This calm Turkish city near Lake Burdur has Roman ruins and a well-preserved archaeology museum housing Pisidian artifacts from 7000 BCE. The area grows fragrant lavender and roses.
Burdur, a city of 95,000 residents in southwestern Turkey, sits between mountains and lakes in the Mediterranean region. You'll find Roman ruins at Sagalassos, white-sand beaches at Lake Salda, and Ottoman-era mansions like Mısırlılar Evi in the old town. The city's Archaeological Museum displays 8,500-year-old pottery from Hacılar, while the 14th-century Ulu Mosque stands at the heart of the historic quarter.
Getting to Burdur
You can reach Burdur by bus from major Turkish cities via the Antalya-Afyonkarahisar highway. Süleyman Demirel Airport, 30 kilometers away, operates domestic flights. Regular trains connect the city to Afyonkarahisar and Eskişehir.
Exploring Lake Salda
The white beaches and turquoise waters of Lake Salda stretch across 44 square kilometers. Minerals in the lake create white sediments along its shores. You can swim from May to September, camp at designated areas, or walk the 16-kilometer trail around the lake's perimeter. Several lookout points along the walking paths give clear views across the water.
Ancient Cities Near Burdur
At Sagalassos, 37 kilometers from Burdur, you can climb through a 9,000-seat Roman theater and see water still flowing from the Antonine Fountain. The ruins at Kibyra include a Roman amphitheater, stadium, and public buildings spread across the hillside.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Burdur Archaeological Museum displays ceramics, statues, and coins from Hacılar and Sagalassos, dating from 6500 BC to the Byzantine period. In the Natural History Museum, housed in an 1800s Greek church, you'll find local dinosaur fossils and mineral specimens.
Walking Through the Old Town
The Yukarı Pazar (Upper Bazaar) area centers around the Ulu Mosque from 1300. Walk the cobblestone streets to see Ottoman-era houses and the stone walls of Eski Hamam. Two restored mansions, Mısırlılar Evi and Bakibey Konağı, showcase carved wooden ceilings and painted walls typical of 19th-century Turkish homes.
Local Products and Food
The surrounding fields produce lavender for essential oils and fragrances. Local specialty shops sell walnut paste and salep, a drink made from orchid roots. Try Burdur Şiş - thin strips of lamb grilled over charcoal and wrapped in flatbread. In the copper workshops, you can watch artisans hammer out pots and decorative items.
Getting Around
You can walk to most places in the compact city center within 20 minutes. Dolmuş (minibuses) run every 15 minutes on main routes. For taxis, ask your hotel to call one or use the BiTaksi app. Many people under 30 speak basic English and can help with directions.
