Province · Pamukkale e Região dos Lagos

Burdur

Burdur brings together Lake Salda, with its blue-turquoise water and white shores, and the ruins of Sagalassos, a Roman city built more than 1,400 meters above sea level in the Taurus mountains.

In the photo: Lake Salda (Salda Gölü), Yeşilova

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Burdur

Burdur lies in the Lakes Region in southwest Anatolia, between Antalya and Denizli. The landscape is of plateaus, limestone mountains and lakes, and the province receives fewer visitors than the coast, which makes outings quieter.

Lake Salda, in Yeşilova, is one of Turkey’s deepest lakes. The water shifts from blue to turquoise depending on the light, and the shores have white mineral deposits that resemble beach sand. NASA researchers studied the lake because those minerals are similar to ones found in the Jezero crater on Mars. The shores are a protected area, with their own visitation rules.

Sagalassos, near Ağlasun, was one of the main cities of Pisidia. Excavations have recovered the theater, the agoras and the monumental Antonine fountain, reassembled using the original pieces. Much of the statuary found at the site is in the Burdur Museum in the city center.

Other sights in the province include İnsuyu Cave, near the provincial capital, and Kibyra, by Gölhisar, an ancient city with a stadium and a Medusa mosaic in the odeon. In the local cuisine, Burdur’s şiş köfte and ceviz ezmesi (a walnut sweet) are specialties.

When to go

May to June and September to October are usually the most pleasant months for Sagalassos, which is at altitude and has little shade. July and August are the busiest season at Lake Salda, with warm, dry days. Winter is typically cold, with snow in the mountains.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Süleyman Demirel (ISE) in Isparta, with domestic flights; Antalya (AYT) has more flights and lies to the south, on the other side of the Taurus mountains. There are buses between Burdur, Antalya, Isparta and Denizli. For Lake Salda and Sagalassos, a car is the most practical option.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Burdur

Can you go into the water at Lake Salda?

The shores are an environmental protection area, and usage rules change by section. Generally, visits to the white beaches are via boardwalks and designated areas. Check the rules on arrival and do not take any of the white sand.

Is Sagalassos doable as a day trip from Antalya?

Yes, by car or with an organized tour, but it makes for a long day because the road climbs over the mountains. If you have time, you can stay overnight in Burdur or Isparta and combine Sagalassos with Lake Salda.

How long does a visit to Sagalassos take?

Allow two to three hours: the site is extensive and involves climbs. Bring water, a hat and sturdy footwear. In winter, snow can make access difficult.

Why is Lake Salda compared to Mars?

The minerals on the shores, formed with the help of microbes, are similar to those identified in the Jezero basin on Mars. For that reason, NASA researchers studied the lake before the Perseverance rover mission.