The Best Places to Visit in Kahramanmaraş

Maraş dondurmasıis made from goat’s milk, salep (orchid root flour), mastic and sugar — a combination that creates an ice cream that stretches elastically rather than melting quickly. The theatrical serving ritual, where vendors tease customers by repeatedly withdrawing the paddle before serving, is part of the experience. The best ice cream is in the city’s original shops in the bazaar district; branded versions sold in tourist areas are rarely authentic. Kahramanmaraş produces and exports the ice cream nationally and internationally.

Kahramanmaraş Kalesi, on a rocky hill above the city centre, has Byzantine foundations extended by the Dulkadirids and Mamluks. The walls and several towers are preserved; the interior has been landscaped into a public park. From the top there are panoramic views across the city and the surrounding mountain landscape. The castle complex includes the Ulu Cami(Grand Mosque) below the walls.

Kahramanmaraş was the capital of the Dulkadirids (Dulkadiroğulları), a Turkmen dynasty that controlled a buffer state between the Mamluks and Ottomans in the 14th–16th centuries. They left a collection of distinctive medrese and mosque buildings with carved stone portals. The Taş Medrese and Hatuniye Camii are the most accessible examples, both in the historic centre within walking distance.

Maraş biberi(Kahramanmaraş red pepper) is one of Turkey’s most prized spices — a specifically grown red pepper dried and ground with olive oil to create a moist, slightly oily, richly flavoured spice with medium heat. Unlike regular dried chilli, Maraş biberi has a deep, fruity flavour from the oil-preservation process. It’s used across Turkish cuisine, particularly in southeastern dishes, and the bazaar in Kahramanmaraş has the freshest supply.