Located in Central Anatolia, this Turkish city preserves Seljuk architecture, including the tomb of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, historic mosques, caravanserais, and ancient baths.
Aksaray, a city of 247,000 residents in central Turkey, sits at the edge of the ancient Cappadocia region. You can explore the 10,000-year-old Aşıklı Höyük settlement, where archaeologists found evidence of the world's first brain surgery. Walk through the Ihlara Valley to see Byzantine frescoes in rock-carved churches, rest at centuries-old caravanserais built for Silk Road traders, or descend into underground cities carved beneath Mount Hasan's 3,268-meter peak.
Walking the Ihlara Valley Trail
The Melendiz River carved the Ihlara Valley, creating 100-meter-high rock walls. You'll find more than 100 rock-carved churches dating from the 7th to 11th centuries, with 14 currently accessible. Inside Yılanlı Church (Church of the Serpent), Byzantine frescoes cover the walls with apocalyptic scenes and depictions of daily life. A wooden pathway follows the river for 14 kilometers, taking about 4 hours to complete. You'll find six viewing platforms and four rest areas with basic facilities along the route.
Archaeological Site of Aşıklı Höyük
At Aşıklı Höyük, dating to 8500 BC, you can see evidence of humanity's transition to permanent settlements. The site contains the skull of a patient who survived early brain surgery, along with remains showing early sheep and goat domestication. Walk through reconstructed buildings that show the evolution from circular mud-brick huts to rectangular stone houses over a millennium. The on-site museum displays stone tools, clay vessels, and skeletal remains discovered during excavations.
St. Mercurius and Saratlı Underground Cities
Descend seven floors below ground at St. Mercurius Underground City, where three levels are open to explore. The main church chamber reaches 15 meters high, with side chambers containing 40 tombs and living spaces used by early Christians. The 2,000-year-old ventilation system still brings fresh air to the lowest levels. At Saratlı Kırkgöz, three levels contain 40 rooms including functional ancient bathrooms, grain storage rooms, and horse stables with stone feeding troughs still fixed to the walls.
Transportation in Aksaray
Buses connect Kapadokya NevÅŸehir Airport (62 km away) to Aksaray's central station every two hours. Local minibuses run between major sites from 7 AM to 8 PM. You can walk to most city center sites within 20 minutes. For the Ihlara Valley or underground cities, take the hourly shuttles from the main square (15 TL one-way) or hire a taxi for around 400 TL per day.
Seasonal Considerations
Plan your visit for April-May to see purple and yellow wildflowers in the valleys, with temperatures around 20°C (68°F). September and October bring similar temperatures and clear skies. Summer temperatures rise above 30°C (86°F), making extended walks uncomfortable. In winter, temperatures drop below 0°C (32°F) with snow near Mount Hasan, though you can still access most underground sites.
