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Explore Lycaonia in central Turkiye through Konya’s Seljuk heritage, Çatalhöyük’s Neolithic past, Karaman’s medieval monuments and high-plateau landscapes.

Lycaonia is a historical region of central Anatolia rather than a present-day administrative province. Its core lies across the broad, dry Konya Plain, extending southwards towards the Taurus foothills and the modern city of Karaman. Travelling through this landscape means moving between wheat fields, salt-tinged horizons, volcanic-looking hills and old settlements shaped by the difficult climate of Turkey’s central plateau. Konya is the principal urban centre and the most practical base, while Karaman offers a more intimate perspective on the region’s medieval and Ottoman past.

My first-day picks

Use Konya as the main base for urban heritage, Çatalhöyük and western Lycaonian sites, then allow a separate day or overnight stay for Karaman.
Hire a car or arrange a local driver for rural archaeological sites such as Çatalhöyük, Kilistra and the Binbirkilise area, where public transport is limited.
Carry water, sun protection and suitable footwear when visiting exposed plateau ruins, particularly in summer when shade is scarce.
Dress modestly and remove shoes where requested at mosques, türbes and other religious buildings.
Check archaeological-site access arrangements before travelling, as rural opening schedules and local road conditions can change.
Try Konya specialities such as etli ekmek and fırın kebabı, while remembering that many traditional restaurants close between the main midday and evening services.

When is the best time to visit Lycaonia?

Best: May–June, September · 24–28°C

9° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: -2.5°C, High: 8.5°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 20 mm, High: 40 mm J

10° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: -1.5°C, High: 9.5°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 25 mm, High: 45 mm F

14° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 2°C, High: 14°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 30 mm, High: 50 mm M

18° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 6°C, High: 18°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 35 mm, High: 55 mm A

Best 24° Temperature Range for MayLow: 10.5°C, High: 23.5°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm M

Best 28° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 14°C, High: 28°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 20 mm, High: 40 mm J

31° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 17°C, High: 31°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 10 mm, High: 30 mm J

31° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 16.5°C, High: 30.5°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 10 mm, High: 30 mm A

Best 26° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 12.5°C, High: 25.5°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 15 mm, High: 35 mm S

19° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 7.5°C, High: 18.5°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 20 mm, High: 40 mm O

12° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 2.5°C, High: 11.5°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 25 mm, High: 45 mm N

9° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: -1°C, High: 9°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 30 mm, High: 50 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	9	30
February	10	35
March	14	40
April	18	45
May (best)	24	50
June (best)	28	30
July	31	20
August	31	20
September (best)	26	25
October	19	30
November	12	35
December	9	40

Getting to and around Lycaonia

How to get there

Konya Airport lies within the modern Konya area and is the most practical air gateway to the core of historical Lycaonia, with onward taxi and road connections to the city. Konya is also linked by high-speed rail with Ankara and by long-distance trains and coaches to other major Turkish cities. Karaman has a railway station and is reachable by road and rail from Konya, but does not have a major commercial airport. Visitors coming from abroad will usually connect through Istanbul or Ankara before continuing to Konya; neighbouring airports serving Cappadocia or other parts of central Anatolia are outside Lycaonia and are generally less convenient for its main sites.

Transportation

Konya has an urban tram and bus network, while intercity buses and trains connect the principal towns. Public transport is suitable for moving around Konya and reaching Karaman, but rural archaeological sites are dispersed and often require a hire car, taxi arranged in advance or organised excursion. Roads across the plain are generally straightforward, although distances, winter weather and limited services between villages should not be underestimated. A car is particularly useful for Çatalhöyük, Kilistra and the southern ruins near Karaman. Cycling and walking are pleasant within selected urban areas, but the open plateau offers little shade and is not suited to improvising long walks between settlements.

Top city travel guides in Lycaonia

The cities of Lycaonia, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Lycaonia

Lycaonia’s attractions range from internationally important archaeology to living religious and urban heritage. The principal experience is Konya, where the Mevlana Museum, Seljuk monuments, historic mosques and the Alaeddin Hill district introduce the region’s medieval and spiritual history. In the surrounding plain, Çatalhöyük offers a carefully interpreted encounter with Neolithic settlement, while the rural remains at Kilistra reveal how early Christian communities used the valleys south-west of Konya. Karaman provides a second focus, with its castle, mosques and links to the Karamanid dynasty. Farther towards the Taurus foothills, the Binbirkilise ruins present a more dispersed and demanding archaeological landscape of Byzantine churches and settlements. Visitors can also explore local markets, traditional food culture and the open agricultural scenery between the sites. Outdoor recreation is shaped by the plateau rather than by dense woodland or dramatic alpine terrain: scenic drives, photography, birdwatching in suitable wetland areas and short walks around ruins are more realistic than extensive marked hiking infrastructure. Distances and seasonal conditions make a planned itinerary important.

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Best landmarks in Lycaonia

The Mevlana Museum in Konya is Lycaonia’s most recognisable landmark, marked by its green-tiled dome and its association with Jalaluddin Rumi and the Mevlevi tradition. The Alaeddin Hill and nearby Seljuk monuments form another important urban group, recalling Konya’s role as the capital of the Sultanate of Rum. Konya’s İnce Minareli Medrese, with its elaborately carved stone portal, represents the sophistication of Seljuk architectural ornament, while the Karatay Medrese adds another major medieval monument to the city’s historic centre. In Karaman, the castle rises above the town as a visible reminder of the area’s strategic and dynastic importance, and nearby mosques and religious buildings preserve the Karamanid and Ottoman urban legacy. Çatalhöyük is a landmark of a different kind: its importance lies in the archaeological evidence of an early settled society rather than in a monumental skyline. South of Karaman, the scattered stone churches of Binbirkilise belong to the region’s Byzantine landscape and are best approached as a rural archaeological complex, not as a single preserved monument.

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Explore Lycaonia on the map

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 Lycaonia

Konya and Karaman offer the strongest concentration of regional dining, from traditional lokantas and bakeries to modern restaurants serving central Anatolian cuisine. Konya is particularly associated with etli ekmek, a long, thin flatbread topped with seasoned meat, and fırın kebabı, traditionally slow-cooked lamb served with bread and simple accompaniments. Tirit, arasıcak dishes, soups, yoghurt-based preparations and pastries reflect the wider culinary traditions of the plateau, where wheat, lamb, dairy products and pulses are important ingredients. In Karaman, local bakeries and family-run restaurants provide a useful introduction to southern central Anatolian flavours, while village stops may focus on straightforward grilled meats, gözleme, tea and seasonal produce. Breakfasts often include cheeses, olives, eggs, bread and preserves rather than a single Lycaonian speciality. Konya’s Mevlana heritage also supports a long tradition of carefully prepared, often meat-free dishes associated with lodge cuisine, though menus vary. Markets are useful for fruit, nuts and regional provisions, but opening days and individual businesses can change.

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Best bars in Lycaonia

Nightlife in Lycaonia is centred on Konya and is generally more restrained than in Turkey’s coastal resorts. Tea gardens, cafés, dessert shops and restaurants provide the main evening social spaces, with modern venues concentrated around central districts and university areas. Konya’s religious character means that alcohol-focused nightlife is less prominent than in many larger Turkish cities, although licensed restaurants and some hotel venues do serve drinks. Karaman has a smaller evening scene built around cafés, restaurants and local meeting places rather than a substantial club circuit. Live cultural programmes, concerts and theatre may be available in the larger towns, but schedules are changeable and should be checked locally. In rural districts, evenings are quiet, with village cafés and family restaurants more relevant than bars. Visitors should follow local expectations around dress and behaviour near mosques, religious foundations and conservative neighbourhoods, while recognising that the region’s contemporary urban life includes a broad range of cafés and social venues.

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Best nightclubs in Lycaonia

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Best shops in Lycaonia

Shopping in Lycaonia is strongest in the traditional commercial quarters and covered markets of Konya and Karaman rather than in destination-scale luxury retail. Konya’s bazaars and central streets are useful for Turkish textiles, prayer beads, books, ceramics, leather goods, sweets and packaged foods, with religious and literary themes especially visible around the Mevlana district. Visitors should distinguish handmade work from factory-produced souvenirs and ask about materials and provenance when buying crafts. Karaman offers a smaller market-town experience, including local food shops, household goods, textiles and seasonal produce. Regional purchases may include dried fruit, nuts, honey, confectionery and other provisions associated with the central Anatolian pantry. Farmers’ markets and weekly bazaars are practical places to see ordinary local commerce, although their days vary by town. Modern shopping centres and national chains are available in Konya, but the most distinctive browsing is found in older commercial areas, bakeries, bookshops and independent craft retailers.

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Lycaonia essentials

Currency and Payment

The currency is the Turkish lira, code TRY. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Konya, Karaman, hotels, transport hubs and established restaurants, although smaller rural businesses, local markets and some archaeological-site facilities may prefer cash. Keep modest amounts of Turkish lira for taxis, village shops, small cafés and donations at religious sites. Bank machines are readily available in the main towns, but visitors travelling into remote parts of the plateau should withdraw cash beforehand and should not assume that every rural establishment accepts foreign cards.

Safety

The main visitor concerns are ordinary urban precautions, road safety, summer heat and the exposed conditions around rural ruins. Keep valuables secure in busy transport areas and take care on roads, particularly after dark or in winter weather. At archaeological sites, uneven ground, loose stones and unprotected edges require proper footwear and supervision of children. Summers can be very hot and dry, while winters on the high plateau may bring snow, ice and difficult driving conditions. Check local weather before setting out and carry water when leaving the towns.

Emergency Situations

In Turkiye, dial 112 for the unified emergency service, which can coordinate ambulance, police and fire assistance. Ask hotel staff, transport personnel or a local authority for help if language becomes a problem, and keep the address of your accommodation available in Turkish. For rural archaeological sites, note the nearest town before travelling because mobile coverage and nearby services may be limited. Follow official instructions during severe weather, road closures or other emergencies rather than continuing across isolated sections of the plateau.

Do's and Don'ts

Dress respectfully at mosques, türbes and religious complexes, and remove shoes when required; women may wish to carry a light scarf for religious visits. Ask before photographing worshippers, ceremonies or people at close range. At archaeological sites, stay on marked paths, do not climb fragile remains and never remove pottery or stones. In restaurants, tipping is customary but discretionary, with the amount reflecting service rather than a rigid regional rule. Public behaviour is generally conservative in religious settings, while cafés and modern districts in Konya are more relaxed.

Local Tips

Konya’s major monuments are easiest to visit early in the day, before the strongest heat and the busiest visiting periods. Allow more time than mapping apps may suggest for rural excursions, since site entrances, local roads and stops for food can extend the journey. The contrast between Konya’s urban Seljuk heritage and Karaman’s smaller-scale historic centre is worthwhile, while Çatalhöyük is best paired with a planned route rather than treated as a brief detour. Learn a few Turkish words for directions and food ordering outside the main tourist areas.

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

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Merhaba	[mehr-HAH-bah]
Goodbye	Hoşça kal	[hosh-CHA kal]
Yes	Evet	[EH-vet]
No	Hayır	[HAH-yuhr]
Please/You're welcome	Lütfen/Rica ederim	[LOOT-fen/ree-JAH eh-DEH-rim]
Thank you	Teşekkür ederim	[teh-shehk-KOOR eh-DEH-rim]
Excuse me/Sorry	Affedersiniz/Üzgünüm	[ahf-feh-DEHR-sin-iz/OOZ-goo-noom]
How are you?	Nasılsınız?	[NAH-suhl-sin-iz]
Fine. And you?	İyiyim. Ya siz?	[ee-YEE-yim. YAH sees?]
Do you speak English?	İngilizce biliyor musunuz?	[een-GEE-leez-jee bee-LEE-yor moo-soo-nuz]
I don't understand	Anlamıyorum	[ahn-lah-MUH-yor-um]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Menüyü görmek istiyorum lütfen	[meh-NOO-yu GOHR-mehk ees-tee-YO-rum LOOT-fen]
I don't eat meat	Et yemiyorum	[et YEH-mee-yor-um]
Cheers!	Şerefe!	[sheh-REF-eh]
I would like to pay, please	Ödemek istiyorum lütfen	[oh-deh-MEK ees-tee-YO-rum LOOT-fen]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Yardım edin!	[YAR-dum EH-din]
Go away!	Git buradan!	[git boo-RAH-dan]
Call the Police!	Polisi arayın!	[po-LEE-see ah-RAH-yin]
Call a doctor!	Bir doktor çağırın!	[beer dok-TOR chAH-uh-rin]
I'm lost	Kayboldum	[KAI-bol-doom]
I'm ill	Hastayım	[has-TAH-yim]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	Satın almak istiyorum...	[sah-TUHN al-MAK ees-tee-YO-rum]
I'm just looking	Sadece bakıyorum	[SAH-deh-jeh bah-KI-yor-um]
How much is it?	Bu ne kadar?	[boo NEH kah-DAHR]
That's too expensive	Bu çok pahalı	[boo chOK pah-HAH-luh]
Can you lower the price?	Fiyatı düşürebilir misiniz?	[fee-YAH-tuh doo-SHOO-reh-bee-LIR mee-sin-iz]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	Saat kaç?	[sah-AT kahch]
It's one o'clock	Saat bir	[sah-AT beer]
Half past (10)	On geçiyor	[on geh-JEE-yor]
Morning	Sabah	[sah-BAH]
Afternoon	Öğleden sonra	[uh-leh-DEN sohn-RAH]
Evening	Akşam	[AHK-shahm]
Yesterday	Dün	[doon]
Today	Bugün	[boo-GOON]
Tomorrow	Yarın	[YAH-rin]
1	Bir	[beer]
2	İki	[ee-KEE]
3	Üç	[OOSH]
4	Dört	[DURT]
5	Beş	[BESH]
6	Altı	[AHL-tuh]
7	Yedi	[YEH-dee]
8	Sekiz	[seh-KEEZ]
9	Dokuz	[DOH-kooz]
10	On	[ON]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Nerede ...?	[NEH-reh-de]
What's the address?	Adres nedir?	[AH-dres NEH-deer]
Can you show me (on the map)?	Haritada gösterebilir misiniz?	[har-EE-tah-da goh-STEH-reh-bee-LIR mee-sin-iz]
When's the next (bus)?	Bir sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?	[beer sohn-RAH-kee (oh-toh-BÜS) NEH zah-MAN]
A ticket (to ....)	Bir bilet ( .... )	[beer bee-LET ( .... )]

History of Lycaonia

Neolithic Çatalhöyük, c. 7400–6000 BCE

Çatalhöyük, on the Konya Plain near Çumra, is one of the defining archaeological sites of early settled life in Anatolia. Its inhabitants lived in tightly packed mud-brick houses entered from the roof, with domestic spaces containing hearths, storage areas and wall paintings. The settlement provides evidence for farming, craft production, ritual practice and changing social relationships during the Neolithic period. Its long occupation demonstrates how communities adapted to the plateau’s watercourses, grasslands and seasonal resources. Although it predates the historical Lycaonians by millennia, Çatalhöyük is essential to understanding the deep human history of the region.

Lycaonians and the Classical Plateau

In antiquity, Lycaonia referred to a broad inland territory whose boundaries shifted according to political circumstances and differed between ancient authors. Its inhabitants were associated with a distinctive highland culture, while towns and routes connected the region to Phrygia, Cappadocia, Pisidia and Cilicia. Iconium, the predecessor of modern Konya, became the principal urban centre. The plateau was never isolated: imperial administrations, merchants, soldiers and religious communities crossed it along routes linking the Aegean interior with southeastern Anatolia. The surviving pattern of scattered settlements reflects this mixture of local traditions and wider political influence.

Roman Iconium and Early Christianity

Under Roman rule, Iconium developed as an important city of central Anatolia, benefiting from its position on overland routes and from the agricultural resources of the plain. Christianity became established in the region during the first centuries CE. Ancient accounts associate Paul of Tarsus and Barnabas with missionary journeys through Lycaonian towns, although the precise locations of some places mentioned in early Christian texts remain debated. Rock-cut settlements and churches around sites such as Kilistra preserve material evidence of Christian communities that adapted existing valleys and uplands for worship, burial and habitation.

Byzantine Frontier Settlements

During the Byzantine period, central Anatolia functioned as both an agricultural hinterland and a contested frontier zone. Communities occupied fortified heights, valleys and cultivated plains, while churches and monastic settlements multiplied in suitable rock formations. The group of ruins known as Binbirkilise, meaning ‘a thousand and one churches’, lies near modern Karaman and preserves the remains of numerous ecclesiastical buildings and settlements, though the name is symbolic rather than a literal count. These sites reveal the density of rural Christian life before the political changes that followed the Seljuk arrival.

Seljuk Konya, Eleventh to Thirteenth Centuries

After the Seljuk victory at Manzikert in 1071, Turkish power expanded across central Anatolia, and Konya eventually became the capital of the Sultanate of Rum. The city flourished as a centre of administration, scholarship, trade and architecture. Seljuk rulers commissioned caravanserais, madrasas, mosques and civic works, many of which influenced the visual character of central Turkey. Konya’s importance also grew through its connection with Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose teachings and community at the city’s lodge helped establish a lasting spiritual and literary legacy.

The Karamanids and Turkish Literary Culture

The Karamanid dynasty emerged in the southern central Anatolian highlands during the later medieval period and made Karaman one of its principal centres. The dynasty contested territory with rival Turkish powers and the weakening Seljuk order before the Ottoman conquest. Karaman is also associated with an important moment in the history of Turkish literary culture: in the late fifteenth century, Sultan Mehmed II’s decree concerning the use of Turkish in official affairs is traditionally linked with the wider Karamanid legacy, although the wording and historical context are discussed by scholars. The period left mosques, religious foundations and urban traditions across the region.

Ottoman Integration and the Modern Plateau

The Ottoman incorporation of Konya and Karaman brought the region into a large imperial system of provincial administration, taxation and long-distance trade. Konya retained importance as an agricultural and religious centre, while caravan routes gradually gave way to modern roads and railways. In the twentieth century, mechanised farming, population growth and the expansion of provincial cities transformed the plain. Contemporary Lycaonia remains shaped by this combination of intensive agriculture, historic pilgrimage and scholarship, archaeological research and the practical demands of life in a dry continental environment.