Konya: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: almost every historic monument in central Konya sits along a flat 1.2-kilometre boulevard connecting Alaeddin Hill to the Mevlana Museum, admission to the Mevlana Museum is completely free, authentic Whirling Dervish (Sema) ceremonies take place on Saturday evenings, and you can tap any contactless bank card on all trams and buses.

How Central Konya is Laid Out Along Mevlana Caddesi

Unlike hilly Anatolian towns, central Konya is pancake-flat, making it one of the easiest walking and cycling cities in Turkey (with over 600 kilometres of dedicated bike paths). The historic core is anchored at its western end by the circular prehistoric mound of Alaeddin Hill (Alaeddin Tepesi), ringed by the 13th-century Karatay Madrasa and İnce Minareli Madrasa. Running straight east from the hill for 1.2 kilometres is Mevlana Caddesi (served by the vintage nostalgic tram), passing through the restored Bedesten Bazaar, Kapu Mosque and Aziziye Mosque directly to the rose gardens of the Mevlana Museum and the Panorama Konya Museum. Eight kilometres north-west in the mountains lies historic Sille Village and the Tropical Butterfly Garden.

Respectful Etiquette & Alcohol Note

Because Konya is Turkey's spiritual Sufi heartland and a traditional Anatolian city, visitors are welcomed with extraordinary warmth and politeness. When visiting the Mevlana Museum and historic mosques, dress modestly covering shoulders and knees (scarves and long wraps are lent for free at the Mevlana entrance gate, and disposable plastic shoe covers are worn over your shoes inside the mausoleum). Note that traditional restaurants in the historic centre serve homemade foaming ayran, grape şıra and sherbets rather than alcohol; licensed bars and restaurants are found mainly inside four- and five-star hotels in Selçuklu and Meram.

Contactless Cards and Museum Pass Turkey

Contactless Visa and Mastercard cards work everywhere, including tram turnstiles and municipal buses. While the Mevlana Museum itself is free to enter for everyone, the Museum Pass Turkey covers Karatay Madrasa, İnce Minareli Madrasa, the Archaeological Museum and Çatalhöyük.