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Mevlana Museum - Mausoleum of Rumi

Konya is a city in Central Anatolia in Turkey, known as the city of whirling dervishes and for its outstanding Seljuk architecture.

[edit] Understand

Konya was once the capital of Sultanate of Rum, known in Turkish as Anadolu Selçukluları, a situation which resulted in much of the architectural heritage visible today. The poet and Sufi thinker Rumi [1] also settled in the city during this period.

Despite rapid growth in recent years, and the arrival of many students from out of town in the Selçuk University (Selçuk Üniversitesi), founded in 1975, Konya still retains the air of an Anatolian provincial town. Even though the influx of tourists from the west has increased considerably visitors are still left in peace, and do not have to suffer the hassles they get in Istanbul. On the downside perhaps is the fact that fewer people speak English (or any other foreign language), but the natural hospitality of the people of Konya usually makes up for that. Be careful with taxi drivers, who sometimes have no scruples about ripping off visitors to their city.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Turkish Airlines, Onur Air [2], and Pegasus Airlines [3] offer flights from Istanbul to Konya Airport (IATA: KYA, ICAO: LTAN), located about 18 km out of city. In the summer period it's also possible to fly from various European countries, such as Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark.

[edit] By train

Old train in front of train station

Trains constitute a cheaper, although slower, alternative to travelling by bus or car. The night train to Istanbul is comfortable and offers a dinner in the restaurant car with a spectacular sunset view. The Konya railway station is located in the suburb of Meram, some distance from the centre; it is easy enough to take a taxi from the station to the centre, but surprisingly some of the taxi drivers are not familiar with the locations of the main hotels.

Direct trains are available from

• Istanbul (12 hours, 60 YTL for 1. class sleeping car), Izmit, Eskişehir, Kutahya, Afyon (Meram Express, İçanadolu Mavi Treni)
• Adana, Karaman (İçanadolu Mavi Treni)

Currently many rail lines in Turkey are undergoing major maintenance work, resulting in (temporary) cancellations of many inter-city train services, so it's advisable to check Turkish State Railways' website [4].

[edit] By bus

Ther are a number of travel agencies on Mevalna Caddesi, Konya's main street, where you can buy bus tickets. The destinations they deal with are written outside.

Konya's bus station (otogar) has good connections to a wide range of destinations, including Istanbul (~10 hours), Izmir (~9 hours), Ankara (~4 hours), and Cappadocia (~3 hours).

When you are issued a bus ticket you will be told which gate at the station your bus will leave from; you need to be vigilant, however, as the buses sometimes park at another gate close by.

The bus station is several kilometres away from Konya's main sites of interest, most of which are located around Alaaddin Tepesi. A number of minibuses depart from outside the bus station, of which some stop in or near Alaaddin Tepesi: these take about 30 minutes and should cost less than 2 YTL. Alternatively, Konya's tram line terminates in a loop around Alaaddin Tepesi: this also takes about 30 minutes and costs 1 YTL per person.

[edit] By car

Konya is a 3-hour drive from Ankara and 10 hours (660km) from Istanbul. From Izmir you will get in 7 hours in Konya. Also it takes 3 and half hour from Antalya by car.

[edit] Get around

In the city of Konya you can travel with the dolmus minibuses, public urban buses (belediye otobüsü), tram or taxi.

[edit][add listing] See

City Hall

Dervish cemetary

• Mevlana Museum/Mausoleum of Rumi (Mevlana Müzesi), (this is a very prominent landmark in downtown, you can't miss it), [5]. 9:30AM-7PM. This must see tourist destination of Konya, is the tomb of the famous mystic/sufi/thinker Rumi (known shortly as Mevlana in Turkish, or with the full name Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi-Rumi in English literature), as well as the neighboring museum that displays relics of his life and his time. The items on display in the museum range from old manuscripts, hand written copies of the Koran, musical instruments used at Rumi's time, as well as numerous art works dating from the Seljuk era. YTL 2.  edit

Also interesting for the curious traveller, esp. for those looking for interesting photographic opportunities or a short walk through an authentic neighborhood, is the parts of the city that surrounds the Mevlana Museum. Since this neighborhood hasn't quite kept up with recent times, it still maintains an authentic feel from older days with narrow streets and houses of old architecture, almost with historic significance.

Located 5-6 city blocks away from the museum, one can also find other historic buildings and mosques dating from the 12th and 13th century Seljuks Turks (the most significant one of these if the "İplikçi Camii").

• Iplikçi Mosque (İplikçi Camii). This old mosque dating from the 13th century was restored about 50 years ago and is still open for prayer service. It is a nice example of the Seljuk architecture to be seen in Konya, conveniently located b/w the city center and the Mevlana Museum. Free.  edit

• Ince Minare Museum (İnce Minare, literally 'thin minaret'), Alaaddin Meydanı, ☎ +90 332 351 32 04, [6]. Tu-Su 8:30AM-12:30PM/1:30PM-5:30PM. İnce Minare is the remains of a 13th century madrasah (school) built by the Anatolian Seljuks. Located close to the city center near the northern end of "Alaaddin Tepesi", this minaret and the surrounding small buildings today serve as a museum that displays various artefacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras. It is a popular tourist attraction, owing mostly to the noteworthy ornamental architecture which has been very well preserved over the centuries.  edit

• Alaaddin Hill (Alaaddin Tepesi). This is an artificial hill that was built by the Seljuk Sultan Aleaddin Keykubat. Today it stands right in the middle of the city, and serves mostly as a park. Even though the small hill or the park on it may not be very interesting in themselves, the two places to stop by and see are 1) the Alaaddin Mosque, and 2)the remmants of an old palace with partly earthen construction located on the north end of the hill - this old structure is protected from the elements with a concrete umbrella.  edit

• Meram. This is the district of Konya which lies somewhat away from the city center, with lighter construction and more greenery. The name "Meram" also refers to the popular picnic area located in the farther corner of the Meram district. Near this picnic area there are a few historic buildings to see, some of which are the "Tavus Baba Türbesi" and the "Ateşbazı Türbesi".  edit

Seljuk Palace remains

• Seljuk Palace remains, (on the Alaaddin Tepesi Hill). Just one piece of the Seljuk Alaadin palace. Built by Seljuk Sultan Kilicarslan II, restored by Seljuk sultan Alaadin Kekubad  edit

• Fuar.  edit

• Zafer.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Go shopping at Kulesite shopping center. You can also shop in the small streets of Konya where you can find a lot of clothes and presents for a low price.
• Go chill at Alaattin Tepesi.
• Have a coup of coffee at Meram (Aydincavus), with a sight from Konya from above.
• Go to Fuar (the funfair).
• Visit Kapu Mosque and Aziziye Mosque each with different styles of minarets (towers).

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Trinkets related to Rumi (and whirling dervishes).
• Traditional Mevlana-candy (white with a mint taste).

[edit] Malls

• Kulesite, Kule Cad. 8, Selçuklu, ☎ +90 332 234 32 72 (info@kulesite.com, fax: +90 332 234 32 78), [7]. Modern shopping mall.  edit

• Truva Outlet Center. An outlet center.  edit

• M1 Tepe, Dç. Dr. Halil Ürün Cad.. Modern shopping mall.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Traditional local cuisine mainly depends on wheat/bread and mutton - the major agricultural products of Central Anatolian steppe on which Konya is situated.

Local delicacies include:

• Etliekmek — some sort of long pizza (with meat or cheese) which can possibly exceed 1 mt in length! Available at a lot of restaurants in Konya.

• Gülbahçesi Restaurant, (at the backside of Mevlana Museum), ☎ +90 332 353 07 68 (bilgi@gulbahcesikonyamutfagi.com), [8]. Traditional Turkish/Central Anatolian cuisine served in traditionally decorated rooms. A nice view of Mevlana Museum and its garden.  edit

• Adanali Köfteci Osman, (near the train station). "Adana"-style kebab, grilled meat. Not expensive.  edit

• Asya Restaurant. Traditional cuisine.  edit

• Kösk Mutfagi, Piri Esat Cad. (at the end of Mengüc Cad., approx. 500 mt from Mevlana Museum), ☎ +90 332 352 85 47 (info@koskkonyamutfagi.com), [9]. Traditional cuisine. Located in a renovated historical mansion. No alcohol served. Has a carpark in front. Not expensive.  edit

• Restaurant Mahmut Keten, Israsyon-Feritpasa Caddesi Mahmuruiye Mah. Keten Apt (right next to the train station), ☎ +90 0332 322 22 03. The place is not used to tourist, the menu is in turkish only and the staff not fluent in english. But they are extremely helpful and friendly. They have tasty salads and meats. Try their thinly cut lamb in butter sauce. No alcohol. YTL 10 for main.  edit

• Fast food — Burger King, McDonald's and some other American-style fast-food restaurants, as well as ever omnipresent döner, are also available around the city.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Central park at Alaaddin Tepesi

• The open-air café at Alaaddin Tepesi is good for a relief and some shade while watching the city during a summer day.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Hotel Ulusan, (behind the central postoffice (PTT), near Mevlana Cad.), ☎ +90 332 351 50 04 (ulusanhotel@hotmail.com), [10]. A reliable budget option located in city center.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Balikcilar, (just across the street from Mevlana Museum), ☎ +90 332 350 94 70 (balikcilar@balikcilar.com, fax: +90 332 351 32 59), [11]. A 3 and a half star hotel. Nothing special about it except that it is literally across the street from the Mevlana Museum.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Konya Rixos Hotel (5*)
• Konya Ozkaymak Hotel (4*)
• Konya Dedeman Hotel (5*)
• Konya Sheraton Hotel will be opened soon (42 high skycraper in the centre of Konya).

[edit] Get out

• Çatalhöyük is a prehistoric archeological site located about an hour's drive away from Konya. Its importance lies in the fact of being one of the earliest and well preserved human settlement sites discovered.

• Tuz Gölü (literally Salt Lake), about an hour away on the road north to Ankara, is Turkey's second largest lake after Lake Van, although only about 2 (yes, two) meters deep at most. During summer months, it literally evaporates and leaves behind a flat and completely white landscape, just like a salt desert. It's also a good spot for birdwatching as it's an important stop-over for migratory birds on their route from Europe to Africa and vice versa during spring and autumn.

[edit] Hitchhiking

• If you intend to head south by hitchhiking, take public bus #26 (Karaman Yolu) from the stops in front of the Governor’s Office (Valilik/Vilayet) in the city centre, about 5-10 minutes walk away from Rumi tomb/Mevlana Museum. #26 takes you to the highway leading to south, to steppes out of city, almost until the middle of nowhere. Don’t get off the bus until it leaves the highway by turning left into a narrower road. (fare: YTL 1.10/person)