Things to Do in Altunhisar: 6 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Altunhisar

• 4 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature

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

• Gümüşler Monastery — In the town of Gümüşler, 10 km north-east of Niğde, one of the largest rock monasteries of Cappadocia, carved into a great mass of tuff; with its central courtyard, church and well-preserved 10th-century Byzantine frescoes, it was declared a protected site in 1973.
• Alaeddin Mosque — A Seljuk mosque inside Niğde Castle, built in 1223 by Zeyneddin Beşare Bey for Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I; with its richly carved portal and its mihrab, it is the symbol of the city.
• Ak Madrasa — A two-storey madrasa built in 1409–1410 during the reign of the Karamanid Sultan Alaeddin Ali Bey II, known for its white stone and richly decorated portal; today it is used as a museum.
• Hüdavent Hatun Tomb — An octagonal tomb built in 1312 for Hüdavent Hatun, daughter of the Seljuk Sultan Rükneddin Kılıçarslan IV; it is regarded as one of the most elegant tombs in Anatolia.
• Niğde Castle — A castle on the hill where old Niğde was founded, thought to have foundations from very ancient times and repaired in the Seljuk period; the Alaeddin Mosque stands inside it.
• Tyana (Kemerhisar) — An ancient city at Kemerhisar, in the district of Bor, whose Hittite name was Tuwanuwa; Roman-era aqueducts and the remains of a pool are still standing.

Practical Information for Visiting Altunhisar

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn

Places to visit

6 places

• 🥟

  Altunhisar Mantısı

  Mantı made from small hand-rolled pieces of dough filled with minced meat and boiled.

• 🥣

  Tarhana Soup

  A soup made from tarhana, a dried mixture of yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour.

• 🥔

  Potato Kebab

  Potatoes grown in the region, baked in the oven with minced meat and onion. Prepared by local people for special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Altunhisar

• 🏰

  Golden Castle Legend

  The name of the district, meaning 'Altın Hisar' (Golden Castle), is believed to derive from the castle having been built of golden-coloured stones.

• 🌾

  Farming Culture

  Farming has been the basic livelihood in Altunhisar for centuries. The cultivation of potatoes and grain defines the economic identity of the district.

Local Products

• Altunhisar Potatoes — Potatoes grown in volcanic soil. They are the most important agricultural product of the district.
• Altunhisar Wheat — Wheat grown on the district plain, an important grain product of the region.

Economy

Altunhisar's economy is based on farming. Potatoes, wheat and barley are the main agricultural products. Livestock farming is also one of the traditional sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Altunhisar

Altunhisar is 30 km from Niğde. Kayseri Airport is 160 km away. There are regular minibus services from Niğde.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Niğde

Altunhisar: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Altunhisar Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Niğde The province's 10 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Niğde

• Niğde Central District 5 places Niğde Castle, Alaeddin Mosque and Niğde Museum
• Bor 9 places Tyana (Kemerhisar) Ancient City, Bor Castle and Bor Grand Mosque
• Çamardı 7 places Aladağlar National Park, Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls and Demirkazık Mountain
• Çiftlik 5 places Mount Hasan (Hasan Dağı), Çiftlik Plain and Çiftlik Historic Mosque
• Ulukışla 7 places Bolkar Mountains, Çiftehan Hot Springs and Ulukışla Railway Station