Slow travel, encouraging a more leisurely pace and deeper connections with local cultures and environments, has been one of the most significant holiday alternatives in Türkiye. From Cittaslow towns to traditional cuisines and sustainable accommodations to eco-friendly transportation options, every offering invites you to journey leisurely, embrace the country’s unique rhythms, and forge meaningful connections. Let’s look closer at what awaits you in a slow Türkiye holiday!
Cittaslow Paradise
Türkiye, a meeting point of different civilisations, is home to many slow-travel destinations where you can escape the crowds and relax in serenity. The Cittaslow cities across the country lead these destinations. The Cittaslow movement incorporates cities where life moves leisurely, and local cuisine, architecture, traditions, and history are well-preserved. Türkiye has twenty-five Cittaslows extending across twenty-one provinces in seven regions, as the Turkish lifestyle seamlessly fits within the movement’s mandate. The country’s Cittaslow network continues to grow with the inclusion of new cities to the list. Seferihisar, Ahlat, Akyaka, Arapgir, Eğirdir, Foça, Gökçeada, Gerze, Göynük, Güdül, Halfeti, İznik, Kemaliye, Köyceğiz, Mudurnu, Perşembe, Şavşat, Seferihisar, Şarköy, Uzundere, Vize, Yalvaç, Yenipazar, Safranbolu and Daday are among Türkiye’s slow cities. These destinations, including towns with historical character, settlements on high-altitude plateaus, and districts with nature in solitude, will leave you stunned and wanting more.
Slow Food Adventures
Slow travels are highly associated with the Slow Food movement, which emphasises natural ingredients, aims to preserve regional cuisines and traditional cooking methods, and promotes long meals where food is relished. As the Turkish culinary heritage innately embraces the Slow Food philosophy, Türkiye offers immersive gastronomic experiences combining the pleasure of food with culture. In every region, you’ll encounter diverse cuisines and dishes shaped by more than a thousand years of culinary heritage and prepared by traditional cooking methods based on a sustainable and zero-waste approach and local ingredients. From Aegean-style flavours, a delicious fusion of local vegetables, fresh seafood and regional olive oil, to Southeastern Anatolian cuisine, presenting succulent kebabs, the best of meat-based dishes, and iconic desserts like baklava, and Black Sea cuisine, known for tea, hazelnuts, savoury cabbages, and anchovies, to Creative Cities in the gastronomy field — Gaziantep, Hatay, and Afyonkarahisar, the diversity and richness of Turkish food culture will impress you. Moreover, you can taste the best local food at “esnaf lokantası” in your city explorations with that homemade feel of mom’s home cooking, and try MICHELIN Green Star restaurants, maintaining Turkish cuisine’s sustainable practices in İstanbul and İzmir.
Sustainability Opportunities
Türkiye is the first country to agree with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) at the Governmental level in 2022. Developing a national program for its tourism sector in collaboration with GSTC, the country has certified nearly 18,000 accommodation facilities to date. While you can stay in Türkiye’s sustainability-certified hotels, you can also dive into sustainable adventures, from outdoor activities in unique nature to immersion in traditional heritage. Furthermore, Türkiye maintains its position as the third worldwide with 567 Blue Flag beaches. Antalya holds the title of the city with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches globally, totalling 233. Türkiye is among the top two countries with the most UNESCO registrations, with 30 items in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Eco-Friendly Transportation
Türkiye, centrally located at the world’s crossroads, is easily accessible by air, rail, road, and sea. While exploring the country, you can choose eco-friendly alternatives to reduce your carbon footprint. Travelling by train is a top option, with recent investments enhancing high-speed and traditional routes. Nostalgic journeys like the touristic Eastern Express, Mesopotamian Express, and Diyarbakır Express, recognised by Time magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places of 2024,” offer breathtaking views and access to hidden gems. Cycling is another green choice, with routes for all levels offering a unique way to explore Türkiye’s diverse landscapes and ancient history. Lastly, sailing along the country’s turquoise coastlines reveals stunning coves, world-class marinas, and charming coastal towns.
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