If you are wondering what to do in Konya, we have prepared you a special Konya Travel Guide.
Konya with its history and high spirituality, is one of my country’s beautiful provinces. You will see how true the Turkish saying “Travel the world, see Konya” is once you have come here. Konya has many places to see and it is not a small city. Therefore, do not hit the road before having a look at Konya Airport car rental options on Yolcu360.
Konya Travel Guide : Attractions
- Çatalhöyük
Konya is a city that is rich in attractions.The Çatalhöyük Neolithic city is ranking at the top of must-see places in Konya. Reaching Çatalhöyük, which is in the Çumra district and is 11 kilometers far from the district center, is a little difficult. The things found in excavations in Çatalhöyük which is one of the world’s first settlements, will surprise you just as me. It saddened me that access to the place was insufficient even though we have one of the world’s oldest settlements.
The Çatalhöyük Neolithic city which made it into UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2012, was found in excavation works in the late 1950s. The entrance to the Neolithic city is free of charge. Left to the entrance of the archaeological site, you will see an exemplary adobe house. The house is made of two rooms and animal figures are depicted on its walls. Inside are exhibited animal horns and furniture used during that period.
- Konya Archaeology Museum
The Konya Archaeological Museum close to the mosque has to be seen definitely. Konya Archaeological Museum is the second oldest archaeological museum of our country after that in Istanbul. The museum bears artifacts of the Neolithic period, the early bronze age, middle bronze age, iron age, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.
Plan Your Trip To Konya
- Aziziye Mosque
The Aziziye Mosque in Aziziye Street is one of the things that have to be visited in Konya city center. The Aziziye Mosque built in 1671 and rebuilt in 1867 by Sultan Abdulaziz for his mother after it burned down, is worth seeing. The mosque is one of the last examples of Ottoman architecture with cut stone – an antique construction material. You will significantly feel the Turkish baroque architecture in the mosque.
The Aziziye Mosque was one of the mosques that impressed me the most until today. Especially the dome of the mosque and the calligraphy on the walls were fascinating. Wooden artifacts of the Ottoman period, a box with relics of Prophet Mohammad – his beard, carpets, rugs, manuscripts, calligraphy works and tiles are exhibited in the museum while six cists are found in a room belonging to the Sahib Ata family. It is possible to visit this foundation museum free of charge.
- Alaeddin Hill
The Alaeddin Hill and the Alaeddin Mosque inside which are within walking distance from here, have to be seen. The Alaeddin mosque found on a hill, was known as the oldest and greatest mosque of the Seljuk period in Konya. Sultan Alā ad-Dīn Kayqubād opened it to service in 1221. Furthermore, the graves of eight sultans, including Kayqubad I and Kilij Arslan II, are found in the rotunda in the mosque’s courtyard. I believe that you will take joy in watching the city from this hill. St.Paul’s Church, close to this point, is another must-see place. This church carrying the name of famous apostle Saint Paul, was built in French Gothic architecture in 1910.
Konya Tour
- Sırçalı Madrasah
I strongly suggest to add the Sırçalı Madrasah to your list during your Konya visit. This monument reminded me of the Blue Mosque in Tabriz. The madrasah with blue tiled exterior, was unfortunately closed and the artifacts within were moved. You can see the madrasah with slim minarets on the street when you pass to Alaeddin Street. The Madrasah is found in the western part of the Alaeddin hill. The madrasah that was established by Sahib Ata Fahrettin Ali in 1254 to give study of reading hadiths, is today used as a museum. The crown gate east of the madrasah with single iwan, is displaying the best workmanship example of the Seljuk period. The red brick minarets draw attention with its colored tile ornament.
- Sahib Ata Mosque Complex
Just next to the museum, it is possible to visit the Sahib Ata mosque complex, the mosque and the museum. The main door of the Sahib Ata mosque made of cut stone is impressive. The Sahib Ata mosque is also known as the Larende mosque. Within the complex made by Sahib Ata Fahrettin Ali in 1258, the Sultan (healing) hammam is also found. I cannot continue without mentioning that the Sahib Ata foundation museum is covered with turquoise, eggplant purple and cobalt blue tiles belonging to the Seljuk period.
Konya Travel
- Shams Tabrizi
One of the places to see in the city center can be the mosque where Shams Tabrizi’s grave is found (it is said to be so yet during my visit to Iran I was told that it was in Khoy district). It is a small and cute masjid. It is a place that most people visiting the city do not know.
- Rumi
When someone says Konya, the first things that come to mind are Night of Union (Şeb-i Aruz) ceremonies and Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. The structural complex in the city’s heart, is Konya’s tourist hotspot. Rumi’s grave is the first thing I visit during my Konya visits. He has valuable sayings that always bring peace to everyone. You can visit Rumi’s grave and museum with the museum pass free of charge. Watching the whirling dervishes (sema) during the night of union ceremonies held in the second week of December, make one happy.
I strongly suggest you to visit the ceremonies that take place twice a day the whole week. In order to watch the ceremonies, you can buy your ticket ahead online. During the first ceremony I attended, I was influenced by the spirituality of the whirling dervishes. It is pleasant to watch the fascinating performance attended by 1 sheikh, 1 head of the dervishes and 43 whirling dervishes. Attend these performances during December.
Konya travel guide : What to eat in Konya?
The first coming to mind when someone says Konya is Etli ekmek (which is basicly flat bread with chopped meat and herbs on it). For those that cannot get enough of this dish, Şendağlılar Pide restaurant will be the destination. Another one of favourites beside etli ekmek is bıçak arası (bread with meat). Tirit (meat with stale bread) has folk songs written about it and is one of the leading dishes in the city.
Other tastes you should not miss are okra soup and oven kebab. As restaurants, I suggest Tiritçi Mithat. If you want to eat good Konya meat, you should head to Hacı Şükrü Fırın Kebapçısı. It is a restaurant dating back 100 years and has legendary tastes. Also, you can buy Konya sweets as presents. If you want, you can have a look at our What to eat in Konya article.
Konya Flights
You can find reciprocal flights to Konya Airport every day. There are also frequent bus services from big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa and Antalya. Even though Konya is rich in attractions, many places in the city centre are at travelling distance. If you want to travel to farther destinations such as Sille, I suggest you rent a car. Thereby, you would be comfortable and would not waste much time.
Konya is our country’s ancient city. I believe that with its history, values and tastes it will give you pleasant time. Two days or a one-day weekend trip would be enough.
6 Best things to do in Konya
- You have to visit the Mevlana museum and grave.
- You have to visit Sille Village
- You have to see Çatalhöyük Neolithic city.
- You have to eat Konya’s famous Tirit, etli ekmek and okra soup.
- You have to watcg Şeb-i Arus ceremonies.
- You have to visit Konya’s mosques.
We wish you a nice visit. 🙂
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