The famous lakes in Turkey are scenic places of beauty, where flora and fauna thrive, and an idyllic retreat from the 21st century. Turkey certainly has plenty of them, from the east to the west. Most are freshwater, but there are a few salt lakes, too. With the country's landmass covering more than 700,000 square kilometres, the sizes make them some of the world’s most enormous. Turks love their weekend retreats to these scenic utopia-like havens, and several are popular tourist attractions with picnic, camping, or hotel accommodations for rent. Some people also buy lakefront homes to retreat to their haven whenever they want.
Van, the biggest lake, covers 3,755 km2. Sitting 6 kilometres outside Van city centre, surrounding mountains soaring as high as 1,312 metres trap it, preventing outflow. Uniquely, the lake belonged to the 11th-century Byzantine Empire. The high salt content, which is much higher than seawater, makes it ideal for swimming, and in 2016, a section of the beach received a Blue Flag award.
Certain species found nowhere else easily thrive in this saline soda water. Sitting off the southern shore, the famous landmark, Akdamar Island draws admiration from everyone who passes through. The main focal point is a beautifully restored Armenian church with intricate frescoes and impressive ancient architecture.
Tuz, a favourite place for goose hunters, sits further inland in the central and rural traditional Anatolian region. Most people travelling from Istanbul to Cappadocia pass directly by on the cross-country buses but sadly do not stop to view the incredible scenic settings. As Turkey’s second-largest lake, covering 1665 square kilometres, it is also one of the world’s largest hypersaline lakes.
Fed by two streams and occupying a tectonic depression, the summer weather dries the salt to form a hard crust ready for mining. The result is that 60% of Turkey's salt consumption comes here. Legal status protects birds, including fabulous flamingos, who flock here, making the area ideal for birdwatchers. There has been much controversy in recent years, as experts argue that over the last 40 years, the size has shrunk by 50%.
Every morning during summer, Bafa in Turkey’s Milas region attracts holidaymakers and locals from the surrounding coastal resorts of Kusadasi and Altinkum, who flock to restaurants to feast on organic village breakfasts. The scenic setting of surrounding olive groves is probably the main lure, but do not overlook the masses of historical ruins from Heraclea, an ancient city scattered across the landscape.
Uniquely, Bafa was part of the Aegean Sea, but slow developments over hundreds of years locked it into an inlet connected with the Menderes Delta River. In 2013, ecologists raised concerns that chemicals and pollution harmed wildlife, including numerous bird species.
Abant in Turkey’s northwest region has captured the attention of Turks seeking unique holiday home settings. Sitting in the Black Sea area, several bird species thrive there. Like other countryside places, the area remained a secret for hikers and trekkers because travel magazines pay attention to beaches and cities instead.
Knowledgeable anglers flock here because nowhere else has the unique species of trout. The beauty of being at one with nature and low land prices have led the Bolu property and district to take off regarding property investment. The nearby town and other things to do add to the attraction.
For years, Turks have favoured Sapanca as a family destination perfect for picnics and summer strolls. Booking accommodation from basic camping facilities to luxury spa resorts, the close setting to Turkey's biggest city, Istanbul, means weekends are a favourite time to visit. Eager anglers line the shores while in restaurants; romantic couples enjoy scenic settings. Alternatively, renting water-skiing, canoeing, and kayaking facilities would make for a roaring trade.
Renowned for the white sand and Turquoise water, Salda sits in southwestern Turkey's Budur province. Commonly known for rainbow trout and common carp, the crater lake is a popular spot for photo opportunities. Being entirely different from a tectonic lake, the depth of 196 metres makes it one of Turkey’s deepest lakes. Many believe this beautiful body of water helps with skin ailments thanks to the high quality of water. Aside from natural beauty, surrounding pine forests are popular with hunters. Additionally, NASA has researched microbiomes found within it.
Covering 482 square metres, this is Turkey's second-largest freshwater lake. The name relates to spinning and flowers and is the name of the nearby town. Several ancient ruins of small towns were found around the shoreline, leading this site to attract historians. Fed by about 40 different springs and with a maximum depth of 13 metres, there are often fluctuations in water levels. Additionally, there are two islands, Can Ada and Yesil Ada (Green Island), of which the former was home to a Greek colony in the last century. Founded by the Hittites Empire, Egirdir town is the heart, and until the population exchange of the early 20th century, Greek Orthodox citizens lived here.
Suppose you are in Bursa and want to try water sports; head here, which earns fame for this historical site beneath the surface. The 4th-century ancient basilica was only discovered in 2014 thanks to overhead photographs. Although some people call it saline, the level is too small to be classified as such. Stretching for 19 miles, the surprising aspect is that the entire lake is a bird sanctuary for several bird species yet doesn’t have protected status.
As the largest body of water in the Kackar mountains of Northeast Turkey, Lake Uzun, which only covers 1000 square miles, is sold by travel agents as a day trip or overnight stay from Trabzon city centre. It isn't a good spot for swimming but does attract mountain bikers who head off into hills above. During winter, the cold water freezes over thanks to low temperatures, but during Spring, accommodation facilities enjoy an uptick in visitors who flock to see the local flora. The town has much to offer because locals built houses and hotels using wood from surrounding forests, promoting quirky aspects to admire.
Lake Beysehir's natural habitat makes it one of Turkey’s gems. The green waters between Isparta and Konya are fed by streams flowing in from Turkey’s Anamas mountains. Once again, this is an ideal bird habitat, and bird watching is a popular activity every year. Surprisingly, the maximum depth of this significant lake is only 10 metres.
The British district can move over because Turkey's version of natural lakes originated from ancient times. Sitting at the foot of the Taurus Mountain range, the Turkish lake district refers to several tectonic lakes within southwest Anatolia. Lakes that belong to this area include Acıgöl, Akşehir, Beyşehir, Burdur Lake, Eğirdir, Akgöl, Lake Çavuşçu, lake Eber, Işıklı, Karamık, Karataş, Kovada, Salda, Suğla and Yarışlı. Formerly called Pisidia, Alexander the Great once ruled, and Saint Paul walked through as he spread the word of Christianity throughout Asia Minor.
We are Property Turkey, selling holiday, retirement, and investment homes in various areas around lakes in Turkey. For those who prefer these stretches of water to coastline living, they are ideal for getting back to nature. See our portfolio of apartments and villas here, or contact an agent to know more about lakeside living in Turkey.
Also About Turkey
Highest Mountains: Standing tall and proud, jagged mountain ranges stand proud from alpine-like northeast plateaus to snowy peaks of the Taurus range. Some are easy to navigate thanks to modern transport systems like a cable car, while others remain remote and hardly heard of, except in mountaineering and skiing circles,
Adventure Sports: If the great outdoors is your idea of fun, you will be delighted to know that Turkey is also a significant country for adventure sports. This article discusses the destinations for an adrenaline rush, from mountaineering to canyoning to paragliding and much more.