Province: Aksaray

Between the Seljuk capitol of Konya and Cappadocia Aksaray seems to get passed by. Yet full of Seljuk monuments, soaring mountains, volcanic craters, underground cities, ruinous churches, salt lakes, and a rich history of carped weaving, Aksaray is well worth visiting for its own sake.

The Underground Cities of Saratlı: St Mercurius and Kırkgöz

/ By Josh

Home to a pair of underground cities, Aksaray’s village of Saratlı is a great, just off the beaten path option to explore the wonders of the Cappadocian cave life.

The Ihlara Valley: Nature Walk, Cave Churches, and Historic Villages

/ By Josh

With a garden like atmosphere, the Ihlara Valley offers a beautiful walk through lush nature in a canyon full of Cappadocian Greek churches and monasteries

Aşıklı Archaeological Site and the Village of Kızılkaya

/ By Josh

Aşıklı Höyük is a ten-thousand-year-old Neolithic city mound in Kızılkaya, a village with abandoned stone and cave houses set in the red Cappadocian cliffs.

High Church Güzelyürt

/ By Josh

A small 19th century monastic complex perched on top of a massive, cave filled outcropping above the plains of Cappadocia and southern Aksaray.

The Ruined City of Nora/Mokissos and the Village of Helvadere

/ By Josh

On the skirts of Mount Hasan, near the village of Helvadere, the ruined city of Nora and Milk Church lay untouched, ready for you to discover!

Çanlı Church Ruins and Caves

/ By Josh

An 11th century Byzantine church surrounded by myriads of caves and tunnels high in the hills of Aksaray complete with a magnificent view of Mount Hasan

Sultanhanı (Aksaray)

/ By Josh

Sultanhani is a small town in Aksaray centered on a Seljuk Silk Road Caravanserai with a surprising cottage industry of traditional rug weaving.

Central Turkey’s Salt Lake

/ By Josh

A shimmering 1,665 square kilometre salt lake in the heart of Central Anatolia.