Aksaray City Guide
Image by NuriCanY via wikipedia

Turkey

Aksaray City Guide

Aksaray Province

Aksaray is a small city in Central Anatolia, Turkey. It's close to Cappadocia and offers a traditional Turkish experience away from tourist crowds. The city suits travelers wanting to explore nearby historic sites and remote workers seeking a quiet, affordable base, though amenities are basic.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Food is mostly traditional Turkish. Try sıkma, kapak pastry, and local kebabs. International options are limited but include pizza and döner. Some vegetarian dishes available. Late-night döner shops open occasionally.

Local Dishes:
Sıkma, Kapak pastry, Jug kebab
International Cuisine:
Pizza, Döner, Syrian cuisine
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
2

Nightlife is limited; few bars or clubs due to conservative atmosphere.

Coffee Culture
Limited
4

Traditional Turkish coffee and tea are common. Specialty coffee shops are rare.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is usual but not mandatory. Around 5-10% in restaurants, 10-15% for good service, rounding up taxis is common.

Top Attractions
Aksaray Museum
Museum
Local history and archaeology exhibits.
Eğri Minare
Historical
Leaning Minaret, an architectural landmark.
Ihlara Valley
Nature
Canyon with cave churches about 40 km away.
Mount Hasan
Nature
Volcanic mountain for hiking nearby.
Sultanhanı Caravanserai
Historical
Historic roadside inn, 30 minutes from city.
SIM Cards

SIM cards sold at airports and city stores. Major providers are Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom. Passport needed for registration. eSIMs available via Airalo and aloSIM.

Available at:
Turkcell Store
Vodafone Store
Türk Telekom Store
Recommended Apps
BiTaksi(Transport)
Getir(Delivery)
Yemeksepeti(Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Google Translate(Utility)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Generally moderate cleanliness and sanitation.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some pharmacies and minimarts open late. Food options after hours are limited to fast-food shops.

Groceries
Migros
CarrefourSA

Supermarkets like Migros, CarrefourSA, and local markets are available. Limited international products. Shops usually open 9 AM to 9 PM; some small stores close on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards are accepted in bigger stores, but small shops and markets mostly use cash.

ATMs

ATMs from major banks are common. Watch for fees depending on your bank. Use ATMs attached to main banks for safety.

Schools
Local only

No specific info on international or English-language schools. Local schools teach in Turkish.

Available Schools:
Aksaray Anatolian High School
Aksaray Science High School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Limited
Local Cafés
Some cafés have Wi-Fi but may lack quiet workspaces.
Alternatives:
Hotel Lobbies
Possible quiet spots with Wi-Fi.
Public Libraries
May have Wi-Fi; check availability.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

No organized nomad groups or events. Few work-friendly cafés and no co-living spaces.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Local parks and areas near Melendiz River provide green spaces and shaded walking areas.

Running
Good
6

Parks and river areas like Melendiz River are good for running. Generally safe during the day.

Gyms
Available

Some basic gyms and sports facilities available but no prominent chains.

Tennis
Poor
0

No known tennis courts.

Padel
Poor
0

No known padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
0

No widely known yoga studios.

Martial Arts
Poor
0

No well-known martial arts facilities.

Skiing
Poor
0

No local skiing; nearest resorts are far away.

Water Sports
Poor
0

No significant water sports available.

Surfing
Poor
0

Not available, city is inland.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving opportunities.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Healthcare quality is average. Private hospitals are better but fewer in number. English-speaking staff might be limited.

Hospitals:
Aksaray State Hospital
Private Clinics
Pharmacies:
Eczane Bayram
Eczane Meltem
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Use bottled water instead.

Common Scams
Taxi scams with long routes or inflated fares, Shoe shine scams demanding payment, Drink scams at bars after friendly invites, Fake police officers asking for documents, Currency exchange scams with wrong change

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Suitable for families wanting a quiet and traditional environment. Limited dedicated kids' facilities.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
3

The city is conservative with low acceptance. No known LGBTQ+ venues or events. Public displays of affection discouraged.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Some pet services exist but limited pet-friendly venues. Public parks can be used for walking.

Communities
Aksaray Community Facebook Group (Social)
Expats in Aksaray Facebook Group (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
253,113
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable. Short outages can happen but are rare.

Mountains
Available

Mount Hasan is nearby offering hiking opportunities.

Languages
Turkish(100%)
English(10%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
110
Fire Department
155
Police
156
Gendarmerie

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August, September
Summers can be very hot, sometimes over 40°C.
Snowfall
December, January, February
Winters bring significant snow and cold temperatures.
Rainy season
September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June
Rain is spread across many months, with May being wettest.

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