Things to Do in Konya

A large, grassy mound at Konya's historic core. The park surrounds the crumbling Alaeddin Mosque (built 1220), with terraces offering sweeping views of the city and the surrounding plains. Shady benches and tea gardens dot the slopes.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Bring water and a picnic. The best viewpoint is behind the mosque's east side. In spring, the wildflowers are dense. The nearby tea shop sells cay for 10 lira.

A historic village 8 km northwest of Konya, once home to a Greek Orthodox community. Rock-hewn chapels, a Byzantine church (Aya Elenia), and old stone houses line the narrow valley. The village museum is in a restored schoolhouse.

🕐 Open 24 hours (church open daily 09:00-17:00)

💡 Take bus #65 from the city centre (10 lira). Visit the church of Aya Elenia—entry is free, but donations welcome. The village has a couple of cheap lokanta (eateries) serving gözleme. Best in late afternoon for light.

The former lodge and tomb of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic. The museum holds his sarcophagus, manuscripts, and musical instruments used in whirling ceremonies. Atmospheric courtyard with fountains.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00, closed Mon

💡 Entry costs under £3. Arrive before 10am to avoid tour groups. The museum is closed on Mondays. Photography is allowed outside but restricted inside the tomb chamber.

Compact but well-curated museum displaying artefacts from Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Roman sarcophagi, and Seljuk ceramics. Highlights include a stunning Roman mosaic floor and a reconstructed Bronze Age burial. Good contextual panels in English.

🕐 Tue-Sun 08:30-17:30, closed Mon

💡 Entry costs about £1.20. The museum is very quiet—you may have the galleries to yourself. Photos without flash allowed. The garden has a few original stone carvings. Closed Mondays.

A restored 13th-century Seljuk mosque and theological school. The building features intricate tilework, a carved wooden pulpit, and a peaceful inner courtyard. Small but atmospheric, with rotating exhibitions on local craft.

🕐 Tue-Sun 08:30-12:00, 13:00-17:00, closed Mon

💡 Entry costs around £1.50. The guide on site (often in Turkish only) is knowledgeable. Combine with a walk down Mimar Sinan Caddesi for antique shops. Closed midday for prayer.