Burdur is a province in the Lake District of southwestern Turkey, home to the turquoise Salda Lake (nicknamed the 'Turkish Maldives'), the sprawling ancient Greco-Roman city of Sagalassos, and the soda-rich Lake Burdur teeming with flamingos. Flanked by the Taurus Mountains, the province offers a compelling mix of natural spectacle and deep archaeology in an unhurried setting.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Burdur is a traditional Anatolian province — dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) in the city centre and villages, especially near mosques.
Tea (çay) offered by shopkeepers is a social gesture; accepting it creates no obligation to buy.
Haggling is acceptable at the weekly bazaar but not in fixed-price shops.
Friday midday is important for prayers — plan restaurant visits around the 13:00 prayer call.
Photography at archaeological sites is generally permitted; always ask before photographing people, particularly women in headscarves.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff with 'Merhaba' (Hello).
- Remove shoes before entering mosques and some traditional guesthouses.
- Carry small banknotes — many stalls and dolmuş operators cannot change ₺500 notes.
- Accept an offered glass of çay (tea) — it is a gesture of welcome.
- Dress modestly (covered knees and shoulders) in the city, bazaar, and villages.
Don't
- Do not photograph people — especially women — without asking permission first.
- Do not enter a mosque during the call to prayer (ezan); wait a few minutes until worshippers have gathered.
- Do not raise your voice or behave disrespectfully at archaeological sites — they are nationally protected.
- Do not take stones or artefacts from ruins — it is illegal and carries heavy fines.
- Do not assume English will be understood — learning a few Turkish words goes a long way.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Hello
Günaydın
Good morning
İyi akşamlar
Good evening
Teşekkür ederim
Thank you
Lütfen
Please
Evet / Hayır
Yes / No
Ne kadar?
How much?
Hesabı alabilir miyim?
Can I have the bill?
Tuvalet nerede?
Where is the toilet?
İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
Do you speak English?
Yardım edin!
Help!
Afiyetolsun
Bon appétit (said to diners)
Kolay gelsin
Goodwill phrase to someone working
Salda Gölü nerede?
Where is Salda Lake?
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Burdur.
Items:
- Faith
- Islam (Sunni)
- Detail
- Islam is the predominant religion. The ezan (call to prayer) sounds five times daily from the Burdur Ulu Camii and other mosques. Friday noon prayer is the most attended. Non-Muslims are welcome to visit mosques outside prayer times.
- Notable sites
- Burdur Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) · Bucak Ulu Mosque