Call Us today On
0203 026 2440
Open today: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Konya is in the heart of the Anatolian plateau, 260km from Ankara and is one of Turkey’s oldest continuously inhabited sites.
Konya is in the heart of the Anatolian
plateau, 260km from Ankara and is one of Turkey’s oldest continuously inhabited
sites.
It is best known for its hand-woven
carpets/kilims. Surrounded by fertile agricultural land, farming, mining and
cattle-rearing are the chief occupations in the area. However its modern
economic boom has led it to becoming an important commercial centre. But
luckily the city derives considerable charm from this juxtaposition of old and
new.
It has been a place of national
pilgrimage (Mevlâna) for hundreds of years and is one of Turkey’s most religious
settlements. Konya city prospered in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries as
the capital of the Seljuk Turks and is
renowned the world over as the home of the sect of the Whirling Dervishes. The
population remains steeped in the old traditions with strong oriental links, a
lively bazaar and stunning architecture.
Many tourists just pass through Konya
on their way from the coast to Cappadocia, but it is well worth a stop off.
Konya enjoys a typical Mediterranean
climate with mild winters and hot summers. The average monthly temperatures
are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
15 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
26 |
30 |
34 |
33 |
31 |
27 |
22 |
17 |
|
Night |
6 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
16 |
19 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
You can easily get lost in history and
culture as you browse through Konya’s Bazaar. The narrow streets are crammed
with stalls and are divided up according to produce: one for rope, one for gold
jewellery, and one for mobile-phone accessories – even the modern era has
permeated the old bazaar.
But shopping isn’t all about bartering
in the bazaar. Konya also has many modern shopping malls selling elite Turkish
and International brands. They also house cinemas and restaurants.
Look out for the Afra Shopping Center,
Kulesite, M1 Tepe and the Kipa shopping centre to name but a few.
If you see anything in Konya it has to
be the Whirling Dervishes. This amazing site can normally be seen at the
Mevlâna Museum Dance Hall. December sees the annual festival of the Whirling
Dervishes.
The other evening entertainment in
Konya is mainly in restaurants and bars, or at the clubs. The main venues are
the Aquastic Rock Café and the Vatoz Pub and Café Zeugma is great for live
music.
If you prefer a quieter evening two
great venues to sit and chill with the locals whilst indulging in a bit of
people watching are Konya Fuari and Osmanli Çarşisi.
Once you have seen all the sights
afforded to you by Konya you will be ready to explore further afield. Below are
just a few of the nearby highlights that you may like to see during your stay.
·
Cappadocia
·
Çatal Huyuk
·
Tuz Gölü (salt lake)
·
Yerkopru Waterfall
·
Sultanhani Caravanserai
·
Ihlara Valley
·
Aksaray
·
Sille
·
Ilgin Thermal Baths
Although it won’t be of an
inconvenience to you, you should remember Konya’s long-standing reputation for
religious conservatism. In this city you’ll see more women in religious
headscarves than anywhere else and Friday is observed as a day of rest.
You are advised not to drink the tap
water but rather use bottled water which is widely available.
It is a safe city however you would
well advised to take the usual precautions with your valuables especially when
in crowded tourist areas.