Private Sufi Tour Konya: Mevlana Museum & Sacred Sites

Rumi's city holds the tombs and lodges where Sufi practice took root.

A private Sufi tour in Konya visits the Mevlana Museum, the tomb of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, and six other sacred sites tied to 13th-century Sufi masters and the Mevlevi order. The guide speaks English or Turkish, pickup is included, and the tour runs seven to eight hours with lunch at a traditional Konya restaurant serving etliekmek. Wheelchair accessible throughout. Moderate fitness helps with the walking and standing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Konya Panorama Museum50m · entry included
2. Mevlana Museum2h · entry included

Explore Konya's Sufi heritage

• Visit Konya Panorama Museum
• Tour Mevlana Museum and tomb
• See tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi
• Visit Alaeddin Mosque
• Explore Sadreddun Konevi site
• Visit Meram district and Tavusbaba tomb
• See tomb of Atesbaz-ı Veli

The experience

What draws people to Konya is the Mevlana Museum: the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and home to Rumi's tomb, housed under a fluted turquoise dome that is one of Turkey's most recognizable sights. The tour starts there and moves through the city's spiritual geography: the tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi's spiritual guide; the Alaeddin Mosque, where Rumi and other Sufi masters prayed, built by Seljuk sultans between 1116 and 1220; and the tomb of Sadreddin Konevi, a 13th-century scholar and stepson of Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi who was close enough to Rumi that Rumi asked him to lead his funeral prayer.

The Konya Panorama Museum sits early in the day and shows the city as it was in the 13th century in three dimensions: scale models of Mevlevi lodges from Turkey and abroad, oil paintings and wax sculptures of key moments in Rumi's life from childhood to death. From there the guide takes you to Meram district, where a Seljuk-period mosque stands near a historical bridge and the tomb of Tavusbaba, a Sufi who came from India to meet Rumi and played the ney (reed flute) so well that Rumi and his followers came to listen. The last stop is the tomb of Ateşbaz-ı Veli, Rumi's cook and an important figure in the Mevlevi order. Lunch happens at one of Konya's best restaurants, serving etliekmek, the city's signature dish.

Private transportation and a professional guide in English or Turkish are included, as are all entry fees. The pace is steady (seven to eight hours on foot and in the car), and the sites themselves do not demand climbing or special access. All areas are wheelchair accessible and surfaces are level throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• professional guide in English or Turkish.
• entry to the Mevlana Museum, Konya Panorama Museum and all other sites.
• lunch at a traditional Konya restaurant serving etliekmek.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Selene Travel

Is this one for you?The tour runs seven to eight hours with steady walking between sites, so it suits travelers who are comfortable on their feet for most of the day. If you prefer a shorter visit or need frequent breaks, ask about a condensed version when you book.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Mevlana Museum and why is it the main reason people visit Konya?

The Mevlana Museum is the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and houses the tomb of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi master. It is the biggest Sufi center in Turkey, and its fluted turquoise dome is one of Turkey's most distinctive sights: the primary draw for both Muslim and non-Muslim visitors.

Who was Shams-i Tabrizi and why does the tour visit his tomb?

Shams-i Tabrizi was Rumi's spiritual guide, inspiration and companion. His tomb is one of the most important sites to visit in Konya because of his central role in Rumi's spiritual life and teaching.

What is etliekmek and where do I eat it on this tour?

Etliekmek is the most popular traditional food of Konya, a meat-filled pastry. Lunch is served at one of the city's best restaurants that specializes in it, included in the tour price.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour runs seven to eight hours total and involves steady walking between sites and inside museums. Moderate physical fitness helps, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout.

Does the tour include transportation from my hotel?

Yes, private transportation and pickup are included in the tour price.