Sivas Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Sivas

Sivas is a treasure house of medieval Anatolian architecture, with most highlights clustered in the centre.

• Çifte Minareli Medrese — A 13th-century Seljuk madrasa whose ornate portal and twin minarets are a symbol of the city.
• Şifaiye Medrese — A Seljuk hospital and medical school facing it, now housing crafts shops and a tea garden.
• Gök Medrese — A richly carved Seljuk madrasa with tiled minarets.
• Congress Building — Where the 1919 Sivas Congress met, now a museum devoted to the War of Independence era.
• Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital — A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its extraordinary carved stone portals, several hours south-east.
• Kangal — Home to thermal fish springs and the famous Kangal shepherd dog, south of the city.
• Sivas cuisine — Try Sivas köfte and kebabs in the city’s traditional restaurants.

Best time to visit Sivas

Sivas sits at a high altitude and has a continental climate with warm, dry summers and long, cold winters. May to September is the best time to visit, when days are pleasant and roads to Divriği and Kangal are easy to travel.

Spring and early autumn are fresh and ideal for walking between monuments, though evenings can be cool. Winters are severe, with frequent snow and freezing temperatures, so pack warm clothing if visiting from November to March.

Getting from the airport

Sivas Nuri Demirağ Airport lies outside the city, roughly 20 km from the centre. It handles mainly domestic flights, so most international travellers connect through Istanbul or Ankara.

Shuttle buses usually run in connection with flights, and taxis are available outside the terminal. Car hire is useful for day trips to Divriği and Kangal. Sivas is also a stop on the long-distance railway, including the scenic Eastern Express route between Ankara and Kars.

Where to stay

Staying centrally makes it easy to walk between the Seljuk monuments.

• City centre around Hükümet Square — Best for sightseers, with the madrasas, museums and restaurants nearby.
• İstasyon Avenue area — Practical for rail travellers and business visitors.
• Newer districts — Modern hotels with parking suit travellers driving to Divriği or Kangal.

Travel tips

• Money: Cards are accepted in hotels and most shops; carry lira for markets and small eateries.
• Getting around: The centre is walkable; buses and taxis cover the rest, and a car helps for day trips.
• Weather: Nights are cool even in summer and winters are harsh, so bring warm layers.
• Etiquette: Sivas is conservative; dress modestly and remove shoes when entering mosques.
• Language: English is not widely spoken, so a translation app and a few Turkish phrases are helpful.