What is a natural monument?
“Natural monument” refers to unaltered geological formations that are worth seeing; in other words, that possess remarkable or distinctive characteristics. For example, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia or Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), Türkiye’s highest peak at 5,137 meters, are not natural assets that exist everywhere in the world.
But are natural assets with distinctive characteristics that qualify them as natural monuments. And, from mountains to lakes, from rivers to canyons, and from valleys to trees, Türkiye is among the wealthiest nations worldwide in terms of natural monuments.
A geological wonder: Pamukkale Travertines
Consider a historic city included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, an ancient metropolis featuring human-made structures such as fortifications, basilicas and temples, right next to a natural wonder like the travertines. We are referring to Hierapolis, the ancient city in Denizli, and to the Pamukkale Travertines. These two sites are next to each other, enabling visitors to explore two remarkable places at once.
A natural wonder produced by thermal water springs, the shimmering white Pamukkale Travertines have the appearance of a frozen waterfall, made even more striking by their gradient staircase-like form. Near the travertines are facilities where you can take advantage of the area’s thermal springs, which are believed to have healing properties. Launch a holiday to this enchanted tourist destination right now by visiting the Denizli flight ticket page!
History and nature intertwined: Cappadocia’s Fairy Chimneys
The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia are among the most photographed landscapes in Türkiye and certainly ranks among the natural features attracting the most visitors, not only from Türkiye but from numerous countries around the world. Created by the erosion of wind and flood waters on the area’s tuff stone, these landforms, while they exist in other countries, are particularly evocative in Cappadocia, where they appear as pyramid- or pointed tower-like structures topped with a cone-shaped rock.
Though the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia were formed by geological processes over millennia, the region’s other rock forms hold a rich human – as well as natural – history: throughout time, the area’s human inhabitants have carved homes, shelters and churches into the rocks. Many of these can be seen in Göreme National Park, which, along with Cappadocia and the fairy chimneys, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A hot air balloon tour is one of the best ways to see this magical landscape.
The kingdom at the peak: Mount Nemrut
With an abundance of lakes, rivers and streams, Adıyaman is also well-known for its mountains, and for Mount Nemrut in particular. At 2,150 meters high, Mount Nemrut is endowed with both historical and natural features. Annually, thousands of visitors come to Mount Nemrut to experience this stunning natural setting, with sunrise and sunset offering even more extraordinary vistas.
The cultural dimension of the mountain adds to its mystique: Mount Nemrut is the former Commagene Kingdom sanctuary, housing imposing statues, some of which reach a height of ten meters, with lengthy inscriptions. Considering its assets, the area is sometimes called the “eighth wonder of the world”. Naturally, the ruins atop Mount Nemrut are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The land of the caretta caretta: İztuzu Beach
İztuzu is a tranquil beach in Muğla celebrated as a habitat for the caretta caretta turtles. The beach stretches for kilometers and is an ideal destination for a relaxing vacation in the heart of nature. The road that rises as you approach provides a unique panorama of the entire beach; thus, these rising roads are among the most popular locations in the region for tourists’ photos.
The caretta caretta turtles lay their eggs on İztuzu beach, which is also known as Turtle (Kaplumbağa) Beach. But there’s more: this is one of the few beaches that sits between seawater and freshwater. After enjoying the sea and the beach, you can take a refreshing swim in the lake. To visit this wonderful beach in Dalyan, book a ticket on the Muğla flight ticket page!
Türkiye’s highest peak: Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), Türkiye’s highest peak, is exactly 5,137 meters above sea level. This extinct volcano in the Eastern Anatolian volcanic range has a sister, Little Mount Ararat Küçük Ağrı Dağı) (3,896 meters), another extinct volcano to the southeast. Mount Ararat is a popular destination for nature photographers, as its summit is covered in ice during the summer as well as the winter. Numerous tourists visit the region to climb the mountain and, particularly in winter, Mount Ararat is a popular climbing destination for solo ascents.
The peak of western Anatolia: Uludağ
Uludağ, the highest peak in Western Anatolia, is south of Bursa and stands at 2,543 meters. Uludağ, home of Türkiye’s first mountain hotel, ski resort, cable car and chairlift, has contributed significantly to the country’s renown as a winter tourism destination.
The mountain is a location ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, particularly ski tourism. Snowboarding, big foot, ice skating and snowmobiling are all available; and Uludağ National Park is 71% forest and 28% pasture and rocky terrain. You can visit this unrivaled winter vacation destination for a day trip or stay for a few days in one of the area’s comfortable hotels.
Forest paradise: Yedigöller National Park
Yedigöller National Park, north of Bolu, is one of Türkiye’s most beautiful and historic natural areas. Since 1965, the 1,642-hectare Yedigöller Basin has been designated a national park to protect the area. The national park has seven lakes: Büyükgöl, Seringöl, Deringöl, Nazlıgöl, Küçükgöl, İncegöl, and Sazlıgöl, and the Kapankaya viewpoint in the park is considered one of the best places to see these stunning lake views.
The national park’s natural richness extends to flora as well: In addition to wild animals, the region is home to more than 100 bird species. Visitors can exercise on the walking paths and picnic on the slopes, surrounded by greenery. The park also has 72-bed bungalow houses where visitors can stay.
Living up to its name: Saklıkent Canyon
Saklıkent Canyon, on the borders of Fethiye and Kaş, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. The 18-kilometer-long canyon is a natural monument formed by river erosion of rocks; When approaching the canyon, visitors are welcomed by the sparkling Eşen Stream. After crossing the wooden bridge, Saklıkent Canyon offers an amazing view.
After exploring the canyon, you can relax with your own equipment in the camping and picnic areas. Mud bathing is a popular activity among visitors, while Saklıkent Canyon’s cool air and water springs make it a worthy destination for vacationers seeking a refreshing experience.
A natural park area: Kaçkar Mountains
The Kaçkar Mountains, set between the Rize and Yusufeli districts, are covered in forests of various shades of green. Featuring many natural assets – including deep blue lakes, glaciers, streams, and thousands of different plants – the Kaçkar Mountains are a habitat for wildlife. Furthermore, at 3,937 meters high, it is one of our country’s most important peaks.
If the weather is clear, you might see the legendary landscapes of the Eastern Black Sea Mountains. The region was designated a national park in 1994 and now offers a variety of activities such as climbing, camping, hunting and hiking. If you’re ready to explore the gorgeous scenery of the Black Sea, start planning your trip on the Rize flight ticket page!
History growing in the lap of nature: Ihlara Valley
The Ihlara Valley, known as “Peristremma” in antiquity, is an excellent place to observe how humanity built civilizations amid nature. Located in the Aksaray province, the valley is also a world-class canyon, standing out as a canyon that once held human settlements – its length of 18 kilometers and depths of up to 150 meters providing an advantage.
Visitors to the valley can discover nature and human heritage; some of the splendid natural rock formations in the Ihlara Valley feature rock-carved churches with beautiful frescoes. The Ihlara Valley Archaeological Site (Örenyeri) is open seven days per week and tickets are required for entry.
Bird sanctuary: Salt Lake
Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü), on the borders of the Ankara, Konya and Aksaray provinces, is recognized as a bird habitat; as one of the significant wetlands in the area, it is on the migration route of wild birds. Ringed plovers and wild ducks live in groups here, as do flamingos, cranes, wild geese, avocets, ruddy shelducks, and other similar birds. Notably, the lake doesn’t freeze even in the coldest winters due to its high salt content and, if you visit when the water is receding, you can walk on the salt.
