Things to Do in Kaman: 7 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kaman

• 2 Historic
• 3 Nature
• 2 Attraction

1 🌳 Nature

Hirfanlı Dam

A dam built on the Kızılırmak River for electricity generation and irrigation.

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2 🏛️ Historic

Kaman-Kalehöyük Archaeology Museum

A museum established by the Japanese Anatolian Research Institute, exhibiting finds from the Kaman-Kalehöyük excavations. Remains of seven civilisations, from the Hittite, Phrygian, Roman and Ottoman periods, are held here. The oldest steel sample in the world was discovered here.

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i Photo: Hajo-Muc (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source

3 🏛️ Historic

Kaman-Kalehöyük Mound

A multi-layered archaeological site 100 km south-east of Ankara and 6 km from Kaman district centre, showing uninterrupted traces of settlement from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period. It has been excavated by Japanese archaeologists since 1986.

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4 📸 Attraction

Japanese Garden

A Japanese garden beside the Kaman-Kalehöyük Archaeology Museum, laid out as a symbol of Turkish-Japanese friendship. Designed in traditional Japanese garden style, it is a popular spot for photography.

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5 🌳 Nature

Kaman Cevizli Hot Springs

A thermal spring near the district, known for its healing waters, which are believed to help rheumatism and skin conditions. The spa facilities serve visitors.

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6 📸 Attraction

Japanese Garden (Mikasanomiya Memorial Garden)

A memorial garden opened in 1993, described as the largest Japanese garden outside Japan.

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7 🌳 Nature

Hirfanlı Dam Lake

The reservoir of the dam, used for electricity generation and irrigation.

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While you are in Kaman, you can also see the highlights of Kırşehir province. These places are in other districts; Kaman is about 48 km from the provincial centre.

• Cacabey Madrasa — A Seljuk madrasa built in 1272 by Nureddin Cibril bin Cacabey, governor of Kırşehir; it was also used as an observatory where astronomy was taught.
• Kaman Kalehöyük — A mound 3 km east of Kaman, 280 metres across and 16 metres high, excavated since 1986 by the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology.
• Ahi Evran Complex — The tomb and mosque of Ahi Evran (1171–1261), founder of the Ahi guild organisation; as the spiritual centre of the Ahi tradition, it hosts commemorative events during Ahi Week every year.
• Âşık Paşa Tomb — The tomb of Âşık Paşa, the 14th-century poet and mystic born in Kırşehir; the author of the Garipnâme, he is one of the first great poets of Anatolian Turkish.
• Lake Seyfe Bird Sanctuary — A shallow, salty tectonic lake of about 15 km², 35 km east of Kırşehir; it is an important wetland where flamingos and many migratory bird species stop over.
• Terme and Karakurt Hot Springs — Hot-water springs near the city centre, in use since the Roman period; they are visited in the belief that they are good for rheumatism and skin complaints.

Practical Information for Visiting Kaman

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn months (April–May, September–October)

Places to visit

7 places

• 🥜

  Kaman Cevizi Tatlıları (walnut desserts)

  Baklava, walnut sucuk and walnut lokum made with Kaman's famous walnuts, the best-known desserts in the district.

• 🍲

  Keşkek (wheat and meat dish)

  Keşkek made by boiling and pounding cracked wheat with meat for a long time, the traditional dish of wedding and Bayram feasts. Indispensable at wedding feasts, it is prepared in a spirit of community.

• 🥣

  Tarhana Çorbası

  Tarhana made by drying yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour, an indispensable winter soup in Kaman.

• 🍽️

  Kaman Cevizi (Kaman walnut)

  The walnut, an important part of the district's economy, which is known by the district's name.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kaman

• 🇯

  Turkish-Japanese Cultural Cooperation

  Excavations at Kaman-Kalehöyük have been carried out since 1986 by the Japanese Anatolian Research Institute. This long-running archaeological partnership has made Kaman an important centre of Turkish-Japanese cultural relations.

• 🌰

  Walnut Festival

  The Kaman Walnut Festival, held every autumn, is full of events celebrating the walnut harvest. Walnut competitions, food festivals and cultural shows are held during the festival.

Local Products

• Kaman Besmeç — Kaman Besmeç was registered as a protected geographical indication on 30 December 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1306). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Kaman Municipality.
• Kaman Cevizi (Kaman walnut) — Kaman Walnut was registered as a protected designation of origin on 9 December 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 624). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Kaman District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Economy

Kaman's economy rests on farming and livestock. Walnut production is the district's most important source of income, and Kaman walnut is a geographically indicated product. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are other important crops. The district has potential for thermal tourism.

How to Get to Kaman

Kaman is 48 km from Kırşehir city centre and 137 km from Ankara. The Ankara–Kırşehir road passes through the district. Intercity bus services run regularly.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Kırşehir

Kaman: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kaman Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Kırşehir The province's 8 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Kırşehir

• Kırşehir Central District 9 places Cacabey Madrasa, Ahi Evran Complex and Tomb and Kırşehir Castle
• Akçakent 5 places Akçakent Castle Ruins, Akçakent Plateau and Akçakent Central Mosque
• Akpınar 4 places Akpınar Natural Springs, Akpınar Mound and Akpınar Central Mosque
• Boztepe 4 places Boztepe Castle Ruins, Kızılırmak Valley and Boztepe Tombs
• Çiçekdağı 6 places Çiçekdağı Castle, Seyfe Lake Bird Paradise and Çiçekdağı Grand Mosque
• Mucur 7 places Mucur Obruğu (sinkhole), Seyfe Lake and Mucur Hot Springs