Konya is one of the oldest cities in the world and the spiritual heart of Türkiye. This is where Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273) lived, taught and was buried: the 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet whose message of love and tolerance reaches far beyond any one culture or religion. One of the most influential Sufi poets in history, he inspired the order of the whirling dervishes, founded by his son, and his city is still a place of pilgrimage for millions of people every year.
The Mevlana Museum
The Mevlana Museum is Konya's most visited sight and one of the holiest places in Türkiye. Rumi's tomb, covered with a gold-embroidered cloth, lies beneath the conical turquoise-green dome that has become the symbol of the city, in a hall decorated with calligraphy. The museum also displays original manuscripts, musical instruments, prayer rugs and Rumi's personal belongings. It remains a place of deep spiritual devotion, so visit quietly and respectfully.
At the time of writing (2026), the museum is open every day and entry is free. I cover it room by room in my guide to the Mevlana Museum.
The sema ceremony: the whirling dervishes
The sema is a meditation in motion. The dervishes whirl on the spot with their arms open: the right palm turned up to the sky to receive divine grace, the left turned down to pass it on to the earth. This 700-year-old ritual is inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In Konya, the ceremony takes place every Saturday at the Mevlana Cultural Centre. At the time of writing (2026) it starts at 19:00, but check the time before you go. In December, during the Mevlana Festival (7–17 December), which marks the anniversary of Rumi's death, there are special ceremonies with live musicians. Remember that the sema is a prayer, not a show: watch in silence and don't applaud.
More to see in Konya
- Karatay Madrasa: a 13th-century Quranic school with spectacular Seljuk tilework, now home to a collection of ceramics (the Karatay Tile Museum).
- Alaeddin Mosque: Konya's oldest mosque, on the hill at the centre of the city. Completed in the 13th century, it is one of the oldest Seljuk mosques in Anatolia.
- Çatalhöyük: 50 km from Konya, one of the oldest human settlements in the world (around 7400 BC) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Food in Konya
Konya has a cuisine all its own: etli ekmek (a long flatbread topped with minced meat, bigger than a lahmacun), fırın kebabı (lamb slow-roasted in the oven for hours) and bamya çorbası (okra soup). The city is also famous for its sweets.
Getting there
The quickest options are the high-speed train from Ankara (1 h 45 min) or a domestic flight from Istanbul to Konya Airport (KYA, about 1 h 20 min). By road, Konya is about 3 hours from Cappadocia and 4 hours from Antalya. Because it lies on the route between Cappadocia and the Mediterranean coast, it makes a natural stop on a tour of Türkiye: on my Classic Türkiye 10 Days tour, for example, it is the stop between Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
Practical tips
- How long to stay: a full day is enough for the essentials, and if you are here on a Saturday you can also see the sema.
- What to wear: Konya is one of the most conservative cities in Türkiye. Dress modestly, especially at the Mevlana Museum, where you take off your shoes before entering the mausoleum.
- December: the Mevlana Festival is the most memorable time to visit, but the city fills up with pilgrims, so book well ahead.