Aksaray

Day Trips

Arrive in Aksaray and settle into your chosen accommodation, breathing in the city's warm air and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast of fresh bread, olives, cheeses and menemen at a local café while mapping out landmarks on your guidebook. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old quarter to get your first glimpse of Aksaray’s rich history.

Head to the Aksaray Archaeological Museum to admire ancient artifacts and learn about the region’s past civilizations. Wander over to the grand Ulu Mosque and explore its elegant Ottoman architecture, then browse the nearby bazaar stalls for handmade crafts and spices. Pause at a teahouse for a cup of apple tea, watching the lively foot traffic around the mosque square.

Dine at a family-run lokanta, savoring specialties like testi kebabı and gözleme under soft lantern light. Take an evening stroll along the Melendiz River, enjoying the reflection of the city lights on the water. End your night with a leisurely walk through the town center as local musicians fill the air with traditional tunes.

Begin your day with a hearty Turkish coffee before making your way to the Aksaray Castle ruins perched on a rocky hill. Explore the ancient fortifications, imagining soldiers standing watch over the city centuries ago. Enjoy panoramic views of Aksaray’s red-tiled roofs framed by distant mountains.

Descend to visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) in depth, taking time to admire its intricately carved stone portals and stunning calligraphy. Explore the adjoining courtyard, watching locals perform their prayers in the gentle light filtering through the arches. Stop at a nearby café for a light lunch of pide and ayran.

Head to a local tea garden where families and friends gather to chat as dusk falls. Sample sweet baklava paired with a strong Turkish tea while soaking in the communal warmth. Finish your evening with a moonlit walk back to your hotel, reflecting on the day’s historic wonders.

Travel to the lush Ihlara Valley, descending along a trail lined with fig and poplar trees. Listen to the soft rush of the Melendiz River below as you begin a gentle hike toward the frescoed rock-cut churches. Pause at a riverside picnic spot for fresh fruit and Turkish delight.

Arrive at the St. George Monastery carved into a towering cliff face and spend time marveling at its well-preserved Byzantine frescoes. Explore nearby cave chapels hidden among the rocks, imagining monks chanting within centuries ago. Afterwards, have lunch at Belisırma Village, sampling trout fresh from the river.

Return to Aksaray as the sun begins to set, casting warm hues across the valley. Enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner in a local family guesthouse, sharing stories with your hosts by candlelight. Unwind with a gentle stroll around your neighborhood, listening to the evening call to prayer echoing through the streets.

Head east to the ancient Roman-era site of Sobesos, admiring its intricate mosaic floors and crumbling baths. Wander between fallen columns and archways, picturing life during the height of the Severan dynasty. Snap photos of the picturesque ruins against the backdrop of rolling Anatolian plains.

Continue to Agzikarahan Caravanserai, one of the best-preserved Seljuk inns along the Silk Road. Explore its imposing stone walls, grand courtyard and vaulted chambers where travelers once rested. Have lunch under a shaded pavilion, sampling local lamb stew and gözleme.

Return to Aksaray as evening lights illuminate the city skyline. Visit a rooftop terrace restaurant for a view of the star-filled sky over the Anatolian steppe. Conclude your day with a warm cup of salep, letting its sweet aroma lull you into relaxation.

Set out early for the magnificent Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest medieval inn in Turkey, and explore its monumental portal and central courtyard. Imagine merchants and caravans bustling here centuries ago under the watchful gaze of Seljuk archers. Enjoy the morning sun as it filters through the massive stone arches.

Drive on to the charming village of Guzelyurt, formerly known as Gelveri, and wander through its stone mansions and hidden church caves. Visit the Church of St. Gregory and admire its Byzantine frescoes in vibrant colors. Sample a local gozleme made with hand-churned yoghurt for lunch in a cliffside café.

Before dusk, take a gentle hike to the nearby Love Valley for sweeping views of fairy chimneys bathed in golden light. Return to Aksaray and dine at a traditional kebab house, tasting şiş and iskender topped with fragrant spices. Cap the night off with a stroll through the illuminated old town lanes.

Travel to the subterranean labyrinth of Agacören Underground City and explore its hidden chambers, storage rooms and water wells carved deep into the earth. Feel a cool breeze as you descend, marveling at the ingenuity of its ancient builders. Tour the narrow passageways while a guide explains escape routes and defensive features.

Continue to the Soğanlı Valley, known for its scenic rock formations and cave churches. Enjoy a riverside picnic with local cheese, fresh bread and seasonal fruit. Hike between ancient monastic sites, peering into chapels adorned with faded frescoes.

Return to Aksaray at twilight, stopping at a village roadside stand for homemade baklava. Head to a local hammam for a relaxing bath and traditional scrub, washing away the day’s dust. Savor a cup of mint tea as you chat with fellow travelers in the hammam’s lounge area.

Begin with an early drive toward extinct Mount Hasan, gazing up at its snow-capped peaks if in season. Hike a section of the mountain trail, taking in alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers and sweeping views of Central Anatolia. Pack a light snack to refuel amid crisp mountain air.

Descend to the archaeological mound of Aşıklı Höyük, one of the oldest settlement sites in Anatolia. Wander among the excavation trenches, peering at Neolithic dwellings and prehistoric artifacts. Enjoy lunch at the onsite café, sampling gözleme made by local women’s cooperatives.

Return to Aksaray and visit a trendy café along the main boulevard, tasting artisanal coffees sourced from nearby regions. Watch the sun set behind the city silhouettes as the call to prayer begins. End your evening with a plate of künefe, soaking up its sweet cheese filling and crunchy semolina crust.

Drive north to the vast mirror-like expanse of Lake Tuz, one of the largest salt lakes in the world. Walk along the glistening salt flats, feeling the crunch underfoot and marveling at the pink-hued waters in summer. Capture stunning photos of the endless horizon reflected on the lake’s surface.

Head to nearby thermal springs famed for their soothing mineral-rich waters. Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking in outdoor pools and enjoying the warm, restorative heat. Treat yourself to a light lunch of gözleme served poolside, paired with a cool glass of local fruit juice.

Return to Aksaray for a relaxed evening meal at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Melendiz. Sample mezes like hummus, haydari and stuffed vine leaves while watching the gentle flow of the water. Stroll back through the softly lit streets as the city quiets down for the night.

Head back to the Güzelyurt area to further explore its hidden cave monasteries and empty chapels. Marvel at the faded frescoes and carved tombs set in honey-colored tufa stone. Enjoy a simple breakfast of fresh bread, cheese and olives at a cave café.

Make your way to Red Valley for an invigorating hike through bands of rose-colored rock and otherworldly formations. Pause for a picnic lunch amidst the vibrant cliffs, taking in panoramic views of the Cappadocian landscape. Descend along winding trails that reveal secret grottoes and pigeon houses carved into the cliff faces.

Return to Aksaray as dusk settles, opting for a dinner of testı kebabı cooked in a clay pot and cracked open tableside. Experience a local folk music performance in a traditional venue, feeling the rhythm of Anatolian strings and drums. Conclude the night with a gentle walk back to your lodging under a canopy of stars.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, sampling any local specialties you haven’t yet tried. Squeeze in final souvenir shopping at Aksaray’s markets, choosing handwoven textiles or jars of regional honey. Take time to breathe deeply and reflect on your ten-day journey through Anatolian history.

Visit a local pottery workshop for a hands-on demonstration, molding clay into traditional ceramics with the guidance of a master artisan. Have a final lunch of lentil soup and pide at a favorite neighborhood eatery, sharing memories with newfound friends. Return to your accommodation to pack and prepare for departure.

Head to the bus station or airport for your onward journey, carrying the warm hospitality of Aksaray with you. Sip on a last cup of tea as you bid farewell to the city’s ancient streets and scenic valleys. As the sun sets behind the Anatolian plateau, plan your next visit already unfolding in your mind.