Konya is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities, lying at the heart of the Anatolian plateau at 1,016 m elevation. It served as the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum (1077–1307) and is revered worldwide as the birthplace and final resting place of the 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi. The Mevlana Museum — one of Turkey's most-visited sites — draws pilgrims and curious travellers alike to its turquoise-tiled dome. Beyond spiritual tourism, Konya offers an extraordinary concentration of Seljuk monuments, a lively bazaar district, and a regional cuisine famous for etli ekmek (elongated meat-topped flatbread) and firin sut (baked milk dessert). As a conservative, predominantly religious city, Konya offers a glimpse of traditional Anatolian life rarely found in Turkey's coastal resorts.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Rumi calligraphy and art prints
Framed calligraphy of Rumi's poetry in Ottoman script; a meaningful gift. Buy from reputable art shops near Mevlana Museum, not cheap plastic versions.
Price: 200–2,000 TRY (~$6.06–$60.61 USD)
Where: Art shops on Mevlana Square; Bedesten bazaar
Dervish figurines and Sema gifts
Ceramic or fabric whirling dervish figures; prayer beads (tespih). Abundant near Mevlana Museum.
Price: 50–500 TRY (~$1.52–$15.15 USD)
Where: Souvenir shops, Mevlana Square
Lokum (Turkish delight)
Konya produces excellent rose-water and pistachio lokum. Buy from established confectionery shops for quality.
Price: 100–300 TRY/500g (~$3.03–$9.09 USD)
Where: Güvenç Kuruyemiş (Alaeddin Bul.), bazaar shops
Handwoven Konya kilims
Geometric-pattern flat-weave rugs from Konya's villages; lighter than knotted carpets and easier to transport. Authentic kilims have hand-spun wool and natural dyes.
Price: 1,500–15,000 TRY (~$45–$454 USD) depending on size
Where: Bedesten Bazaar, reputable carpet shops
Çerez (mixed nuts and dried fruit)
Konya's bazaar sells excellent quality pistachios, dried apricots, figs and mulberries from the surrounding region.
Price: 100–400 TRY/kg (~$3.03–$12.12 USD)
Where: Güvenç Kuruyemiş; Bedesten bazaar
Seljuk ceramic replica tiles
Reproductions of the stunning Seljuk turquoise tilework seen in Karatay Medrese. Quality varies; museum shops at Karatay and Ince Minare sell best versions.
Price: 200–1,500 TRY (~$6.06–$45.45 USD)
Where: Museum gift shops; Mevlana Square souvenir shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Karatay Pazar (Saturday Market)
Fresh produce, spices, olives, cheeses, herbs, seasonal fruit
Where: Karatay district
Hours: Saturday 07:00–14:00
Bedesten Covered Bazaar
Carpets, kilims, lokum, spices, textiles, copper goods
Where: City centre, Karatay
Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–19:00