İç Anadolu
AksarayThings to Do & Travel Guide
History hidden within a green canyon
What Is This City Known For?
Aksaray is home to the Ihlara Valley, which is considered part of the Cappadocia region and is known for its churches carved into the rock along the canyon. Acemhöyük, located within the province’s borders, is an important archaeological mound dating back to the pre-Hittite period.
About
Aksaray is home to one of the lesser-known yet most breathtaking natural wonders of the Cappadocia region: the Ihlara Valley. This 14-kilometer-long green canyon offers an unforgettable nature hike with its rock-cut churches and the babbling of the Melendiz River. The volcanic silhouette of Mount Hasan also reveals the region’s geological history.
Spring and fall
It's a 3-hour drive from Ankara and a 1-hour drive to Cappadocia (Nevşehir).
Moderate — average cost compared with other Turkish travel routes. Check current prices on booking sites.
1-2 days
5 Accommodations
7 Restaurants
10 Things to See
9 Local Delicacies
How to Get There
By Bus
Ankara, Konya ve Nevşehir'den düzenli seferler
By Car
Ankara-Aksaray D300 karayolu üzerinden
How Many Days Will You Stay?
We create an ideal route based on your length of stay.
Aksaray - 3 Days Itinerary
3 days plan generated from 10 attractions and 7 restaurants.
Breakfast: Belisırma, Aksaray çevresinde
A restaurant in the valley, along the riverbank, famous for its testi kebab and gözleme
⏱ 1 hours
Get DirectionsIhlara Vadisi
A 14-kilometer-long canyon, a green valley home to rock-cut churches
⏱ 3-4 hours (yürüyüş)
Get DirectionsLunch: Merkez, Aksaray çevresinde
In the city center, traditional Central Anatolian cuisine
⏱ 1.5 hours
Get DirectionsDinner: Belisırma, Ihlara, Aksaray çevresinde
A village restaurant known for its trout and gözleme, perfect for a break after a hike through the valley
⏱ 2 hours
Get DirectionsBreakfast: Sultanhanı, Aksaray çevresinde
Next to the caravanserai: tandir and home-cooked meals
⏱ 1 hours
Get DirectionsLunch: Ihlara, Aksaray çevresinde
Trout at the tables by the stream on the valley floor
⏱ 1.5 hours
Get DirectionsDinner: Güzelyurt, Aksaray çevresinde
Local cuisine on the terrace of a Greek house overlooking the valley
⏱ 2 hours
Get DirectionsBreakfast: Tuz Gölü, Aksaray çevresinde
A break for tea and gözleme by the lake
⏱ 1 hours
Get DirectionsLunch: Belisırma, Aksaray çevresinde
A restaurant in the valley, along the riverbank, famous for its testi kebab and gözleme
⏱ 1.5 hours
Get DirectionsDinner: Merkez, Aksaray çevresinde
In the city center, traditional Central Anatolian cuisine
⏱ 2 hours
Get DirectionsGüzelyurt (Gelveri)
A valley town with rock-cut churches and old Greek houses
⏱ 3 hours
Get Directions💡 Son days — dönüş yolculuğu için zaman payı bırakın.
Routes Shared by Travelers
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Things to Do in Aksaray
Showing 10 of 10 records
Ihlara Vadisi
14 km uzunluğunda kanyon, içinde kaya kiliseleri barındıran yeşil vadi
Y
Merdivenli iniş, sonrası düz vadi tabanı
Vadi giriş noktasında ücretsiz otopark
Sultanhanı Kervansarayı
Anadolu'nun en büyük Selçuklu kervansarayı
T
Erişilebilir
Güzelyurt (Gelveri)
Kaya kiliseleri ve eski Rum evleriyle vadi kasabası
M
Taş sokaklar, yokuşlu
Tuz Gölü
Türkiye'nin ikinci büyük gölü, yazın beyaz tuz tabakası
G
Araçla erişilebilir
Hasan Dağı
Volkanik silüetiyle Kapadokya'nın peribacalarını oluşturan kaynak dağ
T
Dağcılık deneyimi gerektirir
Selime Manastırı
Kapadokya'nın en büyük kaya oyma manastır kompleksi
I
Merdivenli tırmanış
Aksaray Eğri Minare (Kızıl Minare)
Kırmızı tuğlalı, hafif eğimli Selçuklu minaresi
Ş
Erişilebilir
Belisırma Köyü
Ihlara Vadisi'nin dere kenarı köyü
V
Erişilebilir
Ağzıkarahan Kervansarayı
Selçuklu dönemi taş kervansarayı
S
Erişilebilir
Eskil Tuz Gölü Kıyısı
Tuz Gölü'nün Aksaray kıyı şeridi
Y
Erişilebilir
Camping & Caravan Spots
No verified camping/caravan spot has been added for this city yet.
TV Shows & Films Filmed in Aksaray
No verified filming location has been added for this city yet.
More Cities in İç Anadolu
Day Trips from Aksaray
Cities within a 3-hour drive — distances and times from real route data.
Kapadokya
86.7 km · 1h 10min
Sıcak Hava Balonu Turu, Göreme Açık Hava Müzesi, Ihlara Vadisi
Route and distanceKırşehir
97.4 km · 1h 26min
Cacabey Medresesi, Ahi Evran Türbesi, Kaman Kalehöyük Arkeoloji Müzesi
Route and distanceNiğde
116.5 km · 1h 17min
Eski Gümüşler Manastırı, Kapuzbaşı Şelaleleri, Niğde Alaaddin Camii ve Kalesi
Route and distanceKonya
152 km · 1h 52min
Mevlana Türbesi ve Müzesi, Çatalhöyük Neolitik Kenti, Mevlâna Müzesi
Route and distanceKayseri
154 km · 2h 1min
Erciyes Dağı Kayak Merkezi, Soğanlı Vadisi, Kayseri Kapalı Çarşısı ve Bedesteni
Route and distanceKaraman
216.2 km · 2h 39min
Karaman Kalesi, Taşkale Tahıl Ambarları, Binbir Kilise (Madenşehir)
Route and distanceNearest Airports to Aksaray
Road distance and drive time from the airport to the city centre (without traffic).
Nevşehir Kapadokya Havalimanı (NAV)
78.3 km to the centre, about 1h 9min
Distance to Other Cities
Full distance table →Frequently Asked Questions
Spring and fall
It's a 3-hour drive from Ankara and a 1-hour drive to Cappadocia (Nevşehir).
Moderate — average cost compared with other Turkish travel routes. Check current prices on booking sites.
Aksaray Gözlemesi, Aksaray Tandır Kebabı, Aksaray Çullaması are among the famous local foods you must try.
1-2 days
Top spots in Aksaray include Ihlara Vadisi, Hasan Dağı, Selime Manastırı, Sultanhanı Kervansarayı.
Aksaray offers accommodation in the following categories: Guesthouse, Hotel, Boutique Hotel.