Eğirdir: History, Islands and the Lake

For a stay in Eğirdir, you can consider the castle and Dündar-Bey Medrese, as well as islands and activities in the destination’s nearby surroundings, as different areas of focus. The distinctions can help you choose what matters most to you: the castle and Dündar-Bey Medrese tell different stories of construction, while Yeşilada, Can Ada and Lake Eğirdir reveal other aspects of the nearby surroundings. If you are looking for a hotel in Eğirdir, this guide offers pointers to the sights and activities that may interest you.

The Castle and Medrese: Two Building Histories

Eğirdir Castle stands on the peninsula that extends into Lake Eğirdir. Its surviving remains date from the Byzantine period. Its location and historical context answer different questions: the peninsula describes where the castle is situated, while the Byzantine period indicates the origins of the surviving remains.

Dündar-Bey Medrese is located in the Çarşı district. It was built in 1237 as a han under the Seljuk sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II and converted into a medrese by Hamidoğlu Dündar Bey in 1301. The building is also known as Taş Medrese. A large portal featuring geometric forms in the Seljuk style adds a specific architectural detail to its building history. This makes it possible to place the building’s former function in its historical context while also appreciating the design of the portal.

Eğirdir Han in the Nearby Surroundings

Nearby Eğirdir Han was also built in 1237 by Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II. It is located on the lakeshore, 3 kilometers south of the town center. The date links it to the original construction of Dündar-Bey Medrese; however, the building was not converted into a medrese until 1301. The caravanserai in the Yeni Mahalle district consists of a courtyard and a covered area. The two buildings therefore have different features to focus on: the medrese’s change of function and the caravanserai’s combination of a courtyard and a covered area.

Yeşilada and Can Ada

Two small islands lie in Lake Eğirdir in the destination’s nearby surroundings: Can Ada and Yeşilada, also known as Nis. Yeşilada, located nearby, is connected to the center of Eğirdir by a 1-kilometer-long road. Covering an area of 9 hectares, the island preserves wooden houses with stone foundations, narrow lanes and a small fishing harbor; it has also retained its original character. Yeşilada is also home to Ayastefanos Church, which is revered as holy by Christians. The island thus brings together descriptions of its houses and lanes with a place of religious significance.

Can Ada lies between Eğirdir and Yeşilada in the destination’s nearby surroundings. The small island covers 7,000 square meters and has been set up as a picnic area. Together with the road connection to Yeşilada, these offer two different ways to experience the islands: Can Ada is designated as a picnic area, while Yeşilada is described through its houses, lanes, harbor and church.

The Lake, Activities and Nearby Shoreline

Lake Eğirdir, in the destination’s nearby surroundings, is suitable for water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Those interested in water activities will find several different options that put the lake at the center of the experience. These activities offer a different focus from the building histories of the castle and medrese and can be included as a separate part of your stay when planning your trip.

Another nearby destination is Bedre Koyu Beach on the Eğirdir–Barla road. It is 11 kilometers from the town center and has a 1,550-meter-long shoreline. The distance and length of the coast provide concrete geographical reference points. This makes it possible to distinguish the beach from the islands and historic buildings without grouping the different places together as a single attraction.

A Historical Look at the Train Station

Eğirdir train station is also part of the town’s historical story: it was built by the British in 1907 as part of the İzmir–Aydın railway line. Its architecture reflects the late Ottoman period. The date places its construction in context, while the architectural description provides a distinct point of interest alongside the medieval building histories of the medrese and han.

Discover more destinations: Kasımlar, Sütçüler, Isparta, Çobanisa, Keçiborlu.

Go to the main travel overview: Isparta.