Zara

Day Trips

Land at Sivas airport and take a scenic drive to Zara, soaking in the Anatolian landscape. Settle into a traditional stone guesthouse in the heart of town, feeling the warm hospitality of local hosts. Stroll along the winding cobblestone streets to get your first impressions of Zara’s authentic atmosphere.

Head to the Zara Ethnography Museum to uncover artifacts that tell the story of the region’s diverse cultures. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a family-run lokanta, sampling freshly baked pide and hearty çorba. Wander through the bazaar stalls, admiring handmade textiles, copper wares, and local honey for sale.

Watch the sun dip behind the red-hued hills while sipping tea in a riverside café overlooking the Çaltıcak Creek. Savor a traditional dinner featuring succulent lamb kebabs and locally harvested vegetables. Join a small-group folk music performance in a cozy courtyard, immersing yourself in Sivas region’s musical heritage.

Set off early to Zara Castle, perched atop a rocky hill overlooking the town, exploring its weathered fortress walls. Marvel at the intricate stonework and imagine the medieval sentries scanning the horizon for distant travelers. Capture panoramic photos of the valley below as golden rays of dawn illuminate the ancient ramparts.

Descend into the castle grounds and wander along hidden staircases leading to secret chambers and cisterns. Enjoy a picnic lunch amid blooming wildflowers at the base of the fortress walls. Learn about the site’s Byzantine and Seljuk influences from a knowledgeable local guide.

Return to town for a leisurely stroll through the old quarters, where wooden balconies and rustic doorways evoke centuries-old stories. Dine at a family-run restaurant specializing in mezes and succulent grilled vegetables. Spend the night sampling locally distilled rakı with newfound friends under a star-filled sky.

Drive out to the renowned Kangal Fish Springs, famed for their therapeutic benefits and friendly Garra rufa fish. Dip your feet into the mineral-rich waters, letting dozens of tiny fish nibble away dead skin for an invigorating sensation. Soak in open-air thermal pools surrounded by rolling hills and chirping birds.

Warm up with a leisurely lunch prepared by a nearby local family, featuring trout fresh from the Kangal River. Savor the tranquility of the pastoral setting as you sip hot herbal tea. Take a guided walk around the spring’s marshes to spot migratory waterfowl and wildflowers.

Head back to Zara as the sky turns crimson, reminiscing about an afternoon of natural healing. Attend a hands-on pottery workshop where you shape clay using techniques passed down through generations. Share dinner around a communal table, savoring stuffed vine leaves and sweet baklava for dessert.

Embark on a guided hike through the Gökırmak Canyons, tracing the river’s turquoise ribbon past dramatic limestone cliffs. Listen to the echoes of rushing water as you approach hidden grottoes and small cascades. Pause to photograph shafts of light filtering through the overhanging trees and mossy boulders.

Pause for a riverside picnic of gözleme stuffed with spinach and cheese, washed down with freshly pressed pomegranate juice. Wade into shallow pools for a refreshing dip under the midday sun. Continue your hike to the famous Kırıkkale Waterfall, marvelling at its multi-tiered streams and rainbows.

Relax by a campfire set up in the canyon clearing, toasting fragrant pine cones for warmth. Enjoy a simple dinner of slow-cooked beef stew served in earthenware bowls. Retire to your riverside bungalows to the gentle lullaby of flowing water.

Visit the nearby village of Kızılburun to observe artisans weaving kilims on traditional looms. Engage in a hands-on weaving demonstration, learning to knot colorful wool threads into geometric patterns. Wander through the terraced fields, greeting farmers tending to grazing sheep.

Share a home-cooked lunch with a villager’s family, featuring yogurt soup and freshly baked simit. Try your hand at making homemade cheese and sampling it warm with a drizzle of local olive oil. Explore the village’s mosaic of sunbaked adobe houses and centuries-old walnut trees.

Return to Zara to watch a traditional shadow play performance depicting folk tales. Feast on mantı dumplings with tangy yogurt sauce, finishing with slices of honey-soaked künefe. Sip apple tea by lantern light and listen to elders recount mythical legends beneath starlit skies.

Journey to Divriği, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to marvel at its 13th-century Great Mosque and hospital complex. Study the exquisitely carved stone facades, where arabesque motifs and calligraphic panels blend seamlessly. Meet a local historian who shares insights into the site’s medieval patronage and restorative efforts.

Enjoy a packed lunch under the shade of ancient plane trees in the mosque courtyard. Explore the adjacent hospital compound, noting its innovative water channels and patient rooms carved into bedrock. Browse the museum kiosk for replicas of intricate stone reliefs and Seljuk-era prayer rugs.

Return to Zara as the sky glows peach at sunset, reflecting on architectural marvels. Dine at a riverside terrace, sampling regional specialties like eggplant kebab and zesty gavurdağı salad. Conclude the evening with a Turkish coffee reading session, seeking auspicious symbols in dark grounds.

Depart early for the Göksu Valley, where towering cliffs envelop a pristine river known for its emerald hue. Follow a narrow trail carved into sandstone, marveling at rare orchids clinging to the canyon walls. Capture the morning light dancing across the rippling water.

Pause at a shaded grove for a packed lunch of freshly baked flatbread, assorted cheeses, sliced tomatoes, and olives. Continue hiking deeper to discover hidden cave dwellings once inhabited by hermit monks. Cool off with a swim in a secluded pool fed by an underground spring.

Return to Zara as dusk settles, watching bats emerge from rocky overhangs overhead. Savor dinner at a cozy taverna, where locally brewed beer complements a spicy bean stew. End the night with a slow walk along the cobblestone streets, the soft glow of lanterns guiding you home.

Drive to the tranquil shores of Hafik Lake, encircled by rolling hills and pine forests. Rent a kayak to glide across mirror-like waters, observing flocks of migrating ducks and swans. Stop at a small dock to photograph the mist rising off the lake at dawn.

Enjoy a lakeside picnic with smoked fish caught fresh that morning, served with crusty bread and garden salad. Rent a bike to circle the lake’s perimeter, passing through orchards heavy with ripe apples and cherries. Visit a local fish farm to learn about sustainable aquaculture practices.

Gather around a communal bonfire on the beach, roasting freshly caught trout over open flames. Indulge in sweet rice pudding flavored with pine honey, a regional delicacy. Lie back on blankets as you gaze at a canvas of stars, the lake’s surface reflecting the Milky Way.

Travel to nearby Sivas, the provincial capital, and begin at the historic Grand Mosque with its soaring minarets and ornate interior. Explore the vibrant Ulu Cami bazaar, where vendors sell everything from handwoven scarves to local spices. Sip a traditional Turkish coffee at a café that once hosted Atatürk.

Tour the Gök Medrese and Şifaiye Medrese, two architectural masterpieces of the Seljuk period. Sample local specialties like Sivas tava (pan-fried lamb) and unleavened çökelek patties at a family-run restaurant near the old city walls. Stroll through the Atatürk Congress and Ethnography Museum to learn about modern Turkish history.

Return to Zara as the city lights flicker on, reflecting on the day’s discoveries. Dine on hearty lentil soup and aromatic bulgur pilaf at a countryside inn. Share songs around an instrument circle, learning to play simple folk tunes on the bağlama.

Join a local cook in a sunlit kitchen to prepare traditional Anatolian dishes step by step. Learn to knead dough for gözleme, craft meat-filled sarma, and season vibrant mezze platters. Sample each creation warm from the hearth, savoring the depth of local spices.

Assemble picnic baskets with your homemade delicacies and head to a scenic overlook for an alfresco feast. Challenge friends to a friendly raki tasting, pairing the anise spirit with tangy dried mulberries and roasted nuts. Take a final stroll through Zara’s olive groves, gathering branches as souvenirs.

Return to the guesthouse courtyard for a grand farewell dinner under festoon lights. Enjoy a multi-course meal featuring all the dishes you’ve learned to prepare, accompanied by live folk dancers in vibrant costumes. Toast new friendships with glasses of homemade plum liqueur and bid Zara a heartfelt goodbye under a canopy of stars.