There are so many things to do in Konya that we ended up staying longer than expected. Though not that famous abroad, Konya is one of the most fantastic places in Turkey. In fact, it’s considered by locals as Turkey’s spiritual capital. The city is an important center of Sufism, music, and art.
Konya has managed to escape the perils of mass tourism. With a population of some 2 million people, it is the country’s seventh-largest city. It has two distinct sections. The new part of town has tall towers, while the old town feels like a mid-size village.
The tomb of Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī is Konya’s most famous attraction. You probably know him just as Rumi. That’s why so many people from all over the world visit Konya. However, the city offers much more and should be part of your tour around Turkey.
Where to Stay in Konya
Konya has accommodation options for every taste and budget. The best hotel in Konya is Hich Hotel. It’s directly in front of Rumi’s tomb; hence the breathtaking views. The rooms are big and comfy, and the service is impeccable. It’s a small hotel so book in advance.
We believe you should stay as close to Rumi’s tomb as possible. It’s the best location in Konya, walking distance to most attractions. Konya has two other fantastic hotels. The Araf Hotel is just 2300 feet (700 m) from the tomb. The nicely appointed rooms are big, and the views from the rooftop terrace are fantastic.
The other hotel you should consider is the Konya Dervish Hotel. It’s a 200-year-old historic Ottoman mansion. The building has been updated to include modern-day conveniences. It’s just a 3-minute walk from the tomb. The rooms have original carpets, and the garden is splendid.
How to Get to Konya
We went to Konya from Ankara on the fast train and loved the ride. It took us less than 2 hours through splendid snow-covered fields and peaks. There are trains from Istanbul to Konya that take some 5 hours. These stop in Eskisehir. The train station is not far from the old town.
You can also take the fast train from Istanbul and be in Ankara in 4.5 hours. From Konya, we went to Cappadocia by bus. It takes 3 hours from Konya to Nevsehir. Then we took a taxi to Goreme. The bus station is far from the center of Konya so be sure to have enough time.
There’s an airport half an hour from the center of Konya. It’s a small airport with regular flights to Istanbul and Izmir. There are flights from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Copenhagen in peak season. You can take a bus from the airport to the center of town.
The Best Things to Do in Konya
Visit the Magnificent Mevlana Museum
The Konya Mevlana Museum will take your breath away. Even if you have no clue who Rumi was, you must not skip it. The building is in the center of the old town. You will recognize it from its stunning green dome. If you think its exterior is beautiful, wait till you get inside.
The museum is the resting place of one of the best poets of all time. Rumi died in Konya in 1273 and was buried next to his father. Construction of the mausoleum finished in 1274, though new buildings were added throughout the centuries. It was also a lodge for visiting Dervishes.
Suleiman the Magnificent added several buildings. He built the lovely small mosque adjacent to the tomb and several quarters for the Dervishes. The courtyard is entirely made of marble and exudes peace. The Mevlana Museum of Konya is a place of pilgrimage, so be respectful and enjoy the atmosphere.
Enjoy the Views from Alaeddin Hill Park
Alaeddin Hill Park is in the center of the city. The hill is one of the nicest places to visit in Konya; we kept going back constantly. It’s a splendid round park with archaeological remains, a superb mosque, and lovely tall trees. Be sure to visit throughout the day to enjoy the views.
Alaeddin Mosque presides over the park. The original temple used to be a church until it was converted into a mosque 1000 years ago. Once inside, notice the tiles and woodwork. People visit the mosque to pray, so be respectful and enjoy the vibe.
You have to visit a couple of tombs next to the mosque. They are the resting tombs of Seljuk sultans that ruled over the area 800 years ago. There used to be a magnificent palace on the hill. Today, just a tower structure survives. You can see it on the slope of the hill.
Stroll Along the KülturPark
The Kultur Park is next to the hill. It’s a big park with green areas, pedestrian paths, lakes, fountains, an amphitheater, a coffee house, mosque, and a lively atmosphere. Local people flock to the park to relax and take a walk. You will see couples taking pictures and families having fun.
The park is clean and safe. We loved the black and white swans swimming in the lake. Though the mosque that presides over the park is just 25 years old, it’s massive and worth a visit. If you get hungry, you can stop by the café that operates inside an old tram wagon.
The lake has a show of dancing fountains. It’s pretty cool and locals love it. If you visit at night, you will get to see the fountains illuminated. There’s also a public library visited by students and a smaller mosque. You will recognize it from its wooden single minaret with a balcony.
Enter Three Historic Madrasas
As you probably know, madrasas were places to study. Konya has three of the best historic madrasas in Turkey. Sircali Madrasa is on a nondescript street in the old town. It’s a two-story building with a garden in the middle. Completed in 1242, it’s the oldest in the city. Today, it’s Konya’s Museum of Gravestones.
Inçe Minare Madrasa is next to the Kultur Park, in front of the hill. The building is from the 13th Century. It has one of the most elaborately carved portals in the country. Today, it homes the Stone and Wood Works Museum. The collection inside is as grand as the building.
Karatay Madrasa is also near the Kultur Park. It’s a magnificent stone building with a delicately carved portal from 1251. Today, it homes the Museum of Seljuk Ceramics. The dome inside is epic. There’s also an ancient tomb within the complex.
Mingle With the Locals in the Souk
Konya’s Souk is the area to the west of the Mevlana Museum. The market surrounds Kapu Mosque. The original mosque from 1658 burned and was rebuilt in 1868. The tall trees on the plaza in front of the mosque are ancient. The bazaar is a mix of new buildings and old ones. Everyone visits to shop and socialize.
The souk is not one covered building, but an open-air maze. Granted, it’s not as grand as the one in Istanbul, but it’s authentic and the atmosphere will conquer you. We loved Kadinlar Pazari, the place for fruits and vegetables. This colorful market attracts people from all over the region.
If you continue further down the road, you’ll reach Menguc Street. Traditional mansions line this pedestrian street. Konya has an underground bazaar too some 5 minutes walking from the Kultur Park. It’s an interesting place but everybody smokes so you won’t be able to stay for long.
Visit Konya’s Beautiful Mosques
Some of the country’s nicest mosques are in Konya. No wonder the city is considered Turkey’s spiritual capital. Sultan Selim Mosque stands proudly on the plaza next to the Mevlana Museum of Konya. The temple is from 1567 and is one of the best examples of an Ottoman mosque in Turkey.
Aziziye Mosque looks quite different from your typical mosque. The original one from 1676 burned down, so it was completely rebuilt in 1874. That’s why it mixes ottoman and baroque architecture. Notice the single stone minaret with its balcony. Go inside and enjoy the views from its massive windows.
The other great poet buried in Konya is Semsi Tebrizi, Rumi’s companion. He rests in the Shams of Tabriz Mosque and Tomb in the middle of a beautiful park. Some historians dispute this and say the guy died in today’s Iran. In any case, the entire compound and the park are gorgeous.
Learn History in the Archeological Museum
Konya homes the second oldest museum in Turkey, after the one in Istanbul. At one point some of its artifacts were displayed in the Mevlana Museum. It moved to its current location in the 60s. Though it doesn’t look impressive, wait till you get inside. It has some of the oldest collections in Turkey.
The Archeological Museum is famous for its collection of artifacts from Catalhoyuk, a Neolithic city in the province of Konya. UNESCO included the city in its World Heritage Site List. We loved the little but elaborate terracotta figurines. Though ancient, they look completely modern. Of course, there are bronze artifacts too.
Don’t forget to check the collection of artifacts found in Alaeddin hill to better understand the importance of the city. There’s also a collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. Look out for Hercules’ Sarcophagus. There are more fascinating grave tombs and sarcophagus in the garden.
Watch the Whirling Dervishes
The whirling dervish troupe made Konya famous all over the world. Though there are dervishes in several cities in Turkey, these are considered the best. We’ve seen the ones in Istanbul and Cairo and loved them. Therefore, we had great expectations. We went to two shows and left in awe.
First, we went to the IRFAN Civilization Center, close to the Mevlana Museum. The cultural center is fully dedicated to preserving and promoting Sufism around the world. The theatre where the dervishes dance is not that big and has incredible acoustics. Check their website for up-to-date information on the Sufi rituals.
Then we went to the Mevlana Culture Center, further down the road. It’s a much bigger place that resembles more a stadium. However, more dervishes dance, so you get to enjoy a fantastic show. Take note that during summer, the Konya Mevlana Museum hosts Sufi dance rituals.
Explore Konya’s Tropical Butterfly Garden
Who would have thought that an insect would be amongst Konya’s best attractions? The Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden is famous in all of Turkey. Families and kids from all over the country travel to the city to check this incredible building, and the butterflies inside.
The garden is a 20-minute drive from the center of Konya. It’s part of a larger park dedicated to the environment. There’s no way you won’t see it since it’s massive and in the shape of a butterfly. It’s the largest butterfly garden in Europe. Some 10,000 butterflies live inside the center.
However, there are more than butterflies in the center. There are also tones of plants and other insects. Besides, the center homes a museum with interactive displays, a coffee shop, and a shop. It closes on Mondays. You can take a public bus there or an inexpensive taxi.
Go on a Day Trip to Sille
Sille is just some 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Konya. However, the little village seems stuck in time. Due to its incredible caves carved into the rock, local people call it little Cappadocia. It used to be a Greek village for hundreds of years. You will see old Greek mansions and churches along its leafy streets.
Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine I, built the Saint Helena Church that presides over the village. The superb stone building is now a museum. If you walk further up the hill from the church, you’ll reach an ancient Ottoman cemetery. The caves are to the west of the church. There’s also a museum in the center of town.
All you have to do is walk along the town’s streets and eat in any of the konaks overlooking the river. We took an inexpensive taxi to Sille. To get back, we took a bus 64. It crosses the entire city and leaves you in Serafettin Mosque. We didn’t have the proper bus card but had no trouble boarding thanks to friendly locals.
Leave a Reply