Rumi Tour in Konya: Mevlana Museum & Spiritual Sites

Walk the places where Rumi lived and taught, guided through a 13th-century spiritual legacy

This is a guided tour of Konya following the life and teachings of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet and founder of the whirling dervishes. The tour centers on the Mevlana Museum (the former lodge and Rumi's tomb, housed under a distinctive turquoise-tiled dome), and moves through six related sites including the tomb of his spiritual guide Shams-i Tabrizi, the İplikci Mosque built in 1202, and the gold bazaar where Rumi is said to have first begun to whirl. Private transportation, a professional guide in English or Turkish, lunch at a traditional Konya restaurant, and all admission fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rumi's life and legacy

• Visit the Mevlana Museum and tomb
• See Marecel Bahreyn meeting place
• Visit İplikci Mosque and Altunaba Madrasah site
• Visit Shams-i Tabrizi tomb and Gold Bazaar
• Explore Ateşbaz-ı Veli kitchen
• Visit Cemel Ali Dede's tomb

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and heads straight to the Mevlana Museum, the largest Sufi center in Turkey and the reason most visitors come to Konya. You'll see Rumi's tomb inside the building and walk through the former lodge of the whirling dervishes, where the turquoise dome and fluted tiles mark one of Turkey's most recognizable landmarks. A guide walks you through the spiritual significance of the space and Rumi's life in the 13th century.

From there, the route moves through the places where Rumi's story unfolded. You visit Marecel Bahreyn, the first meeting place of Rumi and Shams-i Tabrizi, his spiritual guide and closest companion. The İplikci Mosque, built in 1202, comes next, followed by the tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi himself: one of the most important stops on the itinerary. The gold bazaar is where, according to tradition, Rumi first began to whirl when he heard the sound of hammers striking gold sheets. You also visit the tombs of Ateşbaz-ı Veli, Rumi's cook and a key figure in the Mevlevi kitchen tradition, and Cemel Ali Dede, Rumi's childhood nanny.

Lunch is served at one of Konya's best restaurants, where you'll eat etliekmek, the city's most popular traditional dish. The guide stays with you throughout the day, explaining the spiritual and historical context of each site. The tour runs about six to seven hours and covers all entry fees, so there are no surprises at the gate.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the day.
• professional guiding in English or Turkish.
• lunch at a traditional Konya restaurant serving etliekmek with drinks.
• all admission fees to the Mevlana Museum, mosques, and tomb sites.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Selene Travel

Is this one for you?The six-to-seven-hour duration leaves room for an early start or a late afternoon in the city, but rules out combining this tour with a second full-day excursion. Book this if you have a single morning or afternoon free and want to spend it on Rumi's life and the spiritual sites connected to him, with a guide who can explain the context at each stop.

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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 important to Rumi's story?

The Mevlana Museum is the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and houses the tomb of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet who founded the order. It is the largest Sufi center in Turkey, and its distinctive turquoise-tiled dome is one of the country's most recognizable sights. The museum is the main reason visitors come to Konya.

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

Shams-i Tabrizi was Rumi's spiritual guide, inspiration and closest companion. His tomb is one of the most important stops on the tour because of the profound influence he had on Rumi's spiritual development and teachings.

What will I eat during the tour?

Lunch is served at one of Konya's best restaurants and includes etliekmek, the city's most popular traditional dish. Drinks are included with the meal.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs about six to seven hours and includes private transportation from your hotel, a professional guide in English or Turkish, lunch with drinks, and all admission fees to the sites you visit.

Where does the tour start and how do I get picked up?

The tour includes hotel pickup, so your guide and driver will collect you from your accommodation in Konya at the agreed time and return you at the end of the day.