Turkey’s 18 cittaslows offer solace and adventure to travelers
Around the world, towns with under 50,000 citizens and care about the sustainability and local culture of their area are becoming cittaslows. To become a cittaslow, municipalities must fulfill 200 criteria within the framework of their environment, infrastructure, urban life, agriculture, tourism policies as well as hospitality, awareness, education and social cohesion plans. In Turkey, the number of cittaslow cities has been on the rise, now with the hopes of bringing solace during these new travel regulations. 18 cittaslow cities offer the peace sought by those who wish to refresh their souls during the difficult time the world currently goes through.
As the tourism industry needs new criteria worldwide and travelers seek new forms of vacation, Turkey’s cittaslows stand out as excellent alternatives. From east to west, there are 18 cities across Anatolia that have earned the title cittaslow by fulfilling the Cittaslow criteria. Some are holiday resorts while others are open-air museums or natural wonders, but all these cities provide their visitors who wish to heal and rejuvenate exactly with the peace they are looking for. Most recent entries to Turkey’s cittaslows include Ahlat, which is in southeastern Turkey, Köyceğiz in southwest and Güdül –the first cittaslow of the capital, Ankara. Here are some examples of must-see Turkish cittaslows.
Ahlat
A district of the southeastern province of Bitlis, Ahlat is located on the shore of Van Lake. Ahlat also boasts many ruins from the Seljuk era including the headquarters, state tent and yurt of Sultan Alparslan. With 118 tombstones, large tombs, castles, mosques, bridges, caves and temples, Ahlat is virtually an open-air museum.
Köyceğiz
Situated at the confluence of the Mediterranean and the Aegean and on the northern shore of the Lake Köyceğiz, Köyceğiz, Muğla stands out as a calm settlement with its rich natural beauties surrounded by citrus orchards. The acropolis, famous temples, and Harab and Susan Fortresses are among the most notable historic artifacts in the region. Home to waterfalls and hot springs, Köyceğiz is among the few areas in the world where one can engage in safari, trekking, rafting, and surfing in a single place.
Güdül
Güdül is still home to the traditional crafts handed down from father to son such as roasted chickpea and knife making, bringing these ancient cultures to our times. Standing out with regional dishes such as Kapama (Lamb stew with new onions), Tirit (Boiled minced meat sauce poured on diced stale bread), Höşmerim (Unsalted cheese dessert), and Tarhana (Soup made from dried curd, tomato and flour), Güdül also has a rich history. With its bored caves dating back to the ancient times, the city of Mzinos in Çağa, Sorgun Pond and Güdül houses in the urban protected area, Güdül offers an entirely new destination for travelers.
In addition to Köyceğiz, Muğla and Ahlat, Bitlis, other cities selected as “cittaslow” including Akyaka, Muğla; Eğirdir, Isparta; Gökçeada, Çanakkale; Gerze, Sinop; Göynük, Bolu; Halfeti, Şanlıurfa; Mudurnu, Bolu; Perşembe, Ordu; Şavşat, Artvin; Seferihisar, İzmir; Taraklı, Sakarya; Uzundere, Erzurum; Vize, Kırklareli; Yalvaç, Isparta; Yenipazar, Aydın; and most recently, Güdül, Ankara.
