Mayor Büyükkılıç: “The Beauties of Kayseri Are Waiting for Tourists”
With a history spanning over 6,000 years, Kayseri sheds light on the past and is a truly ancient city that bears traces of many eras, offering globally unique beauties and riches. With its commerce, tourism, nature, cuisine, and historical structures, Kayseri is a gem of Turkey.”
Mayor Büyükkılıç emphasized that efforts to make Kayseri one of Turkey’s top tourism destinations are continuing at full speed.
Special Projects in History, Tourism, Education, Health, and Sports
“In Kayseri, the European Sports City Awarded with the Golden Flag, our projects in history, tourism, education, health, and sports continue rapidly. We are working hard to make Kayseri a center where the past and the future meet,” said Büyükkılıç, stressing that the support of all Kayseri residents has played a major role in these achievements.
The Mayor added, “With our projects that significantly contribute to the city’s economy and as the Metropolitan Municipality that allocates the highest share of its budget to investments in Turkey, we continue to beautify and develop Kayseri every day with the aim of making it a true tourism city.” He described Kayseri as an open-air museum where history bursts from every corner.
“The Beauties of Kayseri Are Waiting for Domestic and International Tourists”
Noting that nearly every type of tourism can be found in Kayseri, Mayor Büyükkılıç said, “Starting with Erciyes, the pearl of our country, we are home to natural wonders like Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls – the second largest waterfall in the world, the Koramaz Valley which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the Aladağlar and Hacer Forests, the Soğanlı Valley known for hot air balloon tourism, the bird paradise Sultan Marshes, our ancient heritage sites Kültepe Kaniş-Karum, the Kayseri Castle, madrasahs and museums, our Republic Square, and the Grand Bazaar – all are waiting to welcome domestic and international tourists.”
Büyükkılıç also reminded that the largest mosaic structure in Central Anatolia was discovered in the Örenşehir area of İncesu, and that Roman and Early Byzantine mosaics found during excavations will gain global recognition. He added that fossils dating back 7.5 million years, unlike any in the world, are also being uncovered.
He stated that with projects such as the Kültepe Museum – one of the few rock-carved museums in the world – the 14-house Assyrian Traders Street, and the Kültepe Visitor Center, they have revived the ancient site of Kültepe Kaniş-Karum.
Under the protocol planned with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, he said the house of Mimar Sinan in Ağırnas – a globally unique architectural genius – will be turned into a museum, and that the restored Çerkes Mustafa Bey Mansion will serve as the Koramaz Valley Museum. He also emphasized that innovative work at the Seljuk Civilization and Gevher Nesibe Museum of Medical History aims to present the city’s historical and cultural heritage more effectively to visitors.
Kayseri Tourism Master Plan in Action
Mayor Büyükkılıç underlined their dedication to promoting Kayseri’s cultural richness and diversity, saying, “Given the city’s thousands of years of history and its hosting of many civilizations, we are committed to promoting this cultural wealth to both other cities and the world. In this regard, we have updated and relaunched the Kayseri Tourism Map on our Geographic Information System portal: cbs.kayseri.bel.tr.”
He also introduced kayseri.com.tr, which serves as “Kayseri’s Extraordinary Tourism Guide,” where visitors can find everything from must-visit places and local flavors to travel routes and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
He highlighted that Mount Erciyes continues to serve tourism year-round with its modern facilities, ski slopes of varying difficulty, natural beauty, and international-standard infrastructure. Furthermore, the Tomarza Böke Canoe Project, developed in collaboration with the Governorship of Kayseri and the Metropolitan Municipality, will offer a unique experience combining sports and nature.
Mayor Büyükkılıç noted the importance of the Kayseri City Council’s Tourism Working Group meetings in advancing the city’s development and quality of life.
He also spoke about the Kayseri Tourism Master Plan, saying, “We successfully held the Kayseri Tourism Master Plan Search Conference, which is crucial for the future of tourism in our city. Through this plan, we aim to harness the city s potential in a more strategic and sustainable manner.”
Stating that Kayseri has gained international fame in gastronomy tourism, Büyükkılıç said, “We were proudly included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network by the Turkish National Commission as a city of gastronomy. This is a great honor for us. In addition to our Gastronomy Days, we will soon open the Culinary Arts Center project within Recep Tayyip Erdoğan National Garden.”
While continuing investments in tourism, he mentioned new eco-friendly projects that will delight nature lovers and campers, adding, “We are implementing Caravan Park Projects in two new areas, which will serve as new tourism destinations.”
2025 Türkiye Cultural Route Festival Will Suit Kayseri Perfectly
Finally, Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç concluded by saying:
“Words are not enough to describe the beauty of our Kayseri. With its unique cultural heritage passed down through thousands of years and countless natural wonders in the heart of Anatolia, Kayseri has become a versatile and multi-functional tourism destination, attracting attention in health, sports, and gastronomy. The 2025 Türkiye Cultural Route Festival, which will be held between September 6-14, will be a perfect fit for our city of civilizations – Kayseri.”
