Kayseri is located right in the center of the country. Throughout history, this city has been one of the most important trade centers of Anatolia. At the foothills of Kayseri, there are several large Seljuk Turkish caravanserais and inns from the Silk Road era. The people of Kayseri are renowned in Turkey for their commercial acumen. Because of their strong economic power, they are often referred to as the "Anatolian Tigers."

 

Besides being a modern city, Kayseri also has a traditional and religious atmosphere. It is the most Islamic city in Turkey after Konya. Surrounded by mountains and the ski slopes of Erciyes, it offers incredible views. However, the city's stunning features are not limited to its mountains. In the past, most buildings in Kayseri were constructed with dark volcanic stone, resulting in remarkable architecture. It also boasts impressive monuments that reflect its history. When you visit Kayseri, you should definitely explore its bazaars. The city is also known for its textile and carpet industry. Be aware that there are excellent sellers. Kayseri is truly a gem for Turkish tourism. The city has always been a popular base for exploring Cappadocia. Kayseri has always been a fantastic city for Turkish tourism.

 

Kayseri has been a settlement since 3000 BC. It has great importance in our history and has been the capital of many empires, including the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, its historical and cultural structure is very rich. Especially in the past, it was an important trade center as a stop on the Silk Road. It has not lost this feature today. It is still a city of significant importance in trade in Turkey. It has also hosted many historical events. During the Turkish civil war, when Greek forces approached Ankara, it hosted the Turkish Grand National Assembly. There are also many legends about it once being the capital of Turkey.

The massive walls of Kayseri Castle were first built by the Roman Emperor Gordian III. Byzantine Emperor Justinian rebuilt it 300 years later, and it remains a masterpiece to this day. The imposing structure you see today is mostly the work of the 13th-century Seljuk Sultan Alaattin Keykubat.

 

The outer walls descend to Park and Talas Streets. With the restoration completed in 2020, the interior now hosts the Kayseri Archaeological Museum and provides space for an art center.

The small but informative archaeology museum in Kayseri should be visited. Due to its location near Kültepe, it also contains excerpts from there.

Adjacent to Kayseri's massive Covered Bazaar, the Bedesten Inn was built in 1497. It is among the limited number of bedestens in Turkey. It was originally a place for selling textiles and valuable jewelry during the Ottoman period. Various carpet sellers still operate among the stalls in the Bedesten. If you are interested in woven carpets and handmade textiles, you should definitely visit.

The second largest mountain in Kayseri after Erciyes. It attracts almost as many visitors as Erciyes Mountain. However, unlike Erciyes, this mountain is famous not for ski tourism but for its underground city. This underground city opened its doors to visitors in 2010 but has a history dating back to ancient times. Like the underground cities in Cappadocia, people in the past carved these volcanic rocks into living spaces.

The place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey, stayed during his visit to Kayseri in August 1919. If you want to expand your interest in history, you should definitely visit. The house contains items, clothes, and other artifacts from that time.

Located at the intersection of ancient trade routes, Kayseri has always been an important trade center. The Covered Bazaar is one of the largest bazaars built by the Ottomans. It was restored twice, in 1870 and 1980. The bazaar remains the heart of the city and is worth visiting. You can find a variety of shops within the bazaar, ensuring you find what you are looking for. If you want to buy gifts that reflect the Kayseri region, you should definitely explore the bazaar.

The Döner Kümbet, as it is called, does not rotate, but its cylindrical form gives the impression that it does. Built in 1276 as the final resting place of imperial princess Şah Cihan Hatun, it is covered with high relief decorations. The Çifte Kümbet, located 5 km on the Sivas road, is another example of these typical Seljuk tombs.

Kayseri is an important transportation hub in Central Anatolia and a key access point for Cappadocia.

Several flights depart daily from Istanbul to Kayseri. Kayseri Erkilet Airport has a brand new and modern terminal. The airport's architecture makes finding the flight area easy. Coordinated shuttle buses with flight schedules can take you to any hotel in Cappadocia towns like Göreme or Ürgüp. There are also shuttle services to the city center from the airport. Make sure to book in advance; otherwise, you may not find a place due to high demand.

Due to its proximity to many tourist cities, the bus is a frequently preferred means of transportation. The city has a busy bus terminal offering frequent and affordable services to other cities, including Ankara, Nevşehir (for Cappadocia), and Sivas. There are hourly bus services for these cities. Minibuses provide hourly service between Kayseri and most Cappadocia regions like Avanos, Göreme, and Ürgüp.

The main railway line extends from Ankara to Kayseri. Direct train services from Ankara to Kayseri take 7 hours daily. In addition to seated carriages, there are sleeper carriages available. This railway line then splits into two. The first line extends east to Sivas, and the second south to Niğde, Karaman, and Adana. Although the journey is longer than other transportation options, it is frequently preferred due to its affordability and comfort.

Reaching Kayseri from other major cities is quite convenient. New 2x2 lane roads make car travel much safer. The journey from Ankara to Kayseri takes 4 hours, and from Konya to Kayseri, it takes 5 hours.

Currently, transportation within Kayseri is provided by trams, buses, and minibuses. There is no metro in the city yet. You can reach your desired destination quickly using public transportation. Additionally, you can use the Smart City Kayseri application developed by Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality to learn the arrival and departure times of buses without any issues. You can easily download the application to your phones.

Kayseri is truly a culinary paradise. It has a cuisine suitable for almost everyone's palate. The Kayseri cuisine is predominantly based on meat and pastries. The most famous traditional dishes of Kayseri are Pastırma (cured beef), Sucuk (fermented sausage), Mantı, and Yağlama.

Known as Turkish dumplings, mantı can vary in size and shape depending on the region. They can be boiled, steamed, baked, or fried, but the recipe itself is quite standard. In Kayseri, there are 36 varieties of mantı. According to a legend, Kayseri mantı can fit 40 pieces on a spoon. The preparation is quite simple. Many people now make this dish at home. A classic mantı dough is kneaded and mixed with minced lamb or beef, onion, and spices. The prepared mixture is placed inside the dough and cooked. It is then served with a garlic yogurt sauce, sprinkled with sumac, red pepper, thyme, or mint.

Pastırma is made from highly seasoned smoked beef. It is a good source of protein. You can easily add it to almost any dish. Its various flavors will give a different taste to your meals. Pastırma is unique to Kayseri and is a local flavor of Kayseri. It is ordered from all over Turkey and is especially consumed at breakfast. It is a taste that those who love it can never give up. However, it may taste a bit strong for someone who doesn't like it.

Sucuk is generally made with minced meat. However, there are a few secrets to why Kayseri sucuk is so delicious. First, it must be made with real minced meat. The spices added to it give sucuk its distinctive flavor. Therefore, their proportions must be well adjusted. It is well mixed with salt, black pepper, red pepper, garlic, cumin, sumac, and other common Turkish spices. The preparation phase is not too difficult for someone who knows the job. The key is to grind the meat several times and knead it with the spices for a long time. It is then stuffed into intestines and left to dry for a few weeks. The salt and spices preserve the meat during the drying and fermentation process, giving it a unique flavor.

Yağlama is a pastry dish with a fantastic mixture of vegetables and minced meat between each layer. This dish is similar to pide, which has been a part of Turkish cuisine since the 6th century. It is preferred in every home due to its easy preparation. The cooked flatbreads are layered with the filling to complete the service. Don't forget to serve it with garlic yogurt on top.

Accommodation in Kayseri

Kayseri, rich with unique historical sites, attracts many tourists and offers a variety of accommodation options. If it’s your first visit to Kayseri, consider staying at hotels in the Kocasinan or Melikgazi districts, which are close to the city center. Staying in these areas ensures easy access to transportation and allows you to enjoy your trip more by exploring on foot. For those seeking more luxurious hotels, the Talas area is recommended. In winter, if you are visiting for a ski holiday, choose one of the beautiful hotels around Mount Erciyes. The mountain is about 30 minutes from the city center, and the roads remain clear even during heavy snowfall as maintenance teams work continuously.

The Best Time to Visit Kayseri

Kayseri experiences a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. If you don’t plan to ski on Mount Erciyes, the best times to visit Kayseri are in late spring or early autumn. The milder weather during these seasons will enhance your sightseeing experience.