Things to Do in Konya

Konya's most beloved landmark, this turquoise-domed shrine houses the tomb of the 13th-century Sufi poet Rumi (Mevlana) and was once the lodge of the Mevlevi dervish order. Inside you'll find exquisite calligraphy, illuminated Qurans, and dervish artifacts that draw pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

The hypnotic Sema is a UNESCO-recognized ritual in which Mevlevi dervishes spin in flowing white robes as a moving form of prayer. Ceremonies are often held at the Mevlana Culture Center, and the tradition peaks during the annual December Seb-i Arus commemoration of Rumi's passing.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site southeast of the city, this 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement is one of the earliest known towns on Earth, famous for its densely packed mud-brick houses that were entered through the roof. On-site excavation shelters and a visitor center reveal wall paintings, figurines, and the daily life of some of humanity's first town dwellers.

Konya's most important Seljuk-era mosque crowns Alaeddin Hill, the wooded park at the city's heart, and shelters the tombs of several Seljuk sultans. The hill itself is a favorite spot for locals to stroll, sip tea, and take in views over the old town.

This beautifully preserved 13th-century Seljuk theological college is celebrated for its dazzling turquoise-and-blue tilework and a star-studded domed ceiling that evokes the night sky. Today it houses a collection of Seljuk ceramics and tiles.

Named for its once-tall slender minaret, this Seljuk madrasa is renowned for its intricately carved stone portal, considered a masterpiece of medieval Anatolian craftsmanship. Inside, the museum displays fine examples of Seljuk stone and wood carving.

A charming old settlement on Konya's outskirts where Greek and Turkish communities lived side by side for centuries, leaving behind stone houses, cobbled lanes, and the historic Aya Eleni church, said to date to Byzantine times. Now dotted with cafes and small shops, it makes a relaxed half-day escape from the city.

Konya is a food-lover's city, famed for etli ekmek, a long thin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, and firin kebabi, tender oven-roasted lamb. Save room for local sweets such as hosmerim and sac arasi, best enjoyed in one of the city's traditional restaurants.

One of Europe's largest butterfly houses, this lush indoor tropical habitat lets visitors walk among thousands of free-flying butterflies amid waterfalls and exotic plants. Housed in a striking butterfly-shaped glass building, it's an engaging, weatherproof stop that's especially popular with families.

A compact but rewarding museum displaying finds from across the region, including Hittite and Phrygian artifacts and a superb Roman sarcophagus carved with the labors of Hercules. It's a good place to set Konya's deep, layered history in context.

Set in the volcanic landscape of the Karapinar district southeast of Konya, this once-brilliant crater lake, long nicknamed the 'evil eye of the world,' sits within a stark, open plain dotted with other crater formations. Though much of the water has receded in recent years, the otherworldly setting still rewards nature lovers and photographers.

Set among soft volcanic rock near the village of Gokyurt southwest of Konya, this early Christian site features rock-cut churches, cave dwellings, and structures carved into the tuff, on the route Saint Paul is said to have traveled through Anatolia. Its quiet, Cappadocia-like setting rewards travelers seeking history off the beaten track.