The Mevlana Museum and Sufi philosophy
Ask anyone about Konya, and chances are they’ll mention the Mevlana Museum first. The sacred space that contains Rumi’s final resting place will introduce you to Sufism with its language of love and philosophy of tolerance.
As you enter the museum, you’ll immediately feel its peaceful atmosphere. With its symbolic green dome and rich collection of artifacts, the tour offers both historical context and deeper insight into Sufi philosophy. If you visit in the evening, you may also witness a mesmerizing whirling dervish performance.
Got a bit of time? After your visit to the Mevlana Museum, proceed to the Panorama Konya Museum, which is located adjacent to it. While shedding light on the Sufi way of life, the museum also brings the historical texture of Konya into view.
Visitors can reach the Mevlana Museum in the Karatay district by taking the Alaaddin–Adliye tram line from the city center and getting off at the Mevlana stop.
Tuz Gölü: A calming, otherworldly experience
Tuz Gölü, the enormous Salt Lake of Turkey, which spans 12,000 square kilometers, creates an out-of-this-world atmosphere at first sight. As you walk across the lake, the sense of infinity and the crackling salt under your feet (in the dry months of July and August) create a stillness that settles in quietly.
The lake that makes you feel like you’ve landed in another world transforms its appearance, especially at sunrise and sunset. A stunning display of color, as shades of pink, red, and purple seem to move across the sky, will make you yearn to photograph its magnificence.
A little reminder: If you’re interested in seeing the lake’s flamingos, purchase your Konya flight tickets for a trip between April and November.
In order to reach Tuz Gölü, head out to the main bus station first, then take a shared taxi or a bus to Tuz Gölü from there.
Konya’s fırın kebab: Lamb at its best
The city of Konya presents itself as a historic architectural and cultural gem as well as a distinctive gastronomic center. While the local food tradition revolves around meat dishes, you should also try other authentic tastes like etli ekmek, tirit, and çebiç.
As the title suggests, the main focus of this article is fırın kebab. You won’t be able to get enough of the slow-roasted lamb, cooked for hours in its juices.
Let’s take a brief look at how the labor-intensive fırın kebap is made. Once the meat is prepared, it’s placed in a copper tray and slid into a stone oven, where it cooks slowly over oak wood for five to six hours. Since it’s roasted in an open tray, the meat is turned regularly to ensure it cooks evenly on all sides. When ready, it’s served with “tırnak pide” and raw onions on the side. You can find this signature dish across the city, but for an authentic experience, consider picking one of the locals’ favorite spots: Hacı Şükrü Fırın Kebap, Meşhur Kebapçı Dedeler, Gazyağcı Furun Kebabı, or Alibaba Fırın Kebap.
Don’t forget to order the essential local beverage, homemade ayran, along with your delightful fırın kebap!
A village story through time: Sille, just outside Konya
The past remains accessible to visitors who explore Sille Village during their visit to Konya. The Roman and Byzantine era stone houses, lining the village’s narrow streets, are a sight for sore eyes.
Sille Village is just ten minutes from the city center. Once you arrive, you can take a walk along the river, wander through the historical streets, and when you feel like resting, find a spot to try some of the local flavors. Like the rest of Konya, Sille holds tight to its tandır traditions. You’ll come across saç böreği, tandır ekmeği, and tandır böreği, or settle into one of the restaurants offering full menus of classic Konya dishes.
Every corner in Sille seems to carry a different story. If you’re planning a trip to Konya, make room for this village—it’s well worth it. To get there, hop on Bus 64 from the city center.
A fairytale world of color: The Tropical Butterfly Garden in Konya
Konya’s Tropical Butterfly Garden opened its doors in 2015, and since then, it’s become home to thousands of butterflies from 65 species, along with more than 20,000 tropical plants spanning 190 varieties. The atmosphere creates a magical effect that transports visitors into an otherworldly state. Step into the warm, humid air of Konya’s Tropical Butterfly Garden, Europe’s largest of its kind, where butterflies move gently around you almost like they’re dancing, and it feels like you’ve wandered into a rainforest.
The Garden consists of “Butterfly Flight Zone” and “Insect Museum”, two separate areas with carefully controlled climates, allowing visitors to see rare insects up close, i.e., species you wouldn’t normally encounter in everyday settings.
Buses 47 and 57 from the Kültürpark and Yazır departure stations can take you to the Tropical Butterfly Garden.
A Japanese Garden in the heart of Konya
The presence of a Japanese garden right in Konya’s active city center will leave you speechless. As per the “Sister City Protocol” between Konya Metropolitan Municipality and Kyoto Municipality, the Japanese Park that was built in 2010 brings aesthetics and zen philosophy to Konya.
The Japanese Park offers a fulfilling experience, including greenery arranged with care, a large pond, small bridges, a tea house, and bamboo water features. You can walk the grounds at your own pace, or sit quietly by the water and let the sounds guide you into a moment of calm.
If your visit falls in spring or summer, don’t forget your camera—the garden takes on a magical feel when the flowers are in bloom.
To get there, take the tram toward Selçuk University and get off at the Kyoto Japanese Park stop. It is across the street. You can also catch bus 44-D from just outside the Mevlana Museum.
Stepping Into the Neolithic: Çatalhöyük
Çatalhöyük, one of the world’s oldest and most significant human settlements, offers a glimpse into life nearly 9,400 years ago. The ancient mound gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012 and provides an exceptional chance to study the way ancient humans lived, from their religious practices to their daily routines, and the beginnnings of urban life.
As you explore the ancient site, you’ll see murals, goddess figures, and artifacts that bring the distant past into focus.
If you’re interested in archaeology and the history of mankind, Çatalhöyük belongs on your must-see list. You might also enjoy our piece on Mesopotamia and its Historical Sites, which sheds light on the earliest chapters of civilization.
The archaeological site of Çatalhöyük is situated in the Çumra district, about one hour drive from central Konya.
Konya Archaeology Museum: Traces of ancient civilizations
While exploring Çatalhöyük, it’s only right to mention the Konya Archaeology Museum, a place that holds some of the region’s most priceless pieces from thousands of years of civilization.
The Museum showcases an impressive collection of artifacts from thousands of years of history, from early settlements to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, depicting the versatile historical and cultural wealth of the region.
The collection shows how layered this region’s past really is. You’ll see things like sarcophagi, statues, mosaics, and even ordinary items people once used in daily life. It’s a way to step into how different civilizations lived, and how they left traces behind.
You can get to the museum by taking buses 115-A, 123-A, 25-A, or 45-A. The 150-A and 150-B tram lines will also take you there easily.
Aziziye Mosque of Konya: An unexpected take on Ottoman architecture
The Aziziye Mosque, dating from the 17th century, stands out with its exclusive architectural design. During its time, the mosque distinguished itself as it integrated Baroque architectural elements with its large windows and distinctive exterior details, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a magnificent work of art from its period.
The Aziziye Mosque, a must-visit spot during your Konya trip, is also close to the Mevlana Museum. The mosque can easily be accessed by buses 103-A, 14-A, 25-A, 41-A, 44-A, or the tram 150-A.
