- The Mevlana Museum holds the tomb of the poet Rumi
- Whirling dervish ceremonies are held weekly and at the December commemoration
- Superb Seljuk buildings, including the Karatay and İnce Minareli madrasas
- Çatalhöyük, one of the world's oldest towns, is about an hour away
- Airports
- Konya (KYA) via Istanbul, or high-speed train from Istanbul or Ankara
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October; December for the Rumi commemoration
- Type
- Province
Konya is one of Turkey's oldest cities and a centre of religious and cultural life on the southern plateau. It was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and the home of Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th-century poet and mystic known in Turkey as Mevlana, whose followers became the whirling dervishes. Konya is Turkey's largest province by area and sits within Central Anatolia.
The city is conservative and devout, but welcoming to visitors, and its Seljuk architecture is the finest in the country. For general advice, see our Turkey guide.
Things to do
- Mevlana Museum – Rumi's tomb under a turquoise-tiled dome, with the old dervish lodge, manuscripts and musical instruments.
- Whirling dervish ceremony – the sema is performed at the Mevlana Cultural Centre, usually on Saturday evenings. Check times locally.
- Şeb-i Arus – the commemoration of Rumi's death, held around 17 December with nightly ceremonies. Book well ahead.
- Karatay Madrasa – a Seljuk theological school, now a museum of glazed tiles, with a magnificent tiled dome.
- İnce Minareli Madrasa – known for its intricately carved stone portal, now a museum of stone and wood carving.
- Alaeddin Hill – the city's central park, with the Seljuk Alaeddin Mosque.
- Çatalhöyük – a UNESCO-listed Neolithic settlement roughly 9,000 years old, with a replica house and visitor centre.
- Sille – a village just outside the city with cave dwellings and an old Byzantine church.
Where to stay
- Near the Mevlana Museum – the most convenient area for sightseeing, with many mid-range hotels.
- Around Alaeddin Hill – central and walkable, with more restaurants.
Getting there
Fly via Istanbul to Konya airport, about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre. The high-speed train from Istanbul takes roughly four and a half to five hours, and from Ankara about two hours. Konya is also a common stop on road trips between Antalya, around four to five hours away, and Cappadocia, about three hours. Fast trains continue south to Karaman.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are pleasant. Summers are hot and dry, winters cold. December is the busiest time, during the Rumi commemoration.
dress modestly at the Mevlana Museum. Women will need a headscarf to enter the mosque sections, and shoes come off in places.
Top attractions in Konya
Konya on the map
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists watch the whirling dervishes?
Yes. Weekly ceremonies are open to the public. Watch in silence and avoid flash photography.
Is alcohol available in Konya?
It is hard to find, as Konya is one of Turkey's most conservative cities. Some hotels may serve it.
Is Çatalhöyük worth visiting?
Yes, for its importance in human history, although remains are under protective shelters and best understood with a guide or visitor centre visit.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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