Türkiye’s location between continents and rich geography means that each of the traditional four seasons can be experienced. Home to many natural wonders in all seven regions, in almost every city, there are protected national parks that you should see. The national parks, which you will want to include in your daily trips or longer-term holiday plans, offer many alternatives for summer and winter tourism.
MARMARA REGION
Uludağ National Park: This park, which is located within the borders of Bursa, was designated as a national park in 1961. Since Uludağ is the highest mountain in the region, it will be an interesting experience for you to see the diversity of flora and fauna as you venture higher up the valley. Uludağ, the first place that comes to mind when it comes to winter sports, has a suitable geography for camping and trekking in the summer months. Uludağ is about 40 kilometres from the centre of Bursa. Visit Uludağ hotels for accommodation.
Kazdağı (Mount Ida) National Park: Kazdağı forms the border between the Aegean and Marmara region and was declared a national park in 1994. Featuring the peak of Mount Ida, with the second cleanest oxygen rate in the world, Altınoluk in the Balıkesir district offers a cute holiday opportunity where sea and mountain climates are interchangeable. You can stay in Altınoluk hotels or enjoy your holiday in the designated camping areas.
Kuş Cenneti (Bird Sanctuary) National Park: Located between Manyas, Gönen and Bandırma, the national park of Balıkesir province is a spectacular region admired the world over. In addition to many resident bird species, Manyas Bird Sanctuary is also a nesting place for various bird species due to its location on the yearly avian migration routes. The park, only 18 kilometres away from the centre of Bandırma, is one of the national sites you will want to visit on your journey from Marmara to the Aegean.
Troy Historical National Park: The region, which is located within the borders of Ezine district of Çanakkale province, is reknowned as the area where the famous Trojan War took place. Troy was declared a First-Degree Archaeological Site and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Troy is located about 17 kilometres from the centre of Çanakkale.
The İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park, established on November 13, 2007, is a national park located within Kırklareli Province in Marmara Region of Turkey. It is the most well-known example of floodplains (a type of forest formed by flooding of the vegetation and wooded area during the seasons of high rainfall) in Türkiye. Approximately 235 kilometres from Istanbul, İğneada offers a convenient option for photography, camping and bird watching.
SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION
Mount Nemrut National Park: The area where the ancient city of the Kingdom of Commagene is located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman; it was granted national park status in 1987. Due to its proximity to the city centre, you can easily reach it, visit the monuments and statuesque representations of ancient gods from Greek and Iranian mythology, such as Heracles-Artagnes-Ares, Zeus-Oromasdes, and Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes.
Tek Tek Mountains National Park: The region, home to many different plant and animal species, was declared a national park in 2007. Şuayip City, where remains dating back three to four centuries are found, is located in the national park area of Şanlıurfa province. If you have a plan to tour to the southeast, it is one of the most educational areas that you can go and see for a day.
MEDITERRANEAN REGION
Altınbeşik Cave National Park: Altınbeşik Cave, which has the third largest underground lake in the world and the largest in Türkiye, is located in İbradı district of Antalya province. The name of the cave, located to the west of the Manavgat Valley, is inspired by the natural formation that looks like a cradle (beşik in Turkish). You will remember the colour and unique appearance of this national park, located about 177 kilometres from the city centre of Antalya, for many years.
Köprülü Canyon National Park: Another unique beauty spreading from Antalya to the world is Köprülü Canyon National Park. The national park, where you can visit the ruins of the ancient city of Selge, is located around Köprülü Canyon. As a point of interest, it is known for being the longest canyon in Türkiye. Köprülü Canyon, where you can have a cooling experience during the warmth of your Antalyan holiday, is located in Manavgat, only 80 kilometres from the city centre.
Beydağları Coastal National Park: The region, also known internationally as Olympos, was declared a national park in 1972. Starting from Sarısu, you can continue along the coast to Kumluca district, Beydağları on the right, the sea on the left; you can complete your journey with a stay in Çıralı or Adrasan.
Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park: Located in the Kadirli district of Osmaniye province, the park established by the Ceyhan River contains remains belonging to the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods, and with this feature, it is the first and largest open-air museum of Türkiye. It is located 33 km from Osmaniye city centre.
Aladağlar National Park: Aladağlar is one of the most interesting national parks to see; known as the peak of the Taurus Mountains, it’s located in the convergence of Kayseri, Niğde and Adana provinces. The glacial lakes and Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls are the main reason for their fame as a visiting point for local and foreign tourists. It is possible to reach the park, which is 102 kilometres from the centre of Adana, in a little over an hour.
AEGEAN REGION
Marmaris National Park: The area, which is 60 kilometres from the centre of Muğla, was designated as a national park in 1996. The region, is a favourite destination for nature photographers due to its many plant varieties, also allows you to participate in many sporting activities such as paintball, mud races, rock climbing, ecotourism and to have a camping holiday if you wish.
Spil Mountain National Park: The park, which is located within the borders of İzmir and Manisa, the two best neighbours of the Aegean, was established at the foot of Mount Spil and received the title of national park in 1968. You can visit after your Marmaris holiday, which is about 48 kilometres from the centre of İzmir and take wonderful photos for your archive.
Başkomutan (Commander-in-Chief) Historical National Park: The region surrounded by Afyonkarahisar, Uşak and Kütahya provinces, where the spirit of the National Struggle was embroidered, was declared a national park in 1981. The place where Mustafa Kemal ordered “Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean, forward” remains a national park today.
