Province · Pamukkale e Região dos Lagos

Isparta

Isparta is the land of roses and lavender, with Lake Eğirdir, the Davraz ski resort and the ruins of Antioch of Pisidia, where Saint Paul preached.

In the photo: Lake Eğirdir and the town of Eğirdir

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 Isparta

Isparta lies at the heart of the Lakes Region, north of Antalya. The province is Turkey’s largest producer of rose oil: plantations of Rosa damascena cover the fields around the provincial capital, and shops sell rose water, creams and jams made from the petals.

Lake Eğirdir, one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes, has the town of Eğirdir on its southern shore, with remains of a fortress, the Dündar Bey madrasa and a causeway across the lake leading to the islet of Yeşilada, with old houses and fish restaurants. Nearby is Lake Kovada National Park.

In Yalvaç, in the north, are the ruins of Antioch of Pisidia, where Saint Paul preached in the synagogue according to the Acts of the Apostles. The St Paul Trail, a long-distance route that climbs from Perge, near Antalya, to Yalvaç, crosses the province. In Sütçüler, Yazılı Canyon Nature Park has riverside trails under plane trees along a cold-water stream.

In winter, Davraz mountain, about 25 km from the provincial capital, has ski runs with views over Lake Eğirdir. In the local cuisine, fırın kebabı, meat roasted in a wood-fired oven, and keşkek, a wheat-and-meat dish, are typical; fish from the lake is served in Eğirdir.

When to go

The rose harvest usually runs from mid-May to June, and Kuyucak’s lavender typically blooms in July. May, June and September are good for walking and seeing the lakes. The ski season at Davraz generally runs from December to March, depending on snowfall.

Getting there

Süleyman Demirel Airport (ISE), northwest of the provincial capital, handles domestic flights, mainly from Istanbul. Antalya airport is another option with more flights. There are buses from Isparta to Antalya, Burdur, Konya and Denizli, and minibuses to Eğirdir.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Isparta

When to visit Isparta’s lavender fields?

Blooming usually occurs in July, with a variation of a few weeks depending on the year. The most visited village is Kuyucak, in Keçiborlu. Go early, when the light is soft and there are fewer people.

Where to see the rose harvest?

In the fields around the provincial capital and Gönen, between mid-May and June. The harvest is done at dawn and in the early morning hours, when the petals retain the most oil. Some distilleries welcome visitors; check ahead.

Is Eğirdir a good base for exploring the Lakes Region?

Yes. The town is small, sits on the lake shore and has guesthouses and fish restaurants. From there you can reach Lake Kovada, Yazılı Canyon and, by car, Sagalassos and Lake Salda in Burdur province.

What to see in Antioch of Pisidia?

The ruins include the podium of the Temple of Augustus, an aqueduct, Roman streets and the remains of a Byzantine church. The Yalvaç Museum in town complements the visit with finds from the site.