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Central Anatolia Region
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Explore Central Anatolia for Cappadocia valleys, Seljuk cities, ancient settlements, plateau landscapes and distinctive Turkish cuisine.

Central Anatolia is the geographical heartland of Türkiye, a broad high plateau extending from Ankara and Eskişehir towards Konya, Cappadocia, Kayseri and Sivas. Its landscapes are defined by open steppe, wheat fields, volcanic mountains, salt lakes and deeply eroded valleys. The region can feel spacious and austere, yet its historic cities and sheltered valleys contain some of the country's most concentrated artistic and archaeological treasures.
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Ankara, the national capital, combines republican architecture and museums with the remains of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman settlement. To the south, Konya is closely associated with the Mevlevi tradition and the poet and mystic Mevlânâ Jalâleddîn Rûmî. Eskişehir has a younger, university-oriented atmosphere, while Kayseri lies beneath Mount Erciyes and retains an important commercial and Seljuk legacy. Sivas, Niğde, Aksaray and Karaman add further layers of caravan routes, mosques, theological schools and provincial urban life.
The most internationally familiar landscape is Cappadocia, centred on Nevşehir and extending into neighbouring parts of Aksaray and Kayseri. Volcanic ash from Mount Erciyes and other eruptions hardened into tuff, which erosion carved into valleys, pinnacles and cave dwellings. Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Ürgüp and the underground cities offer different perspectives on this environment, from rock-cut churches and troglodyte rooms to pottery workshops and cultivated valley floors. The landscape is best understood on foot as well as from the air, with conditions varying sharply between exposed plateaus and sheltered valleys.
Central Anatolia also preserves evidence of much earlier societies. At Çatalhöyük near Konya, Neolithic houses reveal a large settled community dating back thousands of years, while Gordion near Ankara recalls the Phrygian kingdom and its legendary ruler Midas. Roman roads, Byzantine sanctuaries, Seljuk monuments and Ottoman civic buildings demonstrate the region's continuing role as an inland crossroads. Many towns developed around agriculture, animal husbandry, trade and religious institutions rather than coastal commerce.
Food reflects this plateau setting. Wheat, yoghurt, pulses, lamb and dried fruit appear in dishes such as Ankara tava, Konya's etli ekmek, Kayseri mantı and regional tandır cooking, while Cappadocia is known for vineyard produce and pottery-cooked specialities. Walking, cycling, hot-air ballooning, winter sports on Erciyes and visits to archaeological sites provide varied ways to travel, but distances are substantial. A carefully planned route, often combining rail or coach journeys with short car hire, allows the contrasts between capital, steppe, historic cities and volcanic valleys to emerge.

When is the best time to visit Central Anatolia Region?

Best: May–June, September · 24–29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January639
February834
March1329
April1845
May (best)2450
June (best)2928
July3413
August3312
September (best)2818
October2034
November1239
December744

Getting to and around Central Anatolia Region

How to get there

Ankara Esenboğa Airport is the principal air gateway within the region and has domestic links with Istanbul and other Turkish cities, with some international services. Kayseri Airport and Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport serve Cappadocia and the eastern part of Central Anatolia, although each is outside some of the area's principal towns and attractions. High-speed trains connect Ankara with Istanbul, Eskişehir, Konya and Sivas, while long-distance coaches reach most provincial centres. Visitors arriving internationally may also use Istanbul as a gateway and continue by domestic flight, train or coach.

Transportation

Rail is particularly useful between Ankara, Eskişehir, Konya and Sivas, while coaches provide extensive links between cities and larger towns. Cappadocia's valleys and villages are dispersed, so organised transfers, taxis or a hire car can be practical for reaching trailheads and sites beyond the main towns. Ankara and Eskişehir have urban rail and bus networks; rural services are less frequent and may not align conveniently with sightseeing. Driving is useful for archaeological sites, villages and plateau landscapes, but distances, winter conditions and occasional limited fuel or service facilities should be considered.

Top city travel guides in Central Anatolia Region

The cities of Central Anatolia Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Central Anatolia Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Central Anatolia Region

Central Anatolia's attractions range from major museums and archaeological sites to immense open landscapes. Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilisations provides a useful introduction to the plateau's prehistoric and ancient cultures, while the capital's citadel and republican districts show different phases of the city's development. At Gordion, near Polatlı, Phrygian remains and burial mounds place later legends in their archaeological setting. Çatalhöyük, near Konya, offers an exceptional insight into Neolithic settlement, although its rural setting requires planning. Cappadocia supplies the region's most varied outdoor experiences, including valley walks, cave churches, underground cities, scenic viewpoints and village-based craft traditions. Konya focuses on Mevlevi and Seljuk heritage, while Kayseri combines historic monuments with access to Mount Erciyes, whose higher slopes support winter sports and summer walking. Eskişehir provides museums, riverside public spaces and a more youthful urban culture. Across the region, caravanserais, local museums, historic bazaars and broad steppe roads reward travellers who allow time between the headline destinations.

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Best landmarks in Central Anatolia Region

Ankara's Anıtkabir is the region's most prominent republican monument, commemorating Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in a formal hilltop complex that also expresses the architectural language of the early Turkish Republic. The Temple of Augustus and Rome beside Ankara's historic core preserves an important Roman inscription and stands near the city's citadel. In Konya, the green-tiled Mevlânâ Museum and surviving Seljuk monuments embody the city's religious and architectural significance. Cappadocia's natural landmarks are its tuff valleys, fairy chimneys and rock-cut settlements, with Uçhisar Castle providing one of the most recognisable high points in the landscape. Mount Erciyes dominates the Kayseri horizon and remains both a geographical marker and a winter-sports setting. Gordion's burial mounds and archaeological landscape near Polatlı represent Phrygian power, while the salt expanses of Tuz Gölü create a stark natural landmark across the central plateau, shared across regional administrative boundaries.

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Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Central Anatolia Region

Central Anatolian cooking is shaped by wheat, yoghurt, pulses, lamb, poultry, dried vegetables and the practical cuisine of a high inland plateau. Konya is closely associated with thin, elongated etli ekmek, while Kayseri is known for mantı, small dumplings usually served with yoghurt and seasoned butter or oil. Ankara restaurants and traditional eateries offer dishes such as Ankara tava alongside broader Turkish home cooking, and Cappadocia is a good place to encounter slow-cooked meat, pottery-cooked dishes, local breads and vineyard produce. Rural restaurants and roadside establishments often specialise in soups, grilled meats, gözleme and oven cooking rather than elaborate menus. Bakeries, markets and breakfast cafés are useful for sampling cheeses, olives, honey and regional pastries. In larger cities, contemporary restaurants reinterpret Anatolian ingredients, but local dining generally remains communal and generous. Wine from Cappadocia is available in the principal tourist centres, while tea, ayran and Turkish coffee are everyday choices throughout the region.

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Best bars in Central Anatolia Region

Nightlife in Central Anatolia varies considerably by city. Ankara has the broadest evening scene, with restaurants, traditional meyhanes, contemporary bars, live-music venues and university-area establishments, particularly in central districts. Eskişehir also has a youthful social life associated with its universities, cafés and riverside areas. In Cappadocia, evenings tend to centre on hotel terraces, wine venues, restaurants and cultural performances rather than large clubs, with activity concentrated in Göreme, Ürgüp and nearby tourist towns. Konya's evening culture is more restrained and is strongly shaped by restaurants, tea houses, cafés and Mevlevi cultural programmes. Kayseri and Sivas offer traditional eateries, cafés and selected live-music venues, while smaller plateau towns generally close earlier. Seasonal demand can alter the atmosphere in Cappadocia, but visitors should not expect a continuous nightlife district across the region.

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Best nightclubs in Central Anatolia Region

Nightlife in Central Anatolia varies considerably by city. Ankara has the broadest evening scene, with restaurants, traditional meyhanes, contemporary bars, live-music venues and university-area establishments, particularly in central districts. Eskişehir also has a youthful social life associated with its universities, cafés and riverside areas. In Cappadocia, evenings tend to centre on hotel terraces, wine venues, restaurants and cultural performances rather than large clubs, with activity concentrated in Göreme, Ürgüp and nearby tourist towns. Konya's evening culture is more restrained and is strongly shaped by restaurants, tea houses, cafés and Mevlevi cultural programmes. Kayseri and Sivas offer traditional eateries, cafés and selected live-music venues, while smaller plateau towns generally close earlier. Seasonal demand can alter the atmosphere in Cappadocia, but visitors should not expect a continuous nightlife district across the region.

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Best shops in Central Anatolia Region

Shopping in Central Anatolia is strongest in historic bazaars, covered markets, food shops and independent craft workshops rather than large luxury districts. Ankara combines modern retail with traditional areas around Ulus, where visitors can find spices, household goods, textiles and regional foods. Konya's central shops sell devotional objects, books, sweets, carpets and crafts associated with the city's Mevlevi heritage, while Kayseri is known for commerce in food, textiles and manufactured goods. Cappadocia offers pottery from Avanos, carpets, small artworks, handmade ceramics and locally produced wine, although quality and provenance vary, so purchases should be made from established workshops. Market towns across the plateau are useful for dried fruit, pulses, honey, cheese and regional pastries. Eskişehir has independent design shops and student-oriented retail alongside conventional high-street stores. Bargaining may be appropriate in some markets but not in fixed-price shops, and visitors should check customs rules before exporting antiques or archaeological-looking objects.

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Central Anatolia Region essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Turkish lira, coded TRY, as throughout Türkiye. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, established restaurants, museums and urban shops, particularly in Ankara and the main Cappadocian towns. Carry some lira for small cafés, local markets, rural transport, village businesses and public conveniences, where card facilities may be less dependable. ATMs are widespread in cities and tourist centres, but visitors travelling through remote plateau districts should not rely on finding one immediately.
Safety
Normal urban precautions are appropriate in busy transport hubs, markets and crowded visitor areas. The principal regional risks are environmental: strong summer sun, dehydration, uneven volcanic paths, loose rock, winter ice and sudden weather changes on exposed plateaus. Follow marked routes in Cappadocia and take care near cliff edges. Mountain conditions around Mount Erciyes can change rapidly, especially outside the main ski season. When driving, allow for long distances, darkness on rural roads and snow or fog in winter, and check local conditions before setting out.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number in Türkiye is 112, which coordinates ambulance, police, fire and other emergency services. Ask hotel staff or local authorities for help if language is a difficulty, and keep the name of your accommodation available in Turkish. In Cappadocia and other walking areas, provide a precise trail, valley, village or landmark location rather than only naming the wider district. Do not enter restricted archaeological areas or unstable underground spaces, and use recognised guides or operators for activities requiring specialist equipment.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering mosques, türbes and other religious sites, covering shoulders and legs where requested and removing shoes when required. Ask before photographing people, worshippers or private interiors. At archaeological sites and in natural valleys, remain on marked paths, avoid touching rock-cut paintings and do not remove stones or artefacts. Turkish dining etiquette generally values sharing food and accepting hospitality, while tipping is discretionary but appreciated for good service. In villages and historic quarters, respect residents' privacy and avoid treating working communities as photo backdrops.
Local Tips
Use Ankara as a base for republican history and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, Konya for Seljuk and Mevlevi heritage, and Cappadocia for volcanic landscapes and rock-cut architecture. The central plateau is often cooler at night than visitors expect, even after hot summer days. Local bakeries and restaurants are good places to try regional specialities beyond internationally familiar Turkish dishes. If visiting Gordion or Çatalhöyük, check access arrangements in advance and allow time for the surrounding rural landscape rather than expecting a dense museum complex.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloMerhaba[mehr-HAH-bah]
GoodbyeHoşça kal[hosh-CHA kal]
YesEvet[EH-vet]
NoHayır[HAH-yuhr]
Please/You're welcomeLütfen/Rica ederim[LOOT-fen/ree-JAH eh-DAY-rim]
Thank youTeşekkür ederim[teh-shehk-KOOR eh-DAY-rim]
Excuse me/SorryAffedersiniz/Üzgünüm[ah-feh-DER-see-neez/OOZ-goo-noom]
How are you?Nasılsınız?[NAH-suhl-suhn-IZ]
Fine. And you?İyiyim. Siz nasılsınız?[EE-yee-yeem. SEEZ NAH-suhl-suhn-IZ]
Do you speak English?İngilizce biliyor musunuz?[een-GEE-leez-jeh bee-LEE-yor moo-soo-nuz]
I don't understandAnlamıyorum[AHN-lah-muh-YOHR-uhm]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenüyü görmek isterim lütfen[meh-NOO-yoo GOHR-mehk ees-TEH-rim LOOT-fen]
I don't eat meatEt yemiyorum[ET yeh-MEE-yor-uhm]
Cheers!Şerefe![sheh-REF-eh]
I would like to pay, pleaseÖdemek istiyorum, lütfen[uh-DEH-mehk ees-TEH-yor-oom, LOOT-fen]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Yardım edin![YAR-dum eh-DEEN]
Go away!Defol![DEH-fol]
Call the Police!Polisi arayın![POH-lee-see ah-RAH-yin]
Call a doctor!Doktor çağırın![DOK-tor CHAH-uh-rin]
I'm lostKayboldum[KAHY-bol-doom]
I'm illHastayım[HAS-tah-yum]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Satın almak istiyorum...[sah-TUHN al-MAHK ees-TEH-yor-oom]
I'm just lookingSadece bakıyorum[SAH-deh-jeh bah-KIH-yor-oom]
How much is it?Bu ne kadar?[boo NEH kah-DAHR]
That's too expensiveBu çok pahalı[boo CHOK pah-HAH-luh]
Can you lower the price?Fiyatı düşürebilir misiniz?[fee-YAH-tuh doo-SHOO-reh-bee-LIR mee-SEE-neez]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Saat kaç?[sah-AT kahch]
It's one o'clockSaat bir[sah-AT beer]
Half past (10)On beş geçiyor[ON BEHSH geh-CHIH-yor]
MorningSabah[sah-BAH]
AfternoonÖğleden sonra[uh-LEH-den SOHN-rah]
EveningAkşam[ahk-SHAHM]
YesterdayDün[DOON]
TodayBugün[boo-GOON]
TomorrowYarın[YAH-ruhn]
1Bir[beer]
2İki[ee-KEE]
3Üç[ÜCH]
4Dört[DÖRT]
5Beş[BESH]
6Altı[AHL-tuh]
7Yedi[YED-ee]
8Sekiz[SEH-kiz]
9Dokuz[DOH-kuz]
10On[ON]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Nerede ...?[NEH-reh-deh ...?]
What's the address?Adres ne?[AH-dres NEH?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Haritada gösterebilir misiniz?[HAH-ree-tah-dah GÖS-teh-reh-bee-LIR mee-SEE-neez]
When's the next (bus)?Sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?[SON-rah-kee (oh-toh-BÜS) NEH zah-MAHN?]
A ticket (to ....)Bir bilet (....)[beer bee-LET (....)]

History of Central Anatolia Region

Neolithic Çatalhöyük, c. 7400–6000 BCE

Çatalhöyük, on the Konya Plain, is one of the most important Neolithic settlements in southwest Asia. Its densely packed mud-brick houses were entered from above and contained evidence of farming, craft production, burial practices and symbolic art. The site suggests a complex settled community living without the monumental palaces or temples associated with later civilisations. Its excavated remains have transformed understanding of the transition from mobile hunting and gathering to village life. Archaeological work continues, and the surrounding plain remains one of Central Anatolia's most significant landscapes for studying early agriculture and urban development.

Phrygian Gordion and the Iron Age

Gordion, west of Ankara, was the political centre of the Phrygian kingdom during the early first millennium BCE. The settlement and its surrounding burial mounds reveal a society involved in agriculture, regional trade and long-distance cultural exchange. Classical writers later connected Phrygia with King Midas, though legend should not obscure the site's archaeological importance. Gordion was subsequently occupied by other powers, including the Persians, and its location on routes across the Anatolian plateau helped sustain its importance. Its remains provide a long view of Central Anatolia before Greek and Roman imperial systems reshaped the region.

Roman and Byzantine Anatolia

Roman rule brought Central Anatolia more firmly into an imperial network of roads, towns and military administration. Ankara, then known as Ancyra, became an important centre, and monuments such as the Temple of Augustus and Rome preserve evidence of that era. Christianity later developed across the plateau and in Cappadocia, where communities used natural rock formations for churches, monasteries and refuges. Byzantine authority varied over time as Arab incursions and frontier conflicts affected the interior. The period left enduring traces in urban ruins, inscriptions, rock-cut sanctuaries and the region's Christian architectural heritage.

Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, 11th–13th centuries

Following the Seljuk victory at Manzikert in 1071, Turkic dynasties established lasting political authority across much of Anatolia. Konya became the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and developed into a major centre of administration, learning, architecture and commerce. Caravanserais, mosques, theological schools and monumental gateways appeared along routes linking the plateau with the Mediterranean and eastern Anatolia. Kayseri, Sivas, Aksaray and nearby towns also flourished. The Seljuk legacy remains especially visible in stone carving, geometric decoration and the urban monuments that continue to define several Central Anatolian city centres.

Mevlânâ and the Mevlevi tradition

The Persian-speaking scholar and mystic Jalâleddîn Rûmî, known in Türkiye as Mevlânâ, spent the later part of his life in Konya and died there in 1273. His teachings on love, spiritual transformation and the relationship between human beings and the divine inspired the Mevlevi order, whose ceremonial whirling became one of the best-known expressions of Islamic devotional culture. Konya's Mevlânâ Museum and associated sites preserve this intellectual and religious legacy. The tradition is part of the city's continuing identity, although its history should be understood within the wider diversity of Anatolian Islamic and Christian cultures.

Ottoman rule and the caravan economy

The Ottoman incorporation of Central Anatolia consolidated older towns and routes rather than replacing them entirely. Agriculture, livestock, taxation and caravan commerce supported settlements across the plateau, while mosques, covered bazaars, baths and civic buildings shaped town life. Konya retained religious and administrative importance; Ankara became associated with mohair and goat-hair textiles; and Kayseri developed as a commercial centre. Rural production remained crucial, and seasonal patterns of farming and pastoralism continued alongside urban institutions. Ottoman buildings and street plans survive in varying degrees across the region, often interwoven with earlier Seljuk remains.

Ankara and the foundation of the Republic

Ankara became the headquarters of the Turkish national movement during the War of Independence and was declared the capital of the new Republic of Türkiye in 1923. Its elevation from provincial town to national political centre reshaped Central Anatolia through new ministries, boulevards, residential districts, rail connections and cultural institutions. The old citadel area and historic quarters remain alongside republican architecture and modern government buildings. The transformation also accelerated education, industry and internal migration across the plateau, making Ankara both a symbol of the republic and the region's principal administrative and transport hub.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Central Anatolia Region

Explore Central Anatolia Region with Evendo: a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Discover and book your experiences seamlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and travel essentials
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More about the Evendo app

Discover Central Anatolia Region like never before with Evendo. Our free app offers detailed guides on attractions, landmarks, and local tips, making your trip unforgettable.

  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
  • Interactive maps and contact details
  • User-friendly navigation
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Imagine you're embarking on an adventure to the heart of Turkey, the Central Anatolia Region. With Evendo, your journey becomes an immersive experience filled with rich culture and historical landmarks. From the ancient city of Ankara to the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia, Evendo offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, and experiences. Discover the stunning rock formations and hot air balloon rides in Göreme, visit the historic Hattusa ruins, or enjoy a cup of tea at a local café in Eskişehir. Evendo includes comprehensive guides to top restaurants such as the renowned Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Ankara and delightful local eateries serving authentic Turkish cuisine.

Evendo makes it easy to book hotels, tours, and tickets directly through the app, ensuring a hassle-free planning experience. Whether you're looking to explore bustling bazaars, serene parks, or vibrant nightclubs, Evendo has you covered. The app also provides users with maps, contact details, and local tips, making navigation through the region seamless. With features like the 'Near me' option, you can easily find the best spots around your current location. Evendo's curated local tips ensure you experience the region like a true local. Best of all, it is entirely free to use, with no hidden costs or in-app purchases.

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