9.02.2024
6 Dakika
Burdur, one of the most beautiful cities of the Lake District in Türkiye, attracts attention with its natural wonders as well as its historical values. There are many activities you can experience in the city, which is also home to Sagalassos, the magnificent capital of ancient Pisidia. A visit to Sagalassos Archaeological Site is, of course, one of the notable ones. For an insight into this experience, you can watch our video titled "Uncovering: Sagalassos" on the Turkish Museums Instagram page. Also, keep in mind that Kibyra Archaeological Site, where you can see the ruins of a very important ancient city, is located within the borders of Burdur as well. Let's dive into 5 activities you can do in Burdur besides visiting these impressive archaeological sites.
Located 80 km from the city center, Burdur Lake is a natural habitat that especially those who want to birdwatch will particularly enjoy. Among the nearly 100 bird species living in the lake, there are also the endangered white-headed ducks. Burdur Lake offers impressive natural landscapes, especially in the fall and winter months when the bird population increases, allowing visitors to experience beautiful moments. Water sports such as sailing are also available for visitors to enjoy in the lake.
Salda Lake, which has recently been on the radar of many different fields after it was found to have similarities with the Jezero Crater on Mars, is one of Türkiye's hidden treasures. The clear water in a magnificent turquoise tone, the view reminiscent of Caribbean beaches and the surrounding forests provide a wonderful experience for those who want to integrate with nature. When you visit Salda Lake, you can enjoy the beach, swim in the fresh waters of the lake and even set up camp around it.
İnsuyu Cave, one of the first caves opened to tourism in Türkiye, is 13 km away from Burdur. İnsuyu, a karst cave, creates an interesting atmosphere with its stalactite and stalagmite formations. According to a legend linked to the Sagalassos Archaeological Site, a newly married couple among the nobility were imprisoned in the cave because they could not get along with each other. The couple survived by drinking the waters of a lake here, and they finally managed to escape from the cave with the power of their renewed love. Since then, it is believed that couples who visit the cave will never be separated.
Burdur is an important center of antiquity and is also home to the remains from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Age. For this reason, the collection of Burdur Museum, where the artifacts obtained from archaeological studies in the region are exhibited, is quite extensive. The famous Hacılar ceramics dating back to 6500 BC are exhibited in the museum, which also includes the original sculptures in the Antonine Fountain, the unique structure of Sagalassos. With more than 65 thousand artifacts in its collection, this museum is a must-visit.
Dating from the 13th century, the Susuz Caravanserai is an Anatolian Seljuk work of art with a magnificent ornamented crown gate. The interior of the caravanserai, which is under a vaulted dome, can be traced back to travelers who used the historic Konya-Isparta-Antalya caravan route. İncir (Fig) Han, dated to the 14th century, stands out with its oyster-shell-shaped door niche. Although part of the structure covering it has collapsed, the surviving parts of the inn are more than enough to give visitors a sense of adventure in the past. These two buildings, which bear the characteristics of Seljuk architecture, are ideal places to take a break during your trip to Burdur, as people did 700 years ago.
Burdur is home to the common heritage of humanity, from the magnificent ruins of ancient Pisidia to the ceramic pots used by our ancestors in the Neolithic Age. Considering the opportunities for experiences offered by the city's natural values, it is safe to say that Burdur is waiting for travelers who will be satisfied with every aspect of their trip.
