What's up guys! We're here in Lake Eğirdir and it's a true hidden gem in Turkey. And
in this video we're going to show you why, including some of the best things to do in
the area and also some true recommendations from locals. So hope you enjoy the video.
We are Zac and Ine, full-time digital nomads from the United States and Belgium.
We met while studying abroad in 2018 and have been traveling the world together ever since.
We're here to inspire your next adventure, whether it's hiking in the Canadian Rockies,
a road trip through the US, or backpacking across Africa. On our channel you'll find
unfiltered videos of hiking guides and the best things to do in destinations around the world.
Not only does Turkey have a stunning coastline, but it's also home to many beautiful lakes.
Lake Eğirdir is located in the Anatolian Lake District about 140 kilometers from Antalya,
250 kilometers from Pamukkale, and 230 kilometers from Konya. Lake Eğirdir is
the most interesting and beautiful of all lakes that shape the Anatolian Lake District.
It's the fourth largest lake in Turkey, covering about 482 square kilometers.
Its deep blue waters are mesmerizing, but Eğirdir is more than just a lake. It's a place
where natural beauty meets history. It's a place where you'll experience the unique Turkish culture
and connect with fellow travelers. Lake Eğirdir is Turkey's best-kept secret in our opinion.
With tons of nature, history, and outdoor activities at your fingertips, it's best to stay a
few days in the area. Now, we'll show you the top six best things to do in and around Lake Eğirdir.
At number six we have Yazili Canyon and Lake Kovada National Park.
Both are in the same direction from Eğirdir and can easily be combined in one visit as a day trip.
Kovada National Park, which is about 30 kilometers from Eğirdir,
is great for hiking and enjoying the abundant flora and fauna. There are beautiful hiking
trails and viewpoints all around the lake so you can easily spend a few hours in the park.
Yazili Canyon is another 30 kilometers further south of Lake Kovada. The canyon is a tranquil
spot perfect for climbing, hiking, swimming, and simply enjoying the untouched nature. A beautiful
river flows through the canyon and is flanked by a well-preserved section of an ancient road,
which dates back to the 5th century BC. Enjoy a swim in the icy cold waters on a hot summer day.
So we're here in the Yazili Canyon. We've just been exploring around and we came across these
really beautiful waterfalls. There's about 10 little ones right behind us.
It took us about 30 minutes to get to this point and now we have it all to ourselves.
Salda Lake is a two-hour drive from Lake Eğirdir but it's a must-visit when in the area. Also
called the "Maldives of Turkey", this crater lake has white-sand beaches and clear turquoise blue
waters. One of the most interesting things about Lake Salda is its unique geology.
It's one of the only places in the world where ancient stromatolite algae still grow.
The lake is also rich in minerals and depositional features similar to those found in Jezero Crater
on Mars. Some of these minerals are believed to offer remedies to certain skin diseases.
Since 2021, Lake Salda has been protected by Turkey's Environmental Authority.
The National Park facilities were brand new when we visited. However, this protection
status also means that you're not allowed to swim in certain spots of the lake anymore.
Fulya Pension is located in the heart of Eğirdir and a great place to connect with
fellow backpackers, long-distance hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Its rooftop terrace offers
a 360-degree panoramic view of the lake and the mountains. We rank this place to stay
in our top things to do in Eğirdir because our experience wouldn't have been the same without it.
The staff gave us many great recommendations and taught us all about this magical place.
We highly recommend staying here while in Eğirdir,
or at least enjoying their breakfast buffet so you can observe the best view of the town.
So if you're staying in Lake Eğirdir we definitely recommend the Fulya Pension, there's really cool
people here, it's a nice adventure hub. But uh, don't just take our word for it. Here's Ibrahim,
the owner, and he can explain a little bit more. First of all, welcome to Eğirdir. You
can make a base here and you can explore from here everywhere. There's a lot of beautiful
opportunities here, with the nature and the historical and some endemic histories. You
can come here and you can just like enjoy what you want to do. I can make a tailor-made, any
season and any activities. I can try to make you happy hours in this town and spend your
time. If there's any more question or any any help please contact me by Fulya Pension, I'm Ibrahim.
The third best thing to do is walk the islands of Eğirdir. Home to two connected islands, Can Ada
and Yeşil Ada, Eğirdir boasts some of the most amazing lake views you'll ever see.
You'll find many cafes and restaurants scattered around the old town. There are also some beautiful
beaches to relax on. If you prefer a little more action, you can also take a boat tour on the lake
as well as go fishing or biking around the lake. Embrace the peace and quiet of Lake Eğirdir.
The Sagalassos ruins are about a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Lake Eğirdir and one of
our most favorite ruins in all of Turkey. This ancient city dates back to 1200 BC and was once
a vibrant community. Its ruins are widespread and set between jagged peaks, which makes for
an impressive setting. It's rarely overrun by crowds or tour buses, so exploring these ruins
is a relaxing and fascinating experience. It took us about three hours to explore and see
the main highlights. We can imagine spending an entire day here if you have the time.
The highlights include the Roman Theater and the astonishing Nymphaeum or fountain.
So we're here in Sagalassos, this ancient city and standing here in the agora with
this beautiful nymphaeum in the background. And it's really unique because, out of all
the different ancient cities we've visited so far, none of them have had actual running water
in their nymphaeum. So it's really cool you can see kind of how it looked like back in the day.
Our favorite thing to do in Lake Eğirdir is to hike the mountain that towers above the town.
Mount Sivri sits at 1749 meters and makes for a good day walk. You can decide to start at either
Eğirdir or the mountain village of Akpinar, which is located at the base of the mountain.
From Akpinar the hike was about seven and a half kilometers and took three and a half hours total.
The trail winds through a valley with farms, until you reach the ancient city of Prostanna. From the
ruins it's a steep hike up the mountain slope. But the views from the top are absolutely worth it.
Part of this hike is along the Saint Paul's trail, which is a long-distance hike that goes
from the ancient city of Perge near Antalya all the way to the north of Lake Eğirdir.
So today we're hiking up Sivri Tepe and it actually overlooks Lake Eğirdir. Like
you can see it's in the town, like you see this giant peak behind it,
that's the one. And we parked our car in Akpinar village. It's kind of halfway up the mountain
already so it makes it a little bit easier to walk up. And the trail isn't so easy to
find but you can just see these markers along the way, which are like red and white stripes.
Other things to do that we haven't done, but were recommended to us,
include visiting the Zindan Cave and seeing the rose fields. The roses generally bloom in spring
and are collected and used to produce a valuable oil for cremes and perfumes.
There are also many other adventure activities offered through the Fulya Pension.
If you stay there, make sure to ask the staff about even more things to do.
Alright guys that's it for our video on Lake Eğirdir, Turkey's hidden gem. We hope you
enjoyed it. Lake Eğirdir is a beautiful place that you have to visit when you have the chance.
Make sure to subscribe to our channel to watch other videos from across Turkey and also make sure
to download our free giveaway in the description below. Catch you on the next adventure!