Things to Do in Gülağaç: 7 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Gülağaç

• 1 Historic
• 3 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature

While you are in Gülağaç, you can also see the highlights of Aksaray province. These places are in other districts.

• Ihlara Valley — A canyon 14 km long and in places 100–150 metres deep, formed as the Melendiz Stream eroded the lavas of Mount Hasan; it begins at Ihlara and ends at Selime.
• Selime Cathedral — A cathedral carved into the rock in the village of Selime at the northern end of the Ihlara Valley, its interior divided into three naves by two rows of columns; it is the largest religious building in the valley.
• Sultan Han — A caravanserai in the Sultanhanı district, commissioned by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alâeddin Keykubad I and completed in 1229; its architect was Muhammed bin Havlan of Damascus.
• Ağzıkara Han — The covered section of the caravanserai in the village of Ağzıkarahan was completed in June 1231 and its courtyard in February 1240. The han, notable for its rich decoration, has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status as part of the "Seljuk Caravanserais on the Denizli–Doğubayazıt Route".
• Acemhöyük — A mound measuring 800 × 700 metres at Yeşilova, 18 km north-west of the city; an important trading centre that had its heyday in the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period (1950–1750 BC).
• Güzelyurt (Gelveri) — Gelveri, which means "beautiful water" in Greek, is associated with the name of Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Practical Information for Visiting Gülağaç

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

April–October

Places to visit

7 places

• 🏺

  Testi Kebabı

  Testi kebabı, prepared by baking lamb and vegetables in a clay pot (testi), is a signature dish of the Cappadocia region.

• 🥣

  Arabaşı Çorbası

  Arabaşı is prepared by adding a mixture of flour and yoghurt to chicken stock, and is the traditional winter soup of Gülağaç.

• 🥟

  Mantı

  Mantı, small pieces of dough filled with minced meat and cooked, is served with yoghurt and garlic sauce. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

• 🫓

  Tandır Ekmeği

  This traditional bread, baked in a clay tandır oven, is indispensable on village tables in Gülağaç.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gülağaç

• 🪨

  Kapadokya Kaya Kültürü

  Gülağaç is one of the important centres of Cappadocia's rock-cut settlement tradition. Açıksaray and the rock churches are witnesses to this unique culture.

• 🌋

  Volkanik Miras

  The tuff rocks formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Hasan have created a unique landscape that people have used as a living space for thousands of years.

• 🌾

  Kırsal Yaşam Geleneği

  A traditional rural way of life based on farming and livestock continues in Gülağaç.

Local Products

• Kabak Çekirdeği — Pumpkin seeds grown in Gülağaç are one of the region's important agricultural products. They are dried and eaten as a snack.
• Buğday — Wheat grown on the Gülağaç plain is the region's main agricultural product.
• Pekmez — Grape molasses (pekmez) is produced using traditional methods. It is consumed as an energy source in the winter months.

Economy

Gülağaç's economy consists of farming and tourism. Wheat, barley and pumpkins are grown on the plain. Açıksaray and the rock churches have tourism potential. Small livestock farming is an important source of income in rural areas. Its proximity to the Cappadocia tourism region contributes to the district's economic development.

How to Get to Gülağaç

Gülağaç is 25 km from Aksaray city centre and is reached by road. The district, located on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road, has regular minibus services from Aksaray. The nearest airport is Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (50 km).

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Aksaray

Gülağaç: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Gülağaç Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Aksaray The province's 15 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Aksaray

• Aksaray Central District 4 places Sultan Han, Grand Mosque and Eğri Minare
• Ağaçören 5 places Ağaçören Castle, Saratlı Yeraltı Şehri and Ağaçören Grand Mosque
• Eskil 8 places Tuz Lake, Eskil Castle and Tuz Gölü Flamingo Gözlem Alanı
• Güzelyurt 9 places High Church (Yüksek Kilise), Ihlara Valley and Güzelyurt Underground City
• Ortaköy 5 places Acemhöyük Mound, Ortaköy Castle and Ortaköy Grand Mosque
• Sarıyahşi 5 places Sarıyahşi Castle, Sarıyahşi Grand Mosque and Sarıyahşi Ovası
• Sultanhanı 3 places Sultan Han Caravanserai, Halı dokuma atölyeleri and Sultan Han