Aşıklı Höyük

Archaeological Site Neolithic settlement important for early farming and ceramics

Early Neolithic settlement mound in Aksaray Province excavated for its prehistoric architecture and burials. Visitors include archaeologists and travellers interested in early sedentary communities.

Main image

Aşıklı Höyük is an early Neolithic tell in Aksaray Province, central Turkey, noted as one of the region’s important prehistoric settlements. The site preserves stratified domestic remains and burials dating to the early Neolithic.

The mound was occupied during the Neolithic period and yielded extensive evidence for village life, inhumations beneath floors, and craft activities. Excavations have revealed multiple occupation phases that document changes in architecture and domestic practice during the early Neolithic.

The tell lies in central Anatolia within Aksaray Province, on the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia region. It is located within driving distance of the city of Aksaray and surrounded by agricultural land and other Neolithic sites in the region.

  • Significance: One of the key early Neolithic sites in central Anatolia, important for studies of early sedentism and architecture.

What to See #

  • Settlement mound: The raised settlement mound where successive layers of Neolithic occupation and house floors are visible in archaeological sections.
  • Burial area: An associated burial area with multiple inhumations found beneath house floors and in pits, important for studying Neolithic mortuary practice in Anatolia.
Aşıklı Höyük
Aşıklı Höyük, near Kızılkaya, Aksaray Province, Turkey
38.3490, 34.2300

How to Get to Aşıklı Höyük #

Aşıklı Höyük is in Aksaray Province. From Aksaray city (about 20-30 km), drive south toward the village of Kızılkaya; local signs or GPS coordinates are recommended. Regional buses serve Aksaray from Ankara and other cities; arrange a taxi for the short local transfer.

Tips for Visiting Aşıklı Höyük #

  • Visit the on-site visitor area to see museum displays of pottery and bone tools recovered from the site.
  • Arrive in the morning to avoid the central Anatolian heat; protective hats and sunscreen are helpful.
  • Notice the settlement's unusual layout: early farming plots remain visible in aerial photography and explanatory panels.

Best Time to Visit Aşıklı Höyük #

Aşıklı Höyük is best visited in spring or autumn when central Anatolian weather is mild and site interpretation panels are easier to read in pleasant conditions.

Spring
April-June · 8-25°C
Great time to visit with mild temperatures and blooming steppe flora.
Autumn
September-October · 10-24°C
Cooler air and fewer visitors; good for combining with Cappadocia or Aksaray trips.

Weather & Climate near Aşıklı Höyük #

Climate

Aşıklı Höyük's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 76 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-5°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 47 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
11° 26°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 29°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
14.4h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 29°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
26°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
19°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Aşıklı Höyük