Car & Van Hire - Konya

Konya is known as the City of Hearts, thanks to the influence of the great 13th-century poet Rumi, who is buried here. His tomb is one of the city's main attractions. It is inside the Mevlana Museum, a stunning building with a distinctive green roof. The interior of the museum is decorated with passages from Rumi's works. On Thursday nights in summer, the museum's rose garden hosts performances by the whirling dervishes, devout Sufi worshippers whose remarkable display is considered a form of physically active meditation. Rumi founded the order of dervishes, and the city remains a key spot for the group.

You can learn more about dervishes at the Mevlana Cultural Centre. There is a festival held each December where the dervish displays are truly spectacular, but whirling takes place throughout the year. It is spellbinding to watch, but remember to stay respectful. This is a form of religious worship, and for the participants, it is a sacred moment.

With car rental in Konya, you can take a trip back in time. Çatalhöyük is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of a city that dates back 9,000 years. Discovered by chance in 1958, this incredible ancient settlement continues to amaze archaeologists. 40 houses have been unearthed, along with pottery, artworks and primitive sculptures.

For something entirely different, head to the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden. This is the largest butterfly sanctuary in Europe, with over 10,000 colourful insects living inside the enormous dome. The tropical plants and year-round good weather make a stroll through this sanctuary a true pleasure.

You can find examples of Ottoman art and architecture all over Turkey, but few buildings are as impressive as the Aziziye Mosque. Inside, you can admire the stunning calligraphy and geometric decorations. The mosque welcomes visitors, but it is still a working house of worship, so do not enter during prayer time. You will need to dress modestly, and women should cover their heads.

Car or van rental in Konya is a great way to turn your holiday into a larger road trip. If you're up for an adventure, then Turkey's capital city, Ankara, is about 260 km away. Often overlooked in favour of Istanbul, Ankara has several impressive museums and mosques, and is a great place to learn about history. The enormous mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, is its star attraction, drawing visitors from across the country who wish to pay their respects.

Konya experiences heavy traffic during rush hour, so the city council has been working hard to lessen it. In recent years, projects have included widening existing roads as well as opening alternative routes. This is ongoing work, so it's a good idea to ask for tips at your hotel to beat the rush hour queues.

Generally, the best option for parking in Konya is at an "Oto Park". This is the local name for large multi-storey car parks, a common sight in Turkish cities. Cars are parked incredibly close together in Oto Parks. If you don't think you're capable of getting into such a tight spot, don't worry. The attendant will happily take your keys and park for you.

Alternatively, if you manage to find on-street parking, don't waste your time looking for a meter. You'll need to pay the parking attendant who approaches your car. You should always carry some cash in order to pay for parking.

Ensure your car is fitted with an HGS device. There are a couple of different types, but the most common is a simple sticker equipped with an electronic chip. This is used when you pass through the toll booths on Turkey's many toll roads. The HGS system is the only way that you can pay tolls, and if your car is not equipped for it, you will be fined.

Highways in Turkey are usually in very good condition, but country roads offer more of an adventure! You may find yourself stuck behind slow-moving agricultural vehicles or confronted by a herd of goats. Stay patient, and don't honk at them – it can make them angry.

Some visitors like to include Konya as a stop on a road trip on the way to the beautiful coastal region of Antalya. If so, plan your route carefully. The infamous Kus Yuvasi is a mountain pass 1,388 m above sea level on the road between Konya and Alanya. It is just 2.8 km long, but you can't miss it. It hugs the cliff face on one side, and the other side is a sheer drop into an abyss. The road is less than 1 m wide in some places and is a common spot for landslides, strong winds and loose stones. Visitors are strongly advised to seek an alternative route, using the network of tunnels that have been built for the safety of drivers.