Escape to Turkey's Quiet Cities: Cittaslow's Guide to Serenity
Cittaslow, a union of municipalities founded in Italy in 1999, represents the Slow Movement worldwide. To become a member of this union, municipalities must meet more than 70 criteria and must continue to maintain these criteria after becoming a member. In this article, you can find more detailed information about the Cittaslow movement and learn about the list of peaceful cities in Turkey that have met these criteria.
What is Cittaslow?
Cittaslow is an international association of municipalities founded in Italy in 1999. This movement was named Cittaslow by a combination of the words 'Citta', which means city, and 'Slow', which means slow.
In order to become a member of the association of municipalities named Cittaslow, which is part of the Slow Movement criticizing fast modern life, there are many criteria to be fulfilled. There are dozens of places in Turkey that provide this requirement, and the number of these places is constantly increasing. Moreover, Izmir became the first and only Cittaslow Metropolis of the world in 2021.
Quiet Cities in Turkey
There are many districts in Turkey that have received the title of 'Calm City'. These are currently as follows:
Ahlat - Bitlis
Akyaka - Mugla
Arabgir - Malatya
Egirdir - Isparta
Foça - Izmir
Gerze - Sinop
Gokceada - Çanakkale
Goynuk - Bolu
Güdül - Ankara
Halfeti - Şanlıurfa
Izmir
Iznik - Bursa
Kemaliye - Erzincan
Köyceğiz - Mugla
Thursday - The Army
Seferihisar - Izmir
Shavshat - Artvin
Tarakli - Sakarya
Uzundere - Erzurum
Visa - Kırklareli
Yalvaç - Isparta
Yenipazar - Aydin
The first place among them to receive the title of 'Calm City' is Seferihisar.
Ahlat - Bitlis
Ahlat, northwest of Lake Van, amazes those who go with its history and unique texture. Ahlat, also known as 'Kubbet'ul Islam' in the Islamic world, has a green and lush vegetation both because of its location on the shore of Lake Van and because of the abundance of annual rainfall.
When you come to Ahlat, which stands out with its historical cemeteries, the places you should visit are as follows:
Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery
Ahlat Museum
Double Domes
Bayindir Bridge
Akyaka - Mugla
One of the most touristic places of Turkey is Akyaka. This place is also extremely remarkable in terms of hosting the Azmak River. Akyaka, which is located among the quiet cities of Turkey, becomes quite crowded in the summer months being the favorite of vacationers.
When you come to Akyaka, the places you should definitely visit are as follows:
Akyaka Beach
Azmak Creek
Clumsy Passage
Akyaka Viewing Terrace
Arapgir - Malatya
Arapgir, a quiet City district of Malatya, is home to many historical buildings with high art value. Although many of them are decrepit, Arapgir, which has countless works worth seeing, is among the Cittaslow cities that must be seen in Turkey.
When you come to Arapgir, the places you should visit are as follows:
Eskişehir Valley
Arapgir Center
Serge Quarter
Egirdir - Isparta
Eğirdir, which is 34 kilometers away from Isparta, is included in the list of the calmest cities in Turkey. Eğirdir, which has many places to visit in and around the lake, is one of the places that those who go admire. Eğirdir is among the best options for those who are looking for a peaceful, quiet holiday.
These are the places you should visit in Eğirdir:
Eğirdir Castle
Altinkum Beach
Khizirbey Mosque
Foça - Izmir
Foça, which is 69 kilometers away from Izmir, is also among the most decrepit cities in Turkey. In fact, Izmir is a quiet city in its own right, but many districts have this title specifically. Foça is known for its peaceful streets and tourist places to visit. This is one of the most famous districts of Turkey and welcomes tourists not only from Turkey but from all over the world.
Here are some of the places you should visit when you come to Foça:
Foça Coast
Sazka Beach
Five Gates Castle
Gerze - Sinop
One of the most touristic places in the Black Sea is Gerze. Gerze, which is surrounded by the Black Sea in the north, Boyabat and Durağan in the south, Dikmen in the east and Sinop in the west, is located at a distance of 39 kilometers from the city center. When you come to Gerze, one of the quiet cities of Turkey, you can smell that calmness and tranquility.
The places you should see when you come to Gerze are as follows:
Big Gerze Beach
Fire Houses
Inaltı Caves
Istefan Port
Gokceada - Çanakkale
Gökçeada or Imroz with its old name is a district of Çanakkale and also the largest island of Turkey. The fact that it is among the places with the title of 'Calm City' in Turkey is one of the most important features. Incirburnu, in the west of the island, is the westernmost point of Turkey. Gökçeada, with its beaches and places to visit, ranks first in the list of Quiet Cities.
Places you should see when you come to Gökçeada:
Kefalos Beach
Aydıncık Beach
Underwater National Park
Goynuk - Bolu
Bolu Göynük is a famous place with its ’sugar beans‘, ’uğut marmalade‘, ’buckled covers‘ and ’wooden carving works'. It is included in the list of the calmest cities in Turkey. The presence of a large number of Turkish houses belonging to the beginning of the twentieth century in the district makes this place historically important. There are historical artifacts and structures here that have survived to the present day. Therefore, there are many places you can visit when you come to Göynük.
Places you should definitely visit in Göynük:
Sunnet Lake Nature Park
Victory Tower
Çubuk Lake Nature Park
Güdül - Ankara
The next Quiet City is from the capital. Güdül, located in Ankara, is a district where there has been a settlement since prehistoric times. The forest area located in the north of the district and in the Sorgun Village area and the pond located in this area are among the natural riches. Leblebi is also sent from the leblebi factories in the center to all parts of Turkey.
The places you should visit in Güdül are as follows:
Inönü Caves
Sorgun Pond
Motive Houses
Historical Roman Bath
Halfeti - Şanlıurfa
Halfeti, one of the most important districts of Şanlıurfa, is known for having the title of a Quiet City. 80 Percent of the Halfeti district was moved to the new settlement center established 15 kilometers away with the construction of the Birecik Dam and the houses were submerged. Later, it began to be known as the Hidden Paradise.
Places to visit in Halfeti:
Rumkale
Old Halfeti
The Warring Village
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