Turkey: Bafa Lake - an open air museum at the Aegean Sea

The magnificent Bafa Lake is situated in the southwest region of Turkey. It is a long-drawn lake, approx.150 km south of Izmir and 90 km north of Bodrum.
More than 255 different bird species are native to the Bafa Lake and the nearby Great Menderes Delta - observed by ornithologists from all over the world coming every year to this birds’ paradise! This area forms one of Europe´s biggest bird refuges and is part of the nature park "Aydin".
2000 years ago the Bafa Lake was a bay of the Aegean Sea called the "Gulf of Lade". Due to deposits of the river Menderes (Turkish: Bueyuek Menderes Nehri) the bay  was slowly separated from the sea. This explains why the lake contains water with a slight salt content, in which mullets, sea breams, eels and carps are caught.

The archaeologist Anneliese Peschlow discovered more than 100 prehistoric rock paintings in the countless rock caves of the region. Among the sanctified sites in the Latmos Mountains one grotto was found with paintings differing completely from all other motives previously found.

Near the Bafa Lake are the most well-known ancient sites of Turkey: e.g.
Ephesus , Milet , Priene , Dydima  - this makes the area ideal for study and culture trips.

The ruins of Ephesus are the most well-known object of interest in west Turkey. Located between Bodrum and Izmir, this  attraction is easy to reach from here. Many things can be seen at this well preserved historical excavation site. The Celsus Library is famous world-wide and the ancient theatre is the biggest in Turkey.

Kapikiri or Heracleia

The village Kapikiri is built on the ruins of the ancient city Heracleia, the present houses in many cases resting directly on the ancient foundations. Stones from surrounding ruins where used to build the new houses, streets and property demarcations. Therefore, the whole village has received monument protection status.
Accomodations: The pension Agora can be particularly recommended, operated in best manner by the former mayor of Kapikiri and his family. Here "Anne" (Mom) does the cooking herself -  definitely outstanding Turkish meals!

Bafa Lake   accomodation Agora pension aktivities hiking trekking birdwatching excursions surroundings Heracleia Ephesus Milet Priene Dydima Latmos Mountain