Things to Do in Sultanhanı: 3 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Sultanhanı

• 1 Historic
• 2 Cultural

While you are in Sultanhanı, you can also see the highlights of Aksaray province. These places are in other districts; Sultanhanı is about 44 km from the provincial centre.

• 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.
• 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".
• Aşıklı Höyük — The mound near the village of Kızılkaya saw continuous settlement between 8200 and 7500 BC. The people of Aşıklı were among the first hunter-gatherers in the region to adopt settled life; humanity's transition from nomadism to settlement can be traced here.
• 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 Sultanhanı

Suggested time

1–2 hours

Best time to visit

All year round

Places to visit

3 places

• 🍖

  Aksaray Tava

  Tava, prepared by slow-cooking lamb in a clay vessel for a long time, is the best-known dish of Aksaray cuisine.

• 🏺

  Testi Kebabı

  Testi kebabı, the kebab cooked in a clay pot typical of the Cappadocia region, can be found in local restaurants.

• 🍽️

  Sultanhanı Aşı

  Chickpeas are soaked in water overnight and then cooked with bone-in lamb, and rice (zer pilav) is placed on top. It was once cooked in caravanserais for charity and distributed to those who came.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Sultanhanı

• 🐫

  İpek Yolu mirası

  The Seljuk caravan route between Konya and Kayseri is the reason for the district's existence.

Local Products

• El dokuması halı — Sultanhanı is a settlement known for carpet weaving.

Economy

The economy is based on farming, livestock, carpet making and tourism generated by the caravanserai.

How to Get to Sultanhanı

Sultanhanı is approximately 44 km from Aksaray city centre as the crow flies. The district lies on the Konya–Aksaray highway; it is about 40 km from Aksaray and about 110 km from Konya.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Aksaray

Sultanhanı: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Sultanhanı 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
• Gülağaç 7 places Açıksaray (Açık Saray) Harabeleri, Hasan Dağı Etekleri and Gülağaç Kaya Kiliseleri
• 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