Sivas Travel Guide
City City in central Turkey with rich history
Waystations on old Silk Road routes left Sivas with Seljuk madrasas and caravanserai; visitors study 12th-century stonework, try regional kebabs and seek thermal spas in surrounding hills.
Why Visit Sivas? #
Steeped in Anatolian and Seljuk history, this central Turkish city appeals to those seeking off-the-beaten-path heritage. Nearby UNESCO-listed Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital provide exceptional medieval stonework, while the city center’s Gök Medrese and the Sivas Congress Museum speak to later eras of Ottoman and Republican history. Local pastries like Sivas katmeri and hearty regional kebabs round out visits for travelers who enjoy historic architecture paired with distinctive provincial cuisine.
Who's Sivas For?
Sivas sits on high Anatolian plateaus with wide steppe landscapes and mountain scenery nearby; trekking, plateau drives and summer pastures give outdoor opportunities distinct from Turkey’s coast. Winters are cold, summers are wide open.
Quiet streets, historic Seljuk architecture and thermal baths give couples a calm, off-the-beaten-track experience. Modest boutique hotels in the city centre create intimate stays without tourist crowds.
Parks, local museums and accessible historical sites like Gök Medrese make Sivas manageable for family visits. Distances between attractions are short and many eateries are casual and family-oriented.
Central Anatolian cuisine in Sivas features hearty kebabs, pastirma and local breads; traditional tea gardens and family-run lokantas serve filling meals at low prices. Regional specialties are the highlight for curious eaters.
Top Things to Do in Sivas
All Attractions ›
- Çifte Minareli Medrese - Seljuk-era madrasa marked by twin minarets and richly carved entrance façade.
- Sivas Congress and Ethnography Museum (Sivas Kongre Müzesi) - Site of 1919 Sivas Congress, now housing Atatürk exhibits and regional ethnography.
- Gök Medrese - Historic Gök Medrese with ornate stone decoration and a quiet inner courtyard.
- Sivas Ulu Camii (Great Mosque) - Sprawling Ottoman-era mosque at the city's heart, active prayer and architecture focal.
- Sivas Archaeology and Ethnography Museum - Collections span prehistoric artifacts to Ottoman-era folk objects, offering deep regional context.
- Sivas Bedesteni (Covered Bazaar) - Small covered market with traditional shops, carpets, copperware, and local food stalls.
- Sivas Castle (Sivas Kalesi) - Ruined hilltop castle providing city panoramas and a sense of medieval Sivas.
- Sivas Bedesteni (Covered Bazaar) - Small covered market with traditional shops, carpets, copperware, and local food stalls.
- Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital (Divriği Ulu Camii ve Darüşşifası) - 13th-century UNESCO-listed mosque and hospital famed for intricate stone-carved portal and reliefs.
- Kangal Hot Springs (Balıklı Kaplıca, Kangal) - Thermal pools inhabited by small fish that nibble skin, popular therapeutic attraction.
- Lake Hafik (Hafik Gölü) - Quiet freshwater lake lined by reed beds, ideal for walking and birdwatching.
- Çifte Minareli Medrese - Seljuk-era madrasa marked by twin minarets and richly carved entrance façade.
Where to Go in Sivas #
Historical Quarter
Sivas’s historical core is compact and rewarding: Seljuk-era madrasas, an impressive Great Mosque and narrow streets lined with traditional tea houses. It’s a good area for history lovers who enjoy stepping back into medieval Anatolian architecture and quieter, slower city life.
Top Spots
- Gök Medrese - the striking Seljuk-era madrasa with blue tiles.
- Sivas Ulu Camii (Great Mosque) - an important medieval religious site.
- Buruciye Medrese - restored educational building near the old quarter.
Modern Centre
The modern centre is where Sivas moves: a broad square, municipal buildings and a good selection of cafés and shops. The Congress Museum is here, telling the story of the Republican era. It’s practical and useful for arranging transport or catching local meals.
Top Spots
- Cumhuriyet Meydanı - the city’s main square and meeting point.
- Sivas Congress & Ethnography Museum - important 20th-century historic site.
- Main shopping streets - bakeries, cafés and everyday stores.
Outskirts & Springs
The fringes of Sivas city and its province are best explored by car: thermal springs, quiet villages and rugged countryside. If you have time, take a day trip to experience rural life, traditional Turkish baths and lesser-visited historical sites outside the urban core.
Top Spots
- Thermal springs & local baths (regional) - day-trip options around the province.
- Countryside drives - routes to nearby small towns and archaeological sites.
- Small local cafés - traditional Anatolian hospitality off the main roads.
Plan Your Visit to Sivas #
Best Time to Visit Sivas #
Visit Sivas in late spring through early summer for pleasant days, cool nights, and easy access to its historic sites and plateau scenery. The city has a high-elevation continental climate-long, snowy winters and hot, dry summers.
Best Time to Visit Sivas #
Sivas'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 -6°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 8 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Sivas
Sivas is best reached by flying into Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport (VAS) or by rail/bus to Sivas Gar and the city's Otogar. The city is a regional rail and coach hub, so trains and intercity buses provide reliable connections to Ankara, Kayseri and eastern Turkey.
Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport (VAS): The regional airport serving Sivas is Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport, about 20-25 km north of the city centre. From the airport you can take a taxi (approx. 25-35 minutes to the centre) or shared/private airport shuttles operated by local companies; taxis typically cost in the low hundreds of TRY for the full trip and shuttle minibuses are noticeably cheaper (expect lower-than-taxi fares). There is no frequent metro link or large dedicated express coach service like Havaist in bigger cities, so plan for road transfer times.
Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR): Kayseri’s airport is an alternative when flight options to Sivas are limited; it is about 160 km (roughly 2-2.5 hours drive) from Sivas. From ASR you can take the airport shuttle/taxi into Kayseri city centre (15-25 minutes) and then intercity buses or trains from Kayseri Otogar / Kayseri Gar to Sivas; intercity bus rides from Kayseri to Sivas take around 2-3 hours and are run by several coach companies from the Kayseri Otogar.
Train: Sivas is served by Sivas Gar (Sivas Train Station) on TCDD routes. The Ankara-Sivas high‑speed line (YHT) connects Ankara with Sivas (arrival at Sivas Gar); journey times are typically a few hours depending on the service and booking class. Regional and conventional TCDD services also call at Sivas for destinations across eastern and central Anatolia-check TCDD Taşımacılık for schedules and fares.
Bus: Sivas Otogar (the intercity bus terminal) is the main hub for coach services to and from Ankara, Istanbul, Kayseri, Erzurum and other cities. Several private coach operators run frequent overnight and daytime services; journey times vary widely (Ankara ≈ 5-6 hours, Istanbul ≈ 10-14 hours, Kayseri ≈ 2-3 hours) and prices depend on company and season-book via operator websites or central ticket offices at the otogar.
How to Get Around Sivas
Sivas is compact enough that local buses, dolmuş and taxis cover most practical needs, while trains and intercity coaches are the reliable long‑distance options. For most visitors, arriving by train or coach and using local buses or short taxi rides plus plenty of walking in the centre works best.
- TCDD (Intercity & YHT) (Approximately 100-300 TRY (depends on route and class)) - Sivas Gar handles both regional and intercity TCDD trains; the Ankara-Sivas high‑speed trains (YHT) provide a faster, comfortable option for travelling to the capital. Book tickets in advance on the TCDD Taşımacılık website or at the station. Trains are usually punctual and a good choice if you prefer fixed schedules and luggage-friendly travel.
- Intercity coaches (Otogar) (Approximately 100-500 TRY (route-dependent)) - Sivas Otogar is busy, with dozens of private coach operators running services across Turkey. Buses are usually overnight on long routes (Istanbul, Ankara) and daytime for nearer cities (Kayseri, Erzurum). Coaches are economical, comfortable and frequent - tickets can be bought at the otogar or via company websites; keep an eye on departure bays and arrive early for luggage handling.
- City buses & dolmuş (shared minibuses) (~7-15 TRY per trip) - Local municipal buses and dolmuş minibuses cover routes across Sivas and to nearby suburbs. Buses are the cheapest way to travel inside the city and generally run on set routes from the central hubs; dolmuş run flexible routes and are useful for short hops. Carry small change or a local transport card where accepted and check timetables at major stops.
- Taxi & ride apps (BiTaksi) (Short trips ~60-200 TRY; airport transfers and longer rides cost more) - Taxis are widely available in Sivas and are useful for door‑to‑door journeys, especially at night or with luggage. You can hail one on the street, find a rank near the otogar/rail station, or use apps like BiTaksi in larger Turkish cities-confirm the meter is on or negotiate a price beforehand for airport transfers. Expect fares to be noticeably higher than buses but convenient for small groups or tight schedules.
- Car hire (Daily hire varies widely - typically several hundred TRY per day depending on season) - Hiring a car gives the most freedom for exploring the surrounding region (e.g., Divriği, Kangal). Local and international agencies operate in larger nearby airports and in Sivas; roads are generally good but expect winter conditions to affect travel on rural routes. Parking in the city centre can be limited-look for paid parking zones and hotel arrangements.
- Walking - Sivas's historic centre is compact and pleasant to explore on foot; many key sights (Gök Medrese, Çifte Minareli Medrese area, city squares) are clustered together. Walking is the best way to take in the architecture and street atmosphere, especially in the old city; wear comfortable shoes for uneven pavements and courtyards.
Where to Stay in Sivas #
Where to Eat in Sivas #
Sivas sits in Central Anatolia and its cuisine is robust and rustic: think coal-grilled köfte, tandır‑roasted meats and simple mezze made from local legumes and mountain greens. The seasonal herb madımak is a local specialty in spring, and small kebab houses and tandır restaurants across town serve the region’s classic preparations.
International dining is limited and practical - pizza joints, kebab shops and casual Chinese covers most needs. If you’re vegetarian, head to the market or family lokantas for meze plates, stuffed vegetables and börek - simple but filling.
- Sivas Köftecisi - Local kebab and köfte specialty houses.
- Madımak Stalls - Regional herb dishes, especially spring season.
- Tandır Evi - Slow-roasted lamb and tandır breads.
- Trattoria Sivas - Italian-style pizza and pasta in town centre.
- Sivas Döner & Wraps - Quick Middle Eastern and Mediterranean wraps.
- City Chinese - Casual Chinese dishes for takeaway.
- Sebzeci - Pazar Yanı - Market stalls with cooked vegetable dishes.
- Çiçek Börekçisi - Vegetarian börek and pastry options.
- Local Lokanta - Meze plates and vegetable stews at family restaurants.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Sivas's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Sivas #
Sivas has a quiet, local-oriented nightlife: tea gardens, small cafés and neighbourhood pubs are the evening staples. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly; large nightclubs are uncommon. Evenings are best spent in central squares or local çarşı where people gather for conversation and late meals. Expect early closing times compared with bigger cities; plan transport in advance for late returns.
Best Bets
- Sivas city centre (çarşı area) - Main cluster of cafés, tea gardens and local eateries.
- Local cafés and tea gardens - Relaxed evening spots popular with families and friends.
- Central restaurants - Good for late local cuisine; many close earlier than big cities.
- Small live-event venues - Occasional performances and cultural nights; check local listings.
- Evening market/çarşı strolls - Markets and stalls provide evening atmosphere in summer months.
- Traditional tea houses - Social hubs for locals, open into the evening hours.
Shopping in Sivas #
Sivas is a traditional Anatolian city with lively bazaars and shops specialising in textiles, local food products and regional handicrafts. The city’s covered bazaars and streets around the historic centre are the best places to find local spices, dried fruits, textiles and leather goods. Expect straightforward prices in shops and friendly haggling at market stalls; quality check rugs and textiles before buying and prefer established shops for larger purchases.
Best Bets
- Sivas Bazaar (City Centre) - Traditional bazaar selling spices, textiles and everyday goods.
- Covered Bazaar & Small Shops - Historic indoor stalls with local handicrafts and food products.
- Ulucami Neighbourhood Shops - Local stores near the mosque offering textiles and souvenirs.
- Specialist Food Shops - Dried fruits, nuts and regional preserves sold by weight.
- Carpet & Textile Dealers - Small dealers offering local rugs, kilims and woven goods.
- Weekly Open-Air Markets - Rotating markets good for bargains and locally made items.
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