The Hittites, Romans, Seljuks, and Ottomans played roles in Konya’s rich history, but Turkey’s sixth-largest city is best known as a spiritual center and religious powerhouse. Deeply conservative yet surprisingly modern, Konya is home to the Sufi sect with its Whirling Dervishes and thousands of mosques, museums, and monuments. Whether you’re a devout pilgrim or a curious traveler, attending a Sema ceremony and visiting the tomb of Mevlana are the most popular things to do in Konya, followed by a day trip to the UNESCO-listed Çatalhöyük archeological site.
While summer is peak season, Konya is hot and humid in July and August, and most mosques and museums lack air-conditioning. If you can, opt to visit in the cooler spring or fall months. Alternatively, the most magical time to visit is in December for the annual Mevlana Festival, commemorating Rumi’s death with 10 days of festivities and whirling dervish ceremonies leading up to December 17.
Downtown Konya is easy to explore on foot, and most central sights can be reached on a walking tour. However, you’ll soon start clocking up the miles in this sprawling city, so make the most of the two tramlines or hop on a dolmus (minibus) if you get tired. For trams, you can buy a prepaid travel card or pay directly with your contactless credit card; for the dolmus, you need cash.
Konya’s cuisine is as rich and varied as its history. Thanks to the Konya Gastro Festival in September, the city is becoming a foodie destination. Head to Mithat Tirit to sample tirit kebab (made with lamb, vegetables, and broth-soaked bread), or book a table at Sultan Somati to taste traditional Ottoman dishes. Other must-try dishes include etli ekmek (pizza-like flatbread topped with minced meat), bamya corbasi (okra soup), and hosmerim (sweet cheese and semolina dessert).
