Lake Salda
Lake Turkish lake with white shores and turquoise water
In Burdur Province, Salda features pale white shores and turquoise water underlain by hydromagnesite deposits; people visit for swimming, geology, short hikes and landscape photography.
Lake Salda is a tectono-volcanic freshwater lake in Burdur Province, southwestern Turkey near the township of Yeşilova. It is notable for clear turquoise water and pale, sandy-white shores formed by carbonate sediments and tufa deposits.
Visitors go to the lake for its distinctive water color, beaches and short lakeside walks; the surrounding landscape is a mix of scrub and volcanic terrain. The lake has attracted attention from scientists because of its unusual mineral sediments and shoreline deposits.
The basin formed in a volcanic-tectonic setting and has relatively recent sedimentary deposits that create the light-colored beaches. The lake lies inland in Burdur Province, within easy reach of local towns in southwestern Turkey.
- Distinctive shoreline and water color: Located in Burdur Province near the small town of Yeşilova, it is known for unusually clear, turquoise water and pale white shores composed of calcareous sediments.
- Geological interest: Regarded as of geological interest because of exposed volcanic and carbonate deposits around the basin.
How to Get to Lake Salda #
Lake Salda (Burdur Province) lies beside the small district town of Yeşilova. The usual way to reach it is by road: drive from the Burdur/Yeşilova area on the local provincial roads toward Yeşilova and follow signs for Lake Salda; there is parking at the lakeshore and short walking trails around the beach areas.
Public transport: dolmuş (shared minibuses) run between Burdur and Yeşilova; from Yeşilova the lake is a short local drive or taxi ride (only a few kilometres) to the shore.
Tips for Visiting Lake Salda #
- Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds and to see the lake's turquoise color with calmer water and softer light.
- Use the official Yeşilova-area parking/entrance and stick to the designated boardwalks and marked viewing points-the site has been managed to protect the fragile shoreline, and the maintained paths lead to the best panoramic views.
- Walk up the low limestone ridges on the designated trail on the lake's rim for a higher panoramic view many day visitors skip; those viewpoints give a clear sense of the contrast between the white mineral shores and deep water.
Best Time to Visit Lake Salda #
Late spring through early autumn offers the most pleasant conditions and busiest beach season, while shoulder seasons are quieter and still pleasant.
Weather & Climate near Lake Salda #
Lake Salda's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (532 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 14 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with 83 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
