Why We Love Konya, Türkiye

Many travellers break up the trip from Turkey’s turquoise coast to the otherworldly Cappadocia with a stop in Konya. However, we reckon Konya is a destination in its own right. Here are a few of our favourite things about this ancient and spiritually significant city.

Mevlana Mausoleum

Be moved by the tomb of Rumi, the 13th century mystic and poet whose writings have had impacts across the globe. Both the inside and outside of the mausoleum and museum are visually stunning, and you can’t help but feel the spiritual importance of the place where Rumi was laid to rest.

Whirling Dervishes

Witness the mysticism of the Sufi practice of whirling, an order of Islam that originated in Konya.

Traditional Turkish Culture

Other than passersby, Konya receives less mainstream tourism than other parts of the country, so you can experience a more traditional Turkish city.

For Lovers of Architecture

Konya offers a range of examples of Islamic and Ottoman architecture, and is a photographers dream. Be sure to visit Alaeddin Mosque, construction of which began in 1116 and took over a century to complete.