Kayseri

Kayseri
Clockwise from top: Mount Erciyes, Bürüngüz Mosque in Cumhuriyet Square, Sivas Street, Hunat Hatun Complex, Kayseri Castle, Kayseri Tram, Kadir Has Stadium
Kayseri
Location of Kayseri, Turkey
Kayseri
Kayseri (Asia)
Coordinates: 38°43′21″N 35°29′15″E / 38.72250°N 35.48750°E / 38.72250; 35.48750
CountryTurkey
RegionCentral Anatolia
ProvinceKayseri
Government
 • MayorMemduh Büyükkılıç (AK Party)
Area
17,043 km2 (6,580 sq mi)
 • Urban
3,620 km2 (1,400 sq mi)
 • Metro
2,810 km2 (1,080 sq mi)
Elevation
1,050 m (3,440 ft)
Population
 (2024)
1,452,458
 • Density85.223/km2 (220.73/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,210,983
 • Urban density335/km2 (866/sq mi)
GDP
 • Metropolitan municipalityTRY 107.378 billion
US$ 11.956 billion (2021)
 • Per capitaTRY 75,200
US$ 8,373 (2021)
Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code
38x xx
Area code(+90) 352
Licence plate38
Websitekayseri.bel.tr

Kayseri (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈkajseɾi]) is a large city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, and the capital of Kayseri province. Historically known as Caesarea, it has been the historical capital of Cappadocia since ancient times. The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality area is composed of five districts: the two central districts of Kocasinan and Melikgazi, and since 2004, also outlying Hacılar, İncesu, and Talas.

As of 31 December 2024, the province had a population of 1,452,458 of whom 1,210,983 lived in the four urban districts (Melikgazi, Kocasinan, Talas, Incesu), excluding İncesu which is not conurbated, meaning it is not contiguous and has a largely non-protected buffer zone.

Kayseri sits at the foot of Mount Erciyes (Turkish: Erciyes Dağı), a dormant volcano that reaches an altitude of 3,917 metres (12,851 feet), more than 1,500 metres above the city's mean altitude. It contains a number of historic monuments, particularly from the Seljuk period. Tourists often pass through Kayseri en route to the attractions of Cappadocia to the west. Kayseri is known for local dishes such as sucuk, pastırma, and mantı, which are commonly associated with the region.

Kayseri is served by Erkilet International Airport and is home to Erciyes University.