Nature & Wildlife

Turkey’s nature and wildlife surprise most first-time visitors. Within a few hours you move from volcanic canyons to pine coasts, and from white mineral terraces to beaches where turtles nest.

On the coast, the Lycian Way runs for about 520 kilometers (323 miles) from Ölüdeniz toward Antalya. At Patara, the long beach closes at night so that loggerhead turtles can lay their eggs undisturbed.

Inland, a river cut Ihlara Valley through the rock of Cappadocia, and Byzantine monks painted churches into its walls. Further west, the white terraces of Pamukkale form as warm, mineral-rich water cools on the hillside.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for nature and wildlife, because summer is hot and dry on the open slopes. Before a hike, check the official weather forecast and carry more water than you think you need.