Aksaray · 23 Places · Best May-June and September-October
Aksaray is a province in Central Anatolia (İç Anadolu), Turkey, on the southwestern edge of the Cappadocia region. It is best known for the Ihlara Valley, a 14-kilometre canyon lined with Byzantine rock-cut churches and frescoes, the towering Selime Monastery, and the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest Seljuk han in Turkey. With the volcanic cone of Hasan Mountain on the horizon, the salt expanse of Lake Tuz to the north, and Göreme roughly an hour east, Aksaray serves as an uncrowded gateway to Cappadocia.
Aksaray stretches across the high, dry plains of Central Anatolia, framed by the extinct volcano Hasan Dağı (about 3,268 m) and bordered to the north by Lake Tuz (Tuz Gölü), Turkey's second-largest lake and a major salt source. The province sits at the quieter, western entrance to Cappadocia, around an hour by road from Göreme and Nevşehir. Its signature sight is the Ihlara Valley, a deep gorge carved by the Melendiz River and honeycombed with rock-cut churches, leading to the cliffside village of Belisırma and the immense Selime Monastery. Aksaray also holds the 1229 Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest surviving Seljuk han in Turkey, the Greek-heritage town of Güzelyurt (Gelveri), and the Aksaray Museum, known for its mummies and Ihlara-valley finds. Travellers come for canyon hiking, Byzantine and Seljuk history, volcanic landscapes, and a slower, less touristed taste of Cappadocia.
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The 23 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
A roughly 14-kilometre volcanic canyon cut by the Melendiz river through soft tuff on the slopes of Hasan Mountain, dotted with more than a hundred rock-cut Byzantine churches. A famous stepped descent of about 360 steps leads from the main entrance near Ihlara town down to the shaded river path that winds past chapels toward Belisirma and Selime. It is one of the largest canyons in the world and the headline attraction of Aksaray province.
The largest rock-cut religious complex in Cappadocia, carved into the tall fairy-chimney cliffs at the northern, Selime end of the Ihlara Valley. Often called Selime Cathedral, it spreads over multiple levels with a basilica-style church, a kitchen, stables and living quarters honeycombed through the rock. The cinematic landscape around it has drawn comparisons to film sets and is reached at the downstream finish of the valley walk.
The largest Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey, built in 1229 under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I on the old trade road between Aksaray and Konya. Its monumental carved marble portal opens to a vast walled courtyard with a raised mosque kiosk at its centre and a covered winter hall beyond, restored after a fire later in the 13th century. The roadside town of Sultanhani grew up around it about 40 kilometres west of Aksaray.
The provincial archaeology museum, opened in its purpose-built home in 2014, best known for housing Turkey's only dedicated mummy section. Its galleries display finds from Asikli Hoyuk, Acemhoyuk and the surrounding region, alongside roughly a dozen mummified humans, babies and even a cat recovered from the rock churches of the Ihlara and Cappadocia area, mostly dated between the 10th and 13th centuries. The earlier collection began in the nearby 1336 Zinciriye Medrese.
Aksaray's signature city-centre landmark, a tall 13th-century minaret of red brick that leans noticeably from foundation settlement, earning it the nickname 'Aksaray's Leaning Tower of Pisa'. Built during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, it stands beside the small Red Minaret Mosque and was secured with steel ties in the 1970s to halt its lean. It remains the most photographed monument in the provincial capital.
The great congregational mosque of Aksaray, with origins in the Karamanid and early Ottoman period and decoration characteristic of the post-Seljuk beylik era, its present form generally dated to the early 15th century. Inside, a finely carved wooden minbar (pulpit) is among the most prized examples of Anatolian woodwork. It anchors the historic core of the city alongside the bazaar.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Grand Altuntaş Hotel is the largest upscale hotel in Aksaray city centre, a modern high-rise on Ihlara Caddesi with a restaurant, indoor pool, spa, and hammam. It is the most prominent full-service business and leisure hotel in the provincial capital and a comfortable base for exploring Ihlara, Sultanhanı, and Cappadocia by road.
Check rates on Booking.comAhsaray Hotel is a comfortable 4-star hotel on the E-90 highway edge of Aksaray, offering a restaurant, fitness centre, hammam, and sauna. With easy parking and the city centre within a short drive, it suits drivers using Aksaray as a touring base for the Ihlara Valley and the wider Cappadocia region.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Çakıroğlu Hotel is a central Aksaray city hotel within walking distance of the bazaar and roughly 800 metres from the Aksaray Museum. It offers a restaurant, 24-hour reception, and currency exchange, making it a convenient and well-located mid-range choice for travellers exploring the provincial capital.
Check rates on Booking.comNenes Hotel is a 4-star property in Aksaray, a short distance from the Egri Minare landmark and a convenient drive from the Ihlara Valley. It offers a restaurant, terrace, free private parking, and free WiFi, and is well rated by travellers for comfortable rooms and a quiet location away from the busiest streets.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
A riverside trout restaurant in Belisırma village at the base of Ihlara Valley, where tables sit right along the stream that runs through the gorge. The kitchen keeps the menu narrow, built around trout pulled from the same waters and served simply grilled. It's an open-air, seasonal setup geared toward hikers finishing the valley walk rather than an evening destination.
One of several small trout houses along the river in Belisırma, distinguished by cooking trout in a tomato-based sauce rather than only grilling it. Portions are simple and homestyle, aimed at valley walkers stopping to eat rather than diners seeking a polished setting. Seating is streamside and casual, similar to its Belisırma neighbors.
A casual dining spot on Bankalar Caddesi in central Aksaray serving regional Turkish dishes with a focus on kebabs cooked in local styles. The name ("somine" means fireplace) reflects a warm, sit-down room aimed at locals and business lunches in the city center rather than tourists passing through. It's a straightforward, everyday restaurant rather than a scenic destination.
A no-frills lokanta-style eatery in Aksaray Merkez serving grilled meats and a Turkish breakfast spread aimed at locals rather than visitors. The setting is functional rather than atmospheric, oriented around quick turnaround for street-side or working-class custom.
A restaurant near Ihlara Kasabası, at the opposite end of Ihlara Valley from Belisırma, catering to the steady flow of visitors who walk or bus in to see the gorge. Its menu covers the same regional staples found across the valley's restaurants — trout, mantı, and gözleme — served in a tourist-facing, scenic setting rather than a purely local one.
A kebab lokanta on Atatürk Caddesi in central Aksaray's Cumhuriyet neighborhood, focused on grilled meats served in the direct, no-frills style typical of a kebap salonu. It functions as an everyday eating spot for residents rather than a tourist stop.
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Aksaray is reached primarily by road and long-distance bus. Rental car is strongly recommended for independent exploration of the Ihlara Valley, Selime, Sultanhanı, and Lake Tuz.
Daily spend by tier in TRY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₺700 (≈$15) | ₺2,000 (≈$43) | ₺5,500 (≈$120) |
| Food (per day) | ₺350 (≈$8) | ₺900 (≈$20) | ₺2,000 (≈$43) |
| Transportation | ₺200 (≈$4) | ₺450 (≈$10) | ₺1,000 (≈$22) |
| Activities | ₺150 (≈$3) | ₺350 (≈$8) | ₺700 (≈$15) |
| Daily total | ₺1,400 (≈$30) | ₺3,700 (≈$80) | ₺9,200+ (≈$200+) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Turkey.
May and September offer the most comfortable temperatures for the Ihlara Valley walk and outdoor exploration. Lake Tuz is most dramatic July-September when the salt crust forms and flamingos breed.
Carry a copy of your passport and keep the original secure in hotel accommodation
Save the number 112 in your phone before entering rural areas
Carry bottled water and snacks when walking the Ihlara Valley — there are no vending points inside the gorge between the main stairway and Belisırma
Wear sturdy shoes with ankle support on the Ihlara Valley trail and Güzelyurt Monastery Valley walks
Do not enter the Ihlara Valley after heavy rain — check at the ticket booth about water levels
Tell hotel reception where you plan to hike each day, especially for Hasandağı summit attempts
Dress modestly near mosques, conservative villages, and when entering the market bazaar in Aksaray
Aksaray follows Turkey's national entry rules, as Turkey is not part of the Schengen Area. Many EU nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, while citizens of many other countries can apply online for an e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr before travelling. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the official e-Visa portal or a Turkish consulate before your trip.
The Ihlara Valley is about 40 km south of Aksaray city. Local dolmuş minibuses run from Aksaray to Ihlara village at the canyon entrance, though service is more frequent on weekdays than Sundays. Many visitors hire a taxi or rent a car for flexibility, which also makes it easy to combine the valley with Belisırma village and the Selime Monastery.
Aksaray is known for hearty Central Anatolian cooking. Local specialities include Aksaray tulum kebab, traditionally cooked by shepherds around Hasan Mountain, and Hasan Mountain testi (pottery) kebab, in which lamb is sealed in a clay pot that is broken open at the table. Other regional dishes include mantı, couscous dolma, soğanlama, and desserts such as höşmerim and sarığıburma.
The top attractions in Aksaray are the Ihlara Valley with its Byzantine rock-cut churches, the cliffside Selime Monastery, the 13th-century Sultanhanı Caravanserai (the largest Seljuk han in Turkey), the Aksaray Museum with its mummies and Neolithic finds, and Lake Tuz, Turkey's great salt lake. The historic Greek town of Güzelyurt and nearby Cappadocia make excellent additions.
