TR RU

9 places to visit in the Göksun district of Kahramanmaraş: Binboğa Mountains, Kapıçam Nature Park and Göksun Castle. Plan your trip to Göksun with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Göksun is a district of Kahramanmaraş province.

History

Göksun’s known history goes back to the Assyrian and Neo-Hittite periods. It was attached to Kahramanmaraş province in 1908, and the district municipality was also founded in 1908. During the Dulkadiroğulları Principality (1337–1515), Göksun became one of the most important centres of the Dulkadiroğulları.

Geography and Economy

Göksun apple is famed for its distinctive aroma. The main agricultural products are wheat, sugar beet, beans, chickpeas, apples and grapes. Thanks to the dual carriageway that opened on 7 November 2020, the distance between Göksun and Kahramanmaraş has been considerably reduced.

Archaeology

Archaeological work at Kırıkkilise, Kazandere, Hacıkodal and other settlement areas in Göksun has revealed many remains from the Hittite period, including mounds, rock tombs, temples and altars.

History and Culture

Göksun was attached to Kahramanmaraş province in 1908. In 1515 it was incorporated into Ottoman territory after the Battle of Turnadağı. Göksun lies on one of the north–south transit routes of Anatolia.

Highlights

Göksun’s former name appears in Roman, Byzantine and Crusader sources in forms such as Cocusus and Cocussos. In the 16th century, Göksun was used as a summer pasture by tribes belonging to the Dulkadirli Confederation.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Göksun

  • 4 Historic
  • 3 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature

Historic Sites 4

Historic

Göksun Castle

Built in the Roman period, the castle stands on a hill overlooking the Göksun Plain. It was also used in the Byzantine and Seljuk periods.

View on map
Historic

Taşoluk

A neighbourhood 5 km from Göksun town centre, which is a 1st-degree protected site.

View on map
Historic

Aybastı Castle

A castle at the midpoint of the Hançer Canyon, 35 km from the district centre.

View on map
Historic

Mounds in and around Göksun

Numerous mounds from the Hittite period are found in and around Göksun.

View on map

Ancient Cities 3

Ancient City

Kızılkale

A castle from the Roman period in Fındıklıkoyak neighbourhood, 12 km from the district centre.

View on map
Ancient City

Villa Rustika

The ruins of a villa on Hacıyusuflu hill in Temurağa neighbourhood. They were uncovered as a result of illegal excavation.

View on map
Ancient City

Hamamgözü

An ancient city ruin 25 km from the district centre, between Küçükçamurlu neighbourhood and Büyükkutu Mezrası.

View on map

Natural Wonders 2

Binboğa Mountains - Göksun Photo: hüseyin yeşil (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Nature

Binboğa Mountains

Mountains in the north-east of Göksun district.

View on map
Kapıçam Nature Park - Göksun Photo: Kırımlı46 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Kapıçam Nature Park

Kapıçam Nature Park, north of Göksun, is covered with cedar and black pine forests. It offers walking trails, picnic areas and camping facilities.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Kahramanmaraş Province

See all →

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

  • Maraş Ice Cream — Ice cream made with goat's milk, salep and sugar and given its texture by pounding with iron paddles; it is firm enough to be cut with a knife.
  • Kahramanmaraş Castle — A castle measuring 150×75 metres on an artificial mound in the city centre, thought to have been built between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD; it has been repaired many times and offers the widest view of the city.
  • Grand Mosque and Stone Madrasa — The Grand Mosque, thought to have been built in 1496 by Alaüddevle Bey according to its inscription, and the Stone Madrasa beside it date from the Dulkadirid period.
  • Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum — First established in 1947, the museum displays works from the Palaeolithic to the Byzantine period, Late Hittite stelae, finds from Domuztepe, mosaics from Germanicia and the skeleton of an Anatolian elephant.
  • Ashab-ı Kehf Complex — 7 km north-west of Afşin, this place is regarded as the cave in which the story of the Seven Sleepers is set; from the 13th century a complex of a mosque, ribat and caravanserai was built in place of a church dating from 466. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2015.
  • Germanicia Ancient City — A Roman and Byzantine city lying beneath the present-day city; it is known for its villa mosaics with hunting scenes and geometric patterns, uncovered in excavations in the Dulkadiroğlu district.

Practical Information for Visiting Göksun

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Summer months
Places to visit
9 places

What to Eat in Göksun

Food guide →

  • Göksun Mantısı

    Small pieces of dough filled with minced meat and boiled, Göksun mantısı is served with yoghurt and a butter sauce.

  • Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt and grain soup)

    Tarhana made with yoghurt, wheat and vegetables is the soup most eaten in Göksun on cold winter days.

  • Göksun Apple

    An apple grown among the district's main agricultural products, known for its distinctive aroma.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Göksun

  • Mountain and Highland Pasture Culture

    Göksun is a mountain town set at the foot of the Binboğa and Tahtalı mountains. Migration to the highland pastures and livestock farming traditions shape the district's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Göksun Apple — Apples grown in Göksun's cool climate, known for their firm, aromatic character. Starking and Golden are the most widely grown varieties.

Economy

Göksun's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Apples, walnuts and grain are the main agricultural products. Livestock farming and forestry are also important sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Göksun

Göksun is 75 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus services run from Kahramanmaraş and Kayseri.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Kahramanmaraş

Göksun: Frequently Asked Questions

What is worth seeing in Göksun?

The 9 leading places in Göksun: Binboğa Mountains, Kapıçam Nature Park, Göksun Castle, Taşoluk, Aybastı Castle, Kızılkale, Villa Rustika, Hamamgözü and Mounds in and around Göksun.

What is there to eat in Göksun?

Göksun Mantısı, Tarhana Çorbası and Göksun apples are the standout foods on Göksun's tables.

What is Göksun famous for?

Göksun is known for Göksun Apple and Mountain and Highland Pasture Culture. Apples grown in Göksun's cool climate are known for their firm, aromatic character. Starking and Golden are the most widely grown varieties.

How do I get to Göksun?

Göksun is 75 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus services run from Kahramanmaraş and Kayseri.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Göksun?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months.

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Kahramanmaraş

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.