What's more, getting there is easier than you think! It doesn't matter if you're traveling by plane or bus. Finding the best-priced flight or bus ticket is a breeze with Bilet. Simply choose your route and take care of the rest. Because Konya is more than just a city; it's a unique experience, offering peace, history, and Anatolian hospitality all in one. If you're ready, let's explore the best places to visit in Konya, step by step.
List of Places to Visit in Konya
You can spend one day immersed in history at Alaeddin Hill, then trace the past through the streets of Sille the next. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Konya's list of places to visit is surprisingly rich.Mevlana Museum and Tomb
Located in the heart of Konya, the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum greets visitors with its mystical atmosphere, a must-see for visitors. Strolling beneath the Green Dome, you'll be transported back in time with ancient manuscripts, musical instruments, and other precious objects from the Mevlevi tradition. Built in 1274, the mausoleum was shaped by the graceful touches of architect Bedrettin of Tabriz and is also known as the "Dome of Hadra." The museum welcomes millions of visitors each year, and the silence and tranquility within offer a welcome escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
Selimiye Mosque
Located in the heart of Konya, just steps from the Mevlana Museum, the Selimiye Mosque, a stunning example of classical Ottoman architecture, greets you. Built in the 16th century on the orders of Selim II, this mosque, with its massive dome and elegant minarets, is a feast for the eyes and soul. Upon entering, the hand-carved ornaments and stone details transport you on a journey through history.Çatalhöyük Ancient City
During your Konya trip, we're taking some time to visit a place a little further out of town, but definitely worth it: the Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük, located in the Çumra district. This site is like a gateway to the "early days of human history," a place inhabited for many years, beginning around 7400 BC, and possessing a reality that transcends the pages of history books.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
If you're looking to add a touch of green to Konya, venturing a bit outside the city center and visiting this delightful spot is a great idea. Opened in 2015, the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden is one of the few places in Konya known for its harsh continental climate that offers a uniquely tropical climate.The garden is home to over 45 different species of butterflies and around 10,000 flying creatures. You'll also have the chance to observe butterflies in flight in their natural habitat, along with nearly 195 plant species.
Kyoto Japanese Park
If you're looking for some peace in Konya, Kyoto Japon Parkı is the perfect escape from the city. This park, where you can experience nature and Japanese garden aesthetics without straying too far from the city center, is actually a special area symbolizing the sister city relationship with Kyoto, Japan.
The park covers approximately 30,000-36,000 square meters. Here, you'll find elements of a Japanese garden, including ponds, stone and wooden bridges, bamboo and sakura trees, a teahouse, and a Zen garden. As you walk around the pond, the sounds of birdsong, the flow of water, and the vibrant greenery make you feel like you've escaped the city for an hour or two.
Alaeddin Hill and Alaeddin Mosque
If you're looking for a breather during your city tour, a pleasant break from history and scenery, Konya's Alaeddin Hill and Mosque is the perfect stop for you. Imagine this: you're climbing a hill in the city center, surrounded by trees, with Konya's rooftops and sky below you. This stop isn't just a beautiful photo spot; it's also a place steeped in the legacy of the past.
Thin Minaret Madrasa
One of the most elegant pieces of Konya's historical fabric is the İnce Minareli Madrasa. Built in the 13th century by a vizier named Sâhip Ata Fahreddin Ali, the structure was one of the educational institutions of the period and today serves as a museum showcasing ancient stone and wooden artifacts.The madrasah's nickname "slender minaret" stems from its exquisitely crafted brickwork, rising from its northeast corner. Although damaged by lightning strikes over time (the upper section of the minaret collapsed in 1901), the structure's architectural beauty remains striking.
Sille Village
Slightly outside Konya, but easily accessible, lies a tranquil haven: Sille Village. Perfect for those seeking a brief escape from the city's bustling pace, amidst stone houses, a historic stream, and quiet streets. This village, with a history spanning nearly 5,000 years, has hosted numerous civilizations, from Roman to Byzantine, from Seljuk to Ottoman.
Among the things that greet you when you visit are a clear stream flowing through the valley, historic stone bridges across it, and mansions built from Sille stone. The feeling of being "separated from time" you'll feel as you walk is naturally felt thanks to the village's unique texture. Furthermore, since you'll find structures like the Hagia Elena Church, dating back to the Christian era, alongside Ottoman-era mosques, bathhouses, and fountains, this place should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Konya.
Historical Bedesten Bazaar
History whispers around every corner in Konya, but this place, where commerce pulsates, is truly a unique experience: the historic Bedesten Bazaar. Located in the city center, this bazaar, with a commercial heritage spanning nearly 2,000 years, offers a shopping story stretching from the Ottoman and Seljuk periods to the present day.
Salt Lake
Lake Tuz, located within Konya's borders, not only offers a magnificent natural landscape, but also one of Türkiye's most striking natural destinations. As you head towards the lake, you'll encounter: vast, shallow expanses; patches of bright white salt flats, largely evaporated during the summer; and a tranquil, endless panorama filled with birds.