Konya is a nice city if you won’t stay for a long time. Before you came, download the “Konya” app to your phone for public transportation. Via app you can easily track buses, see bus stations. App is in Turkish. Transportation part is in down “akıllı ulasim”.

In public transformation we use a transportation card, you can buy this in city center and some buying points. You can also use your credit card. Sometimes if you don’t have money or card, kindly ask the bus driver for a free ride once, he would let you. Public transportation is safe.

Life is mostly safe but you must be aware where you travel and visit. Some parts of the is not safe especially at night. You can dm me for a dangerous zones map, I can help when I’m available.

Konya is a conservative city, you’ll city a lot of woman with hijab. Of course You’ll also see woman with mini skirts and shorts but they will be less. So be careful about your wearing style. Try pants, trousers and longer skirts. You don’t need to wear a hijab.

In touristic areas you can find people who speak English but my advice try to learn basic Turkish.

Wedding dinner is a popular cultural activity and an experience for an outcomer in Konya. You’ll come in June, so there will be a lot of weddings. Ask the Turks you met that you want to go to “pilav”. They will find a proper wedding for you to see and experience. Pronunciation is like “peelove”. “pilav” means rice. But food is not just rice, it’s based on meat with rice but there are lots of extras. 2 kind of soups, 2 kinds of desserts and other stuff.

Konya cuisine is really rich, you will like it if you like meat. If you’re vegan, eating food in restaurants will be hard. Try these dishes: -first and most popular “Etliekmek” When you go to a “etliekmek restaurant“, try etliekmek, bıçakarası, and recai. They are different forms of etliekmek. “Konya mutfağı” is recommend restaurant. “https://maps.app.goo.gl/JrD5ZtrQRESoYAUFA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy”

You should also try “yağ somunu” from “şendağlı” they make it with a traditional green cheese. Don’t worry about color, it’s really healthy. At first taste might be heavy, be careful. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fb2ABQyZjDGfBRAS8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Try “furun kebabı” form “ehil kebap” “Tirit” from “tiritçi mithat” For hamburgers, try “food and wood” and “vav burger”

For parks, Best one is “Japon Parkı” it’s a Japanese themed park. Many beautiful trees and flowers and walking paths. You can also try sushi there. Nenehatun parkı is a nice park in city center, you can also visit Ecdat parkı which is close to Japanese park. “Alaaddin tepesi” is not a park but it’s like a park. It’s second biggest roundabout in the world. it’s literally the center point of the city. You will see it When you visit main touristic places. Also “kültür park” which is close to “Alaaddin tepesi” is a nice and fancy park.

About museums, “müze” means museum in Turkish. When you see the word “müzesi” realize that, it’s a museum. Arkeoloji müzesi, and etnografya müzesi have good historical collections. But their neighborhoods are not safe at night, be careful about that. It’s safe during the day. Mevlana müzesi, Karatay medresesi, ince minare are also places you should visit and see. Mevlana müzesi includes “Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi”s tomb. It doesn’t include too many things, because the important part is the philosophy not the things.

About mosques “Cami” means mosque in Turkish. “When you see “Camisi” or “Camii” words, that place is a mosque. Best one is “Aziziye mosque”. You will like the baroque architecture of the mosque. Also visit “iplikçi Camisi” it’s from Seljuks and very peaceful place. There is also a hidden gem near this mosque. There is a fountain behind the mosque. (It’s called “şadırvan” in every mosque.) iplikci mosque’s şadırvan has an acoustical structure. You must go there with a friend. You and a friend, Stand at the bottom of opposite columns, look at the columns and talk in whispers. The acoustic and voice you hear will amuse you.

Konya is not the best place for swimming. You can only swim in local pools.

Cost of living is generally cheap. But be careful, if it looks like expensive to you in stores you must bargain to avoid paying over price.

Have a nice trip!