Ezine Pink Lake (Heart-Shaped Lake): Where It Is and When It Turns Pink

Turkey has its own pink lake, and it comes with a surprise: from above, it looks like a heart. Known locally as Pembe Göl (Pink Lake) or Kalpli Göl (Heart-Shaped Lake), this small lake near Ezine turns shades of pink and red at certain times of year. What makes it even more special is where it lies: around two thousand years ago, this was part of the harbour of Alexandria Troas, one of the great Roman ports of the Aegean. Here is what you need to know before you visit.

Where Is the Pink Lake?

The Pink Lake lies near Dalyan village in the Ezine district of Çanakkale province, within the boundaries of the ancient city of Alexandria Troas. It is very close to the Aegean shore, in what was once the city's harbour area.

The lake is only about 2–3 metres deep, and its water level changes noticeably with the seasons. It is about 25 km (15 miles) from our hotel and easy to combine with a visit to the ancient city.

Why Does the Lake Turn Pink?

The colour comes from a microscopic alga called Dunaliella salina. In the warmer months, evaporation raises the salinity and temperature of the water, creating ideal conditions for the alga to multiply. To protect itself from strong sunlight and high salt levels, it produces red and orange pigments such as beta-carotene, which tint the water.

The colour is not the same every year. As researchers working in the area point out, it is often closer to a brick red than a candy pink, and the shade you see in photos also depends on the light and the time of day.

How the Heart Shape Forms

The lake's heart shape depends on its water level. It becomes most visible in summer, when evaporation pulls the shoreline back.

To see the heart properly, you need to look from above: most of the heart-shaped images you see online are aerial photographs. From the shore, it is the colour rather than the shape that stands out.

From Roman Harbour to Pink Lake

In Roman times, the area now covered by the lake served as the inner harbour of Alexandria Troas. The city's port was one of the key stops on Aegean trade routes, and granite columns cut on nearby Mount Çığrı were shipped from here to destinations across the Mediterranean.

As the city lost its economic importance, the inner harbour fell out of use and was gradually cut off from the sea by natural processes, becoming the enclosed lake you see today. You can explore the rest of the ancient city in our Alexandria Troas guide.

When Is the Best Time to See It Pink?

This is the question everyone asks, and there is no fixed answer. Whether the colour appears depends on rainfall, salinity and temperature. News reports and scientists most often mention late summer and early autumn, and in some years a colour change is also seen in the transition from winter to spring.

The timing can vary a lot from year to year. In 2026, for example, researchers from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University reported that heavy rainfall had lowered the lake's salinity, so it turned pink later than usual, in mid-July. Before you set off, it is worth checking recent photos or simply asking us.

A Lake That Interests Scientists

The Pink Lake attracts researchers as well as travellers. Since 2022, scientists from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University have been taking regular samples to study the bacteria, moulds and yeasts that live in its warm, salty water. According to Turkey's Anadolu Agency, the aim is to identify new species that could add to Turkey's microbial diversity and microorganisms with potential uses in biotechnology.

Tips for Visiting the Pink Lake

• Cars: Since summer 2024, vehicles have reportedly not been allowed to drive up to the lake shore. Leave your car in the designated area and walk the short distance to the lake, and follow any signs on site, as arrangements may change.
• No swimming: The lake lies within an archaeological site and has a fragile ecosystem. Please do not enter the water, damage the shoreline or leave litter.
• Admission: The lake is within the Alexandria Troas archaeological site, where entry is free as of October 2026 according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
• What to bring: There is no shade around the lake. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, and wear comfortable shoes for the walk.
• Photography: Late afternoon light is soft and works well for both the lake and the nearby ancient harbour.

How to Get to the Pink Lake

The lake is part of the Alexandria Troas site, about 25 km (15 miles) from our hotel. Enter "Kalpli Göl Ezine" or "Pembe Göl Ezine" into your navigation app; the English names are not always recognised. Directions to our hotel are on our Location & Getting Here page.

The lake is easy to combine with the ruins of Alexandria Troas, and Geyikli Yükyeri port, where ferries to Bozcaada depart, is about 15 km from our hotel.

After Sunset at the Lake

When you return from the lake, our restaurant is open until 23:00, serving North Aegean dishes alongside the cheese and dairy products our family has been making since 1953.

The next morning, start your day with our village-style breakfast, included for hotel guests and featuring our own Ezine cheese. You can view our rooms and book directly with us.

Ezine Pink Lake: Questions Visitors Ask

Are the Pink Lake and the Heart-Shaped Lake the same?

Yes. The same lake near Ezine is called Pembe Göl (Pink Lake) because of its colour and Kalpli Göl (Heart-Shaped Lake) because of the shape it takes when the water level drops. It should not be confused with Turkey's much larger Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) in Central Anatolia.

Is the lake pink all year round?

No. The colour change is seen in most years, but its timing and intensity depend on rainfall, salinity and temperature. In wet years, the colour may appear later or be paler.

Can you swim in the Pink Lake?

We do not recommend it. The lake lies within an archaeological site and has a fragile ecosystem. If you would like a swim, the beaches around Dalyan and Geyikli are nearby.

Is there an entrance fee for the Pink Lake?

The lake lies within the Alexandria Troas archaeological site, where entry is free as of October 2026 according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Please check the official page for the latest information before your visit.