One city, three days: Kayseri

What is the origin of the name Kayseri?

The name Kayseri dates back to the Roman period, when the city was known as Caesarea. The Latin name Caesarea passed into Arabic as Kaysariya and eventually evolved into Kayseri in Turkish. As the title Caesar, given to Roman and Byzantine emperors, became increasingly associated with the city, Kayseri came to mean the city of Caesar. However, historical sources trace the city’s name even further back to Mazaka. In the 3rd century BC, Mazaka was the capital of the Kingdom of Cappadocia, which was later renamed Eusebia and then Caesarea after the Romans arrived.

With nearly six thousand years of uninterrupted history, Kayseri is one of Anatolia’s oldest trade centers. The Kültepe archaeological site, located northeast of the city center, is known as a trade karum established by Assyrian merchants. The cuneiform tablets uncovered there document the intense commercial relations between Assyrian traders and the local population in the 19th century BC. These tablets, considered the earliest written trade records in Anatolia, reveal the pioneering role of the Kayseri region in commercial history. In the Middle Ages, Kayseri was also an important stop on the Silk Road, and during the Seljuk period it became a center of trade and scholarship, with its caravanserais and markets. Built in the early 13th century, the Gevher Nesibe Hospital and Medical Madrasa is regarded as the oldest hospital from the Islamic period in Anatolia.

The bounty of Erciyes and agriculture in Kayseri

Rising to 3,917 meters in the southern part of the city, Mount Erciyes offers more than postcard beauty; it is also the source of the Kayseri Plain’s fertility. The volcanic tuffs emitted by Erciyes thousands of years ago endowed the region’s soil with a mineral-rich, porous structure. As a result, Kayseri gained a strong national position in the production of certain agricultural products. For example, the Tomarza district is known as a center for pumpkin seed production. Because of the tuff-based soil spread by the Erciyes volcano, Kayseri alone accounts for approximately 35 percent of Türkiye’s roasted pumpkin seed production. In other words, one out of every three pumpkin seeds in Türkiye comes from the fields at the foothills of Erciyes.

Similarly, the volcanic sandy soil and the sharp daily temperature swings of the continental climate create favorable conditions for viticulture. Grapes grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Kayseri yield distinctive flavors through the blending of local and international varieties. In recent years, many producers across Anatolia’s fertile lands have shifted toward organic and sustainable agriculture by combining traditional methods with modern approaches. The region’s high altitude and volcanic terrain provide ideal conditions for quality harvests, and through these efforts, its long-overlooked agricultural potential is being rediscovered. Projects carried out with an ecological production mindset demonstrate that high-quality organic farming is possible in Central Anatolia. At the same time, growing awareness of agrotourism, environmentally conscious production, and sustainable living is opening new paths for women entrepreneurs in the region and giving fresh momentum to rural development.

Places to visit in Kayseri

Kayseri, the third largest city in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia Region, has numerous historical sites, natural beauties and, of course, a distinctive cuisine!

Historical places in Kayseri

Let’s start exploring this city of history, with its magnificent routes and historical treasures!

Kayseri Clock Tower

Erected in 1906, the Kayseri Clock Tower isn’t the city’s oldest structure, but it is a notable landmark. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk often addressed the people of Kayseri from the adjacent Republic Square.

Kayseri Castle and Walls

Originally erected during the Roman era, the Kayseri castle and city walls were rebuilt by the Anatolian Seljuks. Repaired twice more in subsequent years, the castle and the city walls are an integral feature of the old city center.

Döner Kümbet (Rotating Cupola)

The Döner Kümbet, one of the most important buildings in Kayseri, dates from the Seljuk period. The structure was built in 1289 in the name of Princess Shah Cihan Hatun, the daughter of Alaeddin Keykubat, and features gorgeous stone reliefs that include the double-headed eagle, lions and the tree of life – though these carvings have worn down over time. Set in the Talas district, the Döner Kümbet is about a 10-minute walk from the city center.

Kurşunlu Mosque

The stately Hacı Ahmet Pasha Mosque, also known as the Kurşunlu Mosque, was erected by the renowned Ottoman-era architect, Mimar Sinan – who was born in Kayseri. The mosque features beautiful kalem işi (chisel work) as well as the lead dome that gives the building its name(kurşun means lead).

Atatürk House Museum

With typical architectural characteristics of the Late Ottoman Period, this 19th-century building hosted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his delegation in 1919. The house was opened as a museum in 1983 and features a wax statue of Atatürk as well as photographs taken during his visit to Kayseri.

Gevher Nesibe Hatun Medical Madrasa

Commissioned in 1206 by Seljuk Sultan I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev in the name of his sister, Gevher Nesibe Hatun, the Gevher Nesibe Medical Madrasa is regarded as one of the earliest medical schools in the modern sense, even a prototype of research hospitals, with its “double madrasa” architecture that combined theoretical medical education with a functioning hospital. This institution was not only a center of medical instruction but also one of the richest examples of the period’s healthcare practices, medical culture, and the “şifahane” (healing house) tradition. The corridor connecting the madrasa and hospital sections stands as physical proof that theory and practice were carried out side by side. The inscription on the monumental portal explains the building’s date and founding purpose, while the snake motif there indicates early international medical symbolism. Within the complex, the tomb where Gevher Nesibe Hatun was laid to rest now serves as the Seljuk Civilization Museum, conveying not only the history of medicine but also the era’s art, literature, and scientific outlook to visitors. In short, this structure in Kayseri holds a special place in history as a multifaceted “külliye” (a Turkish mosque complex) that advanced its time, both architecturally and medically, and united health and education under a single vision.

Kayseri’s natural beauties

Kayseri stands out with natural beauties as well as historical sites. Keep reading to discover more…

Sultan Sazlığı National Park

Sultan Sazlığı National Park is set between Develi and Yeşilhisar districts and offers a superb experience with views of Mount Erciyes emerging from behind the marshes. To date, more than three hundred species of birds have been identified in Sultansazlığı National Park, which is located at an intersection point for bird migration routes.

Erciyes Ski Center

About 25 kilometers from the Kayseri city center is the Erciyes Ski Resort, a popular winter destination for local and foreign tourists. The resort offers comprehensive facilities along with magnificent snowy landscapes and is often preferred due to its proximity to Cappadocia.

For information on other ski areas in Türkiye, just click on Winter is wonderful at ski resorts in Türkiye!

Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls

Somewhat farther from the Kayseri city center are the Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls. About 165 kilometers from the center, Kapuzbaşı consists of seven waterfalls in various sizes. This peaceful area is particularly popular in summer and spring for activities such as nature walks and picnics.

Dining in Kayseri

We cannot leave Kayseri without sampling its legendary cuisine! Kayseri is especially famous for its pastırma (cured spiced beef) and mantı (ravioli), of which it is said that the dumplings should be small enough so that forty can fit into a single spoon.

• Kayseri mantısı (tiny dumplings filled with meat or vegetables and served with yoghurt)
• Kayseri yağlaması (this interesting dish consists of several layers of thin pizza-like dough with meat toppings)
• Pastırma (spiced beef or buffalo meat, air-dried and cured)
• Pöç kebabı (oxtail kebab)
• Kayseri tiridi (phyllo dough stuffed with shredded meat and a special sauce.)
• Çiriş (a type of wild asparagus.)
• Örgülü pilav (rice in a latticed pie crust)
• Tahinli yaprak sarması (stuffed vine leaves with tahini)
• Katmer (fried, flaky layered bread)
• Çemenli ekmek (fenugreek bread)
• Aside tatlısı (a dessert made with molasses, flour and butter)

Information on Kayseri 

After reading about Kayseri’s attractions and cuisine, we’d like to offer some tips to help you plan your trip to Kayseri. Check out accommodation and transportation options!

To book flights and accommodations easily and quickly, check out Turkish Airlines Holidays holiday packages. With these tailored holiday packages, you can easily arrange your trip and  focus on Kayseri fun! 

Getting from Kayseri Airport to the city center

Kayseri Airport is about 5 kilometers from the city center. After booking a flight ticket and landing in Kayseri, you can get to the city center via HAVAŞ airport buses or municipal buses, as well as airport taxis that serve 24/7. In addition, car rentals and private transfer services are available. 

Have a nice trip!