Aksaray is a province in Central Anatolia (İç Anadolu), Turkey, on the southwestern edge of the Cappadocia region. It is best known for the Ihlara Valley, a 14-kilometre canyon lined with Byzantine rock-cut churches and frescoes, the towering Selime Monastery, and the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest Seljuk han in Turkey. With the volcanic cone of Hasan Mountain on the horizon, the salt expanse of Lake Tuz to the north, and Göreme roughly an hour east, Aksaray serves as an uncrowded gateway to Cappadocia.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Aksaray.
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1
Ihlara Valley (Ihlara Vadisi)
A roughly 14-kilometre volcanic canyon cut by the Melendiz river through soft tuff on the slopes of Hasan Mountain, dotted with more than a hundred rock-cut Byzantine churches. A famous stepped descent of about 360 steps leads from the main entrance near Ihlara town down to the shaded river path that winds past chapels toward Belisirma and Selime. It is one of the largest canyons in the world and the headline attraction of Aksaray province.
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2
Selime Monastery (Selime Katedrali)
The largest rock-cut religious complex in Cappadocia, carved into the tall fairy-chimney cliffs at the northern, Selime end of the Ihlara Valley. Often called Selime Cathedral, it spreads over multiple levels with a basilica-style church, a kitchen, stables and living quarters honeycombed through the rock. The cinematic landscape around it has drawn comparisons to film sets and is reached at the downstream finish of the valley walk.
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3
Sultanhani Caravanserai (Sultan Han)
The largest Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey, built in 1229 under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I on the old trade road between Aksaray and Konya. Its monumental carved marble portal opens to a vast walled courtyard with a raised mosque kiosk at its centre and a covered winter hall beyond, restored after a fire later in the 13th century. The roadside town of Sultanhani grew up around it about 40 kilometres west of Aksaray.
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4
Aksaray Museum (Aksaray Muzesi)
The provincial archaeology museum, opened in its purpose-built home in 2014, best known for housing Turkey's only dedicated mummy section. Its galleries display finds from Asikli Hoyuk, Acemhoyuk and the surrounding region, alongside roughly a dozen mummified humans, babies and even a cat recovered from the rock churches of the Ihlara and Cappadocia area, mostly dated between the 10th and 13th centuries. The earlier collection began in the nearby 1336 Zinciriye Medrese.
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5
Egri Minare (Red Minaret)
Aksaray's signature city-centre landmark, a tall 13th-century minaret of red brick that leans noticeably from foundation settlement, earning it the nickname 'Aksaray's Leaning Tower of Pisa'. Built during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, it stands beside the small Red Minaret Mosque and was secured with steel ties in the 1970s to halt its lean. It remains the most photographed monument in the provincial capital.
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6
Aksaray Ulu Mosque (Ulu Camii)
The great congregational mosque of Aksaray, with origins in the Karamanid and early Ottoman period and decoration characteristic of the post-Seljuk beylik era, its present form generally dated to the early 15th century. Inside, a finely carved wooden minbar (pulpit) is among the most prized examples of Anatolian woodwork. It anchors the historic core of the city alongside the bazaar.
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7
Zinciriye Medrese
A Karamanid-era theological college built in 1336, with a carved stone portal and an open central courtyard ringed by student cells. It served as Aksaray's first museum from 1969 until the collection moved to the modern Aksaray Museum, and it remains a fine example of Anatolian medrese architecture in the heart of the city.
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8
Guzelyurt (Gelveri) Old Town
A historic Cappadocian town, formerly the Greek settlement of Gelveri, about 45 kilometres from Aksaray, famous for its honey-coloured stone Greek houses, cave dwellings and rock churches left after the 1924 population exchange. It is the gateway to the Monastery Valley and the Sivisli (Kalecamii) church, and counts among Turkey's recognised 'Cittaslow' slow towns. Its layered Byzantine, Greek and Ottoman fabric makes it one of the most atmospheric villages in the province.
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9
Monastery Valley (Manastir Vadisi)
A 4-5 kilometre rock-cut valley on the edge of Guzelyurt, often described as a 'little Ihlara', threaded by a stream between high tuff walls and willows. It holds some 28 churches, chapels and underground refuges carved into the cliffs, including the prominent Kalecamii (Sivisli) church. Quieter than Ihlara, it offers an intimate walk through Byzantine cave monasticism.
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10
Agacalti Church (Daniel Pantonassa Church)
One of the most celebrated painted churches of the Ihlara Valley, set near the foot of the main stairs, with a cruciform plan and a domed ceiling. Its frescoes trace scenes from the life of Christ, from the visit of the Magi to the Ascension, and include a striking Daniel-in-the-lions'-den image that gives the church its alternate name. The bold ochre, red and blue palette is typical of the valley's early Byzantine art.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Sultanhani Caravanserai
The largest Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey, built in 1229 west of Aksaray
Egri Minare (Red Minaret)
Aksaray's leaning 13th-century red-brick minaret in the city centre
Selime Monastery
The largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia, at the end of the Ihlara Valley
Aksaray Ulu Mosque
The great mosque of the city, prized for its carved wooden minbar
Zinciriye Medrese
A 1336 Karamanid theological college and Aksaray's first museum
Museums
Aksaray Museum
Provincial museum with Turkey's only mummy section and regional finds
Asikli Hoyuk
Open-air Neolithic settlement mound dated to around 8000 BC
Acemhoyuk
Bronze Age tell and Assyrian-era palace site near Lake Tuz
Guzelyurt rock churches
Byzantine cave churches around the Monastery Valley and Gelveri
Nature
Ihlara Valley
A 14-kilometre canyon of the Melendiz river lined with cave churches
Hasan Mountain
Twin-peaked dormant volcano rising to 3,253 metres
Lake Tuz
Vast salt lake and major greater flamingo breeding ground
Monastery Valley (Manastir Vadisi)
A quieter 'little Ihlara' valley at the edge of Guzelyurt
Mamasin Dam
Lakeside picnic and camping reservoir north of Aksaray
Cultural
Guzelyurt (Gelveri) Old Town
Historic Greek-Cappadocian slow town of stone houses and rock churches
Belisirma Village
Riverside village amid the Ihlara churches with trout restaurants
Kirkdamalti (St George) Church
13th-century painted church recording Byzantine life under Seljuk rule
Canli Kilise
Ruined Byzantine church complex near Akhisar village
Agacalti Church
Cruciform Ihlara church with frescoes from the life of Christ
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- The Aksaray Museum opens Tue-Sun and closes Mondays; the Ihlara Valley, Selime and Monastery Valley sites run roughly 08:00-18:00 with longer summer hours; city mosques and minarets are accessible outside prayer times
- Fees
- The Ihlara Valley costs about TRY 340; Selime and the Monastery Valley around TRY 100-230; Sultanhani about TRY 100; the Aksaray Museum about TRY 60; city mosques, minarets and most archaeological mounds are free. Museumkart is accepted at the main state sites
- Best Times
- Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer mild weather for the Ihlara walk and Hasan Mountain; summer brings the salt crust and flamingos at Lake Tuz but hot canyon middays
- Booking
- Most sites sell tickets at the gate; guided treks of Hasan Mountain and combined Ihlara-Selime tours from Aksaray or Cappadocia are best arranged a day ahead
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy a single combined ticket where offered to cover both the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery
Wear sturdy shoes for the roughly 360 steps into the Ihlara Valley and the uneven river path
Start the Ihlara walk early in summer, as the canyon floor gets hot by midday
Many churches, mosques and mounds are free, so budget mainly for the Ihlara, Selime and museum tickets
Carry cash in Turkish lira, as smaller rural ticket booths and village restaurants may not take cards
Bring the Museumkart if you have one, as it covers the main state-run museums and sites
Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees when entering the Ulu Mosque and other working mosques
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Aksaray?
May-June and September-October give mild weather for the Ihlara Valley and Hasan Mountain; summer is best for the salt crust and flamingos at Lake Tuz but the canyon floor is hot at midday
How long does the Ihlara Valley walk take?
Walking the popular central stretch from the main stairs to Belisirma takes about two hours; continuing to Selime makes a fuller half-day of three to five hours
Do I need a car to see Aksaray's attractions?
A car or organised tour is easiest, as the Ihlara Valley, Selime, Sultanhani, Lake Tuz and Hasan Mountain are spread across the province; dolmus minibuses link Aksaray with Ihlara and Guzelyurt
Is one ticket enough for the Ihlara Valley churches?
Yes, the Ihlara Valley entrance ticket covers the painted churches along the trail, and a combined ticket can include Selime Monastery at the valley's end