Private Konya Mevlana Tour from Istanbul with Flights

Your private driver picks you up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfers you to Istanbul Airport for your morning flight to Konya. Your guide will ensure a smooth check-in process before you board your approximately one-hour flight to this culturally rich city in the heart of Anatolia.

Upon arrival at Konya Airport, a local private guide and driver greet you and begin the scenic drive into the city center, passing through Konya’s wide boulevards lined with Seljuk-era architecture and modern landmarks.

Your first stop is the magnificent Mevlana Museum, the spiritual heart of Konya and the final resting place of the great Sufi mystic and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. Your private guide walks you through the ornate halls displaying Rumi’s manuscripts, personal belongings, and the iconic green-tiled mausoleum that draws visitors from around the world. Explore the dervish cells, the ceremonial hall, and the stunning collection of ancient Qurans at your own pace.

Next, stroll to the nearby Sultan Selim Mosque, an impressive Ottoman imperial mosque that towers over the Mevlana complex. Admire its grand dome and elegant interior while your guide shares stories of its construction and significance.

Continue to the Alaaddin Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Konya, perched atop Alaaddin Hill. This Seljuk masterpiece features a forest of ancient columns and houses the tombs of several Seljuk sultans.

Afterward, visit the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, dedicated to the wandering mystic who profoundly influenced Rumi’s spiritual transformation. Your private guide explains the deep bond between these two figures and the legacy they left behind.

Then explore the Karatay Madrasa, a 13th-century Seljuk theological school now serving as a tile museum. Marvel at the cobalt-blue tilework adorning the interior dome, showcasing some of the finest examples of Seljuk artistry.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant, where you can sample Konya’s famous cuisine, including etli ekmek (flatbread with minced meat), bamya çorbası (okra soup), and the city’s signature fırın kebabı (oven-roasted lamb).

After lunch, visit the Ince Minareli Madrasa, known for its intricately carved stone portal and slender minaret. Now a museum of stone and wood carving, it offers a remarkable window into Seljuk craftsmanship and artistic expression.

Take a final walk through Konya’s old quarter, browsing local shops for traditional felt crafts and Mevlevi-inspired souvenirs. Your private transfer will then take you to Konya Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon landing, your private driver will meet you at the arrivals gate to transfer you comfortably back to your hotel. End of our services.