7 Things to Do in Konya: Explore the Magic of Türkiye

Discover 7 of the best things to do in Konya, a city in central Türkiye that is often overlooked by travellers.

Konya is located in central Türkiye approximately halfway between Antalya and Cappadocia. While Antalya and Cappadocia are two of the most visited destinations in Türkiye, Konya is often overlooked. If you’re after a hidden gem away from the tourist trail and are looking for a cultural experience, Konya is the answer!

This blog post will provide you with 7 things to do in Konya and provide some additional tips for travellers while visiting. But first….

A bit about Konya…

Konya has been inhabited since 3000 BC and has been ruled by the Hittites, the Byzantines, the Romans, and Ottomans, just to name a few. It is also the resting place of Rumi (Mevlana), a poet and scholar during the 1300s. Konya became known as a pilgrimage city for Rumi’s followers and is home of the famous Whirling Dervishes. Modern day Konya is considered one of the most religiously conservative cities in Türkiye and is rich in culture and tradition. All of this makes for a truly historical and cultural experience for visitors.

Is Konya Safe?

Understandably, as a solo female traveller, this is the most common question I get asked about all destinations. I can confidently say, yes, Konya is safe! I felt very comfortable walking around the city alone, even at night. However, it is important to use common sense like you would in any other city and stick to the main streets and well-lit areas at night.

However, I will say I didn’t see many other solo female travellers during my time in Konya. So much so that in restaurants I was asked by several people if I was a diplomat?! It turns out that when I was in Konya, NATO had set up a base at the Konya airport which had brought many diplomats to the city. Locals may seem surprised, and interested, to see a solo female traveller in the city, but there is nothing to be concerned about. Their interest is mostly because Konya isn’t a popular tourist destination, and those tourists that do visit are often part of bigger tour groups that are passing through on their way to or from Cappadocia.

A comment on Turkish rugs…

I guess this is loosely related to safety, but don’t be surprised if you are pressured into buying a Turkish rug. This is not unique to Konya and is pretty common in most Turkish cities. During my time in Konya, two different men came up to chat with me at times when I was sitting in Mevlana Square. Given there aren’t as many tourists passing through Konya, they will spot you pretty quickly. They were friendly and kind, but their ulterior motive was to get me to try and buy a rug. I wasn’t in the market for a rug, and they were disappointed that I didn’t buy one, despite making this clear at the beginning of our conversation. They were by no means aggressive; you just need to hold strong and say ‘no’.

Side note – If you are looking to buy a Turkish rug my recommendation would be to talk to hotel staff or tour guides to get recommendations for reputable sellers. Unfortunately, many of the rugs are now factory-made and are not authentic. Apparently, a key giveaway is that ‘perfect looking’ rugs are factory-made – authentically made rugs will have some imperfections, which is part of the beauty.

Where to Stay in Konya

There are several hotels in the city, but I can highly recommend Think Hotel (not sponsored). This is a cute boutique hotel that suits a mid-range budget and includes a fantastic Turkish breakfast. This hotel has recently been renovated so it feels brand new, and it includes some quirky and interesting decor. The best thing about this hotel is it’s location, right on the main street in front of the Mevlana Square. I found this to be very convenient for all of the main tourist sites, and especially convenient when venturing out at night. Any hotels in this surrounding area will be ideally located.

Logistics – Getting to Konya

Flying – You can fly to Konya domestically from most major hubs. I flew from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines and it was approximately €60 one-way. Pegasus and Anadolu Jet also fly to Konya. I always use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best flight deals but then always book directly with the airline.

Bus – The inter-city bus network in Turkey is excellent, and it’s very easy to get between major cities. I use the Obilet website to book bus tickets. This website will give you a rundown of all bus route options available from your current location.

Train – There is a high-speed train from Istanbul to Konya that takes approximately 4-5 hours. You can also catch this train from Ankara which takes approximately 90 minutes. My recommendation is to make sure you book a few days in advance, ideally a week if you can, because tickets sell out quickly. The high-speed train was my original transportation choice, but because the availability didn’t suit my schedule, I opted for a flight instead.

Drive – If you’ve hired a car in Turkey you have more flexibility. In terms of location, Konya is an approximately 3-hour drive from Cappadocia (Göreme) and 3.5 hours from Antalya.

Getting around Konya

The centre of Konya is very accessible. If you’re staying near Mevlana Square, all the main tourist attractions are within walking distance. I opted for getting around by foot, but there are also regular trams throughout the city that are easy to use. You can buy a ticket at the tram stop and validate it once you board.

Now we have some of the logistics out of the way, let’s get stuck into our list of 7 things to do in Konya!

7 Things to Do in Konya

#1 Explore the local bazaar

The Konya Bazaar is an outdoor bazaar that is made up of dozens of narrow alley ways. There are a couple of souvenir shops, but the bazaar has a mostly local feel. You’ll see everything from clothes shops to hardware stores, to jewellery stores, and everything in between. There was no pushiness from vendors, and everyone was happy and friendly. What also struck me about the bazaar is how clean it was – the cobblestone streets were perfectly swept and tidy.

TIP – stop and get some local snacks from the vendors. I tried Tulumba, which is a Turkish dessert…think Spanish churros but in a ring shape, soaked in a sweet sugary syrup. It was divine! I also had a lovely interaction with the vendor who wanted to practice his English. He was very grateful I had chosen to visit Konya, so make sure you to take the time to interact with the locals while you’re there.

#2 – Visit Azizia Mosque

This stunning, Ottoman-style mosque dates back to the 1600s and is nestled in amongst the Konya Bazaar. You’ll immediately notice the uniqueness of this mosque when you look at the minarets, which have distinct columns and balconies within them. Inside the mosque you’ll find stunning red carpet, a domed ceiling, and gold-accented decor.

TIPS – Like all mosques, it’s important to dress conservatively with your knees and shoulders covered, and women must also cover their hair. This is a working mosque so it’s also important to be respectful during prayer times. You can check the local prayer times each day by googling “Prayer times Konya”

#3 – See the Whirling Dervishes

As previously mentioned, Konya is the home of the Whirling Dervishes. The Whirling Dervishes are followers of the Sufi religion, which is a branch of Islam. The Whirling Dervishes partake in a whirling ritual called a Sema, which is said to induce a meditative state that brings them closer to Allah.

The Mevlana Cultural Centre hosts a Sema every Saturday @ 7:00pm. This hour-long ceremony introduces you to this Sufi tradition, where the whirling lasts 15-20 minutes. The Sema overall is entrancing and is a must-see while you’re in town.

The ticket price is approximately 150TL (€4), but this may increase with the ongoing inflation challenges in Türkiye. There is no need to book a ticket in advance, you can pay upon entry and you should have no issues getting a seat.

The beautiful Azizia Mosque – note the unique minarets

The Saturday night Sema at the Mevlana Cultural Centre – the Whirling Dervishes

#4 – Mevlana Museum

The Mevlana Museum dates back to the 1200s when it was originally a meeting place for the dervishes. The museum also houses the Rumi’s mausoleum and sarcophagus. The mausoleum is covered in golden, ornate patterns and scripture and above the tomb is an iconic turquoise-coloured, conical dome. This dome is a key landmark in the Konya, but it was of course being restored when I visited.

Within the Mevlana Museum, there are many sights to see in addition to Rumi’s tomb, including rooms showcasing artefacts that document Rumi’s life, the Sufi religion, and daily life during the times. There are also beautiful garden beds and outdoor seating areas throughout the museum that create an overall tranquil space

TIP – I highly recommend getting the audio guide. This was a relatively cheap addition, and I found it incredibly helpful, given I didn’t know much about Rumi and the history of the region beforehand.

Mevlana Museum and the iconic turquoise conical dome (which was under renovation)

Just a sneak peek at the extravagance of Rumi’s tomb (excuse the poor lighting)

#5 – Selimiye Mosque & Mevlana Square

This Selimiye Mosque is located in Mevlana Square and dates back to the 1500s. It is built next to the funerary complex of Rumi, and the Mevlana Museum. The grandness of this mosque is undeniable, and I highly recommend that you make your way inside to take a look. The Selimiye Mosque and Mevlana Square are particularly picturesque at night when lit up, and the square is generally a popular meeting spot. I loved spending time sitting in the square, taking in the views and watching people go about their day.

# 6 – Alaaddin Hill Park

If you’re after some green space, and stunning views, Alaaddin Park Hill is worth a visit. It is an approximately 15-minute walk from Mevlana Square, which will take you down one of the local streets. During this walk, you’ll really notice the local feel that Konya offers. The park itself is filled with beautiful fountains, gardens, and views across the city in all directions. The Alaaddin Mosque is also located in the park, which dates back to the 1200s.

Mevlana Square and Selimiye Mosque at night

#7 – Çatalhöyük: A day trip from Konya –

Konya is a fantastic base to visit some nearby historical sights. The highlight seems to be Çatalhöyük, which is a neolithic settlement and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Çatalhöyük is now considered the first known city in the world and dates back approximately 9400 years. This site is still being discovered and excavated, so there is always something new to explore and learn.

Unfortunately, during my stay in Konya, I didn’t get a chance to visit Çatalhöyük. But with a keen interest in ancient history, I’m very excited to make this a priority when I next visit Konya.

Summary

Hopefully, this blog post has inspired you to get off the tourist trail and explore one of Türkiye’s true hidden gems. As can be seen from this post, there are lots of interesting things to do in Konya. It’s a great city to add to your itinerary, even if only as a stopover for a couple of days.