Türkiye’s Hidden Highlands: Cool Escapes for Summer

When summer hits its peak and the cities sizzle, Türkiye’s highland plateaus—called yaylas—offer a cool, quiet escape. Tucked into the folds of the stunning mountain ranges, these green retreats are more than just refreshing: they’re steeped in tradition, untouched by mass tourism, and overflowing with natural beauty. Locals have escaped to these elevations for centuries to rest, celebrate, and live in rhythm with nature. Now, with cheap flight tickets to Türkiye and new direct routes, these lush mountain villages are just one trip away.

What makes these yaylas so special? It’s the absence of chain hotels and Instagram crowds. It’s the wood smoke drifting through pine trees, the clinking of teacups in tiny mountain cafes, the fog rolling in as you pull on a sweater in July. These are the places that don’t always appear on glossy brochures but stay in your memory forever. Here’s how to discover Türkiye’s top yaylas—with all the cool air, hearty food, and unforgettable views you could want.

Ayder Yaylası (Rize): The Misty Crown of the Black Sea

Fly into Rize Airport via cheap flights to Rize—just inland from the Black Sea coast—and catch a scenic drive through tea fields and sleepy villages before climbing into Rize’s forested highlands. Ayder is the gateway to the Kaçkar Mountains and one of the few yaylas with both infrastructure and authenticity. If Rize flights aren’t available, cheap flights to Trabzon still get you close, with a short drive eastward.

Sip fresh tea onboard at the Pegasus Cafe, then head straight to the hills.

What to do:

• Soak in the Ayder thermal springs
• Trek towards the Kaçkar summit or Çeymakçur Plateau

What to eat:

• Muhlama (melted cheese and cornmeal)
• Rize tea and mountain honey

Best way to get stunning views:

• Early morning hikes before the fog rolls in
• Viewpoints on the road to Huser Yaylası

Where to stay:

• Traditional wooden guesthouses in Ayder village
• Small boutique hotels with thermal spa access

Pokut Yaylası (Rize): Wooden Cabins Above the Clouds

Pokut is one of Türkiye’s dreamiest yaylas—accessible via a steep, winding road from Çamlıhemşin, and close enough to visit from Ayder. Still, it’s far from tourist-heavy, and that’s the charm. Take a cheap flights to Rize or cheap flights to Trabzon to begin your journey toward this elevated hideaway.

What to do:

• Spend a night in a traditional wooden cabin
• Visit neighboring Sal Yaylası on foot

What to eat:

• Highland butter and freshly baked bread
• Ayran made from thick, tangy yayla yogurt

Best way to get stunning views:

• Sunrise at the Pokut ridge
• Bring binoculars for birdwatching above the clouds

Where to stay:

• Family-run wooden chalets
• Eco-lodges overlooking the cloud sea

Gito Yaylası (Rize): The Untouched Beauty of Elevation

Gito is a minimalist’s paradise. No loud shops, no busy roads—just silence, alpine breezes, and sheep wandering between wooden huts. A cheap flights to Rize puts you within easy reach. Alternately, cheap flights to Trabzon work if you’re combining multiple yaylas into a regional adventure.

What to do:

• Meditate in nature or go for a gentle stroll
• Join locals for a spontaneous horon dance

What to eat:

• Homemade cheese with wild herbs
• Cornbread with mountain butter

Best way to get stunning views:

• Climb the small ridge behind the village
• Stay overnight to watch the stars emerge without city lights

Where to stay:

• Small guesthouses or wooden cottages
• Minimalist eco-campsites

Sis Dağı Yaylası (Giresun): Festivals in the Fog

Located in the Giresun Mountains, Sis Dağı means “Fog Mountain”—and it lives up to its name in the most atmospheric way. Fly into Ordu-Giresun Airport via cheap flights to Ordu, and prepare for swirling mists and infectious local culture.

What to do:

• Attend the annual Sis Dağı Festival in July
• Explore local villages and markets nearby

What to eat:

• Giresun hazelnuts
• Traditional dolma wrapped in vine leaves

Best way to get stunning views:

• Climb to the Sis Dağı summit right before sunset
• Capture drone footage above the fog line

Where to stay:

• Highland bungalows during festival season
• Village homestays in nearby towns

Kümbet Yaylası (Giresun): Highland Life, Livestreamed

Unlike some of the quieter yaylas, Kümbet is lively—think daily village markets, blacksmiths, and a strong sense of rhythm and tradition. Pegasus offers cheap flights to Ordu, which is the best airport for accessing this bustling highland.

What to do:

• Wander the Yayla Pazarı (market)
• Join a local craft or cooking workshop

What to eat:

• Freshly churned yayla butter
• Highland herbs in every dish—from omelets to stews

Best way to get stunning views:

• Ride a local minibus along the winding road up
• Hike to one of the surrounding peaks in the late afternoon

Where to stay:

• Rustic hotels in the yayla center
• Farm-style inns with homemade breakfasts

Uzungöl Yaylası (Trabzon): Reflections and Ridgelines

Set around a stunning alpine lake, Uzungöl feels like something out of a postcard. While it’s more developed than others on this list, there are still quiet corners and high ridges to explore. You’ll find cheap flights to Trabzon, and from there, it’s an easy ride south into the mountains.

What to do:

• Stroll the lakeside trail and rent a bike
• Hike to Karester Yaylası for panoramic views

What to eat:

• Trout from the lake, grilled with herbs
• Traditional Black Sea pastries with butter and cheese

Best way to get stunning views:

• Sunset on the ridge above the lake
• Hot tea in a lakeside café as mist rolls in

Where to stay:

• Lakeside lodges with balconies
• Family pensions in the upper village

Escape the Heat, Elevate Your Adventure

Türkiye’s yaylas offer something rare in today’s travel world: peace, authenticity, and air you can taste. These highland retreats aren’t just scenic—they’re soulful. Whether you’re craving a silent sunrise, a cozy cabin breakfast, or a spontaneous dance in the fog, there’s a yayla waiting for you. They’re the perfect place to visit after a layover through Istanbul on your way to the most beautiful vistas nature has to offer.

With cheap flight tickets to Türkiye, snacks from the Pegasus Cafe, and guides like this one in your pocket, there’s never been a better time to head uphill.

Check the baggage allowance page if you’re packing for hiking, photography, or even extreme sports like paragliding or mountain biking. Your next escape doesn’t need to be a world away—just a little higher.