Plizio Visual Lab
Lake Salda
Weather…
Water temperature…
Lake Salda is a mid-sized crater lake situated in the Yeşilova district of Burdur Province, southwestern Turkey. Positioned at an elevation of 1,140 meters within the Taurus Mountains, it is one of the deepest lakes in Turkey, reaching depths of approximately 184 meters. The lake is globally renowned for its animated turquoise waters and brilliant white beaches, which are composed of hydromagnesite stromatolites rather than common sand. These mineral formations are of significant interest to astrobiologists; NASA researchers have used Lake Salda as a terrestrial laboratory to study the Jezero Crater on Mars, as the mineralogy is believed to be the closest Earth match. The alkaline waters are rich in magnesium and soda, and the surrounding area is covered by dense pine forests. In 2019, the lake was designated a Special Environmental Protection Area to preserve its unique microbialites and to mitigate the ecological impact of its growing popularity as a tourist destination.
- Location: Turkey
- Top sights: Salda Milli Parki · Lake Salda
- Nearby: Denizli (58 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 133 | 88 | 62 | 52 | 46 | 27 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 51 | 74 | 121 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The maximum depth of Lake Salda is approximately 184 meters.
- The lake's surface area is roughly 44 square kilometers.
- It is considered the world's cleanest lake in some environmental rankings.
- NASA scientists used the lake to prepare for the Perseverance rover landing.
- The white minerals are hydromagnesite, a form of magnesium carbonate.
- Home to the endemic Salda toothcarp (Aphanius splendens).
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lake Salda (2)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lake Salda called the 'Turkish Maldives'?
Are you allowed to swim in the lake?
How to get to Lake Salda?
Is the sand edible?
Are there hotels at the lake?
Lake Salda: where is it located?
Lake Salda: what is there to see?
Lake Salda: when is the best time to visit?
Lake Salda: why is it worth visiting?
