Konya
This curious museum contains the legacy of railway inspector Izzet Koyunoğlu who built up his esoteric collection of rare, er, collectables on his travels…
Must-see attractions in Central Anatolia
Central Anatolia
Opened in 2019, this small museum, directly opposite Tokat Museum, focuses on the history of the city. Unfortunately there are no English explanations…
Safranbolu
Inside the mustard-yellow Eski Hükümet Konağı (old government building), on a hill overlooking the town, this small museum has a collection of…
Central Anatolia
Unfortunately locked on our last visit, the brick-and-wood Sulu Han is very dilapidated but is worth a peek inside if it's open to see its turquoise and…
Central Anatolia
Although the interiors here aren't as interesting as in neighbouring Sipahioğlu Konağı, it's well worth paying another ₺2 to see, as owner Filiz Teyze …
Central Anatolia
Divriği's castle, sitting high on the craggy mountainside above town, was built by the Seljuks in the 13th century. The ruins can't be entered due to…
Central Anatolia
The vast majority of this 37,000-hectare national park is still largely undiscovered by tourism. Spots that have been developed include the small Ilıca…
Ankara
At the sprawling 3rd-century Roman Baths ruins, the layout is still clearly visible; look for the standard Roman apoditerium (dressing room), frigidarium …
Central Anatolia
South of Nasrullah Bridge on Cumhuriyet Caddesi, turn right after Gazi Paşa school to reach the restored 1870 Liva Paşa Konağı, with its upstairs salons…
Ankara
At the southern end of Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi, Kuğulu Parkı is a leafy oasis with a fountain-spouting pond ringed by cafes and garden beds of pansies. On…
Central Anatolia
On the hill to the north of Sille stands the tiny Küçük Kilese. The chapel has been fully renovated and is now home to the Zaman Müzesi (Time Museum) with…
Safranbolu
The pretty Tokatlı Canyon is prime picnicking territory for Turkish families in summer, with a wooden walkway meandering down into the shady canyon depths…
Central Anatolia
Tokat's 5th-century castle was restored during the Seljuk and Ottoman eras but little remains today except the fine view. To get here, take the road…
Ankara
In the heart of the city, Gençlik Parkı has a lake and fountains (lit up after dark), colourful flower beds and plenty of space for kids to run about. It…
Ankara
The Alaettin Cami is the oldest mosque in Ankara, dating from the 12th century, but has been extensively rebuilt. Another full restoration was ongoing in…
Central Anatolia
About 250m south of the lower city and temple ruins the road forks; take the right fork and follow the winding road up the hillside. On your left in the…
Central Anatolia
The Yaşayan ('Living') Museum is dedicated to preserving and educating visitors on the customs, arts and crafts of Turkey. The rooms, in a restored…
Konya
Sponsored by the Seljuk vizier Bedreddin Muhlis, the 13th-century Sırçalı Medrese was named after its tiled exterior. Inside, in the courtyard, some of…
Central Anatolia
This Ottoman-era han (caravanserai), with its timber and white-plaster facade, is still used as shop space for traders. Inside plenty of spice sellers…
Tombs of Mythridates III & Pharnaces I
Amasya
Turn left at the Pontic tombs ticket office and then through a tunnel carved into the cliff to these unfortunately rather graffiti-covered tombs where the…
Amasya
The Gümüşlü Cami (1326) is the earliest Ottoman mosque in Amasya, but has been rebuilt several times: in 1491 after an earthquake, in 1612 after a fire,…
Central Anatolia
Two blocks south of Cumhuriyet Meydanı, the 19th-century Latifoğlu Konağı is a fine example of baroque architecture in the Ottoman style. The rooms have…
Ankara
The huge outline of Kocatepe Cami is the symbol of Ankara. It is one of the world's largest mosques but it is also a modern addition, built between 1967…
Amasya
This early Ottoman mosque (1419) follows a twin-domed plan that was a forebear in style to the famous Yeşil Cami in Bursa. Colourful painted stalactite…
Central Anatolia
The enormous 16th-century Ottoman Deveciler Hanı is one of Tokat's finest caravanserais. A long restoration of the building has finished and although its…
Tombs of Mythridates I, Ariobarzan & Mythridates II
Amasya
The tombs of the first three kings of the kingdom of Pontus are the most impressive in the cliff face, though up close there's nothing much to see. Climb…
Konya
This stately mosque, with its huge dome and intricately carved minber (pulpit), dates from the 14th century, but is built on the site of an earlier 12th…
Central Anatolia
Past the fruit-and-vegetable market's squiggle of streets, directly across from the Taş Han, is the Meydan Cami and vaulted Gülbahar Hatun İmareti dating…
Central Anatolia
Follow the signs from the central square on Cumhuriyet Caddesi to the Saat Kulesi from where there are excellent panoramic views over the red roofs of…
Central Anatolia
Atatürk once visited this grand building in its former incarnation as Kastamonu's town hall. It then became a wonderfully atmospheric hotel but since its…
Central Anatolia
The 16th-century Takyeciler Cami features the nine-domed style of great Ottoman mosques. Heading up Sulusokak Caddesi from GOP Bulvarı, it's just after…
Ankara
Located in an old train depot, this huge artists' park and gallery exhibits modern and challenging art from across Europe, plus there's an excellent cafe…
Central Anatolia
As you climb out of Boğazkale to the site, an evocative reconstruction of a section of city wall comes into view allowing you a sense of what the…
Amasya
This one-room museum in the grounds of the Sultan Beyazit II Cami is home to a recreation of Amasya in miniature that is a hit with visiting local…
Central Anatolia
Upon the top of this rock outcrop are the remains of the Yenıce Kale, which may have been a royal residence or small temple. You can climb to the summit…
Ankara
This huge modern mosque, with a capacity of up to 7000 worshippers, was built in 2017 in traditional Ottoman style. It's a major landmark on Atatürk…
Central Anatolia
At Nişantaş a rock with a faintly visible Hittite inscription cut into it narrates the deeds of Suppiluliuma II (1215–1200 BC), the final Hittite king.
Konya
The little-visited Ethnographic Museum has a good collection of Ottoman craftwork although some of the exhibits do look a little dusty and unloved.
Amasya
Built in the early 16th century, the Hatuniye Cami sits snug within the row of restored Ottoman houses of Amasya's Hatuniye neighbourhood.
Central Anatolia
In the adjoining garden of this small 17th-century mosque are five graves, including that of the mosque's founder Haji Agha Mustafa Bey.
