Sultanhanı Caravanserai stands 40 km west of Aksaray along the D300/E-90, reachable in approximately 35 to 40 minutes by car. The han is the largest surviving Seljuk caravanserai in Anatolia, built in 1229 CE under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I and later enlarged after a fire in 1278. At its peak it served as a free rest stop for merchants, scholars, and officials travelling the Silk Road between Aksaray and Konya, providing food, shelter, medical care, and a hammam to all comers regardless of religion or origin. The complex consists of an open courtyard with a central kiosk mosque (köşk mescit) raised on four arches, and a grand covered winter hall (kapalı han) with a nave flanked by five bays of barrel-vaulted side galleries. Intricate Seljuk portals frame both the main entrance gate and the inner hall; the portal of the covered section is considered among the finest examples of 13th-century Anatolian stonework. The caravanserai is well preserved and actively maintained; entry is charged. Morning visits before 10:00 allow the complex to be enjoyed before coach tours from Cappadocia and Konya arrive, and the early light through the eastern stone portal arch is particularly photogenic. The small town of Sultanhanı around the complex has tea gardens and lokanta restaurants where visitors can take a traditional Turkish breakfast or lunch. The caravanserai can be combined with a Lake Tuz south shore stop on the same day, as the D750 north junction is only 10 minutes from Sultanhanı on the return toward Aksaray.
How to get there
- Car: D300 west; 35-40 min
- Dolmuş: Aksaray Otogar → Sultanhanı (₺60-90; several per day)
Location
Sultan Han, 68460 Sultanhanı, Aksaray, Turkey
38.2478, 33.5466 View on map
Highlights
- Largest surviving Seljuk caravanserai in Anatolia, dating to 1229 CE under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I
- Central kiosk mosque raised on four arches in the open courtyard — an unusual and photogenic Seljuk feature
- Grand covered winter hall with barrel-vaulted nave and carved stone portals of exceptional quality
- Free road-stop function on the medieval Silk Road: all travellers housed and fed regardless of faith
- One of the best-preserved caravanserais in Turkey, with interpretive panels in Turkish and English
Tips for visiting
- Visit before 10:00 to have the courtyard and winter hall before tour coaches arrive from Nevşehir and Konya
- Entry fee is approximately ₺100-150; the Museum Pass Turkey does not cover this site — carry cash as card acceptance is inconsistent
- The carved stone portal faces east and catches the best morning light; photography is most rewarding in the first two hours after sunrise
- Dolmuş from Aksaray Otogar to Sultanhanı run several times per day (₺60-90); check departure times at the otogar the day before
- Combine with a detour to Lake Tuz south shore: the D750 north junction is only 10 minutes from Sultanhanı, making a two-stop day straightforward
When to visit
Year-round; the covered winter hall is comfortable in all seasons. Morning visits before 10:00 offer the best light on the eastern portal and the fewest visitors. Midsummer visits should plan to leave before 13:00 to avoid peak afternoon heat.
Accessibility
The caravanserai courtyard is compacted earth and stone and is broadly navigable on foot. The covered hall entrance has a low step threshold. Wheelchair access to the main spaces is partially feasible but the uneven historic floor surface presents challenges; no dedicated accessibility facilities are on site.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sultanhanı Caravanserai included in the Museum Pass Turkey?
No, the han is not currently included in the Museum Pass Turkey. Entry is paid separately at the site, approximately ₺100-150 per person.
How long does a visit typically take?
The complex can be explored thoroughly in 1 to 1.5 hours, including both the open courtyard and the covered winter hall.
What is the significance of the kiosk mosque in the courtyard?
The elevated köşk mescit allowed prayers to be conducted above the bustle of the courtyard without interrupting the flow of merchants and animals below. This design is a characteristic feature of large Seljuk hans.
Is there anything to eat near the caravanserai?
Several tea houses and small lokanta restaurants operate in Sultanhanı town, within a few minutes' walk of the entrance gate. Options are simple but adequate for a meal break.
Can visitors enter without a guide?
Yes, independent entry is fully possible. Explanatory panels in Turkish and English are provided throughout the site. Guided tours from Aksaray or Cappadocia-based operators are available for groups.