located 50 kilometers (a 40-minute drive) south of central Rize along the Ovit dual carriageway.