Mediterranean Lakes Travel Guide

The Mediterranean Region of Türkiye covers an area of 120,000 square kilometers. Mountains run parallel to the coast, and the region enjoys a Mediterranean climate. It is the fourth-largest region in terms of size and population. It is also the region with the most lakes in Türkiye. The Turkish Lake District, which is a series of shallow tectonic lakes, is in the western part of the region.

Lake Salda

Lake Salda is northwest of the district of Yeşilova in Burdur Province. It is 4 km from the district center and is a slightly salty tectonic lake surrounded by forest-covered hills, rocky terrain, and small alluvial plains. It's the deepest freshwater lake in Türkiye with a depth calculated at 185 meters.

Lake Salda, whose abundant calcareous waters give you the feeling that you have entered soapy water, is one of two places on Earth with the same geological features and mineral structure as the surface of the planet Mars.

Experts believe that the unusual alkaline water of Lake Salda is effective against certain skin diseases such as acne and fungal infections. Large carps live in the lake. Salda Lake and its surroundings have been protected since 1989; the Salda Lake National Park is under construction and is expected to be finished in 2023.

As Lake Salda has been declared a natural site, very limited construction is allowed around it. There are restaurants and accommodation facilities within car distance from the lake. For those who would like to swim in the lake, there are changing cabins on the shore.

Lake Burdur

Lake Burdur is at the frontier between the provinces of Burdur and Isparta, in southwestern Türkiye. The lake is in a closed basin, and therefore its water does not reach the open sea or any other body of water.

Lake Burdur is one of the most important lakes in Türkiye in terms of bird presence and ornithological importance. Although it is a deep lake, it hosts over 100,000 waterfowl every year in the autumn and winter seasons. The primary importance of Lake Burdur derives from the fact that 60-70% of the world's population of white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), which is an endangered species that lives in the Western Palearctic zoogeographical region, winters in the lake. Burdur Lake might be of particular interest to birdwatchers.

Lake Eğirdir

The fourth-largest lake and second-largest freshwater lake of Türkiye, Lake Eğirdir, is about 46 kilometers from Isparta's city center.

In summer, the most popular activity at Lake Eğirdir is – not surprisingly! - to swim. Surrounding the beaches is lush, oxygen-rich forest.

Along the road, you will come across stands selling local produce grown in the nearby orchards. Yeşil Ada (Green Island) is situated in the lake, and offers the chance to taste the fresh local fish at its small restaurants. The island, which still preserves its historical riches, offers visitors a peaceful, serene environment.

Lake Beyşehir

Lake Beyşehir is a large freshwater lake in Isparta and Konya Provinces in the Turkish Lake District. The lake is at an elevation of 1,121 m above sea level and is surrounded by 2,000-meter-high mountains. The lake is a protected area that forms the Lake Beyşehir National Park, established in 1993.

The magnificent view of Lake Beyşehir at sunset is famous across the world and many visit here throughout the year to admire it. There is a wide variety of fish in the lake such as perch, carp, northern pike, mirror carp, zander and zarte. The lake has numerous islets and the ruins of historical monuments on these are remarkable.

Mana Island is the largest islet in the lake. Nomads once lived on this island, and before them Cossacks – this is why the island is also called “Kazak Adası” (Kazakh Island). On the island, there is a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites that reach up to 100 meters. The cave and the ruins of a Roman temple attract the attention of local and foreign tourists.

There are a few other important sites around Beyşehir and in the town of Beyşehir. Kubad Abad Palace (or Kubadabad Palace), built by the Seljuk Sultan Aladdin Keykubat (Sultan Kaygubad I), is notable for its tiles. Eşrefoğlu Mosque is one of the best examples of Seljuk architecture. The roof of the mosque is supported by 42 cedar columns that according to tradition were soaked in Lake Beyşehir for six months before being used in the building. Eflatun Pınar (Plato’s Spring) monument and Fasıllar Monument should also not be missed.

Other Lakes in the Mediterranean Region