Sivas Travel Guide

04.12.2024
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Sivas Travel Guide

Located in the Central Anatolia Region and with a surface area of ​​2768 km², Sivas, Turkey’s second largest city, is a place that has hosted many civilizations throughout history. It draws attention with its rich cultural heritage dating back to 5000 BC. Many important archaeological and cultural artifacts from the Chalcolithic Age to the Ottoman Empire can be seen both in the city center and in its districts. Sivas also attracts attention with its natural beauties; its lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and plateaus attract the attention of nature lovers, while in the winter months it hosts holidaymakers with the Yıldız Mountain Ski Center.

Sivas, an important point on the ancient Silk Road, is still an important center in trade today. It is especially famous for the textiles, silver embroidery and famous honey produced in the city. In the hundreds of years old inns and covered bazaars around the center of Sivas, you can find local souvenirs and handicrafts. In addition, you can enjoy the favorite meat and vegetable dishes of Sivas cuisine in the local restaurants around the covered bazaars.

Sivas, which has 17 districts such as Divriği, Kangal, Şarkışla, Suşehri, Zara and Gürün, has its own unique symbol and local festival in each district. The city offers different beauties in every season, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience. The museums and places in the center, full of historical and cultural riches, are very close. Transportation to the districts is extremely easy with minibuses and taxis.

When to Go to Sivas?

Sivas, which is located under the harsh climate of the Central Anatolia Region, experiences very cold and snowy weather in the winter months. The city is covered with snow for 3-4 months of the year, while temperatures are quite high and dry in the summer months. Autumn passes with heavy rainfall. The most suitable time to explore the historical and natural riches of Sivas is the spring months. During this period, nature comes to life and the air reaches ideal temperatures for excursions.

How to get to Sivas?

Getting to Sivas is quite easy with various options. Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport, which has been in service since 1990, is 32 kilometers from the city center. Transportation by air is the most comfortable option in the city, and it is possible to find direct or connecting flights to Sivas from many major cities in Turkey and abroad. Airport shuttles, municipal buses or 24-hour taxis can be used to get from the airport to the city center.

Sivas also has an extensive road network and can be reached from the bus terminal, which is only 2 kilometers away from the city center. It is 439 km from Ankara, İstanbulLocated 888 km from Istanbul, 335 km from Samsun and 196 km from Kayseri, Sivas can be easily reached by bus or private vehicle from many cities and districts of Turkey.

What to Eat in Sivas?

Sivas is a delicious stop that showcases the richness of traditional Anatolian cuisine. Offering different options from Ottoman cuisine to world cuisine, you can find quality restaurants that will appeal to your taste in the city. When it comes to Sivas cuisine, the first flavors that come to mind are Sivas meatballs, saç kebabı and Divriği pilaf. To experience these local flavors, you can visit popular places such as Lezzetçi Çamlık Restaurant, Mücahit Etli Pide and Özen Kebap. You should also definitely try the famous crispy cauldron simit, which you can find on almost every corner in the city.

Sivas cuisine is also rich in meat, vegetable and pastry varieties. Dried cucumber dolma, madımak, peskutan soup, Sivas kete, kesme aşı and lentil badı are among the other regional dishes that you will never get enough of. Each one brings the rich cultural heritage of Sivas to your table.

Activities to Do in Sivas

There are many enjoyable activities to do in Sivas, offering great opportunities for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Tödürge Lake, located 12 kilometers away from Zara district, is an ideal place for swimming, fishing, boat and rowboat trips in the summer months. This naturally formed lake is like an oasis surrounded by steppes. The lake is home to many species of birds and fish, so fishing trips and nature walks on the lakeside walking trails are quite popular.

In winter, one of the most popular places in Sivas, Yıldız Mountain Ski Resort, is 60 kilometers away and is a perfect choice for ski lovers with its tracks that meet international standards. In addition to ski training for all age groups, you can also enjoy sausage bread on the snow.

Kangal district, 89 kilometers away from Sivas, is famous for the Kangal Fish Spring, known as a healing source. Offering health with doctor fish for centuries, this spring is an ideal place to relax and relieve fatigue at any time of the year, even if you do not have health problems.

Finally, Gökpınar Lake, known as the hidden paradise of Sivas, fascinates nature lovers by offering shades of green and blue together in every season. In this natural beauty, which is 147 kilometers away, canoeing and rowing tours, as well as water sports such as diving and rafting have become popular in recent years.

Sivas Night Life

Sivas is a city that offers a variety of entertainment options and has a rich nightlife with venues and bars where you can listen to music from all styles. Especially the venues located in Atatürk Street, İstasyon Street and Eskikale districts host entertainment with DJ performances and live music. In addition, folk songs bars are also very popular for those who want to listen to local music.

Shopping in Sivas

Located on the historical Silk Road, Sivas offers a wide range of options for shoppers with both traditional bazaars and modern shopping malls. The city is especially known for its weaving and silver craftsmanship, and the stores around Bankalar Street offer many options for shoppers. Taş Han Bazaar, which has been in service for centuries, is one of the places where you can buy handicrafts, silver products and quality carpets specific to Sivas. Hanımeli Bazaar, where you can find the handmade products of Sivas women, is another beautiful place to shop.

The address for modern shopping is large shopping malls such as Primemall Sivas on Farabi Street, Sivas Büyük AVM in Gültepe and İstanbul AVM on İnönü Boulevard. In these malls, you can enjoy shopping with dozens of store options and various products.

Sivas Festivals and Fairs

Festival / Fair The time Location Highlights
Zara Honey and Culture Festival Mid August Zara Festival Area Promotion of Zara's famous honeys, concerts, dance shows, tasting of delicious honeys.
Aşık Veysel Culture and Art Festival Early August Sivrialan Village, Sarkisla Visit to Aşık Veysel's house which was converted into a museum, folk songs, cultural events.
Mariposa Fest End of October / beginning of November Bahcesehir Stadium, Taha Akgul Sports Hall Famous musicians, light shows, live music festival.
Ahmet Ayık Karakucak Wrestling and Honey Festival August Doganşar Traditional wrestling, concerts, folklore shows, local products.
Imranli Culture and Art Festival Early August Imranli Square Concerts, dance shows, talks, cultural and artistic events.
International Kangal Festival Mid July Sivas Promotion of Kangal dogs, competitions, information events.
September 4 Sivas Congress and Art Events Early September Sivas Congress commemoration events, seminars, nature walks, camping events.

Things To Consider

  • You can purchase a Kent Kart to benefit from public transportation in Sivas economically, so you can easily use the entire transportation network in the city.
  • Before visiting the city Museumcard Purchasing it allows you to enter museums, historical sites and touristic spots affiliated with the Ministry of Culture free of charge.
  • Sivas can be quite cold and snowy during the winter months. If you plan to travel during this season, be sure to bring appropriate clothing such as non-slip boots and warm clothing.

Transportation

Urban transportation in Sivas is quite easy and accessible. You can easily reach the city center and districts with municipal buses, private public buses and minibuses. In addition, there are bus stops on every main street and neighborhood of the city. 24-hour taxi stands are also common in the city. You can use public transportation economically by purchasing a Kent Kart.

Sivas is a city waiting to be discovered with its historical riches, natural beauties, traditional flavors and cultural events. Offering countless opportunities for discovery for both history lovers and nature enthusiasts, this city is also quite lively with its local festivals and fairs. A holiday in Sivas promises both a cultural journey and a pleasant nature experience. Sivas Travel Guide is a perfect start to discover all the important points in this unique city and to have an unforgettable travel experience.

Sivas is a city that every traveler should discover with its historical structures, natural beauties and cultural riches. The important touristic spots in the city range from ancient ruins to modern venues. Places to visit in Sivas To learn more about and explore the city step by step Places to Visit in Sivas You can take a look at our article titled. In this article, you can find the most striking places and places to visit in the city.

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