Çiftlik: Hotels for a trip to archaeological sites

Çiftlik links a local point of reference with archaeological sites across the wider travel area. If you are looking for a hotel in Çiftlik, you can first consider whether you are mainly interested in the settlement history at the Tepecik-Çiftlik site or in other archaeological and landscape sites. The differences between these places can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Tepecik-Çiftlik and its sequence of layers

The Çiftlik Tepecik archaeological site lies on the Melendiz Plain, one kilometre east of Çiftlik. Finds of pottery and obsidian point to settlement there from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. The continuous sequence of layers at the Tepecik-Çiftlik settlement extends from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic to the end of the Early Chalcolithic. This makes the site a key place for understanding Neolithic cultures in the eastern volcanic Cappadocia region.

A total of 14 layers have been identified at Tepecik-Çiftlik Höyük. The periods mentioned include the Pre-Pottery and Pottery Neolithic, the Early Chalcolithic, and the Late Roman–Early Byzantine period. The long sequence of layers, extending to the end of the Early Chalcolithic, and the 14 identified layers highlight different aspects: the former describes the site’s chronological importance to Neolithic research, while the latter reflects the range of layers identified. Tepecik is therefore of particular interest to travellers who want to understand settlement history as a succession of different periods.

Archaeological sites and landscapes nearby

At Kömürcü, Göllüdağ Ören Yeri is described as the only identified Late Hittite centre in Central Anatolia. The large walled area includes settlement areas as well as temple and house foundations; there is also a small lake within the walls. The remains are attributed to the period of the Late Hittite city-states, from 1200 to 700 BCE. They are thought to have originated in the 8th century BCE. Göllüdağ is also an extinct volcano rising 2,172 metres, with a crater lake inside its crater.

A different archaeological perspective is offered by the obsidian deposit in the Kozkuyu area on the eastern slopes of the Melendiz Mountains near Kömürcü. It is described as a prehistoric open-air workshop, with obsidian flakes found in the surrounding area. While Tepecik-Çiftlik is characterised by its settlement layers, Kozkuyu is notable for its interpretation as a workshop and its obsidian flakes.

Further afield in the region, Murtaza Kalesi is located in the village of Murtaza in Çiftlik district. A 2026 report estimates the castle to be about 1,000 years old. It was built on a massive rock and stands at a point overlooking the surrounding area. The entrance gate, six towers and defensive walls remain. At Kitreli, the Deliklitaş Mevkii settlement is registered as a first-degree archaeological site; the decision dates from 27 May 2021. The basin and building remains at Gökçetepe in Ulucami Mahallesi, Kitreli, were also registered as a first-degree archaeological site in 2023.

Getting your bearings, season and travel

The Tepecik-Çiftlik excavation house, run by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Istanbul University, is located on İnönü Caddesi in Yeni Mahalle, 51800 Çiftlik/Niğde. In Çiftlik, you can use the excavation house or the Old Health Station as local points of reference. Outside the excavation period from July to September, the excavation site and excavation house are not open to visitors. Even if you are planning a trip between July and September, you should confirm access directly in advance.

One described route starts at Niğde bus station, with a shuttle to Eski Garaj; according to the stated connection, minibuses to Çiftlik depart from there every hour. A direct Metro Turizm bus connection from Istanbul to Çiftlik is also described. Timetables and commercial bus services can change. Therefore, check connections before travelling rather than treating the information given as a current timetable.

If you are looking for a hotel in Çiftlik, first decide which themes you want to shape your trip: settlement history at the Tepecik-Çiftlik site, the places around Göllüdağ and Kömürcü, or the castle and archaeological sites elsewhere in the area. Then compare the locations of specific accommodation options with the places that matter to you. If your plans include Tepecik, you should also take visitor access conditions and the season into account.

Discover more destinations: Değirmenli, Niğde, Yeşilgölcük Municipality, Bozköy, Burç Municipality, Ulukışla, Orhanlı Municipality, Çiftehan.

Go to the main travel overview: Niğde.