Things to Do in Gönen: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Gönen

• 1 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature

While you are in Gönen, you can also see the highlights of Isparta province. These places are in other districts; Gönen is about 20 km from the provincial centre.

• Lake Eğirdir — One of the largest freshwater lakes in Türkiye, of tectonic and karstic origin; the section north of the Kemer Gorge is called Hoyran and the section to the south Eğirdir.
• Eğirdir Castle — A castle rising at the entrance to the town of Eğirdir, dominating the lake; in the time of the Hamidids it was one of the principality's important centres.
• Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç) — An ancient city at Yalvaç that was the capital of the Pisidia region in the Roman period; it is one of the cities where St Paul preached.
• Kovada Lake National Park — A shallow lake south of Eğirdir, reached by the waters of Lake Eğirdir through the Kovada Canal, and the forests around it; ideal for birdwatching, walking and camping.
• Yazılı Canyon Nature Park — A canyon at Çandır village in Sütçüler, declared a nature park in 1989; it takes its name from verses written on a rock and attributed to the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.
• Firdevs Paşa (Mimar Sinan) Mosque — A 16th-century mosque in the city centre attributed to Mimar Sinan; together with the bedesten next to it, it is among Isparta's most important Ottoman buildings.

Practical Information for Visiting Gönen

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Rose harvest season (May–June)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🌹

  Gül Reçeli (rose jam)

  Jam made from fresh rose petals, the best-known flavour of Gönen. With its natural rose aroma and light sweetness, it adorns breakfast tables.

• 🫓

  Bazlama (flatbread)

  Traditional bazlama bread cooked on a griddle, still made in the old way in the villages of Gönen. It is eaten with butter and cheese at breakfast.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gönen

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  Rose Picking Tradition

  In Gönen, the rose harvest is carried out early in the morning with the participation of the whole family. This tradition has been maintained for centuries and is an important part of the social life of the local people.

Local Products

• Gönen Gül Yağı (Gönen rose oil) — Rose oil obtained by distilling Rosa damascena roses grown in the district, used in the perfume and cosmetics industries.

Economy

The economy of Gönen is based on rose cultivation, agriculture and livestock farming. Rose oil production is the most important source of income for the district. Grain and fruit cultivation are also carried out.

How to Get to Gönen

Gönen is 20 km from Isparta city centre. There are regular minibus and dolmuş services to Isparta.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Isparta

Gönen: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Gönen Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Isparta The province's 13 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Isparta

• Isparta Central District 7 places Firdevs Paşa Mosque, Gölcük Lake and Isparta Rose Gardens
• Aksu 9 places Zindan Cave, Aksu Stream Valley and Sorgun Plateau
• Atabey 6 places Atabey Madrasa (Ertokuş Madrasa), Atabey Mosque and Atabey Rose Fields
• Eğirdir 10 places Lake Eğirdir, Yeşilada (Nis Island) and Eğirdir Castle
• Gelendost 4 places Northern Shore of Lake Eğirdir, Lakeside Apple Orchards and Gelendost Castle
• Keçiborlu 7 places Akdağ, Burdur Lake and Keçiborlu Sulphur Mine
• Senirkent 7 places Lake Eğirdir, Senirkent Historic Bazaar and Senirkent Rose Fields
• Sütçüler 11 places Adada, Kovada Lake National Park and Yazılı Canyon Nature Park
• Şarkikaraağaç 6 places Kızıldağ National Park, Beyşehir Lake Shore and Sultandağları Range
• Uluborlu 7 places Uluborlu Castle, Uluborlu Grand Mosque and Uluborlu Historic Houses
• Yalvaç 4 places Antiokheia Pisidia Ancient City, Yalvaç Museum and Saint Paul Trail
• Yenişarbademli 7 places Dedegöl Mountain, Lake Beyşehir and Yenişarbademli Plateau