Everything you need to visit spiritual Konya: the shrine of Mevlana Rumi, the whirling dervishes, Seljuk architecture, and how to get there from Iraq via Istanbul.
🔍 Search & book your flightKonya is unlike anywhere else in Turkey; here spirituality meets history, and a calm atmosphere carries the legacy of the Seljuk state and the memory of the sage Jalal al-Din Rumi. In this guide we tour its highlights and explain how Iraqi travellers can reach it easily via Istanbul.
Konya is a first-class spiritual and cultural destination and was once the capital of the Seljuks of Rum. Visitors come for reflection, calm and its religious and historic sights, away from the bustle of the big cities, in a welcoming atmosphere well suited to families and lovers of religious and cultural tourism.
The beating heart of Konya is the tomb and museum of Mevlana, where the poet and mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi rests beneath the famous green dome that has become a symbol of the city. The museum holds manuscripts, musical instruments and Mevlevi artefacts, and draws visitors of all faiths and nationalities in respect of Rumi's humane legacy.
Konya is famous for the Mevlevi Sema ceremony, in which dervishes in long white robes whirl in a solemn spiritual rite symbolising the ascent towards truth and love. Performances are usually held in the evening at the Mevlana Cultural Centre and on special occasions, especially during the week commemorating Rumi in December.
Konya abounds in Seljuk architectural gems, led by the Alaeddin Mosque on Alaeddin Hill in the city centre, the Karatay Madrasa with its turquoise tilework, and the İnce Minareli (Slender Minaret) Madrasa with its carved stone portal. The Şems-i Tebrizi Mosque and the Aziziye Mosque are also worth a visit for lovers of history and architecture.
There are usually no direct flights from Iraq to Konya, so travellers arrive via Istanbul and continue on a short domestic flight to Konya Airport (KYA) taking roughly an hour and a quarter, or overland by highway and high-speed train. Remember that Iraqi travellers need a Turkey visa; check Turkey visa requirements before booking.
Usually not; travellers arrive via Istanbul and then take a short domestic flight to Konya Airport (KYA), or go overland or by high-speed train.
Spring and autumn are milder for sightseeing, while December draws lovers of the Mevlevi order for the events commemorating Rumi.
Yes, Iraqi travellers need a Turkey visa (visa/e-visa). Check Turkey visa requirements before you travel.
The main ones include Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus and Iraqi Airways. You can compare flights and book through RideFly, then continue on a domestic flight to Konya.
