The Best Tourist Areas in Konya, Turkey

In this article, we review the best tourist areas located in Konya, as it is considered one of the finest and most attractive tourist destinations in Turkey and among the cities most appreciated by visitors. With careful attention, dear readers, we will explore in detail the most beautiful places in Konya.

Konya is a city located south of Ankara in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It is a pilgrimage destination for Sufi visitors and one of the most important tourist areas in Konya, as it is home to the tomb of the founder of the Mevlevi Order, Jalal ad-Din Rumi, located at the Mevlana Museum.

Whirling ceremonies and devotional celebrations are held at the Mevlana Cultural Center, east of the museum. Alaeddin Mosque, dating back to the twelfth century, stands amid green gardens on Alaeddin Hill.

Konya is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Turkey and was known as “Iconium” during the Roman era. As the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the twelfth to the thirteenth century, it became one of the largest cultural centers in Turkey.

During this period of cultural, political, and religious growth, the Sufi Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi established a mystical order known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. The magnificent Mevlana Mausoleum, decorated with green tiles, is one of the most famous buildings in Konya.

The former dervish lodge attached to the mausoleum now serves as a museum housing manuscripts of Mevlana’s works and many artifacts related to the Sufi order. Every year, during the first half of December, a commemorative ceremony is held in honor of Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi. The controlled whirling, resembling a trance, performed by men dressed in white robes, creates a remarkable performance for visitors in Konya’s most important tourist areas.

Alaeddin Mosque was built as one of the most important tourist landmarks in Konya on the site of the old Konya Castle, dating back to 1221 during the reign of the Great Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad.

1. Mevlana Museum

The Mevlana Museum is the tomb of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, the famous Sufi also known as Mevlana or Rumi.

It is also known as the Dervish Lodge, referred to as the “Dervishane.” In this article, we will take a tour through all the museums within the Mevlana Museum complex.

After the visit, the tour continues to Selimiye Mosque, located directly next to the Mevlana Museum. The mosque was commissioned in the name of Sultan Selim II (1566–1574) and was built in the Ottoman architectural style.

Construction began in 1558 when Selim was still a prince and was completed shortly after he ascended the throne in 1567.

After that, you can have lunch at an authentic restaurant. Following lunch, you will visit Meram Vineyards. Meram is located on the road to Çatalhöyük, among the wheat fields of the Konya Plain, southeast of the present-day city of Konya (formerly Iconium) in Turkey, approximately 140 km (87 miles) from the twin-cone volcanic Mount Hasan.

Çatalhöyük was a large Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement in southern Anatolia, which existed from around 7500 BCE to 5700 BCE. It is the largest and best-preserved Neolithic site discovered to date.

After that, continue the visit to the Konya Archaeological Museum. The Konya Archaeological Museum contains an excellent collection of ancient artifacts ranging from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine period. The museum was opened at its current location in 1962. Among the exhibits are numerous ancient Roman sarcophagi, Greek altars, and pottery.

In addition to the displays of man-made artifacts, many rooms within the museum have been restored to reflect their original condition and purpose. Visitors can see how dervishes lived during the Middle Ages and listen to the sounds of traditional musical instruments. All exhibition spaces are connected by a large courtyard where children run and tired travelers rest. The atmosphere inside the mausoleum is very different. Mevlana’s teachings and meditation, and the prayer area, are open to all visitors.

2. Culture Park

Konya Metropolitan Municipality brought Mevlana Square, the City Square, and Kayalı Park to the city as some of the best tourist areas in Konya.

Tahir Akyürek, the Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, stated that cities around the world are known by their squares. He explained that Mevlana’s tomb and Sultan Selim Mosque stand before a space of 17,000 square meters, large enough to accommodate thousands of people who gather in Mevlana Square.

Mevlana Square, considered one of the best tourist areas in Konya, underwent restoration of Sultan Selim Mosque, expropriation processes, and other arrangements at a cost of 17 million lira. Mayor Akyürek stated that it represents another important point in the city and also serves as the historic city square.

In addition to the square, within the scope of the project, the former courthouse area was expropriated for the construction of the Regional Courthouse. With the approval of the Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets, Akyürek confirmed that a street structure consisting of traditional Konya houses was created in harmony with the historical texture.

Through the integration of the historic city square with Culture Park, the city gained a new garden and square covering approximately 120,000 square meters.

The old Konya Municipality building was demolished, and the historic garden surrounding it was preserved as one of the best tourist areas in Konya. The Culture Park, built on an area of approximately 150,000 square meters, became a major attraction for the city.

The Culture Park, inaugurated on December 17, 2009, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, became a comfortable space in the heart of the city. It offers visitors a pleasant atmosphere with its green areas and fountain. The park was built by the Metropolitan Municipality.

It is a place where you can spend your day with your children and family. The park is large and contains a fast-food restaurant, buffets, and a large café. An ice cream shop, candy store, confectionery, and more are all available. It is considered one of the best tourist areas in Konya.

3. Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden

Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden, regarded as one of the best tourist areas in Konya, is now able to compete with the colorful butterfly displays around the world after receiving LED crystal lighting.

The Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden and Insect Museum in Konya, Turkey, installed a computer-controlled LED lighting system, allowing it to glow in millions of different colors as shown in images.

The park’s main building, constructed in the shape of a butterfly, has become a prominent feature on the city’s night skyline and one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Konya.

The museum, considered one of the best tourist areas in Konya, houses more than 6,000 different butterfly species and 20,000 types of tropical plants. It includes the largest indoor butterfly flight area beneath a domed wing structure.

Museum officials stated that they selected Philips’ dynamic lighting system to simulate the countless natural colors and support the life cycle changes of the displayed butterflies. The LED system also enables the garden to significantly reduce its environmental impact and energy costs, as it is more efficient than traditional lighting.

The exhibition hall and small cinema provide an educational journey, offering insight into the life cycles of butterflies and insects. The winter garden is part of a larger park and recreational complex in the historic city of Konya. It features open play areas, decorative pools, a café, retail space, and sports facilities, including an artificial sled track and an amphitheater.

A specialist in entomology was appointed by the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden to provide a sustainable design focused on creating habitats for tropical butterflies. Engineering design services were provided, including façade consultancy and technical architectural design services.

4. Kyoto Japanese Garden

One of the most beautiful and best tourist areas in Konya is the Kyoto Japanese Garden, where the structure and arrangements have been designed very well to suit visitors. A Sunday breakfast buffet is available. A Japanese or Turkish restaurant provides a more refined dining experience than ordinary eateries.

You can enjoy taking beautiful and timeless souvenir photographs throughout the Japanese Garden in Turkey, especially near the lake inside the Kyoto Japanese Garden.

Inside the Japanese Garden in Konya, there is a shop that sells many types of delicious sweets with distinctive flavors and attractive aromas.

At first glance, one may wonder why such a garden exists in Konya. Later, it becomes known that the garden was built in 2010 by Konya Metropolitan Municipality to serve Turkish-Japanese friendship.

Within the Japanese Garden, there is a very beautiful building symbolizing Japanese architectural structure, located within a large garden area. It is open daily from 08:00 to 23:00, and visitors can enjoy various services ranging from breakfast buffets to café and restaurant services.

If you have not visited before, you should visit the Japanese Garden to experience a different sense of space and environment in Konya.

When winter arrives, the Japanese Garden transforms into a white jewel covered with ice.

5. Meram Vineyards

Meram Vineyards is one of the three central districts of Konya and is considered one of the best tourist areas in Konya. It is mentioned in proverbs such as “Meram Vineyards is the strongest remedy,” and in expressions like “describing Meram Vineyards,” particularly when speaking about gardens and orchards.

It has even been compared in history to the Baruthane Gardens in Beçhifi and the Sudak Gardens of the Crimean Peninsula. Historically, Konya was ruled by the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Lydians, and the Persians. Later, it was conquered by Alexander the Great and the Romans and became the capital of the Seljuks. After that period, Karamanid rule in Konya was followed by Ottoman sovereignty.

The district of Meram was officially established on 26.06.1987 under a law passed by the Turkish Parliament, which elevated Konya to metropolitan municipality status. After the completion of foundational procedures, Meram District began functioning as of August 8, 1988. Meram is located to the south and southwest of Konya.

Meram is surrounded by mountains and hills to the north and west, while the southern side opens onto wide plains. Irrigation water needs in the region are supplied from Altınapa Dam.

It is a popular recreational area located 8 km from the center of Konya, near the Meram stream. There is a mosque and a health complex among the places frequently visited by local and foreign tourists because of its water, nature, and identity.

Yemen Forest: which resulted from afforestation efforts carried out during the Republican period, is located on the hill where the tomb of Tavusbaba stands. It has picnic areas and separate recreational facilities.

Archaeological Museum: Artifacts from the Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are displayed in the Archaeological Museum, which opened in 1962. Artifacts discovered in excavations at Çatalhöyük, Canhasan, Arpa Çeşme, and the Atatürk Museum are also exhibited.

6. Sille Dam Park

With the opening of Sille Dam Park, visitors can enjoy wonderful sports activities combined with the calmness of water along the surrounding walking paths, making it one of the best tourist areas in Konya.

Sille Dam Park has become an important tourist destination and was crowned with this park development. The Sille Dam, with its size, can be considered one of the largest parks in Turkey.

Sille Dam Park becomes crowded on weekends. The project, which brings the people of Konya together with water, includes a new scout camp center, a boat park, kite hills, a tea garden, a restaurant, a mosque, a pier, wooden walkways, grassy areas, children’s playgrounds, and sports areas, among other features. It has become a central attraction.

Sille Dam Park, covering an area of 1,985,000 square meters, was built as one of the largest parks in Turkey. There are picnic areas, long walking trails, children’s playgrounds, and climbing paths around the dam, which has a water surface area of 221,000 square meters. For students and scouts to use as camping areas near the pond within the park, boat trips have been made available.

The historic Sille village was already a weekend recreational area for thousands of people. Selçuk Municipality, which crowned its projects with Sille Dam Park, created a picnic and recreational area in Konya.

The Sille Dam Park brand continues to grow. It is the most famous and economical location in the city and the most preferred brand in terms of residents’ choices. Making use of existing opportunities is another success.

The Sille Dam had existed for years. Occasionally it was used for recreation, but the surrounding area, which was very close to the city and owned by the state, remained mostly idle. With wise touches and modest budgets, it is remarkable that more than 200,000 people visited Sille Dam Park during the first four weeks of this year.

7. Konya Science Center

The Konya Science Center represents the first large-scale interactive informal educational experience in Turkey. As the first institution completed within the framework of the Science Center initiative led by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, it is intended to serve as a model for other municipalities in the country that will participate in developing science centers.

The Science Center offers an exhibition experience covering a comprehensive range of topics, extending from the ancient settlers of Çatalhöyük in the region to the boundaries of the galaxy. Visitors immerse themselves in the natural history of the Konya region and Turkey itself, the human body, scientific principles, new technologies, space and the universe, as well as the history, industry, and trade that symbolize the Konya region. It also provides a space for young learners.

The center is open to all ages, aiming to bring together people from different backgrounds to transfer knowledge through experimental and practical spaces designed to stimulate curiosity. The centers aim to engage all human senses. The Konya Science Center sought not only to provide information but also to increase interest in and the importance of science through interaction.

The conceptual design of the Konya Science Center represents the first major interactive institution in Turkey dedicated to informal learning about science and technology. The exhibition scope of the project is supervised and funded by sponsors, while the building itself was funded and constructed by Konya Municipality, the third largest city in Turkey.

The exhibition design includes the following sections: Basic Sciences, New Technologies, Earth and Life Systems, Space, Health, Konya History and Culture, Early Learners, and an Outdoor Exhibition.

The Konya Science Center currently hosts a traveling global exhibition titled “Sultans of Science.” The interactive traveling exhibition highlights the importance of scientific and technological advancements achieved during the Islamic Golden Age (7th to 15th centuries) and draws attention to the multicultural roots of modern science and technology.

8. Alaeddin Hill

If you are coming to Konya for the first time, or if you are arriving at one of the main tourist viewpoints of Konya, Alaeddin Hill offers a magnificent view. There are cafés and tea gardens where you can enjoy tea and coffee with family or friends. We have gone there many times, and we always visit whenever we have guests from outside the city.

Its History : The first settlement was built before Christ during the Early Bronze Age around 3000 BCE. Alaeddin Hill later became the second homeland of the Hittites. After the collapse of the Hittite Kingdom in 1190 BCE, the Phrygians once again took control of the area.

These sources referred to the summit as “Hawania.” The region later passed repeatedly into the hands of the Lydians. In 547 BCE, it became part of the Lydian Kingdom in Cappadocia and later a city of the Achaemenid Empire.

In Ancient Greek, Hawania was pronounced as “Khawania.” It is estimated that the city was called “Iconium,” meaning “image” or “description,” due to phonetic similarities. During the Eastern Roman Empire, Iconium served as an important administrative center. These historical layers can still be identified during reconstruction work around the hill.

The city, which became the capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire in the late 11th century, experienced its first and only major attack during the Third Crusade. The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa captured the city in 1190 to reorganize his army, but the Seljuks soon regained control.

Later, the Ottoman Empire emerged and expanded its influence.

In daylight and open-air conditions, the most important structure visible on the hill is Alaeddin Mosque, along with pools located on the northern side of the hill. The mosque was completed in 1220 and named after the Seljuk ruler Alaeddin Keykubad.

The site contains the tombs of eight Seljuk sultans. The Seljuks also built a palace extending from the northern side of the hill.

9. Ecdat Park

Ecdat Park, one of the tourist attractions in Konya, was built by Konya Metropolitan Municipality. Konya is known as one of the important centers of the Ottoman Empire. The construction area of Ecdat Park in the Selçuklu district covers approximately 110,000 square meters.

Konya Metropolitan Municipality began the construction of Ecdat Park, which includes examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture.

The park was built by Konya Municipality, which once served as the capital of the Seljuks and later became one of the important centers of the Ottoman Empire.

Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Akyürek stated that the Seljuk-themed Ecdat Park has a total area of 110,000 square meters.

Ecdat Park, built in Konya—one of the most important centers of the Ottoman Empire and the former Seljuk capital—will also contribute to the city’s green infrastructure while preserving the memory of Ecdat. Mayor Akyürek stated that the project’s value is approximately 20 million lira.

Ecdat Park includes 11 Ottoman pavilions, 4 pavilions from the period of Sultan Mahmud II, 10 Seljuk pavilions, a historical harbor within city walls, an Ottoman street, a Namazgah fountain, a watchtower, a tower café, a mill, a lighthouse, an Ottoman café, a Bosphorus mansion, a 12,000-square-meter pond, a Seljuk entrance gate, an Ottoman amphitheater, a mosque, a Mehteran building, ornamental gardens, wooden structures, a Seljuk caravanserai restaurant, and social facilities.

10. Aziziye Mosque

The carefully restored streets of Konya Bazaar led us to a square, and in that square stands one of the most iconic images of the city.

Aziziye Mosque, with its large windows, minaret balconies, and striking Ottoman and Baroque architectural features, also captured our attention during our visit to Konya in the spring of 2017.

As we walked through the carefully restored streets of Konya Bazaar, they led us into the square where Aziziye Mosque welcomed us. With its unique architectural design, it is one of the city’s most important symbols.

The original mosque was commissioned between 1671 and 1676 by Damat Mustafa Pasha, the husband of Hatice Sultan, daughter of Sultan Mehmed IV. After being destroyed by fire in 1867, it was rebuilt in 1874 by the mother of Sultan Abdülaziz. The name “Aziziye” refers to Abdülaziz.

The architectural style is a combination of Ottoman and Baroque architecture. However, it possesses many unique features that distinguish it from other mosques. It is a double-minaret structure. On each minaret, the balcony roof is supported by columns, making the mosque unique in Turkey.

Unlike most mosques, the main prayer hall is elevated, and stairs are used to access it.

The prayer hall has a square layout and is covered by a large central dome. The narthex contains three smaller domes supported by six marble columns. Another interesting feature of the mosque is that its windows are wider than its doors.

11. Tomb and Mosque of Shams Tabrizi

The tomb and mosque of Shams Tabrizi are among the most important tourist sites in Konya. Shams departed from the reed bed of Balkh and reunited with his source in Konya. Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, best known as Rumi and called “Mevlana” by his close disciples, is the most famous Persian-language poet whose poetry and Sufi mysticism transcended national boundaries.

Born in the 13th century in the Iranian city of Balkh, his writings have remained beloved for over eight centuries in Iran and many other parts of the world. Rumi is, in fact, the most popular poet in the United States, with millions of copies of his books sold and translated into most major languages by leading scholars.

He was born in 1207 in a small village of Greater Khorasan, now located in Afghanistan. Rumi was a theologian and Islamic scholar, like his father Baha al-Din Walad, who was highly respected and known as the “Sultan of Scholars.” When the Mongols invaded the region, Baha al-Din Walad took his family westward for safety and eventually settled in present-day Konya.

Most visitors enter directly through the main gate. Inside, there are smaller rooms with figures dressed as Sufi masters teaching young dervishes. There are scenes of walking in the rose garden and worship through cleaning the floors.

The kitchen was the largest room, and interestingly, it was in front of the kitchen where dervishes practiced whirling. Figures of men sit inside the kitchen preparing vegetables, while a novice dervish stands in the corner.

The preparation process for whirling involves placing the left big toe on a black point on the floor while guiding the body with the right foot. As the body turns, it imitates the fundamental movement of the universe and the upward flow of energy.

12. Butterfly Valley

The usable area of Konya Butterfly Valley is 7,600 square meters, with a walking area of 3,500 square meters.

The butterfly walking area, covering 1,600 square meters, provides natural habitats for 15 butterfly species. The garden contains 20,000 plants belonging to 98 species, and butterflies can be observed flying around nectar plants.

Upon entering the garden, visitors encounter a unique atmosphere filled with thousands of plants and butterflies. You will discover butterflies—the colorful jewels of nature—living in their natural environment. In a tropical setting, you will witness the harmony of butterflies with each other and with nature, and you will have the opportunity to observe the perfect patterns of their elegant wings.

Our nature guides accompany visitors throughout the tour, offering opportunities to study butterfly behavior such as life cycles, camouflage, protection, feeding, and sunbathing. A wonderful journey into the mysterious world of important insect species awaits you in our insect village. You will also encounter fascinating and mysterious animals you have never seen before.

Watching butterflies dance with nature helps relieve stress and promotes relaxation. Immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of nature and be prepared for new experiences. If you are lucky, a butterfly may land on your shoulder and accompany you throughout your walk.

When entering Konya Butterfly Valley on a cold winter day in the middle of the steppe, the first sensation is the change in temperature and humidity. You encounter a fertile environment filled with colorful butterflies and tropical plants. As you walk through the garden, a butterfly may sometimes land on your shoulder.

For tropical plants and butterflies to survive, the temperature must be maintained at 28°C with 80% humidity. Therefore, it is advisable to dress appropriately when visiting the garden. Very thick clothing may become uncomfortable.

13. Konya Çatalhöyük

There was no economic, political, or social differentiation in Çatalhöyük. In this settlement, houses were at the center of social life. Daily activities carried out in the home reinforced the social system. People learned social rules and responsibilities through everyday practices. These rules and traditions were incorporated into a complex symbolic system focused on ancestors and wild animals buried beneath the foundations of houses.

Çatalhöyük was first excavated by James Mellaart between 1961 and 1965. During Mellaart’s period, two small areas were excavated in West Çatalhöyük, while most excavations focused on the southwestern corner of East Çatalhöyük.

From the beginning, the settlement was recognized as very large in scale (East Çatalhöyük covers 13.5 hectares and rises 21 meters high) and displayed a complex understanding of art at an early stage, located outside the region traditionally considered the cradle of Middle Eastern civilization.

Much has changed in our understanding of the Anatolian Neolithic since the 1960s. Çatalhöyük has lost some of its uniqueness in certain respects. The site was first occupied during the Late Neolithic period and continued through the Pottery Neolithic to the Chalcolithic Age.

The Neolithic period of Çatalhöyük dates to approximately 7400–6200/6000 BCE, followed by the Chalcolithic period extending into the early sixth millennium BCE.

Nevertheless, Çatalhöyük remains distinguished by features not found among its contemporaries. Most notably, an intense concentration of art is found in nearly every house within a single settlement. This raises fundamental questions about why so much art and symbolism were gathered in one place.

14. Karatay Madrasa

Karatay Madrasa, built in 652 AH / 1251 CE by Jalal ad-Din Karatay, one of the Anatolian Seljuk statesmen, is located north of Alaeddin Hill between the castle gate and Ayaz Gate.

The madrasa is one of the most important educational institutions built in Konya during the Anatolian Seljuk period. To the east of it stands the Küçük Karatay Madrasa, built by Kemal ad-Din Rumtash, the brother of Jalal ad-Din Karatay.

It is distinguished from other madrasas by its tiled dome construction. Although the artists and architects of the building are unknown, it is believed to have been designed by the architect Muhammad ibn Hawlan al-Dimashqi.

The tiles are thought to have been produced by masters from Tus, along with local craftsmen mentioned in the inscription of Alaeddin Mosque.

The original plan of the building, which underwent restorations at various times, has been preserved. Today, the building serves as a section of the Konya Tile Works Museum.

The entrance of the building has an unusual arrangement and is located at the southeastern corner of the façade. The monumental portal has a simple appearance, and its gray stone contrasts with white marble, distinguishing classical Turkish traditions from Seljuk portals.

From the crown gate, one enters the domed space. Turkish triangles were used in the transition to the dome. In the center of the domed hall is a square pool. There are also a double-domed room and another square space covered by a dome in the southwest corner.

The main space is covered by a central dome, the largest and most magnificent among Seljuk madrasas, with a diameter of 12 meters. There is an oculus window at the center of the dome.

In the central area of the space is a square basin. The oculus window is now closed with glass, but it is known that this opening was originally open during the Seljuk period, allowing air and light to enter and rainwater to collect in the pool directly below.

15. Kapu Mosque

Kapu Mosque is an Ottoman structure that was built three times after being destroyed and burned. It was named Kapu Mosque because it was located near one of the gates of Konya Castle.

If you are in Konya, there is no need to go far from the city center. Kapu Mosque can be found on Sarraflar Street, next to one of the castle gates. The most important feature of this mosque is that it was rebuilt three times for different reasons. Additionally, it is one of the cultural values that adorn the city for those who wish to see Ottoman architecture.

Kapu Mosque was first built in 1658 by Hasan Hüseyin Çelebi, known as Hasanoglu, one of the descendants of Mevlana. After being demolished shortly afterward, it was rebuilt in 1811 by Konya Mufti Esenlilerzade Seyyid Abdurrahman Efendi. However, in the fire of 1867, the mosque and the surrounding foundation shops were burned. After being rebuilt once again the following year, it has survived to the present day.

Kapu Mosque, one of the largest Ottoman mosques in the city, is constructed of cut stone and includes an additional congregation area supported by ten marble columns. The prayer hall is covered with eight interior domes and an external roof. The mihrab and wooden pulpit are very simple in design.