Explore Turkey’s Best National Parks with GoTravelDaily
From towering peaks to deep canyons, sparkling coastlines to dense forests, Turkey offers a wealth of natural beauty juxtaposed with its world-famous historical sites.
Turkey’s first national park, Yozgat Çamlığı Milli Parkı, was established in 1958 in Central Anatolia to protect an endemic species of pine. Today, there are 45 national parks across the country, featuring remote, wild terrains, family-friendly recreation areas, and significant historical sites like the ancient city of Troy (Troya Tarihi Milli Parkı). Here are a dozen of our favorite national parks to start your adventure in Turkey’s great outdoors.
Know Before You Go
Outdoor activities are gradually gaining popularity in Turkey; however, finding information about hiking trails and recreational opportunities can be a challenge. The Antalya-based NGO Culture Routes Society is making strides in establishing and maintaining a network of long-distance paths. Moreover, many local municipalities are beginning to see the benefits and follow suit. Trekking with a guide is advisable in less-visited areas. If you prefer to hike independently, searching trail websites for downloadable GPS tracks is highly recommended.
Unfortunately, national park status doesn’t always guarantee areas free from poorly planned development, crowds, or litter. Nevertheless, you typically don’t have to venture far from main parking lots and picnic areas to find spectacular landscapes almost entirely to yourself.
Beydağları Sahil Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Ancient Ruins
The pine-shaded ancient ruins of Olympos and Phaselis lie within Beydağları Coastal National Park in the Mediterranean province of Antalya. This area also boasts fine beaches, particularly those in Çiralı and Adrasan. Above Çiralı is the famous “burning rock” known as the Chimaera, where natural gas escapes and ignites, creating small fires—a phenomenon steeped in legend.
A section of Turkey’s iconic hiking path, the Lycian Way, runs through this national park, and the stunning ruins of Termessos are just an hour away by car.
Kaçkar Dağları Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Hiking
The rugged peaks of the Kaçkar Mountains rise above the eastern Black Sea coast, featuring glacial lakes, high-altitude pastures called yayla, and tiny alpine villages. Climbing Mt. Kaçkar (12,916 ft) and traversing the range from north to south (or vice versa) are among the most popular hikes in this wild, breathtaking backcountry. It’s important to note that some trails are only accessible without snow and ice gear for a brief window each summer.
İğneada Longoz Ormanları Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Canoeing
Canoeing is the ideal way to explore this unique ecosystem, a floodplain forest in Turkey’s far northwestern region of Thrace. The area features a network of marshes, swamps, and lakes, emptying past coastal sand dunes into the Black Sea. Walking and biking paths are also accessible within the national park.
Dilek Yarımadası–Büyük Menderes Deltası Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Beaches
Far removed from the busy resort town of Kuşadası, the idyllic beaches of Dilek Peninsula are framed by clear blue waters and lush pine forests. While facilities are rustic, they remain clean, and family-friendly walking paths meander through the woods alongside more challenging trails that provide fantastic views of the Aegean Sea and the nearby Greek island of Samos.
Aladağlar Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Vast Expanses
This stark yet stunning high-altitude national park encompasses glacial lakes, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, spanning over 135,000 mountainous acres between Kayseri and Adana. Its four major peaks, each exceeding 9840 ft, attract trekkers and climbers alike. For those less inclined to trek, a day trip from Cappadocia offers outstanding views. Limited accommodation can mainly be found around the village of Çukurbağ.
Uludağ Milli Parkı
Best National Park to Visit in Winter
Located conveniently close to Istanbul, Uludağ (Great Mountain) in Bursa is one of Turkey’s top ski areas, featuring 24 km of runs and numerous hotels. During the summer, visitors can hike through the coniferous forests on the mountain’s slopes; however, some trails lack clear markings. An 8 km-long cable car operates year-round.
Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Water Sports
Marked by a Roman-era stone bridge, Köprülü Kanyon is a scenic canyon in Antalya’s Manavgat area, spanning over 14 km in length. This area is popular for whitewater rafting and canoeing, and it also attracts rock climbers and mountain bikers. The St. Paul Trail, a long-distance walking path (500 km), passes through this region as well. For those preferring a more leisurely experience, waterfront restaurants offer fresh river trout in a charming setting.
Marmaris Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Families
Step away from the hustle of the beach resorts in Marmaris and enjoy the tranquility of these peaceful woods. Walking paths meander gently around small lakes and cross wooden bridges to picnic areas, viewing platforms, and children’s playgrounds. The national park also features a small beach and archaeological ruins worth exploring.
Kuşcenneti Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Birdwatching
With over 250 bird species, including pelicans, herons, spoonbills, cormorants, and geese, this 158-acre wetland is a crucial stopover on avian migratory routes between Europe and Africa. A 57 ft-high platform provides sweeping views over the lush landscape of this bird sanctuary in the western province of Balıkesir, situated just across the Marmara Sea from Istanbul.
Munzur Vadisi Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Wildlife
Covering more than 100,000 acres, Munzur Vadisi Milli Parkı is the largest national park in Turkey and boasts incredible biodiversity. Here, mountain goats, wild boar, foxes, lynx, badgers, wolves, and bears can be spotted alongside an impressive array of approximately 1500 plant species. Hiking and rafting are fantastic ways to discover the park’s diverse landscapes, including its mountains, valleys, rivers, springs, and mixed forests. However, prepare for harsh weather conditions outside the summer months.
Altınbeşik Mağarası Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Caving
During the summer and fall, high water levels allow for rubber raft explorations into Altınbeşik Cave. Here, adventurers can glide past spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and travertines within the cavern’s vast underground lake. The surrounding Manavgat Valley features a dramatic landscape of karst formations and pine forests.
Yedigöller Milli Parkı
Best National Park for Fall Colors
Yedigöller, which means ‘Seven Lakes,’ perfectly describes this national park in the northern province of Bolu. The lakes formed by avalanches are encircled by mixed forests that explode in brilliant colors each fall. The Kapankaya Manzara Seyir Yeri, a scenic overlook, remains one of the park’s most beloved attractions.
