Lake Salda Lake

Address: Yeşilova district, Burdur Province, Turkey (Lake Salda / Salda Gölü)

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.

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.

• 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.