Isparta is an Anatolian city in the Lakes Region, set at about 1,000 metres at the foot of the Taurus, with Lake Eğirdir to the east, Lake Burdur to the west and Mount Davraz to the south. The city is synonymous with the Rosa damascena oil rose: brought from the Balkans at the end of the 19th century, the rose now covers the province's fields and Isparta is one of the world's leading producers of rose oil. Isparta's real character is that rose, lake and mountain fit into the same day; the rose harvest from late May to mid June, the lavender fields of Kuyucak in July and the ski runs of Davraz in winter give the city a different reason for each season. The rose product shops, the carpet tradition and the Firdevs Bey Mosque attributed to Mimar Sinan are the city itself; Lake Eğirdir, Kovada and Sagalassos are within an hour's drive.
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See flights to Isparta →When to visit Isparta
Late May to July is Isparta's most distinctive period: the rose harvest usually begins in the last week of May and ends in the first half of June, with picking done at dawn, and the lavender turns purple at the end of June and looks its best in the first half of July. September and October are warm, quiet months for the lakeshore and the ancient cities, and the forests of Kovada turn colour in October. Days in July and August are hot but the altitude keeps nights cool. Winters are cold and snowy; the ski season on Davraz usually starts in December and runs into spring depending on snow, with January and February the busiest months.
Things to do in Isparta
Lake Eğirdir and Yeşilada
Lake Eğirdir, about 35 kilometres east of Isparta, is the fourth largest lake in Turkey and one of its largest freshwater lakes. The town of Eğirdir sits on a peninsula reaching into the lake; a road past the remains of the historic Eğirdir Castle leads first to Can Ada and from there to the 9 hectare Yeşilada, known for its stone houses and fish restaurants. The lake's blues and greens shift through the day, and the best light is at sunset. Lake fish and crayfish are the traditional dinner.
Kuyucak lavender village
Kuyucak, in the Keçiborlu district about 48 kilometres from central Isparta, is known for the lavender fields surrounding the village; the airport is in the same district. The lavender starts turning purple at the end of June, is at its most vivid in the first half of July and the harvest begins in the second half of July. The village has stalls selling lavender oil, soap and sachets, and walking paths between the fields. Early morning or sunset is the time for photographs.
Davraz ski centre
On the slopes of Mount Davraz, whose summit reaches 2,635 metres, 26 kilometres south east of Isparta, the ski centre is one of the closest ski resorts to the Mediterranean coast. The ski season usually starts in December and lasts into early spring, with January and February the busiest period. Lake Eğirdir is visible from the upper part of the runs. In summer the mountain is also used for hiking and paragliding.
Lake Kovada National Park
Lake Kovada and the black pine and oak forests around it, about 25 kilometres south of Eğirdir and 58 kilometres from central Isparta, were declared a national park in 1970. The lake is a shallow, reedy lake fed by water from Lake Eğirdir and is known for birdwatching. Walking paths and picnic areas run along the shore. In autumn the colours of the forest reflect in the lake, and October is the most photogenic time.
Ancient city of Sagalassos
Seven kilometres above the town of Ağlasun in Burdur province and about 41 kilometres from Isparta, the Pisidian city stands on a mountain slope above 1,500 metres; taken by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, it lived its most brilliant age in the Roman period. The lower and upper agoras, the 9,000 seat theatre and the Antonine Fountain, re-erected and flowing with water again, are the most photographed structures. Excavations have continued since 1990 with a team from the University of Leuven in Belgium. Comfortable shoes and half a day are needed for walking the slope.
Gölcük Nature Park
South west of Isparta, about 8 kilometres from the city centre, the nature park takes in Lake Gölcük, set in the crater of an old volcano, and the forest around it. The lake is a maar at 1,300 metres, about 2.5 kilometres across, ringed by crater slopes covered in pine forest. The path around the lake and the viewpoints on the slopes offer a short escape from Isparta. On summer evenings it fills with people coming up from the city to cool off.
Flights from Turkey to Isparta
Direct flights to Isparta from Turkey leave Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines; the route runs a few times a week and the flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, while connections from other cities go via Istanbul. Flights land at Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport in the Keçiborlu district, about 30 kilometres from the city centre and around half an hour by car. A passenger shuttle timed to the flights, taxis and the car hire desks at the airport are the main options. The lavender fields of Kuyucak are in the same district as the airport.
Isparta FAQ
How many days do you need in Isparta?
A day for the city and Gölcük, a day for Lake Eğirdir and Kovada and half a day for Sagalassos are enough; in the rose or lavender season add another morning for the fields. Three nights is a good length to see the region comfortably. Adding Burdur, Lake Salda and Yazılı Canyon stretches it to five days.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport is about 30 kilometres from the city centre, around half an hour by car. A passenger shuttle timed to the flights, a taxi or a hire car is used. Eğirdir is about an hour by car from the airport.
How do you get around Isparta and the area?
Within the city, municipal buses and taxis are enough; frequent minibuses leave the bus station for Eğirdir, a ride of about half an hour. Public transport to Kovada, Kuyucak, Davraz and Sagalassos is sparse, so hiring a car is the most flexible way. During the rose harvest, local agencies run dawn trips to the fields.
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