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11 places to visit in the Hacıbektaş district of Nevşehir: Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum and Complex, Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum and Hacı Bektaş Veli Tomb. Plan your trip to Hacıbektaş with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Hacıbektaş is a district of Nevşehir province and one of the important centres of Cappadocia. Its area is 750 square kilometres, and the average elevation of its centre is 1,288 metres above sea level. In the 13th century, after the Turkish thinker Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli came from Nishapur in Khorasan to Anatolia and settled at Suluca Karahöyük, the appearance of a village of seven households changed.

History

In 1541, Hacıbektaş became a sub-district centre attached to Niğde. In 1854, it became a town with a municipal organisation. On 1 January 1948, the Hacıbektaş sub-district, attached to the Mucur district of Kırşehir province, gained district status. In 1954, with the abolition of Kırşehir province and Nevşehir becoming a province, Hacıbektaş district was attached to Nevşehir province.

Education and Culture

Hacı Bektaş Veli’s views on education led to a fondness for education in the district. In the centre are the Hacı Bektaş Veli Cultural Centre, the Hacıbektaş Hermitage and the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, which are visited by Turkish and foreign tourists.

History and Culture

Hacıbektaş became a sub-district centre attached to Niğde in 1541, and a town in 1854 with the establishment of a municipal organisation. It became a district on 1 January 1948 from a sub-district attached to the Mucur district of Kırşehir. It was attached to Nevşehir province in 1954, when Kırşehir province was abolished. After the death of Hacı Bektaş-i Veli, the village was renamed Hacıbektaş in respect of his memory. Artefacts from the Karahöyük excavations are displayed in the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. As part of the campaign launched for the 100th anniversary of Atatürk’s birth, the literacy rate in the district reached 100%.

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Places to Visit in Hacıbektaş

  • 6 Religious
  • 2 Museum
  • 1 Cultural
  • 2 Other

Religious Buildings 6

Religious

Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum and Complex

The complex containing the Tomb of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli and related buildings, used as a museum by the Ministry of Culture.

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Religious

Hacı Bektaş Veli Tomb

The tomb within the complex houses the sarcophagus of Hacı Bektaş Veli. Its tile decorations and spiritual atmosphere welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

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Religious

Balım Sultan Tomb

The tomb of Balım Sultan, regarded as the second spiritual leader of the Bektashi order, is located near the complex. The building dates from the 16th century and is one of the important visiting points of Bektashi tradition.

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Religious

Bektaş Efendi Tomb

Located in the city centre, it is listed among the places to visit by the municipality.

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Religious

Kadıncık Ana Tomb

It is among the places to visit in the city centre; Atkaya and Hamurkaya also appear on the list.

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Religious

Hacıbektaş Hermitage (Deliklitaş)

An Alevi faith and pilgrimage site. It is believed that Hacı Bektaş Veli occasionally retreated into seclusion (halvet) in a cave called Deliklitaş.

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Museums 2

Museum

Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum

A museum displaying ancient artefacts from the Karahöyük excavations.

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Museum

Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum

It appears on Hacıbektaş Municipality's list of places to visit in the city centre.

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Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Ozanlar Path

Listed in the Çilehane section; the list also mentions Aşık Veysel, Yunus Emre and Pir Sultan Abdal.

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Other Places 2

Other

Beştaşlar

It appears on the municipality's list of places to visit and is described as being 5 km from the city centre.

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Other

Dedebağ Archaeological Site and Picnic Area

A site and picnic area 1.5 km from the city centre, listed on the municipality's list of places to visit.

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Places to Visit Around Nevşehir Province

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

  • Göreme Open-Air Museum — An open-air museum made up of rock-cut monasteries and churches, famous for its Byzantine frescoes of the 10th to 12th centuries; the Dark Church, the Apple Church and the Snake Church are the main buildings.
  • Uçhisar Castle — A natural fortress at Uçhisar with hundreds of rooms carved into the rock; it is one of the highest points in Cappadocia, and the whole region can be seen from its summit.
  • Derinkuyu Underground City — A multi-storey underground city carved into the rock, 30 km from Nevşehir, with ventilation shafts, stables, wine workshops, churches and doors closed by rolling stones; it was discovered in 1963 and opened to visitors in 1967.
  • Kaymaklı Underground City — An underground city at Kaymaklı thought to have eight storeys, four of which are open to visitors; it has been open to visitors since 1964.
  • Zelve Open-Air Museum — An abandoned rock village spread across three valleys on the slopes of Aktepe, 5 km from Avanos; it was an important monastic centre in the 9th to 13th centuries, and people lived here until the 1950s.
  • Paşabağ (Monks Valley) — On the road to Zelve, one of the most photogenic spots in Cappadocia, with mushroom-shaped, multi-headed fairy chimneys.

Practical Information for Visiting Hacıbektaş

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
August (Commemoration Ceremonies), spring to autumn
Places to visit
11 places

What to Eat in Hacıbektaş

Food guide →

  • Hacıbektaş Mantısı (handmade dumplings)

    Prepared by stuffing small pieces of hand-rolled dough with minced meat and boiling them. Served with garlic yoghurt and a butter sauce.

  • Arabaşı Çorbası (thick chicken and flour soup)

    A thick soup made with chicken broth and flour, the traditional flavour of Hacıbektaş's winter tables.

  • Aşure (Ashure, sweet grain dessert)

    Prepared with wheat, chickpeas, dried beans, dried fruit and walnuts, aşure is traditionally cooked in Hacıbektaş, especially during the month of Muharram, and distributed to neighbours.

  • Hacıbektaş Tava

    It appears in Hacıbektaş Municipality's 'Our local dishes' list.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Hacıbektaş

  • Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies

    Held every year from 16 to 18 August, the commemorative ceremonies draw hundreds of thousands of Alevi-Bektashis from Türkiye and around the world to Hacıbektaş. Semah performances, concerts and cultural events last for three days.

  • Alevi-Bektashi Culture

    As the centre of the Alevi-Bektashi faith, Hacıbektaş keeps alive the philosophy of 'loving people'. Hacı Bektaş Veli's teaching 'Own your hand, your tongue and your waist' carries a universal message of peace.

Local Products

  • Hacıbektaş Stone (Onyx) — Onyx extracted around the district is used to make prayer beads, vases and decorative objects. With its green and brown tones, it is a valuable craft material.
  • Hacıbektaş Pekmezi (grape molasses) — Pekmez made from grapes grown in the region by traditional methods is a source of energy for the winter months.

Economy

Hacıbektaş's economy is based on tourism, agriculture and crafts. Visitors to the Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex bring significant tourism income to the district. Onyx stone craftsmanship continues as a traditional craft. Cereal cultivation and livestock farming are also sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Hacıbektaş

Hacıbektaş is 45 km from Nevşehir and 45 km from Kırşehir. Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport is 75 km away. Regular minibus services run from Nevşehir and Kırşehir.

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Hacıbektaş: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Hacıbektaş?

The 11 highlights of Hacıbektaş: Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum and Complex, Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, Hacı Bektaş Veli Tomb, Balım Sultan Tomb, Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum, Bektaş Efendi Tomb, Kadıncık Ana Tomb, Hacıbektaş Hermitage (Deliklitaş), Beştaşlar, Dedebağ Archaeological Site and Picnic Area and Ozanlar Path.

What should I eat in Hacıbektaş?

Hacıbektaş Mantısı, Arabaşı Çorbası, Aşure and Hacıbektaş Tava are the standout dishes on the tables of Hacıbektaş.

What is Hacıbektaş famous for?

Hacıbektaş is known for Hacıbektaş Stone (Onyx) and the Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies. Onyx extracted around the district is used to make prayer beads, vases and decorative objects.

How do I get to Hacıbektaş?

Hacıbektaş is 45 km from Nevşehir and 45 km from Kırşehir. Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport is 75 km away. Regular minibus services run from Nevşehir and Kırşehir.

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

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: August (Commemoration Ceremonies), spring to autumn.

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