With 29 towns belonging to Cittaslow, Turkey offers a range of destinations centered on local heritage and a slower pace of travel. Established in Italy in 1999, the initiative now encompasses 310 towns worldwide. Seferihisar, Turkey’s first member, is distinguished by its tangerine orchards and organic markets, while agriculture remains a significant source of income. Beyond its cultivated landscape lie the ruins of ancient Teos. The area also provides access to the Teos Vineyard Route, where vineyards flourish among thousand-year-old olive trees.
Along the Aegean coast, Akyaka combines a distinctive architectural identity with protected natural surroundings. Its wooden shutters and balconies reflect Ottoman-era designs from Muğla, reinterpreted by Turkish architect Nail Çakırhan. Near the town, the clear waters of the Azmak River wind through the Gökova Plain. Visitors can explore this protected setting on boat trips, observe birds, or follow quieter walking routes through the landscape.
Inland destinations offer a different perspective. Eğirdir occupies the southern shore of Turkey’s fourth-largest lake, with apple orchards and mountains framing the water. Boat excursions and paddleboarding provide opportunities to experience the lake directly. On the shores of Lake Van, the country’s largest lake, Ahlat combines extensive views with remnants of its long history. Its attractions include Neolithic caves and thousands of engraved gravestones in the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, believed to be the world’s largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery. Together, these towns illustrate the variety of cultural and natural settings within Turkey’s slow-travel network.
