Karaman · 22 Places · Best April-June and September-October
Karaman is a historic city and province in south-central Turkey, celebrated as the birthplace of written Turkish and the seat of the powerful Karamanoğulları dynasty that ruled much of Anatolia from the 13th to the 15th century. Ringed by the Taurus Mountains to the south and the volcanic Karadağ plateau to the north, the province combines medieval fortresses, Byzantine rock-cut monasteries, and Seljuk caravanserais with sweeping steppe landscapes, cherry orchards, and sugar-beet fields that define the Anatolian interior.
Karaman sits at the crossroads of the Anatolian plateau and the Taurus Mountains in south-central Turkey, a city shaped by a succession of Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, Karamanoğlu, and Ottoman rulers who each left monuments that can be explored in a single compact historic core. The Karamanoğulları principality made history in 1277 when Mehmed Bey issued a decree mandating Turkish as the language of administration — an act that earned Karaman the title 'birthplace of written Turkish'. The 14th-century Hatuniye Madrasa, the Yunus Emre Mosque and tomb, and the medieval castle all stand within easy walking distance. Beyond the city, the province rewards the curious with Binbirkilise on the Karadağ volcanic plateau, where over a thousand ruined Byzantine church bases stud the landscape; the İvriz Rock Relief, a 3,000-year-old Luwian carving; and the cliff-monastery of Alahan perched high on the Taurus escarpment. The province remains well off the main tourist routes, offering authentic encounters with Anatolian life, remarkably well-preserved history, and the famously sweet Karaman cherries and dried apricots.
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
This is a small 14th-century madrasa built under the Karamanid beylik, with a domed tomb chamber attached where Nefise Sultan, a woman of the ruling Karamanid family, is buried. The building marks the transition from Seljuk to Karamanid stonework in the region, and its scale reflects its original function as a place of Islamic study rather than a congregational mosque.
Karaman Castle sits on a hill at the center of the city and was rebuilt in stages by Byzantine, Seljuk, and Karamanid rulers before serving Ottoman garrisons. Its layout includes an inner citadel ringed by an outer defensive wall, and the site marks Karaman's long run as a regional capital, first as Byzantine Laranda and later as the seat of the Karamanid beylik.
Binbirkilise is a spread-out field of Byzantine church and monastic ruins across the slopes of the extinct Karadağ volcano, occupied from roughly the 4th to the 11th century. It was one of the densest concentrations of early Christian building activity in central Anatolia, though only a fraction of the structures locals count in the name actually survive as standing ruins today, and none have been reconstructed.
Carved directly into a rock face near a spring, this relief dates to the 8th century BC and shows the Neo-Hittite king Warpalawas of Tuwana standing before the storm god Tarhunza, who holds grain and grapes as symbols of fertility. It is one of the best-preserved Luwian rock carvings from the post-Hittite kingdoms of southern Anatolia and gives a rare look at how these successor states depicted royal and divine authority side by side.
Alahan is a 5th-century Byzantine monastic complex built into a hillside along the old road linking Karaman to Mut, with two churches, a courtyard, and carved reliefs of apostles and animals on its surviving doorways. It functioned as a working monastery rather than a pilgrimage shrine, and its remote hillside position is part of what kept its stonework relatively intact compared to Byzantine sites nearer major towns.
This mosque and tomb complex in Karaman honors Yunus Emre, the 13th-14th century Turkish poet and mystic whose verses on divine love remain widely read in Turkey today. Karaman is one of several places that claims to hold his actual burial site, a dispute that has never been definitively settled, and the local complex reflects the town's own long-standing claim to that legacy.
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.
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Book a food tour in Karaman We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Karaman has no commercial airport; the nearest is Konya Airport (KYA), roughly 103 km north. The city is well served by intercity coaches from Konya, Ankara, Adana, Mersin, and Istanbul. TCDD trains also connect Karaman with Konya and Adana. Within the city, minibuses (dolmuş) and taxis cover local routes; car rental is recommended for visiting outlying sites like Binbirkilise and İvriz.
Daily spend by tier in TRY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₺490 (approx $13) | ₺1,480 (approx $40) | ₺4,440 (approx $120) |
| Food (per day) | ₺330 (approx $9) | ₺815 (approx $22) | ₺1,850 (approx $50) |
| Transportation | ₺145 (approx $4) | ₺370 (approx $10) | ₺740 (approx $20) |
| Activities | ₺85 (approx $2) | ₺295 (approx $8) | ₺740 (approx $20) |
| Daily total | ₺1,050 (approx $28) | ₺2,960 (approx $80) | ₺7,770+ (approx $210+) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Turkey.
Spring (April-May) brings blossoming orchards and mild temperatures perfect for exploring archaeological sites. The renowned Karaman cherry harvest in June draws domestic visitors. Early autumn (September-October) offers warm days, lighter crowds, and comfortable temperatures for Taurus Mountain hiking. Summer can be hot (up to 35°C), particularly in the sheltered valley around the city. Winter brings cold, occasionally snowy days that limit outdoor site access.
Wear sturdy footwear when visiting Karaman Castle and hill sites; surfaces are uneven
Carry cash as smaller restaurants, bazaar stalls, and rural sites may not accept cards
Drive cautiously on mountain roads to Alahan Monastery and Binbirkilise, especially in wet weather
Dress modestly when visiting mosques and madrasas: cover shoulders and knees
Save Turkey's emergency number 112 and carry water in summer heat
Entry requirements follow Turkey's national rules. Citizens of the USA, Canada, UK, EU member states, and many other countries enter Türkiye visa-free for tourism stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, while nationals of around 40 other countries must obtain an e-Visa online in advance at evisa.gov.tr. Check current requirements for your nationality and ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Karaman has no commercial airport. The nearest is Konya Airport (KYA), approximately 103 km north, from which a taxi or shuttle takes about 1.5 hours. Intercity coaches connect Karaman with Konya (1.5 hrs), Ankara (5 hrs), Adana (3 hrs), and Istanbul (11 hrs) from the city otogar on Konya Caddesi. TCDD trains also run between Karaman and Konya and Adana.
Karaman is celebrated as the place where Turkish was first used as an official administrative language, earning it the title 'birthplace of written Turkish'. It is also famed for the Karamanoğulları dynasty, whose mosques and madrasas define the city's medieval character; for the Binbirkilise Byzantine ruins on the Karadağ plateau; and for Karaman cherries and dried apricots, among Turkey's finest.
The top attractions include the Hatuniye Madrasa, Karaman Castle, the Yunus Emre Mosque and tomb, and the Karamanoğulları Museum in the city centre. Outside the city, the Binbirkilise ruins on Karadağ, the İvriz Rock Relief near Ereğli, and the Alahan Monastery on the Taurus escarpment are the most significant sites.
