Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Why visit Zara (Sivas (58))
Zara (Sivas (58)) is a historic district & town (i̇lçe) in Sivas Province (Central Anatolia & Cappadocia Region), Türkiye, with a population of approximately 23,873 at an elevation of 1431 m. Zara (Sivas (58)) is a historic district & town (i̇lçe) in Sivas (Central Anatolia).
Getting to Zara & local transit
From Istanbul & Ankara: Take TCDD YHT high-speed rail or a domestic flight via Trabzon Airport (TZX) to Ankara, then local transit to Zara.
Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Trabzon Airport (TZX) (210.2 km) · Rail / Intercity Bus: Trabzon Coastal Hub & Black Sea Express.
Recommended Transit & Museum Cards: Istanbulkart / regional contactless transit & Museum Pass Türkiye. Compare fares with our TCDD YHT Rail vs. Flight Calculator, Istanbulkart & City Transit Calculator, and Museum Pass Türkiye Calculator.
Top things to see & do in Zara
- Zara Merkez Çarşısı & Historic Mosque
- Zara Kent Müzesi & Cultural Square
- Sivas Regional Bazaar & Tea Gardens
- Zara Panoramic Viewpoint & Park
Neighborhoods & quarters
Zara Merkez (Town Center)
Historic center, central mosque, and bazaar quarter of Zara.
Station / Otogar Quarter
Main transport gateway connecting Zara with Ankara.
What to eat in Zara — Local Specialties & Turkish Culinary Guide
Dining in Zara reflects the culinary heritage of Central Anatolia & Cappadocia, combining fresh market produce, wood-fired pide and kebabs, cold olive-oil meze, and traditional Turkish tea house culture.
Signature Local Dishes
Zara Must-Try Specialties
- Regional kebabs & meze
- Cappadocia Testi Kebabı (Pottery Kebab) — Slow-simmered lamb, garlic, and tomatoes sealed inside an Avanos clay jug and cracked open tableside.
- Kayseri Mantı & Konya Etli Ekmek — Tiny hand-pinched beef dumplings topped with garlic yogurt and sumac-mint butter, plus razor-thin Konya flatbread.
- Eskişehir Çibörek & Ankara Tava — Crimean Tatar crispy half-moon meat pastries and slow-roasted lamb over pilaf.
Central Anatolia Regional Cuisine
Regional Staples & Drinks
Cappadocia Testi Kebabı (Pottery Kebab) (Slow-simmered lamb, garlic, and tomatoes sealed inside an Avanos clay jug and cracked open tableside.) Kayseri Mantı & Konya Etli Ekmek (Tiny hand-pinched beef dumplings topped with garlic yogurt and sumac-mint butter, plus razor-thin Konya flatbread.) Eskişehir Çibörek & Ankara Tava (Crimean Tatar crispy half-moon meat pastries and slow-roasted lamb over pilaf.)
Local Drinks: Cappadocia Emir & Kalecik Karası Volcanic Wines, Salep with wild orchid root & cinnamon, Köpüklü Susurluk/Anatolian Ayran
Where to Eat in Zara: Lokantas, Meyhanes & Markets
Explore the central çarşı (market quarter) of Zara alongside regional culinary landmarks including Kayseri Pastırmacılar Çarşısı, Konya Bedesten Bazaar, Ürgüp & Avanos Weekly Markets for local cheeses, olives, spices, and freshly baked simit and pide.
Recommended Dining Areas: Kayseri Pastırmacılar Çarşısı · Konya Bedesten Bazaar · Ürgüp & Avanos Weekly Markets
Local Turkish Drinks & Pairings: Cappadocia Emir & Kalecik Karası Volcanic Wines · Salep with wild orchid root & cinnamon · Köpüklü Susurluk/Anatolian Ayran
Dining Etiquette & Ordering Tips: In Türkiye, midday esnaf lokantası (tradesmen's restaurants) display bubbling trays at the counter where you can order half-portions (yarım porsiyon). Evening meyhanes and ocakbaşı grill houses serve cold meze first; bread and tulip-glass Rize black tea (çay) after meals are typically complimentary. Use our Turkish Phrasebook & Restaurant Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently in Turkish.
Closest neighboring Turkish towns to Zara
- İmranlı — 30.2 km away
- Hafik — 32.6 km away
- Suşehri — 46.3 km away
- Doğanşar — 47.9 km away
- Koyulhisar — 53.3 km away