cappadocia tourist spots

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Cappadocia

Written by Jess Lee Updated May 10, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

High on every tourist's Turkey hit list, Cappadocia is a region of swirling volcanic-rock landscapes so otherworldly, they look like they have been fashioned by mischievous elves.

These days, the region's star tourist attraction is hot air ballooning, but don't make the mistake of thinking that's all there is for you to do.

Humans settled this area since at least the Bronze Age and have left their own mark on this wacky moonscape by burrowing into the soft volcanic rock to live, leaving behind villages carved out of hillsides, Byzantine-era rock-cut churches holding dazzling frescoes, and labyrinthine underground cities where Cappadocians once huddled from invading armies.

If you want to split your time here between both the historic sites and the area's natural beauty, I recommend making sure you give yourself enough time. Plenty of visitors arrive in Cappadocia thinking they can knock it off in two days and leave frustrated at how little they've managed to see.

While those Instagram aerial shots showcasing the sinewy contours of Cappadocia's valleys may have made this one of the most popular places in the world to take a hot-air balloon tour, this region is brimming with other things to do.

So loosen up your itinerary a bit and read on to plan your Cappadocia trip.

See also: Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Attractions around Göreme

1. soar over the valleys in a hot air balloon, 2. visit the churches of göreme open-air museum, 3. hike or horse ride in red and rose valleys, 4. explore the village of göreme, 5. bed down in a cave, exploring the central villages area, 6. climb uçhisar's rock citadel, 7. explore around ürgüp, 8. view the churches at çavusin, 9. view the fairy chimneys of paşabağı, 10. visit zelve open-air museum, 11. shop for local ceramics in avanos, day tripping & further afield, 12. head underground at kaymaklı and derinkuyu, 13. hike ihlara valley, 14. explore soğanlı open-air museum, 15. take a day trip to eski gümüşler monastery, 16. explore the sights along the road to hacıbektaş, 17. visit kayseri, where to stay in cappadocia for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to cappadocia, map of attractions & things to do in cappadocia.

Göreme is the little village right at the heart of the Cappadocia tourism scene, and in high summer it heaves with visitors.

The village is half burrowed into the hill, with its stone house facades hiding a maze of cave rooms below. Many of these traditional houses have been turned into boutique cave hotels, and despite its full-gear tourism vibe, if you want to be able to access the most famous valleys and sights easily on foot, it's still my top recommendation as a base for your stay.

If you're ready to put in the hours, you can complete these five top attractions in one long day but be prepared for an early start because you'll be up at the crack of dawn for your hot air balloon tour.

For many visitors, going for an early morning hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia is one of Turkey's highlights.

In the summer high season, over 100 hot-air balloons take to the skies just after sunrise and supply passengers with bird's-eye views of the central valley area and its rock formations.

Balloons fly daily throughout the year unless they're canceled due to inclement weather. The typical flight plan flies over the area containing Red, Rose, and Meskendir Valleys, though sometimes the wind conditions mean you fly over other surrounding areas.

Hot-air balloon rides take around one hour (with deluxe packages lasting around 90 minutes). All tours include pickup and drop-off from your hotel and normally also include a breakfast buffet.

Note that if you are visiting Cappadocia from Istanbul specifically just to go hot-air ballooning, you have to stay at least one night due to the early morning start of the balloon tours.

Just outside the village of Göreme is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göreme Open-Air Museum , a monastery cluster of rock-cut churches and monk cells that hold fabulous frescoes, and first launched Göreme onto the tourism map.

The complex frescoes date from the 10th to 12th centuries, when Cappadocia was an important Byzantine religious center.

There are several churches and chapels to explore within the complex, but make sure you don't miss the Elmalı (Apple) Church (note its Ascension fresco above the door); the Azize Barbara (St. Barbara) Chapel with its red-ochre interior decoration; and the Yılanlı (Snake) Church, with its frescoes of St. George, and of the hermetic hermaphrodite St. Onuphrius.

Göreme Open-Air Museum's two highlights are the cavernous Tokalı (Buckle) Church , with its barrel-vaulted chamber completely covered in frescoes, and the Karanlık (Dark) Church .

The superbly restored, colorful frescoes within the Karanlık (Dark) Church are regarded as among the best surviving examples of mid-Byzantine art in the world.

Unsurprisingly, being Cappadocia's most well-known historic sight, Göreme Open-Air Museum tends to be busy for much of the day. I recommend trying to visit immediately on opening time at 8am and, if possible, avoiding weekends.

Cappadocia's most beautiful intertwining valleys stretch north and east of Göreme in a triangle that connects Çavusin village (north) and Ortahisar village (east).

Here, the rolling and rippling rock faces arc out across the countryside in a palette of pastel pink, yellow, and orange cliffs, formed by volcanic explosion and then hewn into shape by millennia of wind and water erosion whittling away the rock.

Between the cliffs are lush orchards and vegetable plots still tended by local farmers, while carved into the rock are hidden churches and hermit hideouts, which date back to the Byzantine era.

Hot-air ballooning over the valleys gets all the glory, but in my opinion, the best way to experience the valleys is up-close and on foot.

Even better, despite the fact that Cappadocia's sweeping landscapes are one of its major highlights, only a smidge of the region's visitors ever bother heading out for a hike. Once you're away from the outskirt areas where the ATVs buzz around (kicking up so much dust that they end up obscuring the landscapes their passengers have paid to see) you'll often have the vistas of accordion rippled cliffs and deep valleys punctured by rock cones all to yourself.

There are dozens of hiking trails to choose from and hikes range from a couple of hours to all-day treks.

If you only have time for one hike, center your attention on Rose Valley , where you can walk between three of the valley area's prettiest little cave churches.

My favorite is the Kolonlu (Column) Church, with its columns hewn out of the rock. From there you can take the rock steps up onto the ridge and hike to the Haçlı (Cross) Church, with its mammoth cross carved into the cave ceiling, before heading north to the Üç Haçlı (Three Cross) Church, with its well-preserved ceiling carvings and interesting (though severely damaged) frescoes.

Horse riding through this valley area is also very popular. Most rides are more suitable for intermediate riders rather than beginners due to the rocky terrain.

Sticking closer to the village, the fresco-adorned El Nazar (Evil Eye) Church and the Saklı (Hidden) Church are both accessed off Müze Caddesi, a short walk from the center on the way east to Göreme Open-Air Museum.

If you explore the valley of stubby hoodoos on the village's southern rim, make sure to look out for the Durmuş Kadir Church, carved out of a low hill.

There are no frescoes to see inside, but the basilica with its nine-meter high barrel-vaulted ceiling and two aisles of chunky square columns is one of the best places to appreciate the architectural ambition of this region's Byzantine church builders.

In many destinations, your hotel only features as a practical necessity in vacation plans, but Cappadocia's accommodation choices are an attraction of a visit in themselves. Göreme's cave hotels host rooms burrowed into the village's hills, and many have been refurbished and restored from traditional village homes.

There is a vast selection of hotel choices here, so my top tips for booking are:

First, if you decide you definitely want to sleep in a cave, remember this means you most likely won't get a view from your room. Cave rooms are - by their nature - situated on the lower floors, while the accommodation referred to as stone-cut rooms (built from local stone) sit on upper levels.

Many of the cave hotels are boutique style with a choice of between five and twelve rooms in total, of which only a few will be caves. If you find somewhere you really like the look of, it's a good idea to book as early as possible.

Due to Göreme's burgeoning popularity, many of the cave hotels are pricey in comparison with hotel prices elsewhere in Turkey . This is a place to treat yourself when it comes to your accommodation budget.

If your budget can't stretch that far though, there are still a scatter of places in town holding on to Göreme's backpacker roots, offering beds in dorm caves and usually also with a couple of tiny private cave rooms.

All of these next attractions sit in, or around, Cappadocia's central villages; a roughly triangular-shaped area with Uçhisar at the southwest point, Ürgüp at the southeast, Avanos to the north, and Göreme in the middle.

Many of these feature as stops on Cappadocia day tours but, if you're like me and enjoy hopping about on public transport, and don't want to be constricted in your exploring by a tour's itinerary, all of these following attractions are easily accessed by local dolmuş (minibus) services.

The hourly Ürgüp-Avanos dolmuş is particularly helpful if you're an independent traveler, and is my favorite easy - and cheap - way to explore this area.

It leaves on the hour and, running from Ürgüp, passes by Ortahisar, Göreme, Çavusin, Paşabağı, and Zelve Open-Air Museum on its way to Avanos. From Avanos, it runs the same route in reverse.

The village of Uçhisar is dominated by a mammoth rock-cut fortress riddled with tunnels and caves.

Just like the region's underground cities, this rocky outcrop provided villagers with protection from invaders during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

This is the highest point in the central Cappadocia villages area, so you'll want to climb to the top , to be rewarded with sweeping panoramas over the undulating valleys that surround the village.

Uçhisar is also a popular base for visitors, with plenty of boutique cave hotel accommodations.

The village is a good starting point for valley walks . For a full morning or afternoon exploring around Uçhisar, I like to take the Pigeon Valley trailhead, which runs from the southwest edge of Göreme. The trail route is lined with rock cones, many of which have colorful, decorated dovecotes.

To access Uçhisar minus the sweat, the half-hourly dolmuş (local bus) service between Göreme and Nevşehir (the nearest city) runs past the village and Uçhisar also has its own separate half-hourly dolmuş service to Nevşehir.

Ürgüp doesn't have many of its own actual sights, but it's a popular place to visit because of its boutique hotels and good restaurant scene.

Wherever you're staying in Cappadocia, you'll probably come here at least once in your visit to dine out . My top pick is Ziggy's , where you can feast on the best meze (small-plates) spread in the region on a chic rooftop terrace with vistas of Ürgüp town, hemmed in by cliffs, below.

Ürgüp town center is thoroughly modern with a few relics from the Seljuk period including a 13th-century mosque and a scatter of Seljuk-period tombs.

To capture a sense of the town's history, take a stroll through the alleys of the old neighborhood , which are home to some distinctive examples of Ottoman-Greek stone house architecture. These are remnants of Cappadocia's once thriving Ottoman-Greek community, which was forced to leave under the 1923 Population Exchange conditions of the Treaty of Lausanne.

For more Ottoman-Greek architecture, make a trip to the nearby village of Mustafapaşa, six kilometers to the south. The Agios Konstantinos-Elini Church is right in the center of the village, while some earlier, Byzantine era cave churches are also just out of town in the aptly named Monastery Valley.

If you head six kilometers west of Ürgüp, you'll arrive in the village of Ortahisar which radiates out around a rock citadel, similar to Uçhisar's. It's smaller but much more of an adventure to climb, with some precariously steep staircases to tackle on your way to the summit (wear solid walking shoes). Those without a head for heights may prefer to simply admire it from the base.

There are half-hourly dolmuşes (local minibuses) between Ürgüp and Mustafapaşa and hourly dolmuşes between Ürgüp and Ortahisar, as well as the hourly Ürgüp-Avanos dolmuş.

Çavusin is a short three-kilometer hop north from Göreme and the best way to arrive, in my opinion, is to walk through the northern section of Rose Valley between the villages.

The main attraction, once here, is to hike up onto the ridge , from Çavusin's old village center, above the tumble of derelict houses, to the Church of Saint John the Baptist at the summit which is believed to be one of the oldest churches in the area.

The church's basilica-like proportions and fat columns are an impressive sight, and there are sweeping views across the countryside from its cave entrance.

There is a clutch of courtyard cafes at the base of the ridge to relax with a freshly squeezed pomegranate or orange juice. My top pick for a rest stop though, is Keyif Cafe right at the top of the ridge.

The hoodoos (known as fairy chimneys in Cappadocia) of Paşabağı valley have made it one of Cappadocia's most famous landmarks.

In the early Byzantine period, a religious community who were disciples of Saint Simeon Stylites (a 4th-century monk, who spent his life on top of a pillar in northern Syria) devoted their lives to their own stylite practices here.

Instead of pillars, though, they carved monk cells high up in the rock pinnacles to lead a hermetic life of prayer. Visitors here can still scramble up into one of these ancient monk cells .

A trip to Paşabağı valley is easily combined as part of a do-it-yourself day trip with visits to Çavusin, Zelve Open-Air Museum, and Avanos as they're all stops along the route of the hourly Ürgüp-Avanos dolmuş.

It's also a flat, easy two-kilometer walk between Paşabağı and Zelve Open-Air Museum .

Note that Paşabağı is a very popular stop for large tour groups so, if you can, plan to visit before 10am and try to avoid weekends.

With its knobbly-topped rock cliffs speckled with cave dwellings, walking through Zelve Open-Air Museum is an experience of the Cappadocia of old.

The settlement began life as a monastery in the 9th century, and by the 20th century was a thriving village.

Due to erosion and rockfall dangers, the village had to be abandoned in 1952. Now the entire valley is a museum.

There are a couple of interesting chapels to see – the Üzümlü (Grape) Church being the most intact – and a rather picturesque rock-cut mosque. But the real joy of this site is meandering down the cliffside paths, exploring the fire-blackened interiors of the cave dwellings, and staring out at the magnificent vistas over the surrounding countryside.

Zelve receives far fewer visitors than the more famous Göreme Open-Air Museum though I still recommend trying to avoid visiting on weekends if possible.

Avanos is a bustling provincial town beside the Kizilirmak River. The older part of the town winds up the hillside in a maze of cobblestone roads lined by dilapidated Ottoman mansions, which makes for an interesting stroll, but Avanos' main attraction is its pottery.

This town has a pottery industry history that stretches back to the Hittite period and now, like then, local artisans utilize the distinctive red clay of the Kizilirmak River for their craft.

Potter workshops and shops are along the main road in the town center, beside the river, and many of their owners are happy to let you watch them work or have a go at creating a simple pot yourself.

The town's Guray Ceramic Museum celebrates this pottery heritage with an astonishing collection of ceramics from across Turkey.

The museum is worth a visit simply for its location – a series of caves carved underneath the Guray Pottery Workshop.

Although there's plenty to keep you busy in the central villages area, some of the most interesting heritage attractions in Cappadocia lie further afield and make for great day trip destinations.

Getting to most of these via public transport requires changing transport at least once, and so most travelers elect to visit either on an organized guided tour or by private transport to save time .

There is no shortage of day tour options available in Cappadocia. For the best experience, book your tour with a local, Cappadocia-based operator rather than through a tour company in Istanbul, and don't scrimp on costs; some of the very cheap tours whiz through the sights at hurricane speed and offer little in information.

Cappadocia's underground cities first began to be chiseled out of the ground in the Bronze Age Hittite era, but they are most famous for their early Byzantine history (6th and 7th centuries), when the region's Christians took to living underground for long periods to escape from Arab and Persian invaders.

Kaymaklı Underground City is Cappadocia's largest example, with a labyrinth of rooms connected by tunnels that extend for eight levels. Four of these levels can be explored by visitors.

Derinkuyu Underground City is Cappadocia's deepest underground shelter. The tunnels here are quite claustrophobic in places, as they travel deeper and deeper into the ground. There is a cavernous chapel area, and many living and storage areas to explore in this below-ground maze. The ingenious ventilation shaft system used by Derinkuyu's inhabitants can also be seen.

Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı Underground Cities are close enough together to see both on a day trip if you have private transport or have arrived by public transport. If you're on an organized day tour, you'll be visiting one.

If there's time for only one, my pick is Kaymaklı as it tends to be less popular with large tourist coach loads, so you're more likely to be able to explore the tunnels here unhindered by crowds.

Heading underground into the network maze of tunnels is a fascinating experience, but those with claustrophobia should be aware that some of the tunnels are exceedingly narrow, so it may be best to give these sites a miss.

Keen do-it-yourself day trippers can get here easily on public transport. First, take the dolmuş (local bus) service to Nevşehir from whichever central Cappadocia village or town you're based in. From Nevşehir's central village bus stop, domuşes head half-hourly to both Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu.

The narrow, verdant valley at the bottom of this deep (100 meters) gorge in southwest Cappadocia is a nature lover's delight.

Hemmed in by rugged, steep cliffs, Ihlara Valley is a lush Eden of tall poplar trees and fertile farming plots beside the babbling Melendiz River, which runs for 14 kilometers from Selime village to Ihlara village .

During the Byzantine period, this was a favored retreat for hermetic monk communities, who carved churches and monastery complexes into the cliff face .

The Kokar (Fragrant) Church, Yılanlı (Snake) Church, and Kırk Dam Altı Church (also known as St. George Church) are three of the best, but there are plenty of others to see along the way.

At Selime village, the craggy rock pinnacle of Selime Monastery, hewn with cave cells and churches, provides a dramatic start or end point to an Ihlara Valley hike.

Typical Ihlara Valley day tours include a visit to one of the underground cities, Selime Monastery, and a short hike in the mid-section of Ihlara Valley, where the main cliff-hewn churches are.

If you are a keen walker, it's worthwhile organizing private transport here, rather than opting for a tour, so you have time to walk the entire length of the valley.

My favorite section of the hike is the northern stretch from Selime village to Belisırma village. Here, where for much of the way, you're walking along a trail that winds mid-way up the cliff with the lush valley below, you'll rarely encounter another hiker.

The twin valleys of Soğanlı are scattered with pyramid-shaped rock pinnacles that were first hollowed out in the Roman era.

By the time the Byzantine period was in full bloom, Soğanlı had become a major monastic center, its rock pinnacles home to chapels and monk cells.

The Karabaş (Black Hat) Church, Yılanlı (Snake) Church, and Saklı (Hidden) Church have the best preserved frescoes in this chapel cluster.

Soğanlı is an excellent place for a day trip, with the road leading here scattered with tranquil villages and interesting historic sites.

Two of the best attractions are the Byzantine-era Keşlik Monastery and the ancient ruins of Roman Sobesos so if you've booked an organized day trip, make sure it includes visits to these two.

There are a couple of simple restaurants in, and around, the Soğanlı archaeological site which make excellent lunch break options. My top pick is Hidden Apple Garden Restaurant , just before the Soğanlı ticket office. Pitch up here after your Soğanlı visit to dine on wholesome, traditional Anatolian dishes beside a trickling stream, and shaded by apple trees.

The southern section of Cappadocia only receives a handful of the visitors the more famous central Cappadocian village area sees, which I think is a shame because it's home to one of the region's most interesting Byzantine monasteries.

Barely 10 kilometers northeast of the town of Niğde, the rock-hewn Eski Gümüşler Monastery in the blink-and-you-miss-it village of Gümüşler is home to some of the most impressive Byzantine frescoes you'll see in Cappadocia .

The paintings date from the 11th century and include the Annunciation and the Virgin Mary, with baby Jesus flanked by the Archangels Gabriel and Michael.

Just as interesting as the frescoes is the maze of tunnels you can explore within the complex that have been recently restored and opened up for tourism. They are a bit of a squeeze in parts but great fun to scramble through.

There are no organized group tours for this area, so you'll have to either hire a car or book a private tour or driver if you want to do this as a day trip.

Alternatively, if you've got a bit of time up your sleeve, you could take a bus from Nevşehir to Niğde, then head to Gümüşler by dolmuş or taxi, and spend the night in Niğde. If you're on your way south in Turkey, to Adana , this is an interesting diversion along the route.

Hacıbektaş is a pilgrimage center for the followers of the Bektaşi order of dervishes, founded by the Iranian philosopher and Sufi Hacı Bektaş Veli.

The town's dervish lodge is now the Hacıbektaş Museum and a place of great devotional worship, including Hacı Bektaş Veli's tomb, as well as many interesting exhibits about the faith.

On the road between the city of Nevşehir and Hacıbektaş is the village of Gülşehir, which is home to two interesting attractions that are worth stopping off at along the way.

The rock-cut monastery of Açık Saray was probably used by monks in the 6th and 7th centuries and contains a number of interesting cave-cut rooms.

A little farther down the highway is the 13th-century Saint Jean Church , which is rarely visited. It's a tiny, single rock-cone church, but don't be deceived by this modest facade. The upper-floor interior is absolutely covered in gloriously colorful and well-restored frescoes.

If you've hired a car and are driving between Ankara and Cappadocia, all three of these sites are easily visited along the way.

Most visitors only see Kayseri on their way to and from the airport, but this bustling city has a handful of interesting Seljuk and Ottoman monuments for those with some spare time.

The remnants of Kayseri Castle are right in the center of town, squeezed between modern shops and busy roads.

Nearby is the well-preserved Çifte Medrese in Mimar Sinan Park, which was one of the world's first medical schools and is now home to the Museum of Seljuk Civilization with a beautifully curated collection of artifacts that ranges from textiles and jewelry to ceramics and stonework.

Kayseri's Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit for its exhibits from the Hittite excavation site of Kültepe .

If you're lucky, and the caretaker is onsite, you might also be able to access the Church of St Gregory the Illuminator , on the southwest edge of the central city. This Armenian church is one of only a handful that has survived, fully intact, in Turkey.

For lunch (or dinner, if you're staying the night), don't miss feasting at Elmacıoğlu İskender . This Kayseri institution serves up regional specialties as well as a full range of classic kebab dishes.

Mount Erciyes glares down at you from wherever you are in the city. The town is only a short drive from the mountain (Cappadocia's highest) and its winter ski slopes.

Just to the southeast of Kayseri is the Seljuk caravanserai of Sultanhanı, a good stop if you're driving onwards to Sivas.

There are hourly dolmuşes from Ürgüp to Kayseri, so you can easily visit as a day trip from the central Cappadocia villages.

All of the central Cappadocia villages have accommodations, and all offer their own unique ambience. The three main places to stay are Göreme, Ürgüp, and Uçhisar. Göreme is right in the center of the region and has the biggest variety of small boutique hotels and guest houses. Ürgüp and Uçhisar concentrate on more luxurious hotels.

Luxury Hotels:

• Yunak Evleri is a swish boutique cave hotel in Ürgüp, known for its personalized service, cave-cut suite rooms, outdoor pool, and spa. Breakfast is included, and the terrace restaurant gets glowing reviews from guests.
• Hezen Cave Hotel in Ortahisar overlooks the village castle and has cave rooms decorated in chic modern style, excellent service, and huge included breakfasts.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Kelebek Special Cave Hotel in Göreme has rooms (both cave and stone-cut), in a big variety of prices, set between rambling terraces with views across the village. Amenities include a pool and hammam (Turkish bath), and breakfast is included. Also in Göreme, Erenbey Cave Hotel has a range of stone-cut and cave rooms, an included breakfast, and friendly service.

Budget Hotels:

• Kismet Cave House has cozy stone-cut rooms, decked out with Turkish carpets and traditional textiles, and is located right in the heart of Göreme village. Rates include breakfast.
• Full-Day Tour: Organized tours of Cappadocia are a great option if you don't have time to explore independently and want to fit in a number of sights in one day. The full-day Highlights of Cappadocia tour whisks you through some of the region's top attractions, visiting the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Çavusin village, Paşabağı, Avanos for a pottery demonstration, Uçhisar village, and Kaymaklı Underground City, all with a local tour guide. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, entrance fees for the open-air museum and the underground city, and lunch are included.
• Transport: There are excellent public transport links in Cappadocia, between the villages and passing by the major historic sights, making exploring independently a breeze.
• When to Go: Summer is high season, but spring, with its wildflowers, and autumn, with the valley rock colors at their brightest after the dust of summer has been washed away by rain, offer the best scenery for photographers.

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Head to the Beach: After exploring the Anatolian heartland, head to the coast. Fethiye is a major center for boat trips and a base for exploring Turkey's major Lycian ruins, and both Antalya and Side are famed for their beaches and Roman ruins.

City Exploring: After spending time in this rural district, check out some of Turkey's city life. Konya with its glut of gorgeous Ottoman architecture and home to the Mevlana Museum , is a good next stop from Cappadocia, as it's an easy bus ride away.

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24 BEST Things To Do In Cappadocia: Complete Guide

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2023

Categories TURKEY

Cappadocia is a beautiful region in central Turkey famous for its fairytale scenery, cave dwellings, remarkable rock formations, and, of course, the hundreds of hot air balloons that soar in the sky during sunrise each morning. There is also so much awesome hiking in Cappadocia, that it will take you at least a week to explore all of the diverse hiking trails in the region. I spent ten days in Cappadocia adventuring on all of the hiking trails, exploring the ancient valleys and of course, being mesmerized by the hot air balloons. I’ve created this list of all the top things to do in Cappadocia to help you explore this beautiful region. 

My personal favorites are Cappadocia Royal Queen Flight for its luxury flight package and treatment and Sunset ATV Tour for its amazing sunset views in the dunes.

In this Cappadocia Travel Guide blog post, I will detail each of the individual places I visited. If you are particularly interested in one of the locations on this list and want more details about how to get there, what to expect and to see all of the photos from that specific Cappadocia attraction just click on the link to that blog post and you will be able to see the individual article I wrote about that location.

BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN TURKEY

When you book your Turkey Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use  Discover Cars . They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal!

Table of Contents

THE CAPPADOCIA TRAVEL GUIDE: 24 AWESOME THINGS TO DO 

The hot-air balloons are the biggest attraction these days in Cappadocia. However, they are a relatively modern attraction, and this historic region has so much more to offer as you will see on this list of the top things to do in Cappadocia. Before we get into the list, here are the four ‘Top Rated’ tours in Cappadocia that you will love.

THE 3 MOST POPULAR CAPPADOCIA TOURS

• Sunrise Hot Air Balloon : My number one recommendation is to do a sunrise hot air balloon flight and be blown away by this magical experience.
• Cappadocia Sunset ATV Tour : The best way to spend sunset in Cappadocia is on the ATV tour amongst the amazing rock formations.
• Cappadocia Red Tour & Goreme Open-Air Museum : All of the best tourist sites in one day!

FLYING IN A HOT AIR BALLOON AT SUNRISE

The Cappadocia hot air balloons are fast becoming one of the most common travel bucket list items in the world. It’s not hard to see why as you seamlessly float above the historic cave dwellings of Goreme Town with over 100 other balloons at sunrise in what can only be likened to a fairytale scene.

Each year more than half a million people enjoy hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, which is an incredible number and makes this region the number one hot air balloon destination in the world. You NEED to book your balloon flight in advance as they can often be sold out or have a backlog of flights if there are prior days of bad weather.

Book your tour: Cappadocia Classic Sunrise Balloon Flight (Hundreds of positive reviews)

Book your tour: Cappadocia Royal Queen Flight : Luxury Balloon Flight Package including buffet breakfast and royal treatment.

View the full blog post:   CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOONS: THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA

• Ultimate Luxury: Mithra Cave Hotel – Amazing Balloon View & Pool
• My Favorite: Sultan Cave Suites – Insta-worthy & Amazing Terrace
• Value Hotel: Traveller’s Cave Hotel is easily the best value (luxury) hotel in Cappadocia

RED VALLEY HIKE & SUNSET VIEWPOINT

When it comes to hiking in Cappadocia, it is hard to go past Red Valley. The Sharp sandstone ridges glow a deep, vibrant red as the sun burns into the unique landscape in the last moments of the sunset each night. If you only have a couple of nights in Cappadocia, this one is up high on the list for sunset spots. There is a great trail loop including Meskindir and Rose Valley or you can drive straight to the sunset viewpoint to chill at the cafe or hike to the top of the flag viewpoint. Whether you hike or not, this is one of the must-visit places in Cappadocia.

The hike is joined with Rose Valley in most cases and leads you through an ancient church inside one of the caves, past yellow sandstone rock formations and incredible cave dwellings. The trail is diverse and only moderate in difficulty making it a perfect adventure and of the top things to do in Cappadocia.

View the full blog post:  RED VALLEY HIKE & SUNSET VIEWPOINT

SUNSET ATV TOUR

The most popular ‘short’ tour in Cappadocia. As you travel on a sturdy ATV (quad) bike, you will be greeted with spectacular rock-cut valleys that will leave you in awe. This activity is a good option for sightseeing as this will give the opportunity to wander the dunes, valleys, trails, and hills of Cappadocia. The tour finishes right at sunset out in the valley of rock formations for an amazing sunset view.

Book your tour: Sunset ATV Tour

Sunset ATV Tour

• Dunes, valley, trails, and hills
• Rock-cut valleys
• Easy to use bikes

ROSE VALLEY HIKE AND SUNSET SPOT

The Rose Valley hiking trail in Cappadocia winds through an incredibly unique area with sharp ridges, tinted in pink, especially during sunset! Over thousands of years, the ridges have formed to create a unique corrugated landscape. Almost all of the time, one side of a ridge is in the sun while the other is in the shadow, further accentuating the sharpness and scale of these sandstone formations.

What makes the Rose Valley one of the most unique places to visit in Cappadocia is that not only do you have these incredible rock formations but in this particular region, the minerals in the sandstone have a pink tinge. This pink becomes more and more evident throughout the day, peaking at sunset when the sun glows directly onto the Rose Valley giving it that fine shade of pink so many people come to see.

Prefer to ride through Rose Valley on an ATV or quad bike? Check out this tour to do just that: Rose Valley ATV Tour

View the full blog post:  ROSE VALLEY HIKE IN CAPPADOCIA

CAPPADOCIA HORSE-RIDING TOUR

This 2-hour horse ride includes pick-up and drop-off at Cappadocia area hotels. You’ll ride through the valleys of Goreme with their beautiful horses and witness the enchanting fairy chimneys. Explore the peaceful environment with a professional guide.

Among the highlights of this ride are the rock-cut Hallacdere Monastery, the orchards and vineyards with their picturesque landscapes you’ll pass by. The best thing is that you can choose your own schedule and I highly recommend you’ll tour at least 2 hours before sunset.

Book your tour: Horse-riding Tour

Horse-riding Tour

• Pick-up and drop-off
• Beautiful horses
• Peaceful environment

LOVE VALLEY TRAIL TO UCHISAR CASTLE

Love Valley is set just outside of Goreme and you can hike all the way through Love Valley to Uchisar Castle, passing by the rock formations up close on a trail with likely nobody else. It is a relatively flat, peaceful walk through to Uchisar taking 1-2 hours. The rock formations are phallic shapes, which is why the valley full of penis-shaped rocks got its name, ‘Love Valley’. It’s truly one of the most unique places to visit in Cappadocia.

Prefer to ride through Love Valley on an ATV or quad bike? Check out this tour to do just that: Love Valley ATV Tour

View the full blog post:  LOVE VALLEY IN CAPPADOCIA: GOREME TO UCHISAR TRAIL

GOREME OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

The Goreme Open-Air Museum is one of the most popular attractions and historic sites in Cappadocia with an audio tour guiding you through the ancient paintings, churches, and cave houses from centuries ago. The tour below actually includes Goreme Open-Air Museum with a guide (I highly recommend) and a visit to other popular spots in Cappadocia.

View the full blog post:   GOREME OPEN-AIR MUSEUM IN CAPPADOCIA

With more than 30 stops along the tour, the audio guide explains lots of the history and facts about the region and the people who lived in Cappadocia in the cave houses. This is one of the main reasons why it is one of the most popular things to do in Cappadocia.

Book your tour: Full-day Cappadocia Highlights Tour

Best of Cappadocia Tour

• Unforgettable experience
• Worth paying

SPEND SUNRISE AT LOVER’S HILL

This panoramic sunset viewpoint in Goreme Town is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise, which is why it is quite crowded in the morning for sunrise and of course sunset as mentioned. Despite the crowds, it is where I took all of my best Cappadocia hot air balloon photos. You are often above the balloons and can shoot towards Uchisar Castle, Red Valley, or over Goreme Town. There will be crowds but also epic views of the entire region. 

View the full blog post:   LOVER’S HILL SUNSET POINT IN CAPPADOCIA (ASIKLAR TEPESI)

EXPLORE IHLARA VALLEY

The Ihlara Valley is an incredible gorge with a stunning river running right down the heart of the valley for 16km within the volcanic rock. It is near the province of Aksaray but is still considered part of the southern Cappadocia region. It’s a great spot for a relatively easy walk amidst some peaceful, leafy nature as well as being a hub for cave churches, of which you will find many along the trail.

View full blog post:   IHLARA VALLEY – AMAZING RIVER GORGE IN CAPPADOCIA

The Ihlara Valley is mostly comprised of the section running from Selime to Ihlara Village. Along the route, you will come across lots of churches. 16 of the 105 churches are open to visitors and there in intact paintings and carvings inside.

The tour I have linked below actually takes you to Derinkuyu Underground Village and the Ihlara Valley on the same day, which is a great combo.

Book your tour: Ihlara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground Village Tour

Underground City & Ihlara Tour

• Unique rock formations
• Stunning views of the chimneys

PIGEON VALLEY HIKING TRAIL

Pigeon Valley (also known as Guvercinlik Valley) is among the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia, especially because it stretches between Goreme to Uchisar. Along the route, you will find cave dwellings, ancient paintings, earth pillars, and of course… pigeons.

The trail leads you through thick trees and several caves. If you keep your eyes peeled you will spot a number of ancient paintings on the walls of the cave dwellings, where people lived during the Byzantine period. The Pigeon Valley Trail is definitely one of the top things to do in Goreme, Cappadocia.

View full blog post:   PIGEON VALLEY TRAIL IN CAPPADOCIA

ZELVE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

The Zelve Open-Air Museum is an incredible site that once housed one of the largest communities in Cappadocia. In this incredible cave town, you can walk amongst historic dwellings, churches, and religious chambers as well as the town square.

They have done a great job at this location by creating an easy path to navigate but also giving adventurous people paths and trails to explore a bit further. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on the tourist track when there’s so much more to see but you can really immerse yourself in the scenery here. It’s actually much more interesting than the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which has 20 times more tourists visiting per day and is very crowded.

View the full blog post:   ZELVE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM IN CAPPADOCIA

EXPLORE DEVRENT VALLEY

Devrent Valley in Cappadocia (also known as Imaginary Valley) is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.

The beauty of Devrent Valley is that unlike other sites in Cappadocia, you can immerse yourself amongst the earth’s pillars and rock formations. You can explore and discover as you wind your way up the steep, slippery hills. If you are willing to get off the beaten path, you will enjoy wandering through Devrent Valley and adventuring amongst these unique natural structures.

View the full blog post:   DEVRENT VALLEY (IMAGINARY VALLEY) IN CAPPADOCIA

WATCH THE SUNSET FROM THE TOP OF UCHISAR CASTLE

The Uchisar Castle is in the small, but beautiful town of Uchisar in Cappadocia, Turkey. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Cappadocia and is only a short drive or a small trek from the nearby town of Goreme. I had one of my favorite Cappadocia sunsets here and the Uchisar Valley below was incredible!

The trek isn’t tough with about 100 stairs to the top. However, the path first leads you inside the caves of the castle before you emerge to begin walking up the stairs on the exterior. With 360-degree views, there really is a lot to take in so make sure you walk around to all corners to see out over Goreme and all of the surrounding valleys. Making your way is one of the most fun things to do in Cappadocia!

View the full blog post:  THE UCHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT IN CAPPADOCIA

VISIT PASABAG VALLEY

Pasabag Valley is one of the most popular spots in Goreme, Cappadocia with its epic fairy chimneys and cave dwellings. 

View the full blog post:   PASABAG VALLEY (MONKS VALLEY) FAIRY CHIMNEYS IN CAPPADOCIA

Aside from the large crowds and tour buses, Pasabag Valley is well worth a visit. The fairy chimneys truly are quite amazing. Often a rock, sits atop the chimney, ominously balancing its way through storms and heavy winds. Amongst the valley, you’ll find lots of cave dwellings, which are often double and triple stories. You are able to venture inside to explore the different levels.

There’s a great ‘Full Day Tour’ of Cappadocia that includes Pasabag Valley and the Goreme Open-Air Museum.

MESKINDIR VALLEY

The Meskendir is a short trail in Goreme that leads you past numerous cave dwellings and historic sites as well as through multiple tunnels. It is quite a shady trail, which makes it a top suggestion for during the middle of the day. I combined the Meskendir Trail,  Rose Valley Trail , and  Red Valley Trail  all into one super hike as the paths all connect. However, if you prefer a short walk, you can just venture out on the Meskendir Trail and do an out-and-back hike.

The Trail has a series of sandstone tunnel that was super cool. Some of them were similar to the tunnels on the  Love Valley Trail  but these tunnels were longer and the roofs were much higher. Around every corner would be a little opening that would expose some amazing cave dwellings and historic sites.

View the full blog post:  MESKENDIR VALLEY TRAIL IN CAPPADOCIA

LOVER’S HILL SUNSET POINT

There are a few great sunset points but the most popular place to watch the sunset in Goreme Town, Cappadocia is Lover’s Hill, which is also known as Asiklar Tepesi. You may also hear it referenced as ‘Sunset Point’, which is a pretty good indication that it is THE spot to go for sunset if you are staying in town.

The beauty of Lover’s Hill Sunset Point is that it is within walking distance of most hotels in Goreme, which is where most people stay in Cappadocia. The majority of people looking to catch sunset either do it at Lover’s Hill, Red Valley Sunset Point or from the terrace of their hotel. Therefore, as you can imagine, Lover’s Hill is quite busy being the closest sunset spot.

View the full blog post:  LOVER’S HILL SUNSET POINT IN CAPPADOCIA (ASIKLAR TEPESI)

ORTAHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT

Ortahisar Castle is one of the best viewpoints in Cappadocia with great views stretching all the way to Uchisar and Goreme! 

At the base of the castle, you will first walk through a series of cobblestone alleys and paths, possibly getting distracted by a cafe, wine cellar or both. The climb up only takes about 5-minutes as you aren’t going all the way to the top just to the middle of the castle. The way leads you through the inner caves, ladders and exterior stairs of the castle.

Just before sunset golden light is beginning to look great on the castle and we could enjoy the views in all directions with the platform having a lookout spanning 3 different angles. There are lots of awesome things to do in Goreme but also Ortahisar and Uchisar have a lot to offer as well with their epic castles and nearby trails.

View the full blog post:   ORTAHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT IN CAPPADOCIA

DISCOVER THE DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND VILLAGE

Derinkuyu Underground City cave system is one of the most remarkable things to see in Cappadocia. Walk down through more than five levels of the cave system, which once housed over 20,000 people and their livestock!

View the full blog post:  DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY IN CAPPADOCIA

Derinkuyu Underground City was a secret for a long time! It wasn’t until a local man in the Nevsehir Province decided to renovations in his home that the ancient city was discovered. After knocking down a wall he discovered a strange room and continued to dig further, exposing an intricate tunnel system with a series of cave rooms. 

HIKE IN ZEMI VALLEY

The Zemi Valley Hike is a 6km stretch beginning in Goreme that leads you through a series of caves, arches and alongside a small stream as you keep your eyes open for cave houses and earth pillars! I think Zemi Valley is one of the most underrated places to visit in Cappadocia.

The trail is a wide, sandy path that is often covered by the trees within the valley but there is also ample time out in the direct sun, which we copped heavily! We met no-one on this trail except some ducks, which wound its way along a small stream and making several crossings. There were multiple times where we had to walk through a thin layer of mud, which I assume would be quite messy in the winter. All of this made it one of the most fun things to do in Cappadocia.

View full blog post: THE ZEMI VALLEY HIKE IN CAPPADOCIA

VISIT THE TWIN FAIRY CHIMNEYS

Cappadocia is full of fairy chimneys and incredible rock formations but some are just a little more amazing than others. The Twin Fairy Chimneys have risen to popularity, so much so that there are often hundreds of people crowded around to marvel at their brilliance. 

Forming over millions of years it is hard to believe that they were formed naturally, looking more like the work of aliens. This is a great little stop en route to another attraction and involves no walking or adventure but still worth checking out.

LAKE TUZ – THE PINK SALT LAKE

Lake Tuz is an incredible salt lake near Aksaray but only just over an hour’s drive away from Cappadocia. The lake is remarkable because of its vibrant pink color. Despite how unique this location is, it’s not very popular and when I visited I enjoyed the entire lake to myself for as far as I could see.

There is a tour that takes you to salt lake for sunset, which is quite handy because we had to rent a car and figure it all out on our own.

This spot isn’t technically in Cappadocia but it’s just a drive away and we visited it on the same day as Derinkuyu Underground City and Ilhara Gorge on our day trip from Cappadocia. I highly suggest visiting these three spots just out of Goreme if you rent a car or hire a driver for the day.

Book your tour: Salt Lake Sunset Tour

View the full blog post :  LAKE TUZ (PINK, SALT LAKE) NEAR CAPPADOCIA

CAVUSIN CHURCH

We originally came to check out the Cavusin Castle, but a lovely old lady invited us in to show us her sunflower garden, the Cavusin Church and a cave bedroom she said was 2000 years old.  he church was closed on our visit to Cavusin although we couldn’t find out why. You can still get a great look at the church by walking around the base of it. It is a huge rocky mountain rather than a church building you may be thinking of. It is possible to trek to the roof of the church for a better view of Cavusin Valley.

CAVUSIN VALLEY

Within this valley, the Cavusin Valley, are hundreds of cave houses and earth pillars (chimneys) to marvel at. There are a few sites in particular that are truly remarkable feats of erosion over the centuries. It has one site similar to the popular ‘Twin Fairy Chimneys’, although you won’t find any crowds out here.

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CAVUSIN CASTLE

Cavusin Castle is actually one of my favorite places to visit in Cappadocia. It’s off the beaten path and such a sweet place to chill out. At the top of the castle, you can tell it has been built into the side of the cliff because it is almost just an extension of the mountain. Only as you walk further towards the edge does it become more a building and less of a cliff? There are hundreds of rooms to explore but it is quite difficult to get into them unless you come from the bottom side up. We made it over the flag pole, which seemed to be chained off but seemed relatively safe. 

From the top of the castle, we had views over Cavusin Village, Cavusin Valley and all the way back to Cavusin Church and even Goreme.

View the full blog post:   CAVUSIN CHURCH, VALLEY & CASTLE IN CAPPADOCIA

EXPLORE SWORD VALLEY

Just out of Goreme Town is a great little valley, which is full of cave dwellings and unique rock formations. Wandering around Sword Valley at golden hour is an epic time and I can actually suggest to come here at sunrise if you aren’t flying in a hot air balloon. Most of the balloons will fly straight over you, which makes it possible to get some great photos with the rock formations and balloons. We also found a few caves to hang out in here as there are some rock ladders to the doors but you need a bit of luck to find these spots.

DERVIS EVI SUNSET VIEWPOINT

Overlooking the Red Valley, this viewpoint is definitely a great spot to watch the sunset. Dervis Evi isn’t an official name just the closest point (A nearby hall) on google maps. If you head there on Google Maps you will see the hills nearby. Climb up, relax and enjoy the show as you watch over Goreme Town and the Red Valley. There won’t be huge crowds here, which makes it one of the. top things to do in Cappadocia for sunset.

HOW TO GET TO CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia isn’t actually a town as many people think but it is an entire region. Within this region are towns such as Goreme (most popular tourist spot), Uchisar, Urgup and Ortahisar among others. There are two airports that serve Cappadocia.

• Kayseri Airport (70km/60 minutes) is the main airport and takes just over an hour by van/bus to reach Goreme Town
• Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (/40km/40 minutes is the secondary airport, which is closer to Goreme but only by about 20-minutes.

The big difference here is that Kayseri is a bigger airport, with more flight options and often has cheaper flights. It is very convenient and quick to fly into Kayseri and I did twice.

Book your airport transfer here: Transfer to Goreme, Cappadocia (Cheapest (and best-reviewed)

To get from Kayseri (or Nevsehir) you need to pre-book your shuttle or be prepared for an expensive taxi. The cheapest and easiest way to do that is to book online here .  For under $15 you can ride in a shared, air-conditioned airport transfer or for $50 you can have a private transfer.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CAPPADOCIA

The beauty of Cappadocia is that while it is a fairytale location in summer, it only gets more and more beautiful in the winter. When it snows in Cappadocia it is truly a mesmerizing sight and something out of a dream world. Snowcaps cover rock formations and paint the valleys white. I visited during the summer but am seriously considering returning to fly again in the winter although the flights are a little more irregular due to the weather of course. Below are some recommendations for the best times to visit Cappadocia.

April to October:  Most favorable time for the hot air balloons in Cappadocia with warm nights, clear skies and cool air. The hiking trails were quite hot, especially in the middle of the day.

November to February:  If you do visit in February the weather is a bit more up and down but you have the chance to fly over snow, which would be a once in a lifetime experience. Some of the hiking trails will be great in the snow also!

HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN CAPPADOCIA

Something most tourists don’t realize before they arrive in Cappadocia is that the hot air balloons don’t fly every day. In fact, when the wind is too strong they can’t fly because there are no brakes on the balloons and it can be dangerous. They need calm weather. This means that many tourists book 1-2 days in Cappadocia and expect to be able to fly in that window. Unfortunately, all too often the weather doesn’t agree and tourists leave without having seen a hot air balloon in the sky. 

• Firstly, book in advance and make sure you book for the first morning of your trip. If your flight is canceled, you don’t lose your booking or money, you simply get bumped to the next day. Therefore if you arrive and try and book in the town, there may be a backlog of people waiting because the hot air balloons haven’t flown for three days. So the best thing to do is to book in advance online for the first morning of your stay to give yourself the best chance of flying. You can  Click Here  to visit the booking page to get your tickets online for a set fee without having the hassle of bartering once you arrive and possibly missing out because of availability.
• Secondly, you should stay for more than 1-2 nights to give yourself a window big enough to allow for unfavorable weather. I stayed for ten days to explore the trails so I had a huge window, which isn’t necessary but I would suggest allowing at least 3 days if not 4. I know most people have limited time and want to see lots of Turkey but trust me, there are so many spots to visit and trails to walk in Cappadocia that you are making a mistake if you only stay for two nights anyway!

My final suggestions are to stay for at least 4-5 days that way you guarantee you will fly in a hot air balloon and you can explore some of the hikes that you find in this guide!

WHERE TO STAY IN GOREME, CAPPADOCIA

Where I stayed: Design Cave Suites Cappadocia – I was lucky enough to stay at the Design Cave Suites in Goreme. The location was great and I walked to all attractions. The rooftop garden was awesome for sunrise balloon watching. The buffet breakfast spread was amazing as were the cave-style room designs.

Best Cave Hotel with Pool:   Local Cave House Hotel – This cave hotel rose to fame because of its incredible pool. Make sure you click the link and check out how epic the pool backdrop is, with those classic Cappadocia rock formations in the background and traditional cave rooms it is a top pick.

Cave Hotel with Best Roof View (and dogs): Sultan Cave Suites – This cave hotel became famous because of its epic rooftop area for sunrise viewing. Guests can lay out on traditional pillows and carpets while watching the hot-air balloons flying above. The hotel dog might also join you for a photoshoot on the roof!

TRANSPORT IN CAPPADOCIA

Hire a Private Driver: Hiring a driver for a few hours to take you to several sites will cost about 100 Turkish Lyra depending on the car and your negotiation, which is about $20 USD. This is a good idea if you want to see 1-2 locations in an afternoon.

One of the best ways to get around is to hire a driver that will allow you to create a customized itinerary. That way you can visit all the spots you are interested in. To hire a private car with a driver/guide you can book online here or you might be a bigger group and in that case, it can be cheaper to hire a van in Cappadocia, which also comes with a driver. 

• Rent a Mountain Bike: We thought about renting a mountain bike but they were 150 Turkish Lyra for the entire day so it would have been 300 Turkish Lyra for both of us just to transit around. That’s almost $60 USD. It would have been fun but once we found out everyone wanted to help us by giving us lifts there wasn’t much need. We either walked or hitchhiked.
• Rent A Scooter/Moped:  A scooter costs about 150-200 Turkish Lyra ($30-40 USD) per day and could be handy if you want to explore some attractions a bit further away or venture over to Uchisar.
• Rent an ATV:  Given the rough terrain in Cappadocia, an ATV is a fun option to help you explore the natural wonders and rock formations of the region. Prices are about $40 USD for two hours. If you are keen to head out on an ATV there is an awesome Quad-Bike Safari Tour that takes you through Sword, Love and Rose Valley during golden hour!

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE REST OF MY CAPPADOCIA BLOG POSTS?

Click on one of the articles below to check out all of the places you should visit while in Cappadocia!

The big guide! This post has all of my favorite activities, which I personally did while in Cappadocia for ten days:  24 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA

The hiking guide!  Find out about all of the best hikes in Cappadocia with details, directions and lots of photos:  8 AWESOME HIKES IN CAPPADOCIA

Thinking about flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia? Read this first:  CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOONS: THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY

Have you heard about the castles in Cappadocia? Check these out:

THE UCHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT

CAVUSIN CHURCH, VALLEY & CASTLE

Not sure where is the best region to stay? Wondering which hotel provides the best value? Check out this guide that will help you decide:  WHERE TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA: THE BEST HOTELS & HOSTELS

OR… I write a post about the 12 BEST CAVE HOTELS IN CAPPADOCIA that you might find interesting.

I’ve written a blog post for almost all of the places I’ve visited while in Cappadocia. You can find every single one of these articles right here: CAPPADOCIA ARCHIVES

Discover Pakistan

Saturday 7th of October 2023

What an interesting post and the places you mentioned are absolutely worth visiting.

Sunday 5th of February 2023

Great information 👌🙌🏽Thanks!

Saturday 24th of December 2022

I was looking to visit Turkey; now I think I should go to Cappadocia as following your post, it is a nice place to visit. By the way, greeting from Bangladesh

Saturday 17th of December 2022

Very nice overview, many thanks!

Thursday 17th of February 2022

Hi! First of all, that is one great article, well done! We are going to Cappadocia in August, and we would love to explore everything, but we don´t actually know what can we use to orientate ourselves, if you know what I mean? Like, I know all about these places and which one of them I exactly wanna visit, but we don´t wanna wander around. Did you use some kind of map or? I am not sure if we are going to have Internet down there, I think the only way is to buy their SIM card and buy some Internet, right? Thanks!

Monday 7th of March 2022

@Almira, yes the best way is to buy a sim card and load it with a data plan! I had a Turkcell sim card and there were no issues with service when I was there! Only at times when we were on the hiking tour the service was bad as we were surrounded by rock formations. Your hotel should also have good wifi, but having a data plan is the easiest and quickest option when in the city. This way you can use google maps on the go and easily travel from place to place (either by walking or with a taxi). Hope you enjoy your trip :)

15 Unforgettable Things To Do In Cappadocia, Turkiye

Unlock the secrets of one of the world’s most beautiful places with our guide to the top things to do in Cappadocia, Turkiye. From awe-inspiring hot air balloon rides over fairy chimneys to exploring ancient underground cities and savoring authentic culinary delights, embark on an unforgettable journey filled with adventure.

From otherworldly landscapes, jaw-dropping cave hotels, and fascinating underground cities, Cappadocia is, without a doubt, the most sought-after of all of the places to visit in Turkiye .

There are so many unique and unforgettable experiences in this region of the country that visitors might feel like their heads are spinning.

From the hidden churches and “fairy chimneys” of Goreme National Park to the legendary Cappadocia hot air balloon rides that helped shoot this remote region of Turkiye to fame, it’s a challenge to see all of the things to do in Cappadocia in just a single visit.

But if you want to maximize your time in the region and discover the best attractions in Cappadocia through the towns of Goreme and Urgu, you can plan a visit that isn’t just exciting and memorable. It has the potential to be one of the most incredible destinations of a lifetime.

After visiting Cappadocia with my family on our travels through Turkiye , we mapped out the best places to visit and the most awe-inspiring experiences to help others make the most of their time here.

We experienced some astounding adventures during our four weeks in the country, from the Turquoise Coast and Ephesus to watching the sunrise over Mount Nemrut and visiting the oldest human-made structure ever found in Gobekli Tepe . But Cappadocia stood out as one of our favorites.

These aren’t just Cappadocia’s top highlights. There are also some hidden gems that, from my research, few people have ever talked about. From cave hotels to hot air balloon rides, our Cappadocia guide should give you everything you need to know before visiting one of the most beautiful places in the world.

About Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region of central Turkiye renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, historic towns, and unique cultural heritage.

Contrary to popular belief, Cappadocia is not a city. Rather, it’s a region that is made up of small cities and towns, including Göreme, Ürgüp, and Uçhisar, each offering its own unique charms and attractions.

The history of Cappadocia dates back centuries and is characterized by ancient civilizations, including the Hittites and Byzantines. However, Cappadocia’s most iconic features are its surreal rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, shaped by volcanic eruptions and erosion over millennia.

These whimsical formations have been used for centuries as homes, churches, and even hotels, creating an awe-inspiring and mystical atmosphere that attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.

Cappadocia’s popularity could easily be drawn from its history alone. Complex underground cities used to stave off attacks from invading armies lie just below the surface, and Byzantine-era frescoes line the walls of historic cave churches.

But Cappadocia offers much more than historical wonders. The natural beauty in the region’s valleys, dotted with rocky monoliths that have been dubbed “fairy chimneys,” and tourist attractions such as hot air balloon rides that take adventure-seekers on a serene ride right through these famous monuments have added to its allure.

Our Cappadocia Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Cappadocia

From monumental attractions to under-the-radar hidden gems, these are my absolute favorite things to do in Cappadocia.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

I don’t think that there is a more iconic image of Cappadocia than the view of hot air balloons floating effortlessly among the fairy chimneys of Göreme. People travel from all over the world and even from across Turkiye to enjoy this magical adventure.

There are many companies offering hot air balloon rides throughout Cappadocia, but the most popular are around Göreme and Ürgüp. We were staying in Ürgüp when we did our tour, but the balloons took us over the most popular sites, including Pigeon Valley and the town of Göreme itself.

Hundreds of hot air balloons launched within minutes of each other, filling the skies with glowing orbs. The experience itself is incredible (as we learned in our first hot air balloon ride in Luxor, Egypt). But the best views of the balloons actually come from the many hotel terraces sprinkled across the towns.

If you have a few days to spend in Cappadocia, spend one morning experiencing a hot air balloon ride for yourself and another morning watching the spectacle from the ground.

You can read our our tips for choosing the best Cappadocia hot air balloon tour here .

Stay In A Cave Hotel

My family has been lucky enough to have stayed in some pretty unique hotels. From floating lodges in Thai rivers to Island retreats with outdoor showers , the cave hotels in Cappadocia stood out as some of the most unforgettable.

This is a region where the landscape has encouraged a unique approach to architecture. For centuries, locals have been using the region’s soft sandstone and elegant fairy chimneys as a base for building homes, churches, and even entire cities.

While my family was in Cappadocia, we stayed at two different cave hotels, and both were completely unique and unforgettable.

Divan Cave Hotel was our accommodation for two nights while we were in Göreme. This beautiful hotel had a hidden pool on the bottom floor of our room that hadn’t even been advertised prior to our arrival, so it was a complete surprise to us. It also had an incredible rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the morning sunrise and hot air balloons.

While we were in Ürgüp, we stayed at the stunning Kayapaki Premium Caves Hotel . This incredible project is working to reclaim the former town of Kayapaki, which had been left in ruins after earthquakes and neglect.

This hotel is located in a more remote region of Cappadocia, but it still has access to many of the best things to do in Cappadocia. Kayapaki Premium Caves is an experience in and of itself. There are beautiful lavender gardens, incredible sunset views, and premium on-site restaurants. It’s also a heritage site where those staying at the hotel can explore the ruins of the former city.

You can find our guide to the best Cappadocia cave hotels right here.

Göreme Open Air Museum

Step back in time among cave churches decorated with detailed frescoes that were dug into the volcanic hills during the Middle Ages.

The Göreme Open Air Museum is within easy 1-mile walking distance of the city center, although it’s along a busy road, so getting here by taxi might be a bit safe. This complex features some of the region’s most famous chapels, including the Apple Church, the Chapel of St. Barbarra, the Chapel of St. Catherine, and the ominously named “Dark Church.”

These are among the most important Byzantine-era churches in the region. The caves and nearby homes were carved out by monks and nuns who escaped to Cappadocia to follow their monastic lifestyles. The outdoor museum was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Center in 1985.

The Dark Church holds some of the most well-preserved frescoes. Because of that, there is an additional entrance fee. But seeing the paintings in excellent condition is worth the minimal extra cost. Pay attention to the eyes, many of which were carved out by Romans and Muslims who did not like the idea of the painted figures “looking at them.”

Cappadocia Valleys

Hiking and cycling are very popular ways to explore the valleys surrounding Cappadocia, but there are also plenty of tours that will take visitors through some of the most scenic and otherworldly landscapes that fill the region.

Whether you want to explore the valleys of Cappadocia by horseback, on foot, or by ATV, all of these incredible experiences are within easy reach. The ten most famous valleys in Cappadocia can be explored on tours in a day or two or on your own over a few days.

All of the Cappadocia valleys are within six miles of Goreme. Each one is unique and offers a completely different experience.

Most of the valleys have free admission with a few exceptions, so if you’re looking to explore Cappadocia on a budget, they make for excellent options.

• Pigeon Valley : Throughout Cappadocia, pigeon holes, where farmers in the region used to breed the birds, can be seen everywhere. But there is nowhere that they are more prominent than Pigeon Valley. Toss seeds (which you can buy from vendors on-site) to the birds and watch them soar across the scenery.
• Love Valley : Famous for its “phallic-shaped rock formations, the striking landscape of Love Valley is one of the coolest places to visit in Cappadocia. But what stood out for us here was that there is a local couple, Arife and Hassam, who refused to sell their property when Turkiye turned the area into a national park. They live just beneath the markets in a self-made cave and are the last couple in Love Valley.
• White Valley : Connected to Love Valley, it’s often hard to know when you leave one and enter the other. But for those hiking or biking through Cappadocia, you’ll pass through here to access Uchisar Castle. It’s known for its bleached rock, giving it the “White Valley” name.
• Imagination Valley (Devrey Alley) : This small valley is famous for its rock formations, like the “kissing camels” and others that look like camels, snakes, seals, and dolphins. My boys had an absolute blast running through and climbing over the mazelike structures.
• Monks Valley : Located between the Zelve Open Air Museum and Goreme are Monks Valley and Pasabag Valley. Pasabag is a destination in and of itself, so I’ll get to that one later in the article. It’s a nice valley, but not the most beautiful. Monks Valley makes a nice addition to a stop in Pasabag, but I wouldn’t come here just for it alone.
• Sword Valley : This is the smallest of all of the valleys in Cappadocia. But don’t let its size fool you. It’s also home to the longest tunnel in the region.
• Red Valley : The valley gets its name from the vibrant hues of the rocks, especially during sunrise and sunset, creating a picturesque landscape that’s a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts. It’s especially popular for sunset ATV rides.
• Rose Valley : Popular for its rose-tinted rock formations that seem to “shimmer” in the sunlight. This picturesque valley captivates visitors with its gentle pink and reddish hues, particularly striking during sunrise and sunset.
• Meskindir Valley : This shady trail takes hikers through several cave houses and small historic sites as well as several tunnels.
• Zemi Valley : This 3.75-mile hike begins in Goreme and follows a small stream past cave houses and rock arches. Not many people take the time to visit Zemi Valley, and I haven’t seen it on any of the local tours, so it’s a real Cappadocia hidden gem.

Red Valley Sunset Viewpoint

While the hot air balloons at sunrise might be the most famous of the Cappadocia attractions, the region’s sunsets are just as beautiful. And if you love a clean, clear sky, sunset at the sunset viewpoint in Red Valley is where it’s at.

This area is where most of the horseback riding and sunset ATV tours end. So it’s packed almost every night during the high season. But there’s lots of space, so you’ll be able to find a little area of your own to relax or join the celebration with the throngs of people taking in the views.

Çavuşin Castle & The Church of St John the Baptist

If you love under-the-radar attractions, Çavuşin Village is a very cool place to visit in Cappadocia. The small Çavuşin village is one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia. It’s most famous for its 5th Century church of St. John the Baptist, whose tomb my family saw when we were in the town of Selcuk the week before.

The church is the oldest and largest of its kind in Turkiye and is located about 20 minutes north of Göreme.

Nearby is the stunning Çavuşin Castle. The incredible building was built into the side of a cliff and looks like it’s just an extension of the mountain. From the lower side, you can explore the buildings and shops of the village. But from the upper side, you can actually access the viewpoint from the top of the castle.

Underground Cities

One of the most fascinating and unique aspects of Cappadocia is the underground cities sprinkled throughout the region.

When I say “cities,” I mean just that. These weren’t villages. Some were home to up to 20,000 people, all living together up to nearly 300 feet below the surface. These were carved out into the soft volcanic rock and served as refuge and protection for thousands of people during times of war and invasion.

The underground cities in Cappadocia date back to the Hittite era, nearly 2,800 years ago. They were expanded by early Christians fleeing persecution. The cities feature an intricate network of tunnels, rooms, ventilation shafts, and communal spaces that are spread across many levels.

There are three major underground cities in Cappadocia.

Derinkuyu: Among the most expansive and well-known of all of the underground cities in Cappadocia, Derinkuyu descends eight levels beneath the surface. It is believed to have housed around 20,000 people along with their livestock.

This city contains chapels, wine presses, stables, and ventilation shafts, showcasing its remarkable architectural and engineering marvels.

Kaymaklı: This is one of the most popular underground cities in Cappadocia due to the higher ceilings that allow taller people (like me) to move around safely. The city is carved across four levels, although only four of its levels are open to the public. It features various chambers for living, storage, and worship, along with ventilation shafts and a complex network of tunnels and passageways.

Özkonak: This lesser-known underground city is smaller in size compared to Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı. Özkonak offers a glimpse into the underground life of ancient inhabitants with its distinctive architectural elements, including ventilation shafts, living quarters, and communal spaces spread across multiple levels.

Uçhisar Castle

Towering above the Cappadocia landscape, Uçhisar Castle is the highest point in the region. This massive complex of houses, churches, and battlements was built into the side of a hill and acted as the main point of defense in the city.

It’s so large that it’s believed to have once housed 1,000 soldiers and military personnel.

Much of the castle is worn down after centuries of wind and water erosion, but Uçhisar Castle makes for a fascinating place to explore and take in a unique aspect of the region. It was one of the most interesting and easy-to-explore things to do in Cappadocia.

Most visitors spend their time in the main castle, but if you follow the trails around the structure, you’ll find a collection of small churches that very few people ever visit. Some of them still have frescoes on the walls.

Eat A Testi Kebab

If you love trying all of the food in Turkiye , you’ll want to try a Testi Kebab. This traditional Turkish dish originated in Cappadocia and is famous for its rich flavor.

The term “Testi Kebab” loosely translates to “pottery kebab,” and it comes from the method by which the dish is prepared and served.

A clay pot is packed with chunks of lamb or chicken along with an assortment of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomatoes and then seasoned with herbs. The pot is then sealed with dough to trap steam inside and then is buried in hot coals, which slowly cook the ingredients in their own juices, infusing the flavors. The pot is then cracked in front of the diner, unveiling an aromatic and steamy delight.

One of the restaurants in Cappadocia best known for the Testi Kebab is Dibek Restaurant at Cami Sk. and Beldiye Cd. Their high-end but relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff just added to the amazing taste.

Sunset ATV Tour

When we were staying in Ürgüp, Christina and I took the boys out for a sunset ATV ride through the Rose Valley. It was an incredible way to spend an evening.

The cool evening air was a much-deserved contrast to the hot sun of mid-day when we did most of our exploring. The ATV tour lasted about two hours and came to an end at the Red Valley sunset viewpoint, where I spent the last hour drinking in the unbelievable beauty of Cappadocia at sunset.

Along with the ATV ride and sunset stop, we also had the chance to check out some parts of Goreme Historical National Park with its fairy chimneys and cave houses.

Ihlara Valley

Our visit to Cappadocia was in mid-August. The summer heat was intense, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees. There’s very little shade or vegetation in Cappadocia, so apart from exploring the castles and underground cities, there isn’t much escape from the sun.

Unless you visit Ihlhara Valley .

This incredible gorge is 10 miles long and has been carved out over centuries by a gently flowing river. With towering cliffs on both sides, the gorge has plenty of shade. And it’s absolutely teeming with large shade trees and beautiful flowers.

The walk along the bottom of the gorge is beautiful and peaceful. And it’s a relatively easy stroll that’s gentle enough for most people. However, it is not wheelchair or stroller-friendly.

It’s not just natural beauty that makes the Ihlara Valley one of the top places to go in Cappadocia though. There are 105 churches carved into the cliffs within the gorge. Sixteen of these churches are open for visitors to explore.

Many of the Ihlara Valley churches still have detailed frescoes and paintings in excellent condition. You can read our guide to the Ihlara Valley here .

Earlier, I listed off some of the coolest valleys in Cappadocia. But there’s one valley that I wanted to make sure that I gave special attention to. And that is Pasabag Valley.

Pasabag is one of the most popular spots to visit in Cappadocia. The valley is packed with fairy chimneys, hermit houses, and churches. And it has a truly fascinating history. It’s believed to be where Saint Symeon lived shortly after he converted to Christianity.

The caves here are relatively open to explore, and the boys found several places where they were able to climb up to the second floor of some of the cave houses for incredible views of the surrounding area.

Whirling Dervish Ceremony

Whirling Dervish shows can be found throughout much of Turkiye. But there are few places where you can witness a traditional Whirling Dervish ceremony.

Sufism is a mystical religion that originated in the 13th century, where trained mystics perform a ritual known as the Sema. During this ceremony, the Whirling Dervishes perform a musical and spinning dance in which the dancers enter a meditation-like trance.

The hypnotic whirling motion and the transcendent atmosphere is mesmerizing.

Where Whirling Dervish shows are performed by dancers and musicians, Whirling Dervish ceremonies are the real thing. Where the goal of the dancers is to enter that trance-like meditation. And in Cappadocia the proper ceremony takes place at a 13th Century Caravanserai  called Saruhan, about 30 minutes from Goreme.

You can book that experience here .

Selime Cathedral

If you love off-the-beaten-track attractions, Selime Cathedral is an amazing place to explore. This testament to human craftsmanship and spiritual devotion is tucked amidst the fairy chimneys and rock formations between the towns of Selime and Yaprakhisar.

This awe-inspiring rock-cut cathedral is carved into the towering cliffs of volcanic tuff and offers some of the most intricate interior design work of any cave church within Cappadocia.

Selime Cathedral was a place of worship and refuge for early Christians during the Byzantine era. Its grandeur and complexity are on full display with intricate columns, arches, and vast chambers that once held religious ceremonies and gatherings.

Exploring all of the amazing things in Cappadocia is hard work. And if you want to relax after a hard day of hiking, wandering, and learning, there’s nothing better than a traditional Turkish hammam.

This rejuvenating experience is steeped in centuries of history. The therapeutic ritual is deeply rooted in Turkish culture and is renowned for its revitalizing effects on the body and spirit.

The hammam experience dates back to Ottoman times. It’s a communal bathing ritual that involves cleansing and relaxing techniques in a heated, steam-filled environment.

With a combination of gentle heat, steam, and skillful massages, the hammam ritual not only purifies but promotes a profound sense of well-being.

Our Guide To Cappadocia, Turkiye

How To Get To Cappadocia

Cappadocia lies in the Neveshir Province in central Turkiye. It’s made up of several small cities, towns, and villages, the largest of which are Göreme, Ürgüp, and Uçhisar. The region reaches from the town Avanos in the South, northward toward Ihlaara Canyon.

There are several common ways to get to Cappadocia, Turkiye. The region’s popularity and central location mean that it’s well connected to large cities throughout the country.

Once in Cappadocia, local transportation options like taxis, rental cars, or organized tours are available to navigate and explore the region’s towns, attractions, and natural wonders.

Cappadocia By Air

The most common and convenient way to reach Cappadocia is by flying into one of the nearest airports, either the Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR).

These airports have regular domestic flights from major cities in Turkiye, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Upon arrival, visitors can take a shuttle or taxi or arrange for a private transfer to reach Cappadocia’s various towns, such as Göreme or Ürgüp, which are roughly a 30-60 minute drive away from the airports.

Cappadocia By Bus

For those traveling in Turkiye on a budget or arriving from smaller towns or remote regions, reaching Cappadocia by bus is an option. Bus routes run from major cities like Istanbul , Ankara, or other regions of Turkiye .

Several bus companies operate daily services to towns in Cappadocia, offering a comfortable and affordable mode of transportation. The journey duration varies based on the departure location, but it generally takes around 10-12 hours from Istanbul and 4-5 hours from Ankara.

Cappadocia by Car

For those who are driving in Turkiye or prefer flexibility and independence, renting a car and driving to Cappadocia is also an option. The region is accessible by well-maintained roads from major cities in Turkiye. The drive to Cappadocia allows travelers to explore the scenic routes and stop at various points of interest along the way.

Visiting Cappadocia With Kids

My visit to Cappadocia was on a month-long family trip through Turkiye that took us to some pretty incredible places. Cappadocia was absolutely incredible to visit with kids, but there are some things you should know before you go.

My kids were 12 and 10 during our time in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Considerations: While hot air balloon rides are a signature experience in Cappadocia, they might not be suitable for younger children due to age and height restrictions.

Most hot air balloon rides will accommodate children as young as 5 or 6. However, they won’t be able to see over the side of the basket. Ask the company whether they have viewports for smaller children.

If you plan to take a hot air balloon ride without your kids, ensure childcare arrangements or activities are available for the kids during this time. Additionally, consider early morning balloon flights so that after the experience, you have the rest of the day for family-friendly activities. You can read our tips for hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia here .

Exploring Underground Cities and Fairy Chimneys: Kids often love exploring intriguing spaces, and the underground cities and fairy chimneys in Cappadocia can spark their curiosity.

However, keep in mind that some underground tunnels might be narrow or have low ceilings, so supervision and caution are essential. Opt for visits to underground cities like Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, which are more accessible and have guided tours suitable for families.

Take Family-Friendly Hikes: Cappadocia offers various hiking trails suitable for families. Consider exploring places like Rose Valley or Pigeon Valley, which offer relatively easy and scenic hikes with captivating landscapes.

These trails provide ample opportunities for kids to run around, discover unique rock formations, and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Participate in Pottery Workshops: Engage your kids in a fun and educational activity by enrolling them in a pottery workshop. Cappadocia is famous for its pottery, and many places offer workshops where children can learn the art of pottery-making and create their own masterpieces under guidance.

We had a blast at our pottery workshop, and there was no pressure to buy anything when we left. You can sign up for one of these workshops here .

Choose Family-Oriented Accommodations: Opt for family-friendly accommodations such as hotels or cave guesthouses that consider the needs of families. Look for places that offer spacious rooms or family suites, outdoor areas for kids to play, and perhaps even activities or entertainment options specifically designed for children.

Cappadocia is not Stroller-Friendly : Cappadocia is incredible, but with all of the caves and wild landscapes, it’s not a great place for strollers and wagons. If you have small children, I’d highly recommend bringing along a child carrier backpack. You can check out my yearly guide to the best kid carriers here .

We stayed at Divan Cave Hotel in Göreme and Kayapaki Premium Caves in Ürgüp. Both were fantastic.

Remember to pace your itinerary to accommodate children’s rest, meals, and playtime needs. With its unique landscapes and rich history, Cappadocia offers a wealth of experiences that can captivate both adults and kids, creating lasting memories for the entire family.

Tips For Family Travel In Turkiye

Family travel in Turkiye, especially in places like Sanliurfa and the Southeast, requires some planning and a little bit of luck. Some areas of this country can be closed due to political unrest, so it’s always a good idea to check out current travel advisories and stay informed of the current travel status.

Check out our Turkiye Family Travel Blog for everything that you need to know about family travel in Turkiye and watch ouf Tips for Family Travel in Turkiye video below to help you plan an unforgettable visit to this mesmerizing and wonderful country.

You’d be doing us a huge favor if you could hit the like and subscribe buttons.

Enjoy Your Time In Cappadocia, Turkiye

There’s no denying that Cappadocia is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Tur kiye. This region is absolutely jam-packed with stunning views and unimaginably wonderful experiences. When you visit, make sure to give yourself a few days in Cappadocia to fully appreciate just how special it is.

After our our visit to Cappadocia, we made our way to the far east of Turkiye to experience the wonders of Mount Nemrut , the world’s oldest man-made structure at Gobekli Tepe , and the ancient city of Sanliurfa .

You can find more great information about visiting Turkiye on our  Turkiye Family Travel Blog . Or feel free to join our  Family Travel Support Group on Facebook . You can connect with more family travelers just like you who love to explore the world.

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27 Best Things To Do In Cappadocia: Ultimate Guide [2024]

• Post author: Nicoletta
• Reading time: 77 mins read
• Post last modified: February 4, 2024
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Cappadocia is  one of the most breathtaking places  you can visit.  I was skeptical  before arriving as it’s super popular among tourists. So, I expected huge crowds and thought it would be overrated. Luckily, Cappadocia, despite being so famous, keeps its charm. The atmosphere and stunning views of this place  blew my mind away .

I spent 4 days in Cappadocia , visiting all the highlights and enjoying its activities. And I want you to have the same incredible experience once you visit.

So here are my top 27 ideas for the best activities in Cappadocia.  Get the most out of it  and enjoy it in your way. There is so much to do that  everyone finds their favorites .

✈ Travel Resources For Your Trip ✈

Here are some of my favorite travel resources I use for my travel adventures.

What Is Cappadocia Known For?

Cappadocia is an area of small towns in Central Turkey famous for its  underground cities, caves,  and  valleys full of   fairy chimneys . The area mainly became popular thanks to the  hot air balloon experience  and  the unique views  you can get from it.

Nowadays, you can  do many more activities  besides hot air balloons, explore Cappadocia’s charming valleys, and wander around on various tours .

List Of The 27 Best Things To Do In Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a big area and offers so many activities . So you don’t have to do them all from this list. I’ve included all the top attractions and things you can do, so check them out and choose your favorite. It’ll help you plan your visit to Cappadocia and get the most out of it .

Before we get to each activity, here is a quick list of the best things to do in Cappadocia :

• Ride A Hot Air Balloon
• Stay In A Cave Hotel
• Hike In The Rose Valley
• Wander Around The Love Valley
• Go Trekking In The Pigeon Valley
• Explore The Sword Valley
• Walk Up The Uschisar Castle
• Visit Göreme Open Air Museum
• Explore Cappadocia’s Underground Cities
• Watch Hot Air Balloons At Sunrise
• Enjoy A Sunset Over Göreme
• See The Top Sights On The Red Tour
• Explore Cappadocia On The Blue Tour
• Visit Cappadocia’s Hidden Gems On The Green Tour
• Go On ATV Tour
• Experience Jeep Safari
• Have Fun Horse Riding
• Join A Camel Safari
• Go Paragliding
• Experience Whirling Ceremony
• Take A Pottery Class
• Enjoy Turkish Tea & Coffee Culture
• Eat In A Traditional Cave
• Try Delicious Turkish Food
• Enjoy Turkish Hammam
• Visit Salt Lake
• Do A Professional Photo Shoot

Map Of Cappadocia Turkey

This is the entire area of Cappadocia on the map, so you can visualize it. It includes the main town, so save it for your trip . Zoom out to see where exactly it’s situated in Turkey.

1. Ride A Hot Air Balloon

Travelers come to Cappadocia mainly because of this famous hot air balloon ride . You might be asking, but why come to Cappadocia to spend $200 for a hot air balloon?

Surely you can ride one in your home country, too. But Cappadocia’s main town, Göreme, has such a unique landscape with its caves and chimney rocks that this hot air balloon is truly special . Even though it’s very touristy and famous, it’s worth doing it .

If you’ve never ridden a hot air balloon, this is where to do it . The balloons rise to the sky before 5:00 a.m. and ride between the chimneys and valleys so close that you can almost touch them. Besides, there are so many of them, which makes the entire experience so magical .

➡ I recommend booking this hot air balloon ride at sunrise from Göreme.

Is Cappadoia Balloon Ride Worth It?

Yes, the Cappadocia balloon ride is worth it . I don’t really like popular tourist attractions. Indeed, I usually avoid them and explore other things.

Yet, the hot air balloon in Cappadocia is truly spectacular . It’s a place like no other, and riding through the stunning valleys with their chimneys and caves is an unforgettable experience.

In addition, the ride is in the morning during sunrise , so the sky is colorful, and the landscape is even more beautiful.

Do Balloons Fly Every Day In Cappadocia?

No, balloons in Cappadocia don’t fly every day . It depends on the weather forecast . If it’s too windy or rains , balloons won’t fly, so they’ll cancel the experience for you.

Usually, they postpone it until the next day . So that’s the reason why it’s best to spend more days in Cappadocia (and not just 1 or 2 days).

2. Stay In A Cave Hotel

Another reason why travelers love Cappadocia is their fairy chimneys and caves . Indeed, you can stay in a cave hotel (and you should). It’s a unique experience.

Spoil yourself for a while and book a beautiful hotel room inside a real cave . Some also have a hot tube and stunning terraces from which you can watch hot air balloons in the morning.

Most cave hotels are in Göreme town. I think it’s the bestl place to stay in Cappadocia. So I highly recommend booking your cave hotel in Göreme .

➡ My favorite cave hotel is Hera Cave Suites . Click this link to get the best cave hotel deals.

3. Hike In The Rose Valley

Rose Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys, thanks to the sun’s reflection on the fairy chimnies that leave a pinkish color throughout the day. You can hike from Göreme through the valley, which takes about 3 hours to complete . Alternatively, join this Quad safari tour and explore the valley with a guide.

Rose Valley has some of the most beautiful rock formations in the region, with beautiful caves carved into sandstone.

It ends on the top of the hill, where you can visit the Crusaders Church . There is also a small cafe to enjoy a cup and the stunning views of the valley.

👉 READ ALSO: 9 Best Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul

4. Wander Around The Love Valley

While Rose Valley got its name thanks to the beautiful color of the rock formations, Love Valley has fairy chimneys in the shape of a penis . That’s why locals name it the Love Valley. It’s the easiest hike in Cappadocia and very popular among couples for marriage proposals.

You can start the hike from Göreme , which will take around 3 hours to complete. The endpoint has a beautiful viewing spot with a wish tree and a cafe .

Love Valley is best explored on foot, or you can also join many organized tours such as this horse riding , ATV tour , or this QUAD safari .

It’s also a great spot to watch the hot air balloons at sunrise.

5. Go Trekking In The Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley got its name from the cute pigeon houses carved into the soft stone . You’ll see more of these houses than anywhere else in Cappadocia.

The Valley is situated between Göreme and Uschisar , and it’s a popular trekking area . I recommend starting your walk from Uschisar .

The entire Valley is 6 km long . If you don’t feel like walking, rent an ATV or a scooter and wander around. Or join this Blue Tour , which includes a visit of the entire Valley.

PRO TIP: I recommend doing the Pigeon Valley trek from Uschisar to Göreme during the sunset , as the views are breathtaking.

6. Explore The Sword Valley

The Sword Valley in Cappadocia has the most mystical atmosphere . Its rock formations are the oldest, and it hosted many different civilizations in the past. It has many underground cities where ancient settlements used to live. Christians performed their worship here, too.

Today, you can see unique rock formations and churches like the Virgin Mary Church or the Sword Church.

PRO TIP: I recommend visiting the valley from the Göreme Open Air Museum . But the best is to rent a car , drive through this valley, and visiting its underground cities.

7. Walk Up The Uschisar Castle

Uschisar Castle is one of the most unique places I’ve visited on my travels. I’ve never seen a shape like this before. Everything from getting to the top of the castle to its little caves and views is amazing.

You can either visit on your own or book this Red Tour , which includes admission to the castle.

PRO TIP: Uschisar Castle is one of the best viewing points in Cappadocia . It’s also nice to watch the hot air balloons from there.

8. Visit Göreme Open Air Museum

Göreme Open Air Museum is a must-see attraction for everyone in Cappadocia. That’s why it’s often super crowded, yet worth seeing.

You’ll walk through the beautiful rock formations and admire the churches carved into these cliffs . Go inside the churches and see their fresco paintings . It’s a great place to explore Cappadocia, learn about its history and importance.

You can get tickets on the spot; no need to book it in advance. To avoid tourist crowds, visit it right after its opening . Or join this guided tour , skip the line, and hear interesting stories from a local guide.

9. Explore Cappadocia’s Underground Cities

One of my favorite things in Cappadocia is exploring its underground cities. They’re truly mystical. It was an unforgettable experience, and walking through gave me goosebumps .

The most popular underground cities you can visit are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli . These were built by old settlements , especially inhabitants, who wanted to protect themselves from Muslim Arabs in 780 CE. You’ll walk through, see different rooms and churches , and learn about their unique history.

The best way to explore is to have a car and drive to these cities . Another great way is to join the Green Tour , on which a local guide will take you to the Derinkuyu underground city , and tell you a lot about its history.

👉 READ ALSO: 33 Famous Turkey Landmarks To Visit – Derinkuyu underground city is one of them

10. Watch Hot Air Balloons At Sunrise

One of the most unique experiences in Cappadocia is watching the hot air balloons during sunrise. It’s not just riding them. Watching them from one of the valleys or your hotel terrace is even more magical.

Suddenly, hundreds of colorful balloons surround you, and the sun rises above the horizon. It truly feels like a fairy tale .

The best spots to watch hot air ballons during sunrise are:

• Love Valley Viewpoint Hill
• Sultan Cave Suites Hotel Terrace
• Uschisar Castle
• Pigeon Valley

If you want to feel like a fairy tale, these are my 4 top spots to watch the hot air balloons.

Hike up to the viewpoint hill of the Love Valley , or book Sultan Cave Suites Hotel and watch them conveniently from your hotel terrace – this hotel has the best views .

Another fantastic place to watch the balloons is Uschisar Castle . It opens at 5:00 a.m. , so you can hike and watch them from the viewing point. However, you’ll be further away from them than from your hotel in Göreme or the Love Valley.

Alternatively, you can hike the Pigeon Valley from Uschisar to Göreme in the morning and watch them from the trek.

11. Enjoy A Sunset Over Göreme

Watching the sun set over Cappadocia’s chimneys and valleys is another memorable moment.

Go to the sunset point in Göreme and enjoy stunning views of the area. You can also buy food and enjoy an evening picnic . I loved this viewing point, and the sunset was gorgeous.

Another great place for the sunset is the Love Valley and its viewpoint , or walking the Rose Valley .

12. See The Top Sights On The Red Tour

Another great way to explore Cappadocia is to join one of the organized tours , especially if you don’t have a car.

Red Tour is among the most popular as it takes you to the famous spots in Cappadocia . You’ll start your day by visiting the Love Valley and enjoying stunning rock formation views. The guide will also tell you a lot about the area’s history before you move on to a pottery class .

You’ll get to witness locals working in a pottery and have the chance to try it for yourself . This tour also includes visiting the Uschisar Castle and a delicious lunch with locals .

➡ Book the Red Tour here .

13. Explore Cappadocia On The Blue Tour

On the Blue Tour , you’ll start by hiking between Cappadocia’s two most beautiful valleys : Rose Valley and Red Valley . Your hike ends at the Cavusin Cave Village , where you’ll explore its beautiful castle and dwellings and have lunch with locals .

After, you’ll get to explore Cappadocia’s most impressive underground cities . The tour ends at the beautiful Pigeon Valley , where you’ll learn about the history with your guide , visit the Greek houses in Uschisar, and see the Ortshisar Castle .

➡ Book the Blue Tour here .

14. Visit Cappadocia’s Hidden Gems On The Green Tour

The Green Tour is for you if you want to explore one of the most interesting underground cities in the area called Derinkuyu . You’ll also hike through the Ihlara Valley , learn about the monastic life at the Selime Monastery , and enjoy lunch with locals .

This is one of the unique tours as it takes you to different spots that travelers typically don’t explore independently. For this reason, it’s also my favorite tour in Cappadocia to do with a guide.

➡ Book the Green Tour here .

15. Go On ATV Tour

This ATV tour is the perfect time to feel the thrill and explore Cappadocia’s beautiful valleys on an ATV . Drive with a group and a guide to the hidden spots. It’s a nice way to see the area, especially if you love ATVs.

You’ll get to explore the stunning Love Valley with its unique rock formations, watch the sunset from the Rose Valley , and learn about the history of the area with your guide.

➡ For the best ATV Tour experience, join this tour during the sunset .

16. Experience Jeep Safari

Alternatively, you can join this jeep safari . The jeep safari will take you to the highlights of Cappadocia , including the best valleys (Rose, Love, and Sword Valley).

Your guide will tell you about the history of all places with interesting stories. It’s a nice tour to get an overview of the entire area . End up with a Champagne party before they drop you off at your hotel.

➡ I recommend this jeep safari for the best experience with a local guide.

17. Have Fun Horse Riding

Cappadocia is all about the unique landscape . And exploring it while riding a horse is another great experience. Indeed, it’s also known as the ”land of beautiful horses”.

If you’ve never done horseriding before, don’t worry. You can ask them, and they’ll teach you. And if you’re a professional, don’t miss out on this experience. It’s like riding a horse in a real fairy tale .

This horse riding tour will take you to the stunning Rose Valley . Enjoy interesting stories and learn about the history with your guide.

➡ Book this horse riding tour at sunset for the most beautiful views and experiences.

18. Join A Camel Safari

If you don’t feel like horseback riding, try a camel instead. Unlike horseriding, most of us don’t ride a camel daily. So locals have to teach pretty much every visitor.

Join this Camel Safari and explore the Red Valley and the Rose Valley on a camel. During the ride, you’ll also witness a local tradition of donning a cap.

➡ Click this link to book the best Camel Safari in Cappadocia during sunset .

19. Go Paragliding

If you feel the hot air balloon is too crowded and want a more private experience , go paragliding in Cappadocia .

Watch the unique rock formations and stunning landscapes with cute towns from above with your private tandem instructor . The trip takes 1 hour , and you’ll witness some of the best views of Cappadocia.

➡ I recommend booking this paragliding experience in Cappadocia.

20. Experience Whirling Ceremony

Learn about the life of the Dervish people and experience the unique whirling ceremony in a traditional Silk Road mansion in Göreme . See how they live and why their ceremony is essential to their lives.

It’s one of the best cultural experiences you can get in Cappadocia.

➡ Click this link to book the whirling ceremony in Göreme’s mansion.

21. Take A Pottery Class

If you fancy a workshop and want to  learn something new , attend a pottery class and learn from a professional.  Ancient civilizations used to do pottery  in Cappadocia, and you can  enjoy this tradition with locals .

Visit the  Avanos Pottery Workshop  and make your creations. Avanos is a town located 8km (5 miles) from Göreme, and you can join one of their pottery classes throughout the day.

Or join the Red Tour to experience a pottery class and match it with other Cappadocian highlights.

22. Enjoy Turkish Tea & Coffee Culture

You can’t spend a day (anywhere) in Turkey without sipping Turkish tea and coffee. Cappadocia’s towns have many cute cafes and tea rooms , where you can sit on the floors and their beautiful carpets. So go for it and immerse into the Turkish tea-drinking culture .

There is a nice place in Göreme called ”Hopper Coffee House” the amazing Balkava . Try their new ‘healthier’ style baklava in milk and dusted with cocoa. But honestly, they’re so good that you should try them all. It’s a perfect accompaniment for your coffee or tea.

23. Eat In A Traditional Cave

One thing you can’t miss in Cappadocia is eating in a cave restaurant called Topdeck Cave .

I’m not the biggest eater, and I don’t go to restaurants often (only when my boyfriend travels with me because he is a chef and only looking for food during our travels :D). But this restaurant was my best experience yet .

You’ll sit on traditional carpets on the floor and eat delicious food . Try their meze, local soups, and various types of meats. This place is truly amazing, and the entire setup and atmosphere add to the experience even more.

24. Try Delicious Turkish Food

What would be a visit to any place in Turkey without trying their local specialties? Try pottery kebab , meze , or pide in one of the local restaurants. Many of them are tourist traps , so it’s important to choose wisely.

I recommend the following restaurants for you in Cappadocia to try the best food and enjoy the experience:

• Topdeck Restaurant Goreme
• Inci Cave Restaurant
• Dibek Restaurant Goreme
• Seki Restaurant Uschisar
• Paprika Burger & Pasta – delicious hamburgers

👉 READ ALSO: Is Turkey Worth Visiting? 12 Reasons To Visit – learn about traditional Turkish dishes you have to try

25. Enjoy Turkish Hammam

If you feel like treating yourself for a while, book this Turkish Hammam experience . You’ll be treated like a king and experience a traditional Turkish bath in the center of Göreme.

Many of the local hotels have rooms with a hot tub. So, if you want to treat yourself differently and privately with your spouse, book a hotel room with a hot tub .

26. Visit Salt Lake

The Salt Lake, called Tuz Golo in Turkish, is located 1.5 hours drive from Göreme, Cappadocia. It’s one of the most unique lakes worldwide and a perfect half-day trip from Cappadocia.

It has extremely thick layers of salt , and the entire color of this lake is impressive.

You can rent a car and drive there by yourself. Or join this organized guided tour to Salt Lake so you don’t have to figure out everything alone.

PRO TIP: The best time to visit Salt Lake is during the sunset; it’s truly magical.

➡ Book this guided tour to Salt Lake at sunset from Cappadocia if you want to skip planning. Or join this Salt Lake tour and visit the famous underground cities on the way, too.

27. Do A Professional Photo Shoot

I’m sure you’ve seen those photos of ladies in fancy dress or couples in the Love Valley and their marriage proposal. And now you want the same stunning images to take home with you .

Or you want to capture unique moments in Cappadocia with your spouse if it’s a romantic gateway . Either way, you can hire a professional photographer and experience the entire photo shooting.

The photographer takes you to the best spots at the best time , as he knows when and where is the perfect light for your photos.

➡ So book this professional photo shooting to get perfect photos from your stay in Cappadocia.

👉 READ ALSO: 19 Best Things To Do In Pamukkale Turkey

Additional Tips For Activities In Cappadocia

These are my top 27 activities I recommend you do in Cappadocia . I can talk about this area all over again, and even writing this article for you makes me want to return. I might plan my visit again.

Visiting Cappadocia is an unforgettable experience. To help you get even better experiences , here are additional tips for things you can do , including attractions at night, unusual activities, and free things to experience in Cappadocia.

What To Do In Cappadocia At Night

I’ve also compiled a quick list of the best things to do at night for all the night owls out there.

Enjoy Cappadocia after the town sleeps, but don’t forget wake up early to watch hot air balloons . Or just party all night and wait for the sunrise and the balloons in the sky.

Here are the best activities for your nights spent in Cappadocia:

• Go Clubbing
• Watch The Stars From Cappadocia’s Valleys
• Turkish Cave Night Show With Dinner

If you want to go clubbing in Cappadocia, I recommend Fat Boys or One Way clubs .

My favorite activity in Cappadocia at night is going star gazing . Go to the Love Valley or the Rose Valley and enjoy the sky full of stars with your significant other.

Or book this Turkish night show , enjoy a delicious dinner in a cave, and experience traditional dancing at night.

Unusual Activities To Do In Cappadocia

When I think about unusual things to do in a destination, I usually choose things that are unpopular among other tourists . Indeed, I naturally look for such activities just because I try to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the places.

Believe me or not, you can find such things even in Cappadocia . So, if you want to do something unique, check out my list below:

• Go Star Gazing In Cappadocia’s Valleys
• Watch Hot Air Balloons From Uschisar Castle
• Talk To Locals In The Shops

I discovered that the Pigeon Valley trek between Uschisar and Göreme is less popular among travelers . Yet, it’s a stunning hike and also quite easy to complete. So, if you want to do something special, do this trek. Start in Uschisar and finish at your hotel in Göreme.

As I mentioned above, my favorite activity in Cappadocia was star gazing . The best spots are Love Valley , Red Valley , or the Rose Valley , where you’re far away from the lights.

Only a few people decide to watch hot air balloons from Uschisar Castle . While you won’t be very close to them, it’s still a beautiful place to see them. And there are barely any people, so you’ll have almost a private experience .

Another thing I loved was talking to Turkish people in the shops in Göreme or Uschisar. I loved their hospitality and friendliness . You’ll hear interesting stories and even learn about the region through the locals’ eyes .

Free Things To Do In Cappadocia

I know Cappadocia is not the most affordable place to visit in Turkey . But don’t worry. Even if you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend $100 on an activity, I have you covered .

Cappadocia is so beautiful that you would have a wonderful experience just being there and hiking through its valleys . So, if you don’t want to come back broke after your visit, do one of these free things:

• Explore Göreme Town
• Hike The Rose Valley
• Walk Through The Red Valley
• Enjoy Sunet Over Göreme
• Visit Uschisar Town

Practical Tips For Visiting Cappadocia

Here are my tips to help you prepare for your visit to Cappadocia and plan your stay. It’ll explain how to get to Cappadocia, the best way to get around, where you should stay, and the best time to visit this beautiful place.

Where Is Cappadocia Located?

Cappadocia is in the middle of Turkey , close to a big city called Nevsehir . The main towns you can visit are Göreme , Uchisar , Cavusin , Ürgüp , Avanos , and Ortahisar .

This region is 730 km (453 miles) from Istanbul , 777 km (482 miles) from Izmir , 503 km (312 miles) from Antalya , and 302 km (187 miles) from the capital Ankara .

The best way to reach the main city in Cappadocia (Nevsehir) is by plane . It’s well-connected to other major Turkish cities by bus , too. Or you can rent a car and drive to the area.

How To Get To Cappadocia

You can get to Cappadocia by plane, bus, or car . The main city in Cappadocia is Nevsehir , so that’s the place you’ll start your visit.

Flying To Cappadocia

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Cappadocia is to fly to Nevsehir . From there, you can book this private transfer to one of the towns.

Skyscanner offers several flights to Nevsehir from other major destinations like Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, or Antalya.

➡ Check out the best flight deals to Cappadocia, Nevsehir, here .

Getting To Cappadocia By Bus

You can get to Cappadocia by bus, too. A direct bus connection between Istanbul, Nevsehir and Göreme runs every day. The only disadvantage is that it takes over 10 hours .

Yet, the bus journey is enjoyable . It stops several times in Turkish bazaars , so you can shop and eat delicious food. The buses also have comfortable seats , and I loved this experience.

➡ Get the best bus deals to Cappadocia by clicking this link .

Getting To Cappadocia By Car

Alternatively, you can rent a car, which is a great option, too.

I recommend renting a car in Nevsehir . You can then explore Cappadocia’s valleys and towns in a car, which is one of the best ways to explore the place. It’ll give you flexibility and freedom to do things at your own pace.

RENT A CAR FOR YOUR ITINERARY

Rent A Car Via Discover Cars – best prices and big selection of car rentals. PRO TIP: Check ratings of the company you choose before booking ( ratings can be off ). Go on Google, see ratings of the car rental company, then book on Discover Cars.

How To Get Around Capapdocia

The best way to get around Cappadocia is by car or on an organized tour .

Rent a car in Nevsehir and drive around Cappadocia. It’ll give you flexibility , and you can explore it at your own pace. It’s also the easiest option from Göreme (main town) to other towns and valleys.

Another great way to see Cappadocia is on an organized tour . You can explore the highlights in three main tours:

Each tour offers different experiences and takes you to a distinct valley. They also include lunch and professional guides .

Best Viewpoints In Cappadocia

As you may already know, Cappadocia is all about stunning views and unique landscapes . To get the most out of its beauty, you’ll have to visit the best viewpoints in the area.

So here is my list of the best viewpoints , from which you’ll get the best photos and sights of Cappadocia:

• Highest Point In Göreme – best views of Göreme
• Love Valley Panoramic View
• Rose Valley
• Cave Hotels In Göreme

Where To Stay In Cappadocia

To make your visit unforgettable , choosing where to stay in Cappadocia and your hotel wisely is important.

The best place to stay is Göreme . Simply because it’s in the center of Cappadocia, has the most activities, and you can easily access other attractions from the town. It also has the best cave hotels in the area.

To make your stay unique , I highly recommend choosing a traditional cave hotel with a terrace . Staying in a cave hotel is an experience on its own. And if it has a terrace, you can conveniently watch hot air balloons from it early in the morning.

With that said, here are my top 3 hotel picks for Cappadocia , Göreme:

🔅 Bedrock Cave Hotel – best budget-friendly cave hotel – book here 🔅 Hera Cave Suites – best mid-range cave hotel (my favorite) – book here 🔅 Sultan Cave Suites – best luxury cave hotel (best terrace for hot air balloon watching) – book here

Best Time To Visit Cappadocia

The best times to visit Cappadocia are the shoulder months: April, May, September, October, and the beginning of November . It’s less crowded around this time, and the temperatures are mild .

I visited Cappadocia in the middle of May , and it was a perfect time. The morning was still quite chilly , so take warm clothes with you. It got warmer during the day, but it wasn’t too hot. So it was just the perfect time to visit for me . It was also way less crowded than during the summertime.

NOTE: In July and August , the famous Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival is held, so if you want to visit around this time, prepare for huge crowds and hot temperatures.

Is Cappadocia Safe?

Yes , Cappadocia is very safe . It’s the safest place in Turkey. There is a very l ow risk of earthquakes , and people are nice and generous. I felt safe in Cappadocia during my visit.

👉 READ ALSO: Is Cappadocia Safe To Visit? Top Safety Tips For Travel – get my personal safety tips and learn about the possible risks you can face in Cappadocia

BONUS: Best Of Turkey Itinerary For 10 Days

While I was traveling through Turkey, I explored almost the entire country with its highlights. Based on my experience , I’ve designed a detailed 10-day Turkish itinerary so you can also have a great time and skip the planning process .

The itinerary also includes a visit to Cappadocia . So check the itinerary out by clicking on the image below:

I’ve also answered some popular questions people ask me or have when planning a visit to Cappadocia. Here are my answers.

How Many Days Is Enough For Cappadocia?

3 days are enough for Cappadocia. Depending on your budget and time, the perfect time to spend in Cappadocia is between 3 to 5 days . But can explore the highlights of Cappadocia within 3 days.

Is 2 Days Enough For Cappadocia?

Yes, 2 days is enough for Cappadocia. But the best time is to spend 4 days . Within 2 days, you can see almost all the highlights, but you need more time to soak up the atmosphere of this place. So spend more than 2 days in Cappadocia and don’t be in a rush.

Can You Do Cappadocia In 1 Day?

You can do Cappadocia in 1 day, but it’s not worth it . Cappadocia is a big area, and it’s also quite remote . It takes time to get there, so spending just a day would be a waste of time.

Plus, you can’t see the best things it offers just within a day. Plan at least 2 days for your visit. The best is to spend 4 days in Cappadocia .

Is It Cheap In Cappadocia?

Cappadocia is not the cheapest . Yet, compared to other places like Switzerland or Scandinavia, Cappadocia is a cheap place to visit.

Turkey is generally a very affordable destination. Cappadocia is just one of the more expensive places you can visit in the country.

Is Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Expensive?

Yes , a Hot air balloon in Cappadocia is expensive. It’s the most expensive activity you can do in the entire Turkey. But it’s worth it . And most of us will make it to Cappadocia just once in a life. So no matter how much it costs, you should do it. It’s a unique experience.

What Do You Wear To Cappadocia Balloons?

You can wear anything for the balloon ride in Cappadocia. But make sure to wear long-sleeve clothes , or at least bring a jumper or a jacket .

The hot air balloons ride early in the morning, and it’s often cold in Cappadocia at this time. Remember, you’re in the mountains, so it gets chilly . Wear appropriate clothes for it.

WRAP-UP: Visiting Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most magical destinations in the world. So plan your visit properly to make the most of it. This list includes all the highlights, and you can easily check off everything within 4 days in Cappadocia.

But if you have other questions, email me at  info(at)voicesoftravel.com , and I’ll be happy to plan your visit and answer additional questions . Or I can design a customized travel itinerary for Turkey for you.

Happy travels!

More Tips For Turkey Travel

Looking to visit more places in Turkey? Check out my related articles:

Best Of Turkey Itinerary 10 Days

Istanbul Itinerary For 3 Days

Is Turkey Worth Visiting? 12 Best Things To Do

9 Best Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul

Is Cappadocia Safe? Top Safety Tips For Travel

19 Best Things To Do In Pamukkale Turkey

What Is Istanbul Known For? 21 Reasons To Visit

33 Famous Turkey Landmarks To Visit

About the author: Nicoletta  is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

TURKEY : Interested in more articles for Turkey? Check out my Turkey Travel Page :

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Cappadocia Travel Guide For Turkey (+Map)

Cappadocia Turkey is the most popular hot air ballooning location in the world, and for good reason — the prices are affordable, and you get to see some unique fairytale landscapes.

More than half of the world’s balloon trips happen here. And even if you’re not interested in the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides, it’s still worth coming here for the good food, cave hotels, history, and photogenic hiking trails.

This travel guide will explain how to get to Cappadocia Turkey, where to stay, and all the best things to do, complete with a Cappadocia map and everything else you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents show 1) What Is Cappadocia? What Is The History? 2) Where Is Cappadocia Turkey? 3) How To Get To Cappadocia Turkey 4) Where To Stay 5) Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels 6) Cappadocia Map 7) Best Things To Do In Cappadocia 8) How To Get Around Cappadocia 9) Best Cappadocia Tours 10) How Long To Stay 11) Best Time To Visit Cappadocia 12) More Turkey Travel Guides

Don’t miss the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides! (© GetYourGuide )

What Is Cappadocia? What Is The History?

The Cappadocia area has been settled by humans since prehistoric times, and over the centuries it’s been occupied by the Hittites, Persians, Romans, early Christians, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans.

Historically, Cappadocia Turkey is probably best known for being a place where Christians settled and sought refuge from the hostile Roman Empire, secretly carving thousands of houses, churches, and caves into the hills.

Most of these rock buildings and underground cities can still be seen today, and they look just like Star Wars movie sets. Supposedly George Lucas wanted to film parts of the original Star Wars movies in Cappadocia, but the Turkish government turned it down.

Cappadocia is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site , and today it’s one of the tourism hotspots of Turkey. It draws millions of tourists every year (3.8 million in 2019!) who come to enjoy the unique landscapes, cave houses, and hot air balloon rides.

Where Is Cappadocia Turkey?

Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, and the nearest major city and airport is Kayseri.

The Cappadocia tourist area includes the small towns of Goreme, Uchisar, and Urgup, but almost everyone bases themselves in Goreme since it has the best hotels and restaurant choices.

How To Get To Cappadocia Turkey

The best way to get to Cappadocia Turkey is to fly domestically from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport (SAW) to the Kayseri airport (ASR).

There are a bunch of flights doing this route every day and it only takes 1.5 hours. A one way ticket can cost as little as 150 Liras ($20 USD)! You can shop for flights to Kayseri at Skyscanner.

After you arrive in Kayseri, you’ll need a van transfer since it’s a 1 hour drive to the Goreme town center in Cappadocia. You can arrange this with your hotel, or book it online.

I recommend pre-booking this top rated Cappadocia shared airport transfer for as low as $7 USD per person. They also have private airport transfers for $30 USD. We’ve used this company ourselves and had a great experience!

Where To Stay

Most Cappadocia hotels are located in the towns of Goreme, Uchisar, or Urgup.

Goreme is generally the best area of Cappadocia to stay in because it has a huge variety of restaurants, tour shops, and cave hotels for all budgets — from backpacker to luxury hotels.

The Cappadocia cave hotels below are some of our top recommendations! You can see more options here .  

Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels

Zara Cave Hotel

Taskonaklar

Panoramic Cave Hotel

Anatolian Houses Cave Hotel

Mithra Cave Hotel

Cappadocia Map

Here’s a Cappadocia map below showing the main towns and some of the top tourist sights (click to enlarge).

The 4 popular tours in Cappadocia are color coded and each one covers a different area. My personal favorites are the Red Tour and Green Tour (more on that later).

Cappadocia map (click to enlarge) showing the color coded tour areas: red, green, blue, and orange.

Best Things To Do In Cappadocia

• cappadocia hot air balloon ride.

You can’t miss the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides. More than half a million tourists do this every year. The balloons are fun to watch from the ground, and even more fun to fly in!

You can wait and book your balloon ride once you arrive in Cappadocia, but I would recommend pre-booking online because it’s a very popular activity that can sell out.

Here’s a top rated 1-hour Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride with free hotel pickup starting at $70 USD. We’ve used this company ourselves and had a great experience!

Book Now: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon

The famous Cappadocia Turkey balloon rides (© GetYourGuide )

• Devrent Valley

This is a neat valley with a lot of uniquely shaped natural rock formations.

Some of them look like the typical chimney rocks, while others are shaped like animals or humans. The most popular one is Camel Rock, which has a neck and humps like a camel!

Devrent Valley is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Devrent Valley

The famous Camel Rock at Devrent Valley

• Monks Valley (Pasabag)

This was one of my favorite stops on the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Like the name implies, Monks Valley was inhabited by monks in ancient times who carved their own homes and windows into the steep chimney shaped rocks.

Monks Valley (Pasabag)

This is a historic town just a short distance north of Goreme, and a lot of Cappadocia visitors stop here as part of the historic Red Tour .

Avanos is known for its pottery and artistic plates and mugs, and even if you don’t plan on buying souvenirs it’s definitely worth a visit to see their wares being made. Lots of talent!

Avanos pottery

A fancy plate in Avanos

• Love Valley

This valley gets its name from the natural phallic shaped rocks. There are a bunch of short, easy trails in the valley if you want to do some easy hiking!

Love Valley is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Love Valley

• Goreme Open Air Museum

This area is full of interesting cave churches from the 11th and 12th centuries. You can go inside them, and some of the frescoes on the walls are fantastic.

The Goreme Open Air Museum is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Goreme Open Air Museum

Wall murals

• Uchisar Castle

Uchisar is a town just a short distance southwest of Goreme, and the central landmark is a 60-meter tall ‘castle mountain’ carved into rocks.

It’s the highest point of Cappadocia Turkey, and you can get some amazing panoramic views from the top of the tower.

Uchisar Castle is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Uchisar Castle

The small town of Uchisar

• Derinkuyu Underground City

There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the deepest one is Derinkuyu.

This city is 85 meters deep in the ground, and it has stables, churches, storage rooms, and thousands of ventilation ducts that gave it fresh air when people were living in it. It’s a fascinating place to explore!

Derinkuyu is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour , but some companies go to Kaymakli instead. Kaymakli is the deepest underground city, and Derinkuyu is the widest.

Cappadocia Underground City

• Ihlara Valley

This is a 100 meter deep valley formed by the Melendiz River.

At one time, this valley was home to 80,000 people, and thousands of their cave houses and churches can still be seen in the rock walls. It’s an amazing area that can be seen on a day trip with some light trekking.

The Ihlara Valley trek is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Ihlara Valley

• Melendiz River

This is a peaceful clear river that runs through the Ihlara Valley, and most day tours stop by the river for lunch.

In the autumn season (mid-October), you can see bright yellow fall colors here.

• Selime Monastery

This is the biggest religious structure in the Cappadocia area, and it’s one of my favorites.

It looks just like a Star Wars set, and you can go inside most of the buildings, which date back to the 8th or 9th centuries.

Selime Monastery is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Selime Monastery

Inside the Selime Monastery

• Pigeon Valley

This is a great hiking valley near Uchisar with lots of easy walking trails that wind through the chimney rocks and cave houses.

Pigeon Valley is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Pigeon Valley

Fall colors at Pigeon Valley

How To Get Around Cappadocia

• Walking: If you’re staying in Goreme and want some exercise, a bunch of nice sights will be in walking distance from your hotel. Some ideas would be Rose Valley, Lovers Hill (sunrise point), and the countless cave houses and churches.
• Horseback: This is another fun way to go sightseeing in Cappadocia. You can find 2-hour horseback riding tours online starting at $50 USD.
• Car + Driver: The most comfortable and efficient way to explore Cappadocia is to hire a private driver . Prices for a 4-8 hour tour start at $60 USD. If you have a couple of friends joining you, this can be very economical. If your group is bigger than 3, you can even hire a private van for even better savings.
• Scooter: As a solo traveler, renting a scooter in Goreme can be cost effective sometimes. Prices run about $30-$40 USD for the whole day.
• ATV: Quad biking can be another fun way to see Cappadocia, and the terrain is perfect for it. You can find Cappadocia ATV tours online starting at $25 USD for 2 hours.
• Group Tour: There are lots of Cappadocia group tours that you can join if you’re a couple or solo traveler. These normally include hotel pickup, lunch, and a full day of sightseeing. Read the section below for some more info on recommended Cappadocia tours!

Best Cappadocia Tours

The 4 popular tours in Cappadocia are color coded (Red, Green, Blue, Orange) and each one covers a different area of Cappadocia. My personal favorites are the Red Tour and Green Tour .

The Red Tour covers sights like Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Avanos, the Goreme Open Air Museum, and Uchisar Castle. The Green Tour covers Ihlara Valley, Melendiz River, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and the Derinkuyu Underground City.

The Blue and Orange tours are less popular, and they cover sights like Ortasihar and the Gulsehir Open Air Museum. I didn’t do these tours, but we plan to try them next time we visit Cappadocia.

For the Red and Green tours, you can book them with a tour agency on the street in the Cappadocia, or you can pre-book the same tours online, which is what I did.

GetYourGuide has the Cappadocia Red Tour for $35 USD, or the Green Tour for $55 USD, with free lunch and hotel pickup included. We’ve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Cappadocia Red Tour / Green Tour

How Long To Stay

At least 2 full days in Cappadocia are needed if you want to do both Red and Green tours and see the highlights of the countryside.

I’m sure you could spend longer too if you want to hit up more of the hiking paths and leave no stone unturned. Besides, Goreme town is a great place to get stuck, with loads of good Turkish restaurants!

If you plan to do the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride, I would add at least 2 extra days to your itinerary in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. The balloon rides can get canceled on windy days, so it’s good to have a little extra time as a safety buffer.

Best Time To Visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia Turkey just depends on what you’re looking for. It’s a nice place all year round, but the temperatures go up and down quite a bit with the seasons.

Cappadocia has hot summers, and cold winters with snow. In either season, the landscapes will be stunning and photogenic, and hotels have air conditioning and heating so you’ll still be comfortable.

I went in the autumn (October) and this seemed just about perfect. The crowds weren’t too bad, and the leaves on the trees were almost at peak color.

Spring would also be a great time to visit, because you’ll get cooler temperatures and less crowds.

Happy travels!

More Turkey Travel Guides

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this Cappadocia Turkey travel guide.

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Cappadocia travel guide — the fullest cappadocia tourist guide & cappadocia travel blog for first-timers.

Not only famous for its overwhelming and magnificent mosques, Turkey is also blessed with breathtaking, spectacular natural landscapes. Among the most famous tourist destinations in Turkey must mention to Cappadocia – a land with a scene like straight out from fairy tales. If you love history and love to explore, then Cappadocia in Nevsehir province in central Turkey, 290 km from the capital Ankara is one of the interesting destinations for you. This is a famous natural wonder of Turkey that has been recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage since 1985. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Cappadocia for the first-time? Let’s check out our Cappadocia travel blog (Cappadocia blog) with the fullest Cappadocia travel guide (Cappadocia guide, Cappadocia tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• Where to go in Cappadocia? — Explore 9 best places to visit in Cappadocia
• Where to stay in Cappadocia? — 8+ Top hotels & best cave hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey
• Cappadocia itinerary — How to spend 3 days in Cappadocia perfectly?
• What to buy in Turkey? — Top 26+ must-buy & best things to buy in Turkey
• When is the best time to visit Turkey? — The best, worst, affordable & best season to travel to Turkey

Under the brilliant sunset covering the sky of the Cappadocia valley, the hot air balloons with vivid and brilliant colors flying under the sky, making visitors feel like they get lost in a wonderland. Indeed!! It’s not too ostentatious when visitors fondly called Cappadocia is a fairy valley. With thousands of stone pillars (bizarre forms of stone) like chimneys in fairy tales, this place is also known as the “mushroom valley”. Relying on the favor of nature, the people of central Cappadocia have carved and sculptured rocks, caves, mountains into houses, monasteries and churches…

Cappadocia travel guide: Overview of Cappadocia

Cappadocia is located in the central region of the Anatolia peninsula (also known as Asia Minor), in the Nevsehir province in central Turkey. Cappadocia is far from 2 big cities: Istanbul 756 km and Izmir 800 km and 290 km from the capital of Ankara.

About over 50 million years ago, the whole area of ​​Cappadocia was just fissures and craters. Soft rock mountains have formed on that lava bed. After millions of years, thanks to the exogenous effects such as flood water, wind, and rain that make large erosion… have created extremely unique rocky mountains with bizarre stone columns.

Cappadocia is formed from sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks. Under the influence of external conditions and time, the rock layer gradually eroded and produced unique shapes, sometimes mushrooms, sometimes camels. It is this that has created a fairy scene that is only possible in fairy tales in Cappadocia.

For more details, you can refer to the following Cappadocia tourist map (I have marked attractions, hotels and restaurants):

Cappadocia travel guide: The meaning of the name Cappadocia

The name of Cappadocia has absolutely nothing related with the above-mentioned geological factor, but rather means “the land of beautiful horses”. Since ancient times, when maritime trading was not yet developed, Cappadocia was an important transit point on the legendary of Silk Road.

When the merchants stopped here, they took advantage of trading and choosing horses. And only in Cappadocia there were the best horse breeds that can withstand the “storm and wind” for the long journey over thousands of kilometers to China. The name Cappadocia began to be widely used from then on.

Some interesting facts about Cappadocia:

• Cappadocia once was part of the Roman Empire in the past.
• An estimated 600 churches have been found inside the caves (and this number will increase as there are many more caves yet to be discovered).

Cappadocia travel blog: When should you visit Cappadocia?

According to my Cappadocia travel experience, you should visit here in spring (April – June) or autumn (September – November). These are the 2 best weather periods to both enjoy the beauty of Cappadocia and participate in exploration activities.

Avoid going to Cappadocia in the summer because the temperature at that time can reach 40 degrees Celsius. And because it is a valley, the real feeling will be much more suffocating.

In winter, when snow falls, the whole Cappadocia valley will be like a fairyland. However, if you come in this time, trekking and hot air ballooning activities will be limited.

Cappadocia travel guide: How to get to and getting around Cappadocia?

There are two ways to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia, one is by night bus, the other by plane. I do not recommend you to take the night bus because it takes time (10 – 12 hours) and is not much cheaper (from 60 – 120 TL / one-way). So, we decided to flying. Partly because this is a fairly safe and economical option, and partly because flying to Cappadocia takes exactly 75 minutes, so much faster than taking the bus.

NOTE: To fly to Cappadocia, you can choose to land at Nevsehir or Kayseri airport. But it is more convenient to fly to Nevsehir airport and from Kayseri airport to Goreme town (Central Cappadocia) takes more than 1 hour.

There are 2 airlines operating this Istanbul – Kayseri route: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines. The price of the two airlines is not much different, but the better and cheaper one is still Turkish Airlines. We took the flight at a good time, so the price was a bit higher (160 TL / round trip). If you willing to fly late at night, it only costs about 98 TL.

Getting from Kayseri Airport to hotel (& vice versa)

You can take the airport shuttle bus or book the hotel transfer service where you will stay. Most tourists often directly book the transfer service of their hotel because the price is very affordable at €10/way with pick-up and drop-off service. If you work hard to deal a little, you will get a little discount, sometimes without pay money. We bought the Balloon Tour + Green Tour + Red Tour of the hotel, so we were offered a free one-way airport shuttle, which helped a lot.

Getting around Cappadocia

The capital of Cappadocia, Goreme which is quite small town, so you can walk around. As for tourist destinations that are quite far apart without public transport, you will have to rent a car with a driver.

You can book a car directly with the hotel (after booking service, the hotel will message you via email or WhatsApp).

Cappadocia travel guide: Where to stay?

Tourists often choose to stay in Goreme town because this is the main capital of Cappadocia, so it gathers many places to eat and drink, convenient for taking tours and also near the hot air balloon launch site. Most of the hotels in Cappadocia are built inside caves, but what is worth the money in each hotel is the balcony area. Because only a hotel with a balcony with a beautiful view can create photos of a lifetime.

The hotel that famous bloggers often stay at is the Sultan Cave Suites ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , which located on a high hill with a large balcony with a beautiful morning view of hot air balloons. But the hotel does not have a 4-person room and the price is a bit high, so if you have a good budget, please consider to stay. We stayed in the Goreme Palace Cave Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) which also have a virtual living balcony, and it also offer a 4-person room at affordable price that is exactly what we want.

However, not every hotel with a balcony with a nice view can take pictures of the sky filled with hot air balloons. Because wanting to take photos like bloggers did on Instagram depends on the weather and wind direction. When we went to the hotel balcony to take some photos, but because the hot air balloons kept flying to the side, we couldn’t take any pictures.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Aydinli Cave Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Millstone Cave Suites ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Mithra Cave Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Kelebek Special Cave Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Argos In Cappadocia ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels in Cappadocia on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Cappadocia travel blog: Where to go, what to do?

Kaymakli Underground City

Cappadocia’s underground cities were first created during the Hittite Bronze Age but they were most famous during the early Byzantine period (6th and 7th centuries) when Catholics chose to live underground to evaded the Arabs and Persian invaders. Kaymakli is Cappadocia’s largest underground city with a labyrinthine system and rooms connected by tunnels that can extend up to eight floors. Exploring the underground city of Kaymakli will be one of your great experiences when traveling to Turkey, when you come here you will feel the raw and mysterious beauty of this thousand-year-old city.

Pigeon Valley

In the olden days pigeons were used as tools to deliver mail, and their waste was used as fertilizer. For the convenience of livestock, people have carved rocks and built nests for thousands of pigeons.

Today, the number of pigeons is not as much as before, but their “nest” is still preserved by local people. And that is also the origin of the name of this famous tourist destination “Pigeon Valley”.

Love Valley

At first, I did not understand why this place was called the Valley of Love, it turned out that there was a reason.

If you imagine, you will see that the stones here are shaped like the “reproductive organ of men”. But anyway, when the hot air balloon flew over this area, I felt like watching a sci-fi movie.

Avanos Village

A small, ancient village where two famous traditional trades are still kept: carpet weaving and ancient ceramics. Shops selling colorful ceramics line the cobbled riverside streets or narrow streets.

Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle is a large rock structure that rises high above the terrain. Different from the original thought of a castle, Uchisar has a special shape like a giant anthill, with small black holes. That shape is created from hundreds of small holes that are rooms inside the light rock texture.

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu is a city built underground, extending to a depth of 60m. The first caves were formed from the 8th – 7th centuries BC and fully developed in the Byzantine period. Form a shelter and protect the locals from Arab attacks. This underground city is large enough to house up to 20,000 people along with their necessities (such as churches, shops, livestock, and public baths).

This area reminds me of Cu Chi tunnels, but the scale is much larger. And you should take the tour to understand more about the meaning of each area in the city. The most obnoxious point in this area is that when tourists go from the outside in or go from the inside, there will be a “choir” inviting to buy souvenirs.

Goreme Open Air Museum

The Goreme Open Air Museum is an ancient monastery built inside stone caves. Inside the caves, there are still exquisite frescos dating from more than 1000 years ago in pretty good condition. Note a bit that inside the cave is not allow to film and take pictures.

The Göreme Open Air Museum is home to a number of churches that medieval Christian monks carved into rock and where you can learn about the Eastern Roman people who created those unique pictures.

Devrent Valley (​​Imagination Valley)

Unlike other areas in Cappadocia, the Dervent valley has never been inhabited. The stones here are not honed by humans but have natural unique shapes.

You can find rocks with all unique shapes, maybe a camel or maybe a dolphin. That’s why Dervent Valley is also known by another name, Imagination Valley.

Cappadocia travel guide: Overview of tours in Cappadocia

There are many places to visit in Cappadocia, but they are very far apart. So for the most convenience, you can buy a tour at the hotel (The hotels here are linked with travel agents). Tours will include shuttle bus, guide, tickets to attractions, water and lunch for guests. The tours are quite strict, the guide always accompany you and they only allow you to take pictures and wandering around within 30 minutes. Made us rush to rush, fortunately we were able to take some nice photos. If you want to be proactive, you can rent a car with a private shuttle driver. The price is also quite reasonable.

There are 4 main tour routes (each tour will be marked with its own color Red, Green, Blue, Yellow) and Hot air balloon tour. The tours prices are very cheap from only 100TL (20€) which including all services (shuttle bus, tour guide, entrance tickets to attractions, water and lunch for guests).

But in short, I still recommend you to buy a tour, because the guide will tell you a lot of useful information about the tourist attractions, feeling like going to join an extra-curricular class. The “teachers” (we call the tour guides in a funny way) joked that before the end of the tour, they would check where we went for the day, if we could not answer, we could not return.

• Taking a tour will have to go to souvenir shops which is very time consuming.
• You can buy a tour through a travel agency or through your own hotel.
• Tour price can be paid in € or TL. You should consider which one is more valuable, then choose. We bought the tour in Euro because the price was 20 TL cheaper per tour.

And below I will also review in detail about the 3 most recommended tours in Cappadocia: Green Tour, Red Tour and Hot air balloon tour.

Hot Air Balloon Tour – A must-try experience in Cappdocia

A hot air balloon tour will include hotel room pick up service (staff knocks on the door and pick you up), breakfast, champagne after landing and a certificate after the tour.

At first, we didn’t know and we thought the hot air balloon operated all day, we could go whenever we wanted, but it turned out that it was only available at dawn (I asked a hotel staff, he answered like that).

Many of you wonder whether should book a hot air balloon tour because the cost is VERY HIGH. But in my opinion, this is the most memorable experience when traveling to Cappadocia. I really have never seen such a beautiful sunrise, the whole sky is full of hot air balloons, like watching a sci-fi movie.

• Duration: 1 – 1:30 hours
• Price: 100 – 200 euros
• Operators: Royal Ballons, Rainbow Ballons, Butterfly Ballons, Turkey Ballons, Sultan Ballons, …

Green Tour – The most recommended tour

Green Tour is the most recommended tour on TripAdvisor, because of going to the best spots in Cappadocia. Among the attractions, I like Derinkuyu Underground City the most, because I understand a lot more about the history and living habits of the ancient Cappadocia residents.

The most regret is the Pigeon Valley, so beautiful but it not include in the tour, instead we must visit a gem shop opposite.

• Duration: 8 hours
• The tour will go to the following spots: Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley hike, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, Göreme Panorama.
• Price: 120 TL

Red Tour – The popular tour inCappadocia

Red Tour will take you visit the main tourist attractions in Cappadocia, with a rather short tour duration, only 6 hours from 9:30AM to 3PM. So the feeling is not satisfied like Green Tour.

But one more boring thing is that the tour only allows to enter to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum while with other places you only just stand from afar to look at.

• Duration: 6 hours
• The tour will go to the following spots: Uçhisar Panorama, Goreme Open Air Museum, Love Valley, Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), Devrent (Imagination Valley), Cavusin.

Cappadocia travel blog: Before you go

• Should wear a bohemian style will be very suitable for the landscape as well as the architecture in Cappadocia. And you must choose a comfortable pair of sports shoes (you will have to “climb” when visiting some tourist attractions in Cappadocia).
• The people of Cappadocia in particular and Turkey in general are extremely friendly and hospitable.Before coming to Cappadocia, I had seen many photos on Instagram and admired the beauty of this place. And when I got there, I was even more impressed. If possible, look forward to returning to Cappadocia in the near future.
• It is recommended to stay in Cappadocia for at least 2 nights to be able to hunt for a beautiful hot air balloon scene from early in the morning (we stayed for 3 nights but it was too windy, so all 4 mornings I couldn’t take photos of the hot air balloon).
• You should book at least 1 night at a hotel with a nice view: Mithra Cave hotel or Sultan Cave Suites (book in advance). The remaining day is spent to experiencing hot air ballooning.
• It is recommended to rent a self-drive car from Kayseri airport (the rental and gas prices in Turkey are extremely cheap), so you can experience more remote spots of Cappadocia such as: the Pasabag valley; Devrent Imagination valley; Red valley (with Ali cafe to watch the beautiful sunset).
• Should experience camel riding tour (you can book a tour at your hotel).
• Don’t forget to take “virtual living” photos with the beautiful rugs (carpets) here: Galeri Ikman carpet shop. You should book an appointment in advance if you want to take pictures with a drone or pay about 10 euros for 15 minutes of self-photography.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Cappadocia you can refer to

• Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia
• Cappadocia Devrent Valley Tour
• Blue Tour Cappadocia
• Green Tour with Trekking in Ihlara Valley
• Historical Cappadocia Red Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Cappadocia : Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Turkey here .

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Tourist Attractions of Cappadocia: A Guide to Its Mystical Wonders

Unearth the hidden gems: 11 must-see tourist attractions of cappadocia.

Cappadocia, a region in central Turkey, is a land of surreal landscapes and rich history. Known for its unique geological formations, ancient cave dwellings, and stunning hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia is a must-visit destination for any avid traveler.

The Allure of Cappadocia

What makes Cappadocia so special? It’s not just the unique landscapes; it’s the blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that captivates every visitor. Whether you’re an adventure junkie or a history buff, Cappadocia has something for everyone.

Geological Wonders of Cappadocia

The region is famous for its “ fairy chimneys ,” towering rock formations that look like something out of a fantasy novel. These were formed millions of years ago and have been shaped by natural forces like wind and water.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

One of the most iconic experiences in Cappadocia is taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. As you float above the unique landscapes, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the fairy chimneys and ancient cave dwellings.

Göreme Open-Air Museum

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a complex of rock-cut churches and monasteries. The frescoes inside these ancient structures offer a glimpse into Byzantine art and the religious history of the region.

Underground Cities

Cappadocia is home to several underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. These were used as hiding places during times of war and offer a fascinating look into ancient engineering and architecture.

Cappadocia’s Cave Hotels

For a unique accommodation experience, consider staying in one of Cappadocia’s famous cave hotels. These offer modern amenities while allowing you to experience the region’s ancient cave-dwelling culture.

Hiking Trails in Cappadocia

For those who prefer to explore on foot, Cappadocia offers numerous hiking trails. The Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley trails are among the most popular, offering stunning views and opportunities for photography.

Cappadocian Cuisine

Don’t leave without trying some local dishes. From kebabs to baklava, Cappadocian cuisine offers a variety of flavors that reflect its rich cultural heritage.

Traditional Crafts and Shopping

Cappadocia is also known for its traditional crafts, particularly pottery and carpets. You’ll find many shops where you can purchase these handmade goods, often made using techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Historical Sites

Apart from its natural wonders, Cappadocia is rich in history. Sites like Uçhisar Castle and Ortahisar Castle offer panoramic views of the region and are a testament to its historical significance.

Religious Significance

Cappadocia has been a center of Christianity since the early days, and you’ll find numerous churches and monasteries carved into the rocks, complete with ancient frescoes.

Tourist Attractions Of Cappadocia

From hot air balloon rides to exploring ancient underground cities, Cappadocia offers a range of tourist attractions that are as diverse as they are fascinating. This is a place where every corner holds a discovery, making it a must-see destination for anyone visiting Turkey .

Top Experiences & Tours in Cappadocia:

• Hot Air Balloon Rides : Experience the magic of floating over Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and rugged valleys at sunrise.
• 1 Day and 1 Night Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul : A quick yet comprehensive tour, ideal for those short on time. Includes visits to major landmarks like Goreme Open Air Museum and offers an optional hot air balloon ride.
• 2-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul : Covers the essential experiences of Cappadocia, including a cave hotel stay, a valley hike, and a visit to an underground city.
• 3-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul : This extended tour allows for a deeper exploration of Cappadocia’s cultural and natural wonders, including pottery workshops and more extensive hiking.
• 4-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul : The most comprehensive tour, offering a relaxed pace to visit all major and some hidden sites, including multiple sunrises and sunsets in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

• The best time to visit is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the tourist crowds are smaller.
• The nearest airports are in Kayseri and Nevşehir, and there are also bus services from major Turkish cities.
• Yes, Cappadocia is generally safe for tourists, but it’s always a good idea to take standard safety precautions.
• Comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are recommended, especially if you plan to hike.
• Drone flying is generally not allowed, especially during the hot air balloon rides for safety reasons.
• Yes, numerous guided tours offer various itineraries covering the major attractions.

Embracing the Enigma: The Lasting Allure of Cappadocia

As you prepare to leave the enchanting world of Cappadocia, you carry with you memories of its ethereal landscapes and the warm hospitality of its people. The region’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty makes it a place where the spirit of adventure thrives, inviting you to return and explore its hidden depths once more. Cappadocia is not just a destination; it’s an experience that stays with you, long after your journey ends.

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Embark on a mesmerizing journey to Cappadocia, a land sculpted by nature and history. In just one day, you can immerse yourself in its otherworldly landscapes, ancient caves, and captivating culture.

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Must-see attractions in Cappadocia

Güllüdere (Rose) Valley

The trails that loop around Güllüdere Vadısı (Rose Valley) are easily accessible to all levels of walkers and provide some of the finest fairy-chimney…

Dark Church

The highlight of Göreme Open-Air Museum is the stunning and fully restored Dark Church, famed for the vivid colours and excellent preservation of its…

Göreme Open-Air Museum

This Unesco World Heritage site is an essential stop on any Cappadocian itinerary. First thought to be a Byzantine monastic settlement that housed some 20…

Zelve Open-Air Museum

The road between Çavuşin and Avanos passes a turn-off to the Zelve Open-Air Museum, where three valleys of crumbling cave-habitations and churches…

Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı underground city features a maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels deep into the earth, though only four are open to the public. The…

Eski Gümüşler Monastery

Some of Cappadocia's best-preserved and most captivating frescoes are hidden within this rarely visited rock-hewn monastery that was only rediscovered in…

Kızılçukur Viewpoint

One of the best views of Kızılçukur (Red) Valley's fang-like rock cones and wavy cliff ridges is from this lookout point, signposted off the highway,…

Buckle Church

The Buckle Church is 50m back down the hill towards Göreme and across the road from the main Open-Air Museum complex, but is covered by the same entrance…

Let's get one thing straight: despite its science-fiction setting, no scene in Star Wars was ever filmed near Soğanlı. But don't despair Chewbacca fans;…

Museum of Seljuk Civilisation

This excellent museum is set in the restored Çifte Medrese, a 13th-century twin hospital and seminary built at the bequest of Seljuk sultan Keyhüsrev I…

Church of St Jean

On the main highway into Gülşehir, just before the turn-off to the centre (another 500m further) is a signposted trail leading to the incredible 13th…

Old Village

The back alleys of Ürgüp are home to many examples of the traditional stone architecture of this region. In particular, in the northern section of the old…

Apple Church

The 12th-century Apple Church (Elmalı Kilise) overlooks a valley of poplars below. Relatively well preserved, it contains both simple, red-ochre daubs and…

Devrent Valley

Look: it's a camel rock! Nicknamed 'Imagination Valley' locally, Devrent Valley's rock formations are some of the best formed and most thickly clustered…

Monastery Valley

The 4.5km Monastery Valley is full of rock-cut churches and dwellings cut into the cliff walls. Exploring it makes for a scenic stroll. From Güzelyurt's…

Ortahisar Castle

Slap in the middle of Ortahisar's town centre, this 18m-high rock outcrop was used as a fortress in Byzantine times. It was reopened after a restoration…

This small valley, halfway along the turn-off road to Zelve, has a three-headed rock formation and some of Cappadocia's most famous examples of basalt…

Hacıbektaş Veli Museum

Right in Hacıbektaş' centre is this tranquil dervish dergah (lodge), now a museum as well as a place of pilgrimage for those of the Bektaşı faith. Several…

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu underground city, 10km south of Kaymaklı, has cavernous rooms arrayed on seven levels reached by skinny long tunnels. When you get all the way…

Hasan Dağı (Mt Hasan), Cappadocia's second-highest mountain, provides a challenging summit-bagging hike. The closest village to the 3268m inactive volcano…

Ihlara Valley

Rimmed by high cliffs that hide rock-cut churches, the lush Ihlara Valley is one of Cappadocia's most popular hiking destinations. Most visitors arrive on…

Çavuşin Old Village Ruins

Carved into Çavuşin's craggy cliff face is a labyrinthine complex of abandoned houses that you can wander through by climbing up the short cliff path that…

Özkonak Underground City

About 15km north of Avanos, the village of Özkonak hosts a smaller version of the underground cities of Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, with the same wine…

Sunset View Hill

You get one of the best panoramas across Göreme by walking up the steep hill through alleyways to this wooden platform suspended on the edge of the cliff…

Mehmet Ali has thrown open the door of his old family home (which they moved out of in the 1970s) so that visitors can get a taste of what Cappadocian…

Kayseri Castle

The monumental black-basalt walls of Kayseri castle were first constructed under Roman emperor Gordian III and rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Justinian…

Keşlik Monastery

About 200 monks once lived at this rock-cut Byzantine monastery complex amid its labyrinth caverns, which include living quarters, refectory and kitchen…

Three Graces Fairy Chimneys

These three black-capped fairy-chimney formations (also known as 'the three beauties'), overlooking the rolling countryside just outside of town, are…

St Nicholas Monastery

By far the most interesting religious building in Monastery Valley, this small monastery, centred around a small courtyard and semi-built into rock cones,…

Hallacdere Monastery

The facade of this rock-cut complex has some of the most colourful geometric pigeon-house decorations in Cappadocia while inside there are unusual…

Sultan Marshes

This Ramsar-listed wetland area encompasses over 24,000 hectares of marshland and is one of Turkey's most important birdwatching sites. A major resting…

Güpgüpoğlu Konağı

Ignore the scruffy mannequin-inhabited dioramas and instead feast your eyes on the glorious interior of painted wooden wall-panels and ceilings. The…

Archaeological Museum

Kayseri's small archaeological museum is a minor magpie's nest, featuring finds from nearby Kültepe (ancient Kanesh, chief city of the Hatti people and…

Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise

The 19th-century Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise is one of Anatolia's few remaining Armenian churches. Its domed interior, complete with dilapidated…

Niğde Museum

Niğde Museum houses a well-presented selection of finds from the Assyrian city of Acemhöyük near Aksaray, through the Hittite and Phrygian Ages to…

Open Palace

This fine rock-cut monastery complex has a cluster of churches, refectories, dormitories and a kitchen, all carved out of fairy chimneys and dating from…

Pancarlı Kilise

This rarely visited 11th-century church is snuggled amid a particularly photogenic vista of orange-hued rock. The small nave has a dazzling interior of…

Büyük Kilise Cami

Just after the Monastery Valley ticket office, you come to the large Büyük Kilise Cami (Mosque of the Great Church), which began life as the Church of St…

Uçhisar Castle

This tall volcanic-rock outcrop is one of Cappadocia's most prominent landmarks and visible for miles around. Riddled with tunnels, it was used for…

Chez Galip Hair Museum

This pottery gallery, in the alley opposite the post office, is home to Cappadocia's infamous hair museum. Yes, that's right: it's a museum dedicated to…

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Places to Visit in Cappadocia

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Tourist Places in Cappadocia

Here are some of the best places to visit in cappadocia:.

Cappadocia Cave Dwellings

Cappadocia is known for housing a number of natural rock-cut caves and cave dwellings that have well been preserved for several years. Caves, shelters, houses, churches, and monasteries were carved into these soft rocks by people. Several of them have also been turned into hotels that offer a unique experience when you stay here.

Pigeon Valley

Locally known as the Guvercinlik Valley, the Pigeon Valley is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the region between the towns of Goreme and Uchisar. The Pigeon Valley is spread across an area of almost 6 km and derives its name from the several pigeon houses that can be found here carved into the soft stone of the caves.

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Goreme Valley

Immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of Goreme Valley, a captivating destination in Cappadocia, Turkey. Marvel at the unique landscape of fairy chimneys and cave dwellings, carved by nature's artistic hand. Explore the ancient rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes, bearing witness to centuries of history. A must-visit location for travelers seeking to experience the enchanting charm and cultural heritage of Goreme Valley, a true wonderland amidst Turkey's captivating landscapes.

Love Valley

Located in the heart of Cappadocia is a unique geological wonder, Love Valley, (Turkish Aşıklar Vadisi). The valley is a part of Göreme Historical National Park and is situated just outside the small town, Göreme. The attraction is renowned for its unique phallic-shaped rock formations, formed through 60 million years of natural erosion. The valley is well known for both its spectacular view and for its significant history. 

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Ozkonak Underground City

Discover the intriguing depths of Ozkonak Underground City, a mesmerizing subterranean wonder in Cappadocia, Turkey. Delve into the ancient labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, carved into the soft volcanic rock. Uncover the mysteries of this historical site, which once served as a shelter and refuge for early civilizations. A must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the fascinating underground world of Ozkonak, an unforgettable experience in the heart of Turkey's cultural heritage.

Goreme Open Air Museum

Visit this unique outdoor museum in Turkey that comprises the remnants of several churches that were carved out of the famous Cappadocia stone. Particularly noteworthy are the several frescoes that you can witness during your exploration of all the structures here. The UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases impressive Byzantine artistry that is situated about 1 km uphill from the Goreme’s center.

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Hot Air Balloon

The vibrantly colored hot air balloons floating across the sky over the landscape of Cappadocia in Turkey are something you should not miss. There are various tours available that offer spectacular views of the region's volcanic spires, honeycombed hill formations, valleys, and caves. You can also include a light breakfast before cruising over the Fairy chimneys or Goreme Valley

Top Experiences To Do in Hot Air Balloon

Ihlara valley.

This picturesque gorge located in the Cappadocia region of Turkey has been formed over several thousand years by the Melendiz river. Known for its hiking trails and several churches, the 14 km long valley has some of the most scenic viewpoints and is said to be one of the favorite spots among monks for their recreational purposes.

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Uchisar Castle

The Uchisar Castle is a stunning landmark located in Cappadocia, Turkey. This is a natural rock formation, from which a castle is carved and offers some of the best views from the tip. The castle has an intricate network of tunnels, rooms, and caves that you can explore to know more about the rich history and unique architectural heritage.

Top Experiences To Do in Uchisar Castle

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu Underground City is the deepest underground place in the Cappadocia region goes down to a depth of almost 85 meters. The brilliantly created city is a gigantic labyrinth of cave-like rooms which also boast an impressive ventilation system, secret entrances, and connecting passageways. A veritable city, this underground wonder also comprises churches, schools, wine cellars, and much more.

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Kaymakli Underground City

Kaymakli Underground City in Cappadocia, Turkey, is an ancient subterranean complex carved into volcanic rock. This mysterious Kaymakli Underground City is known for offering an extraordinary subterranean experience. 

Top Experiences To Do in Kaymakli Underground City

Devrent Valley

Renowned for its interesting rock formations in various shades of pink, the Devrent Valley in the Cappadocia region is a must visit when you are in this city. Also known as the Pink Valley or Imaginary Valley, you will find a range of naturally formed pillar-like structures, rock formations and the most striking features here known as the fairy chimneys.

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One of the best places for hiking in Cappadocia, the Pasabag valley is a must visit if you wish to witness the raw beauty of this region. The valley brilliantly showcases the surreal charm of the place with some of the most exquisite fairy chimney formations. Also known as the Monks Valley, you can find the famous chapel of Saint Simeon here.

Zelve Open Air Museum

One of the most popular locations in Cappadocia, the Zelve Open Air Museum has been created with the combination of three valleys. When you explore these valleys you will also get a deeper understanding of the life of the inhabitants from the Byzantine era. The area also features some brilliant rock structures and cave paintings here.

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Red Rose Valley

Known for the best sunset views, the Red Rose Valley in Cappadocia is a great place to visit. The beauty of the rock formations in these parts gets further enhanced during this time of the day. It is also famous for its moderate level hiking trails that can be undertaken by hikers of varying proficiency levels. The valley is also great for exploring the cotton castles and the Cappadocia fairies.

Cavusin is a village in the Cappadocia region that is divided into two parts - the new village and the old village. The old Greek village of Cavusin is one of the historical Places to visit in Cappadocia. The village is extremely popular for its cave homes that are now deserted after the rock boulders started falling down from the rock.

As you walk up the hill, you can see many cave houses put for sale! The 5th century church of Saint John the Baptist, situated in Cavusin is the key attraction here that looks larger than many others in the region. The frescoes in the walls of the church depict the scenes from the Bible. The views from the church are a treat to the eyes and the cave houses look like miniatures from such heights.

Avanos district, Nevşehir Province, Turkey

1.28 $ | 8 TL

8.00 AM - 6.00 PM Mon - Sun

Best Time to Visit:

April - June; September & October

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Soganli Valley

Located at a distance of 36 km from Mustafapasa, the only way you can get to this picturesque valley is by hiking. The trail here is famous for its tranquil surroundings as well as a number of ancient churches that cover it on all sides. Apart from other Roman era tombs and pigeon houses on cave walls, there was also a tiny Turkish village here that got moved sometime ago due to environmental issues.

Tucked away in the Nevşehir province of Cappadocia, this scenic town seems straight out of a picture book. Avanos is very popular for its souks, pottery workshop, and other incredible experiences. The town maintains its old world charm with cobbled walkways lined with quaint shops and cafes. It is also known for its various souvenir shops and pottery making.

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This is a new age tourist city in the Cappadocia region which feature a number of modern hotels that have been created around some ancient cave dwellings. The city along with its nearby locations is popular for its unique fairy chimneys, mesmerizing vineyards, as well as Christian rock churches from the ancient periods. The city is quite famous for its handmade carpets and scintillating nightlife

People Also Ask About Cappadocia

Which are the best places to visit in cappadocia.

1. Gšreme Open-air Museum:  If you're on the lookout for one of the most famous Cappadocia tourist places, you must visit the Gšreme Open-air Museum, a stunning complex of churches, monasteries, and chapels. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides a combination of different languages and races under one roof. 2. Kaymakli Underground City:  Known to be one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia, Kaymakli Underground City is one of the two hundred Cappadocia underground cities open to the public. It consists of eight floors below ground, out of which visitors can explore four levels. 3. Ihlara Valley:  Your trip to Cappadocia won't be complete if you don't visit Ihlara Valley, a fifteen-kilometer-long canyon hemmed by craggy and steep cliffs. There are many churches and monasteries along the valley's length, and it was a favored spot for hermetic monk communities. Checkout & Book: Turkey Trips

Which are the best places to visit in Cappadocia for couples?

1. Red Rose Valley: If you're looking for a lovely, romantic retreat, you must head to Red Rose Valley that is renowned for its aesthetic beauty. It is one of the most romantic Cappadocia places to visit, where you can watch the magnificent sunset, appreciate the breathtaking sceneries and spend some intimate moments with your partner. 2. Love Valley: Spend some private time with your partner while appreciating the gorgeous sceneries by visiting Love Valley. It is one of the most famous places in Cappadocia for couples who want to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The valley is renowned for its unique rock formations formed by wind erosion. 3. Dibek Café and Restaurant: This is one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia with your partner to relish the authentic Turkish specialties. It is an old-school café cum restaurant where you can have a romantic date night with soothing music playing in the background. Also Checkout & Book: Turkey Honeymoon Tour Packages

What is the best time to visit Cappadocia?

How to reach cappadocia.

By Air: The Kayseri Erkilet Airport is only about an hour's drive from Cappadocia. Some of the other airlines that operate from this airport are Borajet, Pegasus Airlines, AtlasGlobal, Corendon Airlines, SunExpress, and Onur Air. Once you reach the airport, you can take a cab/taxi to reach Cappadocia. By bus: Cappadocia is connected by bus to nearby cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Konya, Çanakkale and Antalya. Also Explore & Book: Europe Tour Packages

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CHARLIES WANDERINGS

THE TRAVEL BLOG FOR HIKING LOVERS AND EFFICIENT TRAVEL GUIDES

BLOG , CAPPADOCIA , Destinations , Europe , Turkey · August 18, 2023

Top 13 Very Best Things To Do in Cappadocia

Are you planning a visit to Cappadocia and looking for the best things to do? Or maybe you just want some inspiration for future travel plans and you want to know more about this magical place? Well in both cases I got you completely covered!

I stayed in Cappadocia for 5 days and went on a bunch of excursions and I am here to tell you all about it! I wanted to see more of Cappadocia than the standard balloon sunrises and fairy chimneys . So I am very excited to share my full experience with you!

Cappadocia, also known as ‘land of the beautiful horses’, is a magical place in Turkey that you should visit at least once in your life ! And while it’s one of the number 1 honeymoon destinations, it’s also an amazing place to get in some quality time with your friends, or like I did with my mom :).

In this article I will give you the lay down of the best things to do in Cappadocia and what you can expect from your time here!

About Cappadocia History

Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a mesmerizing historical region nestled in the heart of Central Turkey. Renowned for its unparalleled beauty, it captivates visitors with its unique moon-like landscape and enchanting natural wonders.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Cappadocia is its whimsical fairy chimneys . These extraordinary rock formations, sculpted over millions of years by the forces of nature, resemble towering mystical creatures. As you explore the region, you’ll be transported to a realm of imagination, where ancient tales and legends come to life.

Cappadocia’s captivating landscape is not only a feast for the eyes but also offers numerous activities and adventures for every traveler. Dare to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon tour that will lift you above this surreal terrain, providing breathtaking panoramic views that will leave you speechless.

Delve into the intriguing history of Cappadocia by exploring its underground cities and rock-cut churches . These remarkable subterranean complexes, carved into soft volcanic rock, served as hiding places for early Christians during times of persecution. Step back in time as you wander through the narrow passages and marvel at the intricate frescoes adorning the ancient chapels.

Immerse yourself in the local culture by staying in one of the charming cave hotels , which seamlessly blend traditional architecture with modern luxury. Indulge in the region’s delectable cuisine, where you can savor unique flavors and specialties such as pottery kebab or sweet pumpkin dessert.

Cappadocia is generally regarded as the plains and the mountainous region of eastern Central Anatolia around the upper and middle reaches of the Kizilirmak river.

Due to its inland location and high altitude, Cappadocia has a rather continental climate, with hot dry summers and cold snowy winters.

The caravan path between Cappadocia and Konya also used to be a part of the Silk Road , a historic system of  caravan trails   through Turkey, Persia (Iran), India   and China  that allowed trade to prosper and cultures to come in contact over the centuries.

The typical landscape was shaped by erosion and by ancient volcanic eruptions . The thick ashes became solidified in rock formations and these were then shaped by the eroding wind and water. This way a fairytale landscape of cones, pillars, mushrooms and chimneys came to exist and every year draws in millions of people from all over the world!

But human hands also performed incredible work here and created a network of handmade caves and tunnels . You imagine it and they created it into the soft stone rocks: houses, places of worship, storages. They actually created entire towns underneath the ground , all connected through different tunnel complexes which could run 8 different storages deep underground!

When to visit Cappadocia

When it comes to visiting Cappadocia, timing is everything . While you can explore this enchanting region in Turkey at any time of the year, the ideal time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of Spring or Autumn . Let me tell you why.

In the Spring, from April to June, Cappadocia flourishes with vibrant colors as nature wakes up from its winter slumber. The weather is mild, with temperatures gradually rising and trees blooming with beautiful blossoms. It’s the perfect time to witness the captivating landscapes of fairy chimneys and unique rock formations while enjoying pleasant temperatures.

Autumn, from September to November, is another splendid time to visit Cappadocia. The summer crowds begin to thin out, and the temperatures start cooling down, creating a comfortable atmosphere for exploration. The surrounding valleys and vineyards come alive with shades of red, orange, and gold, making autumn a picturesque season to capture stunning photographs and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery.

During these shoulder seasons, you’ll also have the advantage of avoiding the peak tourist crowds that flock to Cappadocia in the summer months. This means shorter lines, better availability of accommodations, and a more peaceful and intimate experience overall.

Whether you choose to visit in Spring or Autumn, one thing is for certain – Cappadocia will leave you in awe of its otherworldly beauty. From hiking through the Rose Valley and exploring the underground city of Derinkuyu to floating above the surreal landscapes in a hot air balloon, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences to be had.

So, start planning your trip to Cappadocia during the shoulder season and get ready to embark on a memorable adventure filled with stunning sights, warm hospitality, and a touch of magic.

I do think that visiting Cappadocia during the Winter must be absolutely fantastic as well. The balloons keep on flying but there’s also snow on the ground which must make the scenery that much more magical!

Where to stay in Cappadocia

The Cappadocia region itself is rather large so knowing the best place to stay is crucial to your trip planning!

The town of Göreme is the historic center of the region and is where most tours will start as well . Göreme is also the place where you have one of the best views over the hot air balloons in the morning!

Some of the best places to take photos in Cappadocia are actually at the hotels themselves! And while you can’t enter most hotels during sunrise it is usually possible to visit afterwards. During sunrise and the hot air balloon event they want to ensure their guests have the best time of course. Then again, it can never hurt to ask!

Typical for people who travel to Cappadocia is that they stay in a cave hotel overlooking the town of Göreme . I’ve selected the best ones for you where I am sure you’ll not only have an amazing time but where you’ll also be able to take beautiful photos and make memories that last a lifetime!

• Mithra Cave Hotel – Located on one of the top levels in Göreme and offering a spectacular view over the entire valley. This is the hotel where I stayed at and I 100% recommend staying here ! The owner is super nice and he owns several cute dogs that roam around the property!
• Sultan Cave Suites – This is probably the most photographed hotel in Cappadocia. Known for inviting influencers from all over the place to promote their property. Sultan Cave Suites is actually located below Mithra Cave Hotel so I could actually see all of the mayhem in full blown action. :p
• Local Cave House Hotel – Known for its pool which can come in handy on those sizzling hot Turkish afternoons.
• Museum Hotel – This stunning Relais & Chateaux hotel is a masterpiece on its own and is definitely worth a visit! I got lucky to be invited during sunrise but I have to admit that the hot air balloons were really far. nevertheless it’s a stunning hotel and if you want to splurge yourself with some luxury then this is the way to go !

How to get to Göreme

The nearest airports to Göreme are in Kayseri or Nevsehir and most international flights will have a short layover in Istanbul . The Nevsehir airport is closest to the city center and only 40 minutes driving from Göreme. In the summer months, Turkish Airlines has daily flights from Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.

From there you have a shuttle service that will take you to Cappadocia’s city center (Göreme) for around 35 TL .

If you’re flying into Kayseri airport your transfer will take around 1,5 hour and will therefore also be more expensive.

From Istanbul there are plenty of overnight busses that will take you to Cappadocia. While it might take more time to reach your destination it is a much cheaper way to travel.

From Istanbul the trip takes around 10 hours and wil cost around 100TL. Busses are usually comfortable and clean with enough space and WiFi on board. When booking an overnight bus make sure to look if you’re booking one with or without rest stops.

These busses won’t drop you off in Göreme but at busstop Otogar in Nevsehir from where it’s 25 minutes to the city centre.

You can always contact your hotel and they might be able to arrange a transfer for you.

This would be my favourite way of transportation in Turkey cause I am a sucker for road trips. I love the feeling of freedom and that you can plan on the go.

From Istanbul to Cappadocia it’s around 728km and the drive takes around 8,5 hours. On the way you’ll pass by Ankara, the second largest city in Turkey .

From Pamukkale to Cappadocia it’s a 650km drive, which should take around 7,5 hours.

Note that driving in Göreme might not be for the faint of heart cause the streets are super narrow and windy. I think it’s best to find a parking spot along the main road and then go from there.

Top Things To Do in Cappadocia

1. watch the sunrise from one of the many terraces in göreme national park.

I can tell you that one of the best and most spectacular attratcions to do in Cappadocia is to wake up early . Roll out of bed and make your way to one of the terraces in Göreme National Park. It is important to mention that these terraces are part of individual hotels. It is not allowed to access them if you are not staying there.

A lot of people don’t know this and drive to Göreme in the early morning in hope of seeing the balloons during sunrise. This will not be possible unless you are staying at one of the hotels! However, most hotels do offer free entrance after sunrise!

The balloons should fly every morning , however it does depend on the amount of wind. They usually don’t know this from before. Sometimes the balloons also rise a little after sunrise so it’s definitely worth it to stick around for a while. Cappadocia is a desert landscape, which results in very cold mornings . Make sure to pack warm clothes with you so you don’t freeze your but off while you’re out there waiting for the balloons!

💡 TIP – I stayed at Mithra Cave Hotel and absolutely loved my stay here! They have several platforms from where you can watch the sunrise and they also have the cutest little puppies!

2. Indulge in the local cuisine

If I had to name one of my favourite cuisines, Turkish food is right there in my top 5. The Turkish cuisine is a fusion of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Armenian and Balkan cuisines.

And I am not just talking about their Turkish delight. I would love for you to try some of my favourite dishes: stuffed dolmas, eggplant and definitely try a meze! This is a selection of appetisers that can be shared with the entire table!

If you’re staying in Göreme I can recommend you the restaurant Dibek , a local restaurant where you should indulge in their pottery kebap!

3. Watch the sunset at Rose Valley

This is one of the best and most beautiful things to do in Cappadocia! Watching the sunset over Rose Valley is absolutely magical and an activity that you can not miss .

If you don’t have a rental car the easiest way to go there is by taxi. This is a very popular sunset spot so please, don’t expect to be there alone for a second :p. There will be a mix of tourists and locals, playing music, drinking, all waiting fir the sun to set over the valley!

We did not have a rental car during our stay and simply agreed on a pick up time with our taxi driver! It all went very smooth and we were back at our hotel in no time.

But what makes the Rose Valley so special isn’t just the incredible rock formations. But here the minerals in the sand stone have a pink hue which you can see clearly throughout the day. But the best time to see it in all its glory is during sunset.

That’s why Rose Valley is one of the most popular sunset point in the Cappadocia region.

4. Pay a visit to Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley, also known as Guvercinlik Valley , is a 10 minute drive away from Göreme and one of Cappadocia’s most famous valleys . Almost every tour around Cappadocia makes a stop here so you pretty much can’t miss it.

At the top is the famous Göreme Panorama, a moon-like landscape spreads out underneath your feet and all you can do is be in awe of mother natures work here. These typical shapes that you find around entire Cappadocia are the result of hundreds of years of erosion.

You’ll also encounter the famous Evil Eye tree here so make sure you don’t miss it!

5. Go on a hot air balloon flight during sunrise

If you’re planning a trip to Cappadocia, one of the best and most fun things to do is to go on a hot air balloon ride! But be ready to wake up bright and early cause you’ll get picked up at 4 am in the morning !

What I didn’t really like is that everyone is first brought to a local diner where “breakfast” is served. Don’t expect anything fancy, just some white none toasted bread and slices of ham and cheese next to it. Way too little for everyone who is there anyway…

But after that it’s time to go on one of the best hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia ! You’ll be divided into different groups and taken to your balloon in a small bus. Our balloon didn’t make it up in the air until after sunrise and while it was still a magical experience it also left me feeling a little bit disappointed.

The average price of a balloon ride is around €150 so make sure that before booking you read a lot of online reviews!

6. Discover Selime Monastery

The Selime Monastery, also known as the Kaledibi Monastery, is the biggest rock-cut monastery of Cappadocia with a cathedral-sized church. This remarkable architectural wonder dates back to the 8th century and is located in the central part of Turkey.

Nestled within the picturesque landscape of Cappadocia, the Selime Monastery is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of its creators. Carved into the soft volcanic rock formations, this monastery is a stunning example of Byzantine rock-cut architecture .

The monastery complex boasts a vast network of chambers, corridors, and tunnels that were used as living quarters, storage areas, and places of worship by the monks who once inhabited the site. The highlight of the monastery is its impressive main church, which features intricately carved details and stunning frescoes that have stood the test of time.

Exploring the Selime Monastery offers a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of Cappadocia . Visitors can wander through the labyrinthine passages, marvel at the breathtaking rock formations surrounding the monastery, and imagine what life was like for the monks who sought solace and spirituality within these walls.

It was carved by hand by the monks in the 13th century and apart from the church it also has living quarters for the monks, a large kitchen and stables for animals . The walls were once decorated with frescoes of which very little remains but it’s still a wonderful site to see today and to explore!

From on top of the Selime Monastery you also get a spectacular view over the Ihlara Valley , a 15 km long and 150m deep canyon. The valley contains around 50 rock-hewn churches and numerous rock-cut buildings.

💡 TIP – I loved visiting this place and it was part of the Green Tour that we took.

7. Go for a horse ride in the Red Valley during sunset

This was one of my favorite things to do in Cappadocia! I had never been on a horse before, that’s if you don’t include the ponies at the local carnival when I was a kid :p. But the horses were very well trained and our guide also provided us with instructions during the entire ride.

It took around 1,5 hour to reach the summit from where we admired the sunset over the Red Valley in Cappadocia . Afterwards you return back to the ranch through a different path and say goodbye to your handsome steed for the evening!

8. Stroll through Göreme Open Air Museum

The Goreme Open Air Museum is one of the most popular places and historic sites in Cappadocia. The museum is located rather close to the city centre of Goreme, which is only 15 minutes walking distance.

Try to avoid this attraction on the weekend cause the place will not only be swarmed with tourists but also with locals.

There are over 10 cave churches to admire and visit and upon entering you get an audio guide to take with you. This one explains in detail about the history of Cappadocia and how places like this came to exist.

Despite the big crowds it’s still a must visit if you want to learn more about the rich culture and history embedded in this place .

9. Visit the most famous carpet shop in Cappadocia

In the centre of Goreme you’ll find one of the most famous carpet shops in the world.

Galeri Ikham is also one of the most impressive carpet shops I have ever seen in my entire life! Layers and layers of carpets and cushion covers are laid out and I honestly didn’t know where to look first! Take a good look around cause I am a hundred percent convinced you’ll find your perfect Turkish souvenir here!

I found two gorgeous pillow covers and I am pretty sure that if my budget would have allowed me I would have gone home with way more!

A lot of people visit this store sole for the purpose of taking photos. If this is your only goal make sure to ask the shop owner if you’re allowed to do so.

It’s always so important to be respectful cause the constant clicking of a camera might set other possible customers off and the shops loses sales because of it.

Instead ask if it’s allowed and if they want anything in return . There’s nothing wrong with paying a small fee or buying a souvenir in return! It’s a win win situation: you get to take fun photos, they are pleased with you and you don’t ruin the experience for future visitors!

10. Visit Pasabag Valley

If you want to spot the best fairy chimneys and cave dwellings then Pasabag Valley is the place to be.

But the same advise goes here, try to visit on a weekday and not on the weekend. I think that’s why a lot of the magic was lost to me when i was there and don’t even get me started on taking photos cause that was absolute insanity!

I would love to return to Cappadocia one day and visit these places a second time!

11. Watch the sunset over Göreme

It’s not just the sunrise that are spectacular in Göreme but the sunsets are actually equally as impressive!

Watch the sunset from the privacy of your hotel terrace or you can also pay a visit to the famous Göreme look out point. This is called the Lover’s Hill Sunset Point and the best part is that it’s within walking distance of most hotels in the city.

The 3 most famous and most frequented sunset viewpoints in Cappadocia are Lover’s Hill, Rose Valley and a Rooftop terrace. So you can imagine that you’ll never have this place to yourself during sunset.

12. Explore the Derinkuyu Underground Village

One of its most intriguing attractions in Cappadocia is the Derinkuyu Underground City. This ancient subterranean complex is believed to have been built thousands of years ago, serving as a shelter and refuge for the local communities during times of turmoil and conflict.

The Derinkuyu Underground City is a remarkable feat of engineering, consisting of multiple levels that extend several stories deep into the ground. This sprawling labyrinth features narrow passages, hidden chambers, wells, and even ventilation shafts to ensure the inhabitants had access to fresh air. It is estimated that this underground city could accommodate thousands of people, providing them with the necessary facilities for living, such as kitchens, stables, churches, and storage areas.

Exploring the Derinkuyu Underground City is like stepping back in time, as you wander through its dimly lit corridors and discover the remnants of ancient life. As you descend deeper into the earth, you can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that went into constructing such a complex network of tunnels and rooms. It is truly a testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of the people who once called this place home.

You’ll go down below the ground until 5 levels deep into this cave system which once housed over 20.000 people!

Do know that if you suffer from claustrophobia this excursion might not be for you.

13. Marvel at Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle holds a significant historical and cultural importance in the region of Cappadocia . Situated in the charming town of Uchisar, this castle stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural brilliance of ancient civilizations.

Originally serving as a defensive stronghold, Uchisar Castle played a vital role in protecting the people of Cappadocia from invasions and external threats . Its strategic location on the hilltop offered a commanding view of the surrounding valleys and enabled the inhabitants to monitor any approaching danger from afar.

What makes Uchisar Castle truly mesmerizing is not only its historical significance but also its natural formation. Carved entirely from the soft volcanic rock that defines the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, the castle showcases the exceptional skill of its builders and their ability to work harmoniously with nature.

Exploring the castle’s interior, visitors can wander through a labyrinth of tunnels, corridors, and chambers that once housed the inhabitants and provided protection during times of conflict . These intricate passageways give a glimpse into the daily life of the people who sought refuge within the castle’s walls centuries ago.

As you make your way to the top of Uchisar Castle, a panoramic view unfolds, revealing the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia. The sweeping vistas of fairy chimneys, towering rock formations, and lush valleys are truly awe-inspiring, leaving visitors in sheer admiration of the region’s geological wonders.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, an avid photographer, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to Uchisar Castle promises an unforgettable journey through time and a chance to marvel at the wonders of ancient craftsmanship and the natural beauty of Cappadocia.

💡 TIP – If you participate in the Red Tour you have the opportunity to end your day at the top of Uchisar Castle to watch the sunset.

Which Cappadocia tour should you choose

There are so many excursions that you can go on during a visit to Cappadocia. But it usually comes down to three colours: red, green and blue.

Which tour includes which activity you can find out below!

Know that these tours aren’t private tours! You’ll join 20-30 other people and you’ll be divided into groups according to your language. The tour guide speaks a lot of languages and could even speak a little bit of Chinese!

In all daily Cappadocia Tours, you will be picked up in the morning around 09.00-09.30 AM and tours will start around 10.00 AM . Pick up, transportation during the day, professional guiding, entrances and lunch are included in the price. The average pricing for a tour lies between €25 and €50 and depends on the length of the total tour.

Each of the color-separated tours is arranged according to the area, distance and entrance fee. In addition, one tour presents  natural and historical buildings , while the other offers a tour plan with  natural areas.

Cappadocia Green Tour

During the Green Tour you’ll do a lot more walking and you’ll drive further away from Göreme .

This is the tour you should choose if you wish to visit the Derinkuyu Underground Village .

All of the attractions in the Green Tour are: Göreme Panaroma, Underground City, Güvercinlik Valley, Ortahisar Rum Village, Red Valley, Kaledibi Monastery, Onyx Workshop.

I found this tour very interesting but it’s a full day tour and in the end I was dead tired. I wouldn’t recommend this tour if you have small children with you or if you want to make extra plans for sunset.

Cappadocia Red Tour

The Red Tour is the ideal tour if you only have one day in Cappadocia and you still want to see the main highlights.

You can easily combine this tour with one of the sunset excursions such as an ATV sunset tour or the horseback riding through red valley.

All of the attractions in the Red Tour are: Uçhisar Castle, Love Valley, Open Air Museum, Çavuşin Rum Village, Paşabağ Valley, Devrent Valley, Pottery Workshop.

Cappadocia Travel Guide – Is it safe to travel to Cappadocia

I will never understand why but a lot of times Turkey gets a bad reputation for solo female travel. Is it because people are sometimes scared of different cultures?

Well I have traveled to Turkey twice now, once with a girlfriend and once with my mom. Both times were a ton of fun and we never felt unsafe at any given moment!

Also Cappadocia is so accustomed to tourism that it’s one of the best places in Turkey to start your solo female travel journey. A lot of the locals speak English and are willing to help you if you have questions.

Charlotte Lint is the founder, main photographer and writer of Charlies Wanderings . She has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice. She is an expert on writing insightful hiking guides and creating unique and efficient travel itineraries . Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.

You’ll Also Love

April 30, 2020 at 8:43 pm

Gorgeous looking place! Again, never imagined turkey held all these beautiful places. Love the photo of you with the lanterns ?

Charlotte says

April 30, 2020 at 8:47 pm

Thank you!!! I am dying to go back! I would love to do a road trip through Turkey!

Cirkeline says

March 4, 2021 at 1:46 pm

What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Cappadocia again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 and 2022 with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

– Cirkeline

February 19, 2022 at 5:33 pm

Thanks for the amazing explains article.

February 19, 2022 at 5:41 pm

My absolute pleasure! Hope you’ll have an amazing trip!

JTraveling says

November 17, 2022 at 10:48 am

Thanks for the story and information

Cappadocia Tours says

January 28, 2023 at 12:26 am

Thanks for the amazing explanation article.

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• 12 Places To Visit In Cappadocia In 2024 That Let You Explore The Magical Kingdom Of Anatolia

23 Mar 2023

Of fairytale charm, traditional cuisine, and offbeat places, the heavenly beauty of the landscapes make Cappadocia a favorite among travelers from all around the world. Once a province of the Roman Empire, Cappadocia is indeed an incredible place crisscrossed with valleys and dotted with dramatic rock formations. From an awe-inspiring underground city to breathtaking skyline vistas, this city offers an experience that feels nothing less than magic. And to discover the true charm of this Turkish beauty, update your travel wishlist with these best places to visit in Cappadocia to enrich your overall experience.

12 Best Places To Visit In Cappadocia

Check the best places that you should definitely visit while you are on your trip to Cappadocia. Keep scrolling down and read along!

1. Goreme Open Air Museum

Image Source

The Goreme Open-Air Museum is considered to be one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia . This museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own church. Also, the Goreme Open Air Museum has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and was one of the first two UNESCO sites in Turkey.

Location: Merkez, Müze Cd., 50180 Göreme Belediyesi/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey Timings: 8 AM to 7.30 PM

Suggested Read: 7 Enticing Things To Do In Cappadocia For The Adventure Seeker In You

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2. Zelve Open Air Museum

The Zelve Open-Air Museum once housed one of the largest communities in the region and is an amazing cave town, combed with dwellings, religious and secular chambers. Known to be one of the well-known Cappadocia attractions , the real joy of this museum is while meandering down the cliffside paths, exploring the fire-blackened interiors of the cave dwellings, and staring out at the brilliant vistas at the surrounding countryside.

Location: Aydınlı Mah, Yavuz Sk. No:1, 50180 Aktepe Köyü/Avanos/Nevşehir, Turkey Timings: 8.30 AM to 5 PM

3. Kaymakli Underground City

Built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli, this was opened to visitors in 1964. If you are in Turkey and wondering about the best things to see in Cappadocia then do not miss exploring the underground city. The people of Kaymakli village have constructed their houses around nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. While the underground city consists of 8 floors below ground, four of these levels can be explored by visitors.

Location: Central Anatolia Region Of Turkey

4. Ihlara Valley

In any of the Cappadocia travel guide , do not miss out on Ihlara Valley which is one of the important Cappadocia tourist attractions that attracts visitors for its tall poplar trees and fertile farming plots. During the Byzantine period, this was a favored retreat for hermetic monk communities, who carved churches and monastery complexes into the cliff face. The Kokar Kilise (Fragrant Church), Yılanlı Kilise (Snake Church), and Kirk Dam Altı Kilise (St. George Church) are three of the best which cannot be missed. It is also believed that the valley housed more than 4000 dwellings, 100 cave churches decorated with frescoes and about 80,000 people.

Location: Aksaray Province, Turkey

5. Uchisar Castle

Image Credit: Momo by flickr

Among many places to visit in Cappadocia , Uchisar Castle is a fascinating one. This castle is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia on the Nevsehir-Goreme road and is just about 5 km away from Goreme. Travel to the top of the Uchisar Castle and witness a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance.

Location: Uchisar Village, Turkey

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6. Town Of Avanos

Set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River is the town of Avanos. Famous for its markets, this is one of the top places to visit in Cappadocia . Based at about 8 kilometers from Goreme, Avanos has a lively center with all the usual amenities including a modern, and a tourist-oriented hamam, i.e., a Turkish Bath.

Location: Nevsehir Province, Turkey

7. Devrent Valley

Devrent Valley, popularly known as Imaginary Valley and also as the Pine Valley, it is one of Cappadocia sightseeing attractions. The small fairy chimneys in the valley form a lunar landscape, or moonscape, by their strange look and thus are called the “Lunar Landscape”. The valley also has many animal shaped rocks that look like a sculpture zoo made by nature. If you are looking for places to visit near Cappadocia , then you add this on your bucket list.

Location: Avanos, Turkey

Suggested Read: Long Awaited Love Blossoms: A Romantic Honeymoon Trip To Turke

Among the many places to visit in Cappadocia , Pasabag is one which you should not miss. This beautiful valley is located on the road to Zelve while coming from Goreme or Avanos. In the middle of a vineyard, you can see remarkable earth pillars. The name Monks Valley was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart even today.

Location: Zelve, Turkey

Planning a Cappadocia trip ? Do not forget to visit the village of Çavusin where you can witness two lovely Byzantine churches. The moment you entered the town, you will witness the Çavusin Church with an awesome interior of frescoes. After hiking high up on the ridge above the tumble of derelict houses, one can visit the Church of St. John the Baptist which is thought to be the oldest church in Cappadocia.

Suggested Read: 15 Exotic And Unexplored Honeymoon Destinations In Turkey

10. Red Rose Valley

Another gem of Cappadocia is the intertwined Red Rose Valley which lies between the villages of Goreme and Cavusin. The valley is layered with arched rocks in different hues of pastel pink, yellow and orange cliffs which are formed by volcanic eruption and wind and water erosion. Apart from its undaunted beauty, these valleys are a paradise for the hikers as there various adventurous trekking trails.

Location: Cavusin, Turkey

11. Derinkuyu Underground City

Looking for the best places to visit in Cappadocia, Turkey ? Located in the Derinkuyu district in Nevşehir Province, Turkey, Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the best places that all tourists should definitely visit. It is the deepest underground shelter and was used by the Christians to hide from the attacks. This cave has narrow lanes which you can easily explore as the place is not known to many and is less crowded.

Location: Derinkuyu district, Turkey

12. Soğanlı Valley

Located in the Yeşilhisar district, Soğanlı Valley is counted among the most famous places to visit in Cappadocia, Turkey . This valley is quite popular for its ancient historical sites, chapels and monk cells. Once you explore the valley you will witness three pristine chapels named Karabas Kilise, Yilanli Kilise, and Sakli Kilise. Don’t forget to explore the serene villages and roam around the valley!

Location: Yeşilhisar district, Turkey

Further Read: Oktoberfest Germany: Bottoms Up Your Mugs At The World’s Largest Beer Fest

A trip to Cappadocia sounds like a great plan? Then plan your Turkey holiday and enjoy the best of Cappadocia sightseeing that will make your vacation, a totally hassle-free affair. Let your friends know about it too!

Disclaimer:  TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Cappadocia

What is Cappadocia famous for?

Cappadocia famous for its hot air balloon rides.

How Cappadocia was formed?

The geological formation of Cappadocia has happened after years of erosion, volcanic eruptions and soft stones which is a result of compressed volcanic ashes.

What are the fairy chimneys?

The fairy chimneys are a surreal landscape of carved-out towering rock formations which change color with every sunset. These are the results of extensive erosion and volcanic eruptions which took place for million years.

Which is the nearest airport from Cappadocia?

Kayseri Erkilet Airport located in Kayseri and Istanbul Ataturk airport in Istanbul are the two nearest airports from Cappadocia.

What is there to do in Cappadocia?

Some of the most famous and exciting things to do in Cappadocia include: – Hot Air Balloon ride – Hiking in Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia – The Turkish Dinner & Dance Show – Cooking lessons for traditional Turkish food – Staying in a cave hotel in Cappadocia – Exploring the Gerome Open Air Museum – Horseback riding in the Cappadocia valley

How many days should I spend in Cappadocia?

3 to 4 days is quite enough for exploring Cappadocia to the fullest and indulging in all the experiences it has to offer.

What is the best way to get to Cappadocia?

The fastest and most convenient way of reaching Cappadocia is by flight. You can take a flight to Cappadocia from the Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) in Kayseri and take a taxi or bus to cover the rest of the distance.

Is it safe to visit Cappadocia?

Cappadocia is considered to be an incredibly safe place to visit for all kinds of travelers, be it solo female visitors or a honeymoon couple. However, one should take certain precautions like avoiding dimly lit roads or secluded areas and keeping an eye on their belongings at all times.

How much is a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia?

The prices for hot air ballooning in Cappadocia generally range from $100 to $175 per person during the peak tourist season.

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18 Unmissable Things To Do In Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is a semi-arid region of Central Turkey famed for it’s distinctive rock formations. Commonly known as Fairy Chimneys , these incredulous rock and earth towers are the result of millions of years of weathering and erosion.

For a long time this pretty region of Turkey has grown in popularity with tourists and is now a must-visit destination for any trip to Turkey . Explorations of this other-worldly landscape can be enjoyed on foot, on horseback or, as it’s become most famous for, by hot air balloon.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Cappadocia multiple times and it’s always a pleasure to return. Since it’s such a special place, I have curated a list of must-visit places that will help you to explore Cappadocia like a local.

Read on below to discover the 18 best things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Disclaimer:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

How To Get To Cappadocia

There are two airports in Cappadocia that offer flights from Istanbul , Izmir, Antalya and other major Turkish cities . Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is around 1 hour from Göreme and has flights with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus. Nevsehir Airport (NAV) is around 40 minutes from Göreme and also has flights with airlines such as Turkish Airways and Pegasus.

Flights from Istanbul will take around 1 hour and will costs around $50 USD. However, the further in advance you book, the cheaper the ticket will be.  Check the latest flight prices here .

The easiest way to get from the airport to Göreme is via a shuttle bus. Your accommodation can arrange a transfer for you or you can book a shuttle bus online.  This shared shuttle bus costs just 10 Euros.

A great way to travel to Cappadocia is by car. This gives you the freedom to explore the Cappadocia region with your own transport. From Istanbul you could drive directly from Istanbul and this takes around 9 hours. There will be some road tolls to pay on this route. Check out the best car rentals deals here .

Learn more about road tolls and  driving in Turkey is this guide .

Alternatively you could enjoy a Turkey road trip and arrive in Cappadocia at a more relaxed pace. Read more about a  Turkey road trip itinerary from Istanbul in this guide.

What Are The Best Things To Do In Cappadocia?

Most activities in Cappadocia revolve around admiring the beautiful and unique arid landscape. This can be done in all sorts of ways from on foot to on horseback. However, the Cappadocia region is also steeped in history and was an important stop along the ancient Silk Road. This means there is a vast array of historical sites to visit.

So let’s get stuck into the top things to do in Cappadocia! 

1. Take To The Skies On A Hot Air Balloon Ride

Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloon rides, and for good reason.

The breathtaking views of the fairy chimneys and the surrounding landscape from above are simply stunning and one of the most spectacular places in the world to take a flight. 

The best time to take a hot air balloon ride is at sunrise, when the colours of the sky create a magical backdrop. At this time of day the weather is usually at its most calm which makes it ideal for hot air balloon rides. Allow a few days in Cappadocia to visit all the sites and also incase weather delays your flight to the next day. 

Flights typically last around 1 hour and expect to share your basket with around 20 people. Balloon rides typically cost in the region of 150 Euros, and are worth every penny in my experience.  Click here to check the latest hot air balloon prices and reserve your spot or using booking form below.

Premium flights with fewer people are also available for a slightly higher price. There are also options to include a champagne breakfast if you want to make it extra special. Here are the top 3 hot air balloon flights on offer.

2. Watch The Balloons Take Off At Sunrise

If your budget doesn’t stretch as far as balloon ride or if you just want an equally magical experience, then set your alarm early and watch the balloons take to the air from ground level.

Depending on which hotel you’re staying in, you may be able to watch the balloons from your hotel rooftop. (See my suggestions on this later) However, if your hotel doesn’t have this feature then the easiest place to watch the balloons take-off, is from Göreme Hill Sunset Viewpoint.

As the name suggest, this is a great sunset spot but it’s also spectacular for sunrise. It’s a short, albeit steep walk, up through the windy streets to the top of the hill from where you can look out and enjoy sunrise across the whole region. Another popular spot for sunrise balloon viewing is from near Uçhisar Castle however this is a little ways out of town and therefore requires a car.

It’s also impressive to watch the balloons take to the skies from up close. Take off sites are dotted around Göreme but the closest one to town is near the Göreme Open Air Museum.

Looking for a 3 day Cappadocia Itinerary? If so, see this guide!

3. Visit Uçhisar Castle

Uchisar Castle is a fortress carved into a rock outcropping in the town of Uchisar, above Göreme . The castle has multiple levels and rooms, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. 

This 60m rock-cut castle mountain offers arguably the  best view in all of Cappadocia . The rooms at the base of the mountain are free to explore, however to entre the castle and enjoy the views from the top there is a small entrance fee.

Uçhisar is easy to visit from Göreme . There is a hiking trail which leads from Göreme to the castle through Pigeon Valley. It’s a 3.5km walk one way and the trail is marked on Maps.me.

Alternatively, Uçhisar can be reached by car or bus. The bus destined for Nevşehir leaves from Göreme town centre. Just let the driver know when you get on the bus that Uçhisar castle is your stop and he’ll let you know when to get off.

Pro Tip : For the best visit to Uçhisar, I suggest hiking through Pigeon Valley in late evening so that you can enjoy the soft afternoon light on the rocks. Then climb up to the castle summit to enjoy sunset views over Cappadocia. Once you’re done, catch the dolmus (bus) back to Göreme.

Related Reading

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• 21 unique and unusual places to visit in Turkey

4. Enjoy Sunset Over Rose/Red Valley

There are so many amazing places to watch sunset over Cappadocia that this list could just be compiled of these spots! However, due to the sunset friendly hues of Rose and Red valleys, these make it to the top of this list.

The easiest way to enjoy sunset over Rose Valley is to drive to the sunset viewpoint at the end of the road (small access fee required). Here there are several cafes where you can sit and watch the drama unfold.

Alternatively, stop at the viewpoint further back which has a pop-up coffee shop and love heart photo point. This might be an even better viewpoint in my opinion as you can look along the length of Red valley.

Without a car, the better (and shorter) option would be to walk out of town and enjoy sunset from within Rose Valley itself. The walk is 3km and will take around 1 hour one way. From the viewpoint you can watch sunset over Göreme and Uçhisar Castle and in the other direction you can see the valley cliffs light up.

Don’t forget to take a torch for the walk home!

5. Embark On A Cappadocia Hike

Walking through the valleys of Cappadocia is an amazing way to explore this surreal landscape. On these walks you are able to climb amongst the Fairy Chimneys and venture inside the abandoned cave houses and churches.

There are many valleys and many walks to choose from. Two of my favourite walks around Cappadocia are Uçhisar Castle to Goreme through Pigeon Valley (as described earlier) and Goreme Open Air Museum to Çavuşin through Red and Rose Valley.

In fact, the Red and Rose Valleys offer some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Cappadocia. The valleys are full of unique rock formations and caves, and the colours of the rocks change throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky.

These trails are all marked on the free offline maps app Maps.me .

6. Take A Quad Bike Tour

One of the most exciting ways to see the sights of Cappadocia is by a quad bike/ ATV tour. There are several ATV tours to choose from  ranging from 2 hours to all day. I enjoyed the  2 hour sunset tour  which allows you to ride amongst the Fairy Chimneys in the soft light of golden hour.

The tours typically visit love valley and rose/red valley.

7. Go On A Horseback Ride

Horseback riding is a fun and unique way to explore the stunning landscape of Cappadocia. There are several horseback riding tours available that will take you through the valleys and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. It’s a great way to see the landscape from a different perspective.

Tours visit Sword Valley, Meskendir Valley, Rose Valley and Love Valley which are all Cappadocia must-sees. As a beginner you might opt for a 2 hour ride or if you are more experience you might prefer the 4 hour ride. Prices range from 45-85 euros.

8. Visit Göreme Open Air Museum 

Cappadocia has several Open Air Museums and they are definitely must visits on your Cappadocia trip.

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cappadocia. It is an ancient monastic complex that features numerous rock-cut churches and chapels, some of which date back to the 10th century. The frescoes inside the Dark Church (extra fee required) are some of the best-preserved examples of Byzantine art.

The Göreme Open Air Museum is just on the outskirts of Göreme, so it’s the easiest to visit on foot if you’re based in Göreme. However, being located so close to Göreme, this site does get busy so try to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

This site is included on the Red Tour (see later) .

9. Wander Through an Underground City

There are a vast number of underground cities in the Cappadocia region, several of which are open to the public. It is thought that these underground cities were built by early Christians to protect themselves from persecution. The cities have many rooms including living spaces, kitchens, stables, wine cellars and churches

The two most popular underground cities are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli and I’d certainly recommend visiting at least one of these important ancient Turkish sites .

The Derinkuyu, which is another UNESCO World Heritage site, is the bigger of the cities and the deepest underground city in all of Turkey. It is an impressive feat of engineering and is a fascinating place to explore.

In Kaymakli the tunnels are low and steep so it gives you a real feeling of being underground. Perhaps not the best if you’re claustrophobic though!

Both cities can be reached by dolmuş (public bus) from Nevşehir or car if you have one. One of the cities is also included on the Green Tour. (see later). Alternatively,  this tour  visits Seratli Underground City, a Caravanserai and  Lake Tus, which is an incredulously pink salt lake .

10. Explore Paşabağları and Zelve Open Air Museum

Farther out of Göreme town centre you can find Paşabağları. This open air museum is a small site but has the quirky feature of having a Jandarma (Turkish Police) station in one of the Fairy Chimneys. This is a quirky Cappadocia attraction to add to your bucket list.

A little further along this valley brings you to Zelve Open Air Museum. Originally a monastic retreat, Zelve was lived in by villagers until 1952 when it was deemed unsafe. This is a great site to clamber around later on in the day when the tour groups have left.

Remember to take a head torch with you!

11. Cool Off In Ihlara Gorge

Cappadocia is a hiker’s paradise, with a variety of trails that offer stunning views of the region. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Ilhara Valley offers a 16-kilometer trail that winds through a narrow canyon with waterfalls and caves.

Ihlara gorge is a lush, green gorge with a river running along the valley floor. It was created after multiple eruptions of nearby volcano Mount Erciyes. ( Check out this video of our skiing trip to Mount Erciyes! )

A popular hike to enjoy is from Selime Monastery to Ihlara Village. Along this route you can wander alongside the river, cool off in pretty waterfalls and explore a whole host of churches and monastery complexes, which are carved into the cliff face.

The Green Tour (see more about tours below) visits Ihlara Valley and hikes a small section of the gorge, so if you don’t want to explore by yourself you can join a tour group.

12. Visit Selime Monastery

At the beginning or end of your Ihlara hike you can visit the rocky pinnacle of Selime Monastery. This monastery was the largest religious complex built in Cappadocia and also functioned as a caravanserai for traders travelling along the ancient Silk Road.

The complex is situated on a hill and requires a little scrambling to explore all of its narrow passageways and churches. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear for this visit!

13. Explore The Region On A Guided Tour – Blue, Red, Blue

One of the easiest ways to see the best places in Cappadocia is to join a guided tour. This is especially true if you don’t have your own transport, as you can visit lots of sites located out of town.

Several tours visit various locations around Cappadocia which are named by colour. The red tour visits all the main sites in and around Goreme which is great but these are sites that are easy to visit independently.

My favourite is the  Green Tour . This tour includes Ihlara Gorge and an Underground City, both of which are around a 30-60 minute drive from Göreme. It also visits the beautiful Selime Monastery and various panoramic viewpoints around Cappadocia.

Learn more about each tour below.

14. Experience A Turkish Hammam In Ergup

A hammam is a hot steam bath followed by a massage. This is a popular pastime in the Middle East and a really unique Cappadocia thing to do.

Many places in and around Göreme offer hammams, but the Heybe Hammam and Turkish Bath in Ergup offers the full Turkish experience. It’s not the cheapest, but offers a top quality service and has a swimming pool if you fancy a dip afterwards.

15. Feast On Delicious Anatolia cuisine

All around Göreme you will find restaurants offering pottery kebabs, also known as Testi kebabs. This is an Anatolian speciality prepared in a clay pot. The pot is filled with meat of your choosing in a tomato based stew.

When the dish is served the pot is set on fire and the clay pot is cracked open to release its contents. Yup, pretty awesome! I love trying new food when I travel and to have the added drama of this dish makes having a pottery kebab one of my favourite things to do in Cappadocia.

However, the signature dish of Cappadocia is in fact, Manti. These are small packets of pasta stuffed with meat or cheese and served with a tomato and garlic sauce. Sort of like ravioli. Outside of Göreme, in the less touristy towns of Nevşehir and Kayseri, you will see this dish everywhere.

16. Visit A Carpet Shop

This is a  must-do experience  on any trip to Turkey and Cappadocia has some of the best carpet shops in Turkey. Even if you’re not in the market to buy, you can still venture into the shops and admire all the intricate carpets on offer and experience carpet salesmen at their very best!

If you’re looking for the highest quality carpets then I recommend  Sultan Carpets . Ali the owner is a great guy who’ll be sure to find the right carpet for you. If you just want to have a photo shoot amongst all the beautiful rugs at Sultan Carpets, then you can also do that here for 10 Euros per person.

They also offer a professional photo shoot for 50 euros.

17. Stay In A Cave Hotel

Cappadocia is known for its cave hotels, which offer a unique and unforgettable experience. These hotels are built into the natural rock formations and offer all the amenities of a luxury hotel. Staying in a cave hotel is an experience in itself and is one of the best things to do in Cappadocia.

There are many to choose from but I enjoyed Kookaburra cave hotel . It’s small, with a lovely rooftop terrace from which to sit back and enjoy sunset or get up early and watch the balloons at sunrise. It’s centrally located, the rooms are cosy and it’s very affordable.

If you have a larger budget try the luxurious  Cappadocia Cave Suites  or  Sultan Cave Suites.  Both are located in  Göreme  and both have stunning terraces to enjoy the fabulous surrounding landscape.

18. Take A Cooking Class

Cappadocia is famous for its cuisine, and taking a cooking class is a great way to learn more about it. You can learn how to make traditional Turkish dishes like stuffed vine leaves, baklava, and Turkish delight.

Or you could try making dishes dishes more local to Anatolia such manti or testi kebab.

There are many cooking classes available in Cappadocia, and it is a fun and interactive way to experience the local culture. Here are a few cooking classes available during your visit.

The Best Places To Stay In Cappadocia

One of the top things to do in Cappadocia is stay in a cave hotel so accommodation options are mostly centred around these. In  Göreme  itself, a budget friendly option is  Kookaburra cave hotel . It’s small, centrally located, with a lovely rooftop terrace from which to admire the views.

With a more premium budget take a look at  Cappadocia Cave Suites  or  Sultan Cave Suites,  both of which are again based in  Göreme .

Outside  Göreme in nearby Uchisar, you could stay in the gorgeous  Museum Hotel . This boutique hotel houses priceless antiques and boasts an outdoor swimming pool.

Meanwhile Kelebek Special Cave Hotel has its own Turkish Bath and Spa treatments, which is the perfect way to relax after a busy day spent visiting Cappadocia’s top tourist attractions.

Where To Eat In Cappadocia

One of the newest restaurants in Göreme is Chef Kebab. This restaurant offers all the top Turkish dishes and is great value for money. They provide complimentary fresh bread and a selection of meze dips, water and çay.

I can recommend the beef and aubergine Güveç  as well as of course the Testi kebab. This is a great budget option in Göreme although they do not serve alcohol at this restaurant.

Learn more about Turkish cuisine in this guide.

For dinner in a more unique location, try the  Organic Cave Kitchen . This restaurant is located in a huge rock just below the Göreme Sunset Hill. The terrace offers beautiful views over the town and is the perfect place to end a day spent exploring Cappadocia.

For a light bite at lunch or for evening drinks and a shish-a, I recommend Fatboys bar and cafe in central Göreme.

The Best Time To Go To Cappadocia

As a semi-arid desert region, Cappadocia is hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. During summer temperatures can sore and there’s very little shade on offer. In winter snow is common and temperatures commonly drop below zero (celsius).

In Spring wild flowers bring colour to the region and temperatures are mostly pleasant. During Autumn the rock colours are at their brightest and the trees turn glorious shades of yellow and orange.

The best time to visit Cappadocia, therefore, depends on what you want from the visit. If you’re determined to get that balloon flight, then choose the calm weather months of summer (June, July and August). However, this is the busiest time to visit so be prepared for crowds and book your flight well in advance of visiting.

If you’re a photographer and want to capture colourful Cappadocia then consider Spring (April, May) or Autumn (September, October). If you’re a winter enthusiast and want to see the fairy chimneys covered in snow, opt for the snowy months of January, February and March.

For a guide to visiting Cappadocia in winter, see this post .

Onward From Cappadocia

If your travels in Turkey take you further east, be sure to visit Turkey’s most famous heads,  Nemrut Dagi and don’t miss my favourite city in Turkey, Mardin. The foodies should visit the Gastronomy centre of Turkey, Gaziantep and for a truly authentic bazaar experience, add Sanliurfa to you list.

Cappadocia Things To Do Summary

There are some places in the world that I’m more than happy to visit multiple times and Cappadocia is one of those places. The landscape is so unique you can never get bored of exploring the region.

Cappadocia has many special places to visit and lots of sights to see. These can be explored independently or through joining tours. 

There are a range of activities to enjoy in Cappadocia from horseback riding to quad biking, but if your budget allows for just one thing then splash out and do the hot air balloon ride. Believe me it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

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Louise is an Adventure Tour Guide & Mountain Leader from South Wales. Through working as a tour guide and snowboard instructor, she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

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30 Wonderful Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is a region in Central Anatolia in Turkey. The region comprises of several historical provinces including Goreme, Kayseri, Nevsehir, Sivas, Nigde, Kirsehir, and Aksaray. Some of the best things to do in Cappadocia , Turkey include exploring ancient cave villages, castles, churches, and monasteries. Floating over the valley in hot-air balloons, hiking through a variety of rock formations to discover ancient cave villages, staying in cave hotels, exploring traditional Turkish cuisines, relaxing at a Hammam, and shopping at the Turkish bazaars are also a must-do in Cappadocia.

The history of human settlement in this region goes back to the Paleolithic age. The caves and archeological sites in the valleys are the best places to visit in Cappadocia to see evidence of the early civilizations. The later civilizations carved soft volcanic rocks to create an intricate network of caves to create underground cities, villages, mountain-carved castles, and more. You will find such historical Cappadocia tourist attractions in almost every valley. Although most of them hail from the late byzantine periods and were used by fleeing Christians as a hideout. As a result, you will see many cave churches, chapels, and monasteries in the valley. These Cappadocia attractions are especially known for their beautifully carved interiors and frescoes.

But hollowed-out cave networks are not the only things to see in Cappadocia . The valleys in the region are blessed with a variety of colorful rock formations and terrains. The valleys containing fairy chimneys and rock columns are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of the valleys also have rock formations that look like animals, while some have terrains that look like the surface of the Moon. All of the valleys have beautiful places to see in Cappadocia , Turkey. You can hike through these valleys, exploring them on foot. Or you can get on an ATV or a horse for guided tours across the wilderness. Although one of the top things to do in Cappadocia includes cruising over the historical sites and valleys in a Hot Air Balloon. It’s the one thing the region is most known for. In the winter months, you can also enjoy skiing when you visit Cappadocia.

But, you again have a choice to make. If you want to go for skiing, the best time to visit Cappadocia is January. In these months, Hot Air Balloon Activities are stopped in certain areas because of slippery grounds. If you are coming here to cruise the skies, then the best time to go to Cappadocia is early winter or post-winter months.

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Table of Contents

Top 30 Tourist Places to Visit in Cappadocia, Turkey

1. hot air balloon tour.

You can soar over the city and the surrounding valleys in a hot air balloon. If you go high enough, you can even see the curvature of the earth. It is among the best things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey. You will also have hundreds of other hot air balloons floating around you. With the backdrop of a colorful valley and setting or rising sun, this sight is perhaps one of the most beautiful things to see in Cappadocia. You will need about 2 hours for this experience.

I suggest you should book your Hot Air Balloon Ride in advance.

2. Uchisar Castle

The history of this castle dates back to the 14th century. It is considered the main point of defense for the region. But, it is very different from the castles you see in other parts of the world. Instead of being built, this castle was carved into the mountain creating an intricate network of caves and openings. If you came to Turkey looking for legendary mountain caves, then this is one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia for you. Exploring this castle feels like you are in a fantasy video game. You will get to learn about the castle’s history, how it was made, how it stood against attacks and the stories of people that lived here. You will need about 2 hours from Cappadocia travel to tour the Uchisar Castle.

3. Goreme Open Air Museum

This UNESCO World Heritage dates back to the 10th century and is one of the most popular Cappadocia tourist attractions. The site consists of several ancient churches and monasteries. Like the Uchisar Castle, these two have been cut into rocks to create cave networks. These cave churches are known for their beautiful frescoes. These frescoes make these caves some of the most interesting places to see in Cappadocia, Turkey. Though the cluster has many churches, the most popular ones include Elmali Church with its fresco of Ascension painted over its door, Azize Barbara chapel for its red-ochre interior, Yilani Church known for its wall paintings of St. George, and Tokali Church famous for its frescoed barrel-vaulted chamber. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this historic site when you visit Cappadocia.

I suggest you should go for a Full Day Cappadocia Tour and see the Goreme Open Air Museum with other attractions in Cappadocia.

4. Red Valley & Rose Valley

These valleys are filled with striking multicolor rock formations. You will see pastel pink, yellow, and orange rocks and cliffs formed during volcanic explosions and shaped by centuries of wind and water erosion. While a hot-air balloon ride is a must-do in Cappadocia to see these valleys, you can also explore them with hiking trails, ATV tour, and horse riding tour. Aside from rock formations, you will also find ancient rock-carved cave churches and hermit hideouts like you would see in Goreme in these valleys. You need at least a day to explore either of these valleys on the ground.

5. ATV Safari / Horse Riding Tours

Speaking of exploring rocky valleys, ATV rides, and horse riding tours are among the top things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey. You can ride a quad bike over the rocky terrain and sand dunes, just go nuts in the rocky valleys. Or you can relive the old days and explore the valleys on horseback. Alongside outdoor adventure, these tours also take you to some of the top Cappadocia attractions including ancient cave churches, historical sites, natural wonders, and sunset viewpoints. You will need 4 to 5 hours for these tours.

I suggest first you should go for a Half Day Horse Riding Tour and after that, you should go for a Sunset ATV Bike Ride .

6. Lover’s Hill

Perched atop a cliff, this viewpoint is great for watching sunsets and sunrises over the town of Goreme and the surrounding valleys. It is also one of the best Cappadocia sightseeing spots to see hundreds of Hot-Air Balloons floating over the valley as the sun sets in their backdrop. The viewpoint is also called Asiklar Tepesi, in case you are asking for directions from a local. You will need about an hour to enjoy this viewpoint.

7. Zelve Open Air Museum

Sitting in the Zelve Valley, this open-air museum showcases the ancient cave town. The entire settlement is carved into mountains dating back to the Byzantine era. You will see houses, churches, public rooms, mosque, bakeries, wine cellars, and more all carved into caves. The best time to visit these Cappadocia attractions is closely after sunrise or sunset. At a certain time, the light spreads through the caves creating amazing effects. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

8. Ihlara Valley

This valley is a completely different sight compared to the others in the region. While it is rocky, it does not look dusty and desolate. It is a lush green valley blessed with grasslands, plants, and trees. It is one of the most beautiful things to see in Cappadocia trip. This narrow gorge has a Melendiz river running through it. You can explore this valley with a hiking tour. You can also go on a self-guided hike. Either way, it is one of the most fun things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey for nature lovers. Along the trail, you will also see several cave churches including Kokar Church, Yilani Church, Kirk Dam Alti Church, and Selime Monastery. You will need 4 to 5 hours to hike through this valley.

I suggest you should book a Full Day Trip to Ihlara Valley with other attractions in Cappadocia.

9. Kaymakli & Derinkuyu Underground City

Kaymakli and Derunkuyu are both ancient underground villages. Both of these have been carved into the rocky hills to create houses, lanes, religious quarters, storage rooms, and more. These are the best historical places to visit in Cappadocia, Turkey. Some of the caves of Derinkuyu date back to the 7th century BCE. It was also used by Byzantines during the 6th and 7th centuries to hide from Arab forces. Kaymakli is part of Goreme town, but unlike the Uchisar Castle, this ancient cave village sits underground. It is also much older than the castle. It is also the largest and widest of all the underground cities in Cappadocia. These were built during the Hittite era and comprise 8 floors of an intricate cave network. Exploring both of these sites is a must-do in Cappadocia for history and archeology enthusiasts. You will get to peek into the lives of people who lived here and how they created these unusual dwellings. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore each site when you visit Cappadocia.

10. Twin Fairy Chimneys of Pasabag

These unique rock formations are included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These Fairy Chimneys date back several millennia and were used by humans in several periods. These are as many historical Cappadocia attractions as they are natural wonders. The earliest signs of human settlements date back to the Paleolithic period. These tall mushroom-shaped rocks were formed due to ages upon ages of erosion of volcanic soft rocks. Although, you will see these Cappadocia tourist attractions in many of the valleys in the region, the ones in Pasabagi valley have great significance. It is said the disciples of Saint Simeon Stylites developed some of their practices atop these rocks. Some of the Fairy Chimneys have been turned into hotels for a unique stay experience. It is one of the best things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the valley exploring these unlikely rock formations.

11. Lake Tuz

This pink salt lake is one of the prettiest places to see in Cappadocia, Turkey. Besides being known for being pastel pink in color, it is also one of the largest salt lakes in the world. The algae responsible for making this lake pink is also believed to have beneficial health properties. Any day between September and October is the best time to go to Cappadocia for this lake, as you will see a breeding colony of flamingoes at the southern end of this lake. This makes it one of the top tourist spots in Cappadocia for clicking pictures whether you are looking for landscapes, wildlife, or creative insta pics. You can easily spend a couple of hours roaming around this lake and enjoying the pink view.

12. Church of St. John the Baptist & Cavusin Church

The Cavusin Valley is home to yet another cave village with a castle and churches, like Goreme. Two of the biggest Cappadocia attractions at this archeological site is the 5th century Church of St. John the Baptist and over 2000 years old Cavusin Church. The Church of St. John is considered the oldest one in the area and holds special historical significance. The Cavusin church is known for its amazing frescoes. If you climb the ridge over the church, you can get an incredible view of the Cavusin Valley. You will need about an hour to tour both of these churches.

13. Cavusin Castle & Village

This ancient village is best known for being inhabited by the locals until the 1950s. It is a historical, cultural, and archaeological site. It is one of the top things to do in Cappadocia, but most just people miss it. The narrow lanes and caves take you through houses, rooms, gathering places, and religious chambers. The roads ultimately lead you to the castle carved into the hill. The infrastructure of the Cavusin castle has partly collapsed and some parts of it have been eroded due to winds. From atop the castle, you can breathtaking views all the way to Goreme. In the evening you will also see hundreds of hot-air balloons cruising the skies. You will need about 2 to 3 hours from Cappadocia sightseeing to explore this place.

14. Ortahisar Castle

This castle is best known as a viewpoint. From this castle, your horizon stretches all the way to Goreme and Uchisar. It is one of the top spots to visit in Cappadocia travel for clicking landscape pictures with the valley, cave villages, castles, and hot-air balloons. You can get it all in one good picture from this viewpoint. But, this castle is also one of the most important archaeological sites. Built during the Hittite age, this structure dates back to 1600 BCE. The castle has corridors, ladders, narrow lanes, and rooms for various purposes. It is also one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia to see the light distribution phenomenon, a genius work of ancient architecture. The rock carved to make this castle is considered the largest fairy chimney in Cappadocia. You will need about 2 hours to tour this castle and its surroundings.

15. Soganli Valley & Village

This cave village sits in a twin valley and is carved into a pyramid-shaped rock. Many of these rocks were carved under Roman rule but were most prominently used during the Byzantine era. You will see cave churches, monasteries, living quarters, and chapels. Some of the churches have preserved some incredible frescoes. The Cappadocia tourist attractions to see in this valley include Karabas Church, Yilani Church, Sakli Church, Keslik Monastery, and Ruins of Roman Sobesos. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the valley and its tourist sites.

16. Avanos Town

Avanos is a small town, but it is popular for a lot of fun things to do in Cappadocia. The quaint little town is famous for its cobbled streets, old buildings, and ottoman architecture. But it is most famous for its pottery. The history of pottery in this town dates back to the Hittite period and the rich tradition still continues with its local artisans. You can also watch the craftsmen at work and make your own pottery in this town when you visit Cappadocia. It is one of the top places to go in Cappadocia to shop for souvenirs. In Avanos Souq market you will find pottery, rugs, carpets, traditional attires, jewelry, house decor items, and a lot more. The town also has many other attractions besides the market as well including Guray Ceramics Museum and Hair Museum (it’s as weird as advertised). You can easily spend an entire day exploring this town during Cappadocia travel.

17. Eski Gumusler Monastery

Situated in the Cappadocia’s southern region, this rock-hewn monastery is known for its impressive Byzantine frescoes. Some of these paintings date back to the 11th century and have been well preserved in the cave chambers. These may not be some of the most well-known things to see in Cappadocia but are quite fascinating if you account for their history. You will need about an hour to tour this monastery.

18. Kayseri Town Centre

Most people just pass by this Cappadocia attraction on their way to the airport. This modern public square is actually an important historical site. Here you can see the remnants of Kayseri Castle. Close to the town centre you can visit Kayseri’s Archeological Museum, Cifte Madrese Archeological Site, and Museum of Seljuk Civilization. These are some of the best places to see in Cappadocia, Turkey to learn about the history and culture of the region. It will help provide context to the rest of Cappadocia sightseeing. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour all these sites.

19. Road to Hacibektas

Hacibektas is a major pilgrimage for the followers of the Bektasi dervish order. The pilgrimage centre has a museum dedicated to the history of the order, built inside an old dervish lodge. The place also houses the tomb of Sufi Haci Bekta Veli, the founder of the order. On the way to this Hecibektas, you will come across the rock-carved monastery of Acik Saray and Saint Jean Church. The Acik Saray Monastery dates back to the 6th century and is known for its beautifully stone-carved facade and cave chambers. The Saint Jean Church dates back to the 13th century and is known for its colourful frescoes. You will also see many other Cappadocia tourist places on your way to Hacibektas. You will need 4 to 5 hours for this trip.

20. Urgup Town

This town is famous for its vibrant culinary scene and boutique hotels. If you are looking for a day of leisure and gastronomic pleasure, this town has a lot of top things to do in Cappadocia for you. You can go for spas, enjoy the hammams, try local dishes, and foreign cuisines, and shop in the local markets. If you are up to it, the town also has a few historical Cappadocia attractions including Ottoman-Greek buildings, 13th-century mosque, and remnants of tombs from the Seljuk period. You will need 3 to 4 hours to enjoy this little town when you visit Cappadocia.

21. Stay at a Cave Hotel

You will find all kinds of natural cave hotels in Cappadocia. The majority of these have a history going back hundreds of years. You will be reliving the lives that people experienced here during ancient times. You will find cave hotels with amazing views, swimming pools, spas, recreational activities, and even carved bathtubs. There are budget cave hotels and super luxurious ones. Even for a night, staying in a cave hotel is a must-do in Cappadocia.

Here below I am suggesting some of the Top-Rated Cave Hotel. So according to your budget, you can book to stay in any of Cave Hotels.

• Kayakapi Premium Caves – Cappadocia
• Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
• Nino Cave Suites
• Erenbey Cave Hotel
• Phocas Cave Suites
• Kapadokya Hill Hotel & Spa

22. Relax at a Hammam

These Hammams are basically traditional Turkish baths. Although you will find these all over the world these days, very few places have hammams built in natural caves. These are exclusive to Cappadocia. Most of these historic hammams are turned into spa experiences. While there are modern hammams in hotels, you must try a traditional one in the caves. These are the best places to visit in Cappadocia to relax and rejuvenate just as people did in ancient times. You will be treated with hot baths, steams, bubble baths, and traditional beverages, mostly warm mint tea. It is one of the best experiences after a day of hiking and Cappadocia sightseeing. You can easily spend an hour or so treating yourself at a hammam.

23. Go Skiing

Don’t be surprised. Turkey does experience snowfall and there several ski resorts among Cappadocia tourist attractions. You can enjoy some of the best things to do in Cappadocia in winter at these places including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile ride, snow hiking, and more. The top ski resorts in the region are situated on Mount Erciyes and Mount Taurus. You can reach them by car in a couple of hours. January is the best time to visit Cappadocia to enjoy winter activities. You can easily make a day trip or a two-day trip to these mountain resorts to enjoy skiing in Cappadocia and tour the historical attractions around these mountains.

Disclaimer: We are done with the major tourist attractions in Cappadocia. But, if you are interested in exploring natural landscapes and archeological sites, you can check these valleys. You can explore them with hiking trails, ATV tours, and horseback riding tours. A tour of any of these valleys will take at least 2 to 3 hours. So we won’t be mentioning time in each of them. We will only talk about the biggest attractions in each.

24. Pigeon Valley

Also known as Guvercinlik Valley, this route runs between Uchisar and Goreme. It is called pigeon valley because there are a lot of pigeons in this valley. Aside from these birds, you will also see cave structures with ancient paintings, fairy chimneys, pillar-like rock formations, and natural caves. The cave paintings date back to the Byzantine era and are some of the most interesting things to see in Cappadocia.

25. Devrent Valley

Also called the Imaginary Valley, this one is known for its unique natural structures and rock formations. Many of the rocks here resemble different animals. The valley also has an abandoned cave village carved into conical stone pillars.

26. Pasabag Valley

While most famous for its fairy chimneys, the Pasabag valley also has some amazing hiking trails that take you through rough terrain filled with a variety of rock formations. It is also known as the Valley of Monks as there are many cave monasteries in the valley. It is also quite well known for its vineyards, some of this date back to the Byzantine-Greek era. Pasabag literally translates to Pasha’s Vineyard. The valley is also one of the most interesting historical places to see in Cappadocia: the 3 story cave chapel of St. Simeon.

27. Meskendir Valley

A short trail through this valley will take you to an abandoned cave village. This historical site is known for its tunnel network. The valley is also known for its moon-like white terrain and multicoloured rocks.

28. Zemi Valley

This is again a short trail for those looking to reach cave dwellings fast. The caves on this path have some really great frescoes on walls and ceilings. You will also see quite a few fairy chimneys as you explore this path during Cappadocia travel.

29. Cavusin Valley

This valley is home to the famous Cappadocia sightseeing spots including churches, castle, and village we talked about earlier. The valley has several other cave dwellings. It is also one of the lesser-known routes to see fairy chimneys.

30. Sword Valley

The best time to go to this Cappadocia trail is either sunrise or sunset. You can hike here or take an ATV tour to get to the viewpoint. You will get amazing pictures in the golden hour of the valley and rock formations with hot-air balloons flying over you.

If you are looking for more fun things to do in Cappadocia, check out the sections below. We have created a complete list of all the attractions and activities to enjoy in the Cappadocia region.

Things to do in cappadocia, turkey, monuments, museums & historical places to visit in cappadocia, turkey.

• Uchisar Castle
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Kaymakli Underground City
• Sultanhani Caravanserai
• Kayseri Castle
• Ortahisar Castle
• Guray Muze Cave Museum
• Selime Cathedral
• Cumhuriyet Meydani
• Ozkonak Underground City
• Gumusler Monastery
• Seljuk Civilization Museum
• Nigde Castle
• Sayyids Burhanttin Hiz. Turbesi
• Nevsehir Castle
• Cappadocia Archeological Museum
• Dark Church
• Saruhan Kervansaray
• Somuncu Baba Tomb
• Mazi Underground City
• Nigde Museum
• Agirnas Underground City
• Chez Galip Handicraft Museum
• Mimar Sinan Evi
• Aksaray Museum
• Acik Saray Museum
• Chiesa Tokali
• Cappadocia Art & History Museum
• Kayseri Clock Tower
• Asikli Hoyuk Archeological Site
• Egri Minaret
• Serpentine Church
• Agzikara Han Caravanserai
• Nevsehir Museum
• Al Nazar Church
• Elmali Church
• Haci Kilic Camii Mosque
• Agacalti Church
• St. Jean Church
• Cavusin Church
• Acemhoyuk Archeological Site
• Kapadokya Ebru Sanat Evi
• The Crusader Church
• Chapel of St. Basil
• Guzelyurt Valley Monastery
• Chez Galip Hair Museum
• Goreme Roma Kalesi Fortress
• Gupgupoglu Konagi & Ethnography Museum
• Kokar Church
• Sumbullu Kilise
• Chapel of Saint Barbara
• Asmali Konak Mansion

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Pigeon Valley
• Ihlara Valley
• Love Valley
• Fairy Chimneys
• Three Beauties
• Kizilcukur Valley
• Haji Bektash Valley Complex
• Kapuzbasi Selalesi Kayseri Waterfalls
• Aladaglar National Park
• Sultansazligi National Park
• Koramaz Vadisi Valley
• Devrent Valley
• Mount Erciyes
• Cinili Gol Lake
• Kiliclar Valley
• Anti Taurus Mountains
• Mount Hasandagi
• Mount Demirkazik
• Gomeda Valley
• Pasabag Valley
• Lake Acigol
• Mount Melendiz
• Kup Selaleleri National Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Erciyes Ski Resort
• Kayseri Zoo
• Anadolu Harikalar Diyari Amusement Park & Zoo
• Erciyes Kayak Merkezi Ski Resort
• Magna Hotel Ski Resort
• Mimar Sinan Park
• Mahzep Sarap Evi Winery
• Erciyes Zirve Kayak Okulu ve Kafe Ski Resort
• Mazakaland Entertainment Centre
• Elis Hamman
• Goreme Hammam

Shopping in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Avanos Souq
• Urgup Market
• Goreme Market
• Uchisar Town Square
• Kapali Carsi Bazaar
• Kayseri Forum
• Migros Farmers Market
• Sultan’s Charm Market
• Ozler Arts Centre
• Chez Galip Pottery Workshop
• Turasan Wines
• Nevsehir Market

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Hot-Air Balloon Ride
• Horse riding
• Camel Safari
• Snowboarding
• Paragliding

Sightseeing in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Temenni Tepesi View point
• Goreme Sunset View point
• Kaykop Koprusu Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Cappadocia, Turkey

• Nazar Borek & Cafe
• Pottery Kebabs
• Dibek Restaurant
• Aysel’in Mutfagi
• Lagarto Restaurant
• Inci Cave Restaurant
• Pumpkin Restaurant
• Topdeck Restaurant
• Nostajli Restaurant
• Zen Cappadocia Cafe
• Old Cappadocia Cafe & Restaurant
• Kapadokya Lezzet Sofrasi
• Lil’a Restaurant
• Millocal Restaurant
• Seki Restaurant
• Sakli Konak Restaurant

Where to Stay in Cappadocia?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Cappadocia. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Cappadocia.

Luxurious Hotels

• Sacred House
• Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa
• Argos in Cappadocia
• Divan Cave Hotel
• Sultan Cave Suites
• Mithra Cave Hotel
• Aydinli Cave Hotel
• Dere Suites

Mid-Range Hotels

• Aren Cave Hotel & Art Gallery
• Vineyard Cave Hotel
• Artemis Cave Suites
• Agarta Cave Hotel
• Hermes Cave Hotel
• Village Cave House Hotel
• Goreme Inn Hotel

Budget Hotels

• The Red Horse Hotel
• My Story Cave Hotel
• Elaa Cave Hotel
• Diadem Cappadocia Guest House & Hostel
• Mira Cappadocia Hotel
• Historical Goreme House
• Sakli Cave House
• Asyada Suites
• Hasse Cave Konak

Custom Tours Package in Cappadocia

How to reach cappadocia, turkey.

There are two airports you can pick from to reach Cappadocia: Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport and Kayseri Erkilet Airport. Both of these airports are in the Cappadocia region. If you are flying from international destinations, you can get a connecting flight to these airports from Istanbul or Sofia. The Nevsehir Airport gets direct flights from Istanbul, Sofia , and Varna . Through Kayseri Airport you can get direct flights to visit Cappadocia from Ankara, Cologne , Dusseldorf , Hannover, Nuremberg , Rotterdam , Hague , Tehran, Hamburg , Ankara, Antalya , Stuttgart , Munich , Vienna , Frankfurt , Geneva , Izmir, Liege , and Istanbul.

You can get easy buses and hired cars to get to any of the towns or places to visit in the Cappadocia region. If you land at Kayseri airport, you can also take a train to visit Cappadocia.

The Mainline Train route connects Kayseri and Goreme in Cappadocia to several other cities in Turkey. You can get direct trains for Cappadocia travel from Ankara, Sivas, Istanbul, Malatya, Karaman, Adana, and many other destinations.

You can also get direct buses to reach Cappadocia from Istanbul, Ankara, Busra, Izmir, Konya, Antalya, and Canakkale. There are also connecting buses to several other towns and cities in Turkey. But, as the train network in the country is quite spread-out, you should head to the nearest train station and take a direct or connecting train to visit Cappadocia.

If you are planning to reach Cappadocia by road, you should head for the central city of Kayseri. Highway routes D300, D260, and D805 will help you get here. Then you can use connecting routes to reach other places to visit in Cappadocia.

There are no direct water routes for Cappadocia travel as it is a landlocked city.

Image Reference

• Hot Air Balloon Tour – Timur Kozmenko / PixaBay
• Uchisar Castle – Sonse / Flickr
• Goreme Open Air Museum – deepgoswami / Flickr
• Red Valley & Rose Valley – prilfish / Flickr
• ATV Safari / Horse Riding Tours – Bill Wu / Flickr
• Lover’s Hill –
• Zelve Open Air Museum – damian entwistle / Flickr
• Ihlara Valley – Benh LIEU SONG / Flickr
• Kaymakli & Derinkuyu Underground City – jyl4032 / Flickr
• Twin Fairy Chimneys of Pasabag – Feridun F. Alkaya / Flickr
• Lake Tuz – Livin4wheel / Wikimedia Commons
• Church of St. John the Baptist & Cavusin Church – Adam Jones / Flickr
• Cavusin Castle and Village – Timothy Neesam / Flickr
• Ortahisar Castle – Erich Westendarp / PixaBay
• Soganli Valley & Village – Emmanuel PARENT / Flickr
• Avanos Town – Ludovic Courtès / Wikimedia Commons
• Eski Gumusler Monastery – Dosseman / Wikimedia Commons
• Kayseri Town Centre – Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
• Road to Hacibektas – Faruk Akçam / PixaBay
• Urgup Town – Vince Smith / Flickr
• Stay at a Cave Hotel – Dan Merino / Flickr
• Relax at a Hammam –
• Go Skiing – PeresDE / Wikimedia Commons
• Pigeon Valley – Benh LIEU SONG / Flickr
• Deverent Valley – Dan / Flickr
• Pasabag Valley – Emmanuel PARENT / Flickr
• Meskendir Valley – Benh LIEU SONG / Flickr
• Zemi Valley – Arian Zwegers / Flickr
• Cavusin Valley – Delphinidaesy / Flickr
• Sword Valley – deepgoswami / Flickr
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Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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Cappadocia Itinerary: 2, 3, 4 or 5 Day Options

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler. Globetrotter, Adventurer, and Frequent Traveler to Turkey!

This website uses affiliate links. For more information, click here .

Cappadocia is one of the most unique places on the planet. Its vast desert landscape has been made famous by its fairy chimneys and cave dwellings, as well as scenic hot air balloon flights, numerous hiking trails, and fascinating open-air museums.

There’s so much to see and do, that putting together your Cappadocia itinerary is not easy.

If you’re thinking of visiting Cappadocia but you’re not sure what to see and when, in what order, and how to get around, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, I’ve listed our itinerary for 2, 3, 4, and 5 days in Cappadocia, so you can plan your visit and have a smooth trip. 

But first… 

Planning a trip to Cappadocia last-minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Cappadocia:

• Airport Shuttle From Nevsehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Airport (ASR) (Super affordable!)

Here are our recommended tours in Cappadocia:

• Hot Air Balloon Flight In Cappadocia At Sunrise (A must-do In Cappadocia)
• ATV Tours At Sunset
• Green Tour In Cappadocia (Perfect for those not renting a car!)

Here are our recommended places to stay in Cappadocia:

• Koza Cave Hotel (Amazing views and great photo opportunities)
• Museum Hotel (Most luxurious hotel in Cappadocia)
• Kamelya Cave Hostel (Budget hostel with cave rooms!)

How many days is Enough in Cappadocia?

The amount of time you spend in Cappadocia will vastly differ depending on how you travel and what you want to see. 

If you are desperate to fly in a hot air balloon at sunrise, which is the most iconic thing to do in Cappadocia , then you should allow 3-4 days.

Why? Because they don’t fly every day. You should allow yourself some time to avoid disappointment because if the conditions are too windy, they won’t fly and you’ll miss your opportunity.

You should also allow more time if you intend on traveling by public transport. We used only public transport when we visited and it slowed us down a lot. Buses run sporadically and we had to change a couple of times. It took us an hour and a half to get somewhere you can drive in 30 minutes.

If you hire a car and you do it yourself, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Cappadocia to see the highlights. However, you can easily find enough to fill your time for 4 or 5 days.

We stayed for 10 days the first time we went because we loved it so much (and no, we didn’t see it all).

📚 Read More: The Best Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale Itinerary!

Don’t Miss Out on the BEST Experience in Cappadocia!

No trip to Cappadocia is complete without taking an epic hot air balloon flight at sunrise!

Make sure you reserve your tour well in advance to avoid missing out or paying any additional fees last minute!

Where to Stay in Cappadocia?

What many people don’t realize about Cappadocia is that it’s a region and not a city. It’s made up of several small towns and villages and expands over an area of 150 square km.

If it’s your first time and you’re not sure where to stay in Cappadocia , we recommend you stay in the heart of the region in the town of Goreme.

This is where the night bus from Istanbul drops you off, it’s where you can get buses to other towns in the region, and you can easily book the best Cappadocia tours and hire cars there.

It’s well set up as a base to explore Cappadocia.

The Best 2- Day Cappadocia Itinerary

If you only have two days in Cappadocia then you are going to need to strap on your comfiest shoes and set your alarm early, because we have a lot to pack in!

For those wanting to see the highlights of Cappadocia, we recommend you follow the Red and Green Tour itineraries for these two days. 

These tours, whether you do them yourself or with a tour group, take you to the unmissable places in Cappadocia. 

Day 1: Red Tour

We recommend you start with the Red Tour since it has the least amount of hiking (save your energy for the last day). But first, no trip to Cappadocia would be complete without…

Stop 1: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

…a sunrise hot air balloon flight. This is what makes Cappadocia famous . 

Taking a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia is something that’s definitely worth doing when you’re visiting the area. 

Due to the best wind conditions, they ride at sunrise, which means it doesn’t interrupt your plans for the rest of the day since you have landed and been bought back to your hotel in time for breakfast. 

A sunrise flight is truly spectacular, and the soft warm orange light really enhanced the incredible natural scenes of Cappadocia, with its interesting rock formations, deep valleys, and ancient cave dwellings framed against a glowing orange backdrop. 

The experience of being up in the sky, drifting around all these historic sites, and taking in the majestic panoramic views is truly unforgettable. 

Just make sure to have your tour booked in advance so you don’t miss out. If the balloons are unable to fly on the day you booked, don’t worry, you can reschedule for the next day.

Stop 2: Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cappadocia since it sits at the highest point in the region. It is believed to have been built somewhere between the 6th and 7th century BC as a defense against oncoming Byzantine armies.

The castle was once a fortress housing over a thousand soldiers, but today it’s an open-air museum that is best known for its views from the top.

As you walk around the museum you need to use your imagination to see how caverns and crevices were used as rooms, but there is no doubt the rock formations are fascinating.

Make sure you wear sturdy shoes as the rocky ground here can be slippery in places.

Stop 3: Goreme Open Air Museum

Without a doubt, the Goreme Open Air Museum is the best museum in Cappadocia. Nestled in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park, this ancient village was one of the first settlements in Cappadocia.

While the exact time in which the settlement was created is unknown, it is considered one of the oldest monastic settlements in the region.

As you wander around the museum, you are surrounded by numerous cave dwellings, fairy chimneys, and rock-cut churches, many of which contain original frescoes from the 10th to 12th centuries during the Byzantine and Roman eras.

One of the most well-preserved churches in the Goreme Open-Air Museum is the Dark Church. It was named because of the little light that enters this dark cave. Despite its darkness, you can still see vibrant frescoes depicting biblical scenes on the vaulted ceilings carved into the cave.

The best part about visiting Goreme Open-Air Museum is that it is within walking distance from the town center of Goreme!

Read More: 7 Best Hot Air Balloon Tours In Cappadocia

Stop 4: Cavusin

Cavusin is a small village located between Goreme and Avanos and is most famous for its castle and chapel. Cavusin Castle is an epic rock formation that rises above the village of Cavusin, and it’s also the home of St. John the Baptist Chapel, one of the largest cave churches in Cappadocia.

Unfortunately, most of the Cavusin Castle has been heavily eroded due to the passing of time, so it’s not safe to go climbing over the rock and into its rooms, but there is a bridge that allows visitors to get to the chapel to see it.

Fortunately, you can still get a pretty good view of it from the road.

Stop 5: Avanos Town (Pottery Workshops)

Avanos is well known for its pottery scene. The pottery here has a long history, dating all the way back to the Hittite period, around 2,000 BCE. The clay used to make the pottery comes from the Red River (Kızılırmak), which runs through Avanos.

The pottery-making tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and today, there are many pottery shops in Avanos where you can watch the potters at work. When you walk down the street of Avanos, you might see some of the master craftsmen still practicing their pottery skills in their family-owned businesses.

Some of the pottery shops also offer free pottery-making sessions, perfect for travelers that like an interactive experience when traveling in Cappadocia. Without a doubt, pottery from Avanos is the perfect souvenir to remember your Cappadocia trip.

But beware of the tourist traps in Avanos. Much of the pottery is now mass-produced in factories that mimic the work of skilled potters. If you are not sure how to look for a good properly handcrafted piece of work, then make sure you find someone that can help you with it!

Stop 6: Pasabag Monks Valley

Just outside of Avanos is  Pasabag Valley , or Monks Valley in English. This valley is known for its unique fairy chimneys with double to triple mushroom heads.

The most interesting part of the valley is that some of the fairy chimneys have been turned into dwellings by monks and hermits, which is how the valley has gotten its name.

The caves were first inhabited by St. Simeon from Aleppo in the 5th century. Eventually, more and more monks followed in this footsteps and came to Monks Valley to escape from the world and live a simple life in nature.

Nowadays, the caves are no longer inhabited but you can still explore them! Just be careful with going in and out as some of the rooms are very high and might require a bit of climbing!

Stop 7: Devrent Imagination Valley

Devrent Valley , also known as Imagination Valley, is a place in Cappadocia filled with unique fairy chimneys. These rock formations have been carved out over time by erosion, and they look like different animals or objects.

The most notable one is the camel-shaped rock at the entrance of the valley. But as you walk around, you might find a dolphin-shaped rock, a snail-shaped rock, and more! It is one of the best places to get a photo to remember your visit to Cappadocia!

Getting to Devrent Valley can be quite challenging since it is hard to get there via public transport. The best offer is to either get a taxi or take the red tour, which has Devrent Valley as one of the stops.

Stop 8: Sunset at Lover’s Hill

Lover’s Hill is one of the best sunset viewpoints in Cappadocia and possibly the most famous. Located in the town of Goreme, it’s also called the Goreme Sunset Viewpoint, and sits about 30 meters above the city, offering visitors nearly a 360-degree view of the region.

There is a platform built on top of the rock formations where visitors can take photos with the Goreme historic town as the backdrop. There is also usually a horse at the top where you can take photos with it, for a fee of course. 

You can have a light snack or a drink at one of the restaurants on the hill, but it is quite windy so it makes eating and drinking quite difficult.

During sunset, the sun sets behind Uchisar Castle and creates a really cool silhouette of this  Turkey landmark . On the other side of the Goreme Sunset Viewpoint, you can see Zemi Valley.

Because it is situated only a 15-minute walk from Goreme, this viewpoint is one of the most crowded places to visit in Cappadocia, especially during sunset. There is a small fee to enter if you are coming from Goreme, but you can go through Zemi Valley and avoid the fee. 

Day 2: Green Tour

For the second day, you’re going to want to wear your comfiest hiking shoes as it’s time to explore the valleys.

Stop 1: Esentepe Viewpoint (Pigeon Valley Viewpoint)

The Esentepe Viewpoint isn’t a huge attraction in Cappadocia but it’s worth stopping by to check out the incredible scenery. Cappadocia is huge and its size is often largely forgotten about unless you were able to see it from above in a hot air balloon!

One of the best places to appreciate how big the region is, is at Esentepe Viewpoint, which sits between Uchisar and Goreme and overlooks Pigeon Valley .

Pigeon Valley is a special valley in Cappadocia as it is home to several pigeon dwellings. Many years ago, pigeon poop was used as a fertilizer and was incredibly expensive, so the locals cut these pigeon holes into the rock here as a way to collect the poop.

You can wander down into Pigeon Valley from here to check them out, or you can see them from above. It’s up to you!

Stop 2: Derinkuyu Underground City

One of the most fascinating pieces of Cappadocia’s history is the use of underground cities. They weren’t discovered until the early 60s when a local villager was remodeling his house and knocked a wall into the city.

From there, archeologists discovered a huge metropolis of tunnels, caverns, chambers, and vents that make up a massive underground city.

It’s believed that there are more than 200 underground cities in Cappadocia but they have not all been excavated. The largest underground city is the Derinkuyu Underground City , which goes down 8 levels to around 65 meters deep. The full scale is unknown as it’s still being fully excavated, but they think it connects all the way to Kaymakli Underground City.

The cities were believed to have been used as hiding places from Byzantine invaders, and are estimated to have housed more than 20,000 people including all their livestock and belongings.

Stop 3: Ihlara Valley

There are many valleys in Cappadocia but none as unique as Ihlara Valley – for the sole reason that it’s incredibly green . Yes, there is lush nature in the desert!

Ihlara Valley is a gorge filled with lush green vegetation and the Melendiz River passes through the center. There is a hike that passes down through the valley, into the gorge, and past several ancient monuments along the way.

You will come across many Byzantine cave churches and dwellings that were carved into the canyon walls. It’s truly a spectacular place.

This hike can be as long or short as you want it to be since many different trails branch off the main path. However, we recommend starting at Ihlara Village and finishing at Selime so you can see the Selime Monastery.

But if you don’t want to hike for that long, you can start at Ihlara Village and finish at Belisirma Village, where you can have a meal at one of its iconic floating restaurants.

Stop 4: Belisirma Village

Belisirma Village is nestled in the heart of Ihlara Valley. Like most villages in Cappadocia, the houses in Belisirma were cut into the rock face.

But today, small wooden huts have been built on the water’s edge and are used as restaurants for hikers. Some of these huts have platforms reaching out into the middle of the Melendiz River, so you can sit and have your lunch whilst listening to the waters rushing past you on all sides.

After hiking in the warm sun, it’s the perfect place to stop and rest for a while.

Stop 5: Selime Monastery

The Selime Monastery is the last monument on the Ihlara Valley hike and is an epic rock-cut church with plenty of frescos. This cathedral-sized church has been largely damaged by the weather and passing of time, but it’s still impressive to see and with clever imagination, you can see how settlers lived here in the 8th and 9th centuries BC.

It was said that the monastery was also a fortress, as the upper section has what looks like trenches and steep staircases leading to passageways. This evidence puts the creation of the monastery back to the time of the Hittites, before the 8th century – or so it is believed.

The church in the monastery has been separated into 3 sections by two well-preserved rock columns. You can also see where the monks slept and where they cooked meals in the kitchens. It’s truly a fascinating structure.

Stop 6: Onyx Jewelry Factory

Cappadocia is home to some precious gemstones used for jewelry making. The most precious stone in Cappadocia is the Black Onyx, a hard gemstone that can easily be used in the art of jewelry making.

The Onyx Jewelry Factory is a bit touristy and is obviously designed to encourage tourists to spend money, but it is still interesting to learn about the mining and craft work of this gem.

Stop 7: Watch a Whirling Dervishes Show

At nighttime, there’s no better evening entertainment than a Whirling Dervishes show. The Whirling Dervishes are part of the Sufi tradition and they are known to induce a trance-like state that leads to divine inspiration, or “ecstatic trances” for the performers.

The ceremony starts with the recitation of devotional Islamic prayer and then the dervishes start to spin. There are three sections to the dance, so they whirl around for about 10 to 15 minutes each time.

For many of them, this is a way to connect with God and achieve a state of inner peace. The experience can be quite powerful, even if you’re not religious.

There are plenty of places where you can watch the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia. However, if you want to see it in an atmospheric setting, then I suggest watching it at the 13th-century Saruhan Caravanserai near Avanos.

The Best Cappadocia Itinerary for 3 Days

Not tired of hiking? Good! Because today we are going to the BEST valleys in Cappadocia and our absolute favorites to hike.

Day 3: Hiking Red and Rose Valley

Depending on your fitness level, you may want to skip some of these hikes and just do the Rose Valley and Red Valley hikes. 

We recommend you get up early to see Love Valley and then rest until early afternoon before hitting the rest. This means you can avoid the strong midday sun.

Stop 1: Love Valley

Love Valley is one of the closest valleys to Goreme so if you haven’t wandered through it yet, you should make sure to check it out first thing in the morning.

It gets its name from the phallic shapes of the rock formations, which experts believe were formed by ancient  volcanic eruptions that occurred 9 to 3 million years ago .

The region was covered in thick ash, which eventually solidified into soft rock formations that eroded easily. The cap of the fairy chimneys is usually much more resilient to erosion, hence why the cap of the fairy chimney is usually bigger than the neck.

The valley is small and won’t take long to wander around. Once you’ve grabbed a few selfies, it’s time to go on some real hiking.

Stop 2: Meskendir Valley

Meskendir Valley is often overlooked as a valley because it doesn’t have those huge rock formations that everyone knows and loves. However, if you have allowed a full day to hike Rose and Red Valley, then it’s easy to add this on to your hike and there is a good reason why you would want to do this.

The Meskendir Valley starts from Kaya Camping Ground, just across from Aynali Church. From here, you will immediately see a signpost in graffiti saying ‘Rose’ and ‘Red’ indicating the route to take.

Meskendir Valley only adds another 2.7km to the hike and it’s pretty flat most of the way. You’ll pass by gorgeous rock tunnels and formations, and it’s also pretty green as well with a few trees for shading.

Stop 3: Rose Valley

Rose Valley is one of the most famous valleys in Cappadocia because of the pink hue of the rock that lies here. Its landscape is stunning, with gorges and ridge lines that are covered in dry grass, and from the top of the ridge, you have pretty epic views into Red Valley as well.

It’s also home to some ancient cave dwellings and churches. The most famous is The Crusader Church, which still has some well-preserved frescoes inside.

Inside the valley, you walk past pigeon homes (dovecotes) and more cave dwellings. The highlight is seeing the Columned Church, which is famous for its intact columns inside the church.

Stop 4: Red Valley

Rose Valley leads into Red Valley , and the exact spot in which the two valleys connect isn’t exactly clear, but you will know when you enter Red Valley and the sun goes down as the rock is illuminated in a gorgeous red color.

Red Valley also has some fairy chimneys and churches, but unlike Rose Valley, you cannot go inside them. The landscape of Red Valley is reason enough to visit, and if you plan your hike too late afternoon, you should reach Red Valley around sunset.

The Red Valley sunset viewpoint is one of the most special places. You can sit on swing benches, unroll a picnic blanket, or sit on the picnic benches next to the refreshment stands and replenish yourself as you watch the sunset.

Don’t dwindle too long as you still need to hike back. Fortunately, the hike is pretty flat all the way once you make it down from the ridge, and the sun takes a while to set, so you can reach Goreme before the sun passes behind the valleys.

Stop 5: Red Valley ATV Adventure

If you finished your hike earlier than sunset, don’t rush off back to town, stick around and do an ATV sunset tour of Red Valley. This is an activity for the adrenaline junkie, as you get to zip through the desert on a four-wheel drive ATV quad bike.

You’ll be led by an expert guide who will take you off-the-beaten-path, to the most beautiful spots where you can watch the sunset, and give you time to see how fast you can go on the flat stretch of sand used as a hot air balloon landing site.

Ever wanted to zoom around the desert on an ATV? Now is your chance.

The Best Cappadocia Itinerary for 4 Days

On the fourth day, we are going to travel a long way to Lake Tuz, which is around 126km West of Goreme.

Day 4: Avanos and Lake Tuz

The route to Lake Tuz first goes to the town of Avanos, so if you haven’t explored it yet, we recommend you stop at two very iconic landmarks in the area first. 

Then you pass through two cities in Cappadocia, Nevsehir, and Aksaray. 

You will need to hire a car or take a tour to see Lake Tuz , it’s just too complicated on public transport.

Stop 1: Zelve Open Air Museum

If you enjoyed the Goreme Open Air Museum, or maybe you skipped it, you might also like to see the Zelve Open Air Museum which is much of the same thing.

Zelve was a former settlement, and while there isn’t much hard evidence that tells its history, we can learn from the architecture and excavations that the cave dwellings were used by a small troglodyte community since the Byzantine Era.

It was only until the 9th and 13th centuries did this small village come into religious importance, with the first seminaries for priests established here. In between those times, Zelve was used as a haven against the Persian and Arab attacks. After the Byzantine era, this small village was turned into a Muslim village under the Ottoman Empire.

Nonetheless, Zelve was a place where Christians and Muslims co-existed harmoniously, as detailed by the ruins of churches and a rock-cut mosque with a dome.

What’s always fascinated me about Zelve was that people were living here right up until 1952! It was then that the Turkish government moved the settlers to nearby Yeni Zelve (Aktepe), just 2 kilometers to the northeast because the rock dwellings were deemed too unsafe to live in.

In 1967, the Zelve Valleys were turned into the museum, and you can see large portions of the village have been closed off due to erosion, but what’s left to see is pretty cool.

Stop 2: Avanos Chez Galip Hair Museum

Perhaps there is no attraction in Cappadocia more unusual than the Chez Galip Hair Museum in Avanos. This museum is exactly what it sounds like, a museum dedicated to hair, women’s hair. It is estimated that there are over 16,000 locks of hair in the museum.

The museum all started when the owner of a pottery shop, Galip Körükçü, was given a lock of his friend’s hair as a memento when she moved out. This story moved a lot of women that stopped in the area, and many of them started to give some of their hair to Galip Körükçü.

Eventually, he opened up a museum dedicating the hair of women. Nowadays, women still come to donate their hair, but that is because they have a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Cappadocia.

When visiting the Chez Galip Hair Museum, make sure you check out the pottery shop that accompanies it.

Stop 3: Nevşehir

At the heart of Cappadocia lies the beautiful city of Nevşehir, the capital of Cappadocia. Partly surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped mountain ridge, the city is packed full of amazing historical sites and attractions.

As you head towards Lake Tuz, be sure to stop at the Nevsehir Museum which contains ancient relics and artifacts found in the area. You can also pass by Nevşehir Castle, which has amazing views of the city.

Stop 4: Aksaray

The city of Aksaray is full of beauty and history, making it a great pit stop on the way to explore Lake Tuz. With ruins from the Seljuk Empire and various historical mosques, including Somuncu Baba Tomb, Aksaray has many places to explore if you’re still interested in Cappadocia’s history.

The Zinciriye Madrasa church, Sultanhani Caravanserai, and Aksaray Museum are three of the top attractions in the city.

But the reason to visit Aksaray is that it is one of the largest cities in the region, meaning it has plenty of great places to enjoy the delicious local cuisine as well as unique shopping experiences. 

Fuel up, both your car and your belly, and when you’re ready keep driving to Lake Tuz.

Stop 5: Lake Tuz

Lake Tuz was the second-largest lake in Turkey and one of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world. It’s famous for its pink hue, which is caused by salt-tolerant algae.

The lake is not always pink though, it’s only pink when the weather is hot and there’s no rain – so it’s best to visit in the summer if you want to catch the pinkness.

The lake may be a natural phenomenon, but it is also used for mining salt. It is believed that it supplies the country with 70% of its salt production.

Over the years, the lake has been slowly drying up due to climate change , and in October 2021, it dried up completely. Because there is no outlet, when the water is used up, it’s used up.

It was also home to 5,000 flamingoes, but since there is no longer a home for them, they have all disappeared.

While you might want to visit to see the iconic pink hues that made it famous, today you should visit for another reason – to see the catastrophic effects of climate change with your own eyes.

The Best Cappadocia Itinerary for 5 Days

If you’re planning to spend 5 days in Cappadocia, I wouldn’t add any more attractions than the ones I’ve already given you. You could do some more hikes and see more valleys , but after 5 days you are probably feeling like you’ve seen a lot of the same landscape.

Instead, I would just do the four day Cappadocia itinerary above much slower. You may want to do the Red and Green tour itinerary yourself by hiring a car and spending more time at the Ihlara Valley for example.

You may also find the Derinkuyu Underground City fascinating and want to see the nearby Kaymakli Underground City as well.

I suggest hiring a car for five days and being flexible. Use the itinerary above as a guide for which attractions to visit and in which order, but don’t feel like you need to rush through them. Use your last day as a buffer.

Or simply relax in a Turkish hamam or have an extended lunch looking over the valleys. What’s a vacation without a little relaxation as well?

Getting Around Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a bit of a pain to get around if you don’t have a car. I highly recommend renting a car and driving yourself if you are spending more than 2 days in Cappadocia.

If you’re short on time, it would be beneficial for you to book the Red and Green tours, as they take you to all the highlights.

You can get around Cappadocia by public transport (we did) but it was not an efficient use of time. The buses run every 20-30 minutes and they run on Turkish time, which means they show up when they feel like it.

The bus drivers also speak very little English and you may have to change buses (especially if you plan to go from Goreme to the underground cities ). It can take you up to an hour to reach each attraction on the bus, so you will need to allow at least 4-5 days in Cappadocia if you don’t drive.

We found we hiked to most places. You can easily hike to Uchisar from Goreme by passing through Love Valley and White Valley, and you can also hike to Cauvusin from Goreme through Red and Rose Valley. 

Tips for Visiting Cappadocia

To help you have the best trip to Cappadocia, here are a few words of advice:

• Go slow and don’t try to pack it all in. I know these itineraries are jam-packed, but you’re going to exhaust yourself trying to see every valley and do every hike . Take time to just wander the towns and soak in the atmosphere as well.
• Hire a car. It will honestly save you so much time and stress by doing everything yourself and driving.
• Download the MapsMe App. This is an offline satellite GPS and is perfect for those who are hiking as you can follow the trails offline. 
• Prepare for cold weather. Even in the summer, nights can be cold in Cappadocia. Pack warm clothing such as a jumper to wear in the evenings.
• Prepare for hot weather. Contrary to above, the daytime can be super hot because the landscape is all white and reflects the sun. Wear suncream and a sunhat. You’ll thank me later.
• Take out cash, as many places don’t accept credit cards.

Final Thoughts on Cappadocia Itinerary

So there you have it, this is how you can spend your days in Cappadocia, and as you can see, there is a LOT to see and do.

No matter how many days you plan to spend in Cappadocia, we know you will have a great trip.

Do you have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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8 Best Destinations for History Buffs

If you’re passionate about history and love to explore the remnants of ancient civilizations, storied landscapes, and architectural marvels, you’re in for a treat. Here are eight must-visit destinations for history enthusiasts that offer a deep dive into our world’s rich and diverse past.

Must-See: Pyramids of Giza, Luxor & Valley of the Kings

Egypt is a treasure trove of ancient wonders. The Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, are a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient Egyptians. Luxor, often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum, is home to the temples of Karnak and Luxor. The Valley of the Kings offers a glimpse into the burial practices and the splendor of the pharaohs’ final resting places, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Must-See: Hagia Sophia, Ephesus & Cappadocia

Türkiye’s history spans several millennia, blending influences from the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires. The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul stands as a magnificent symbol of Byzantine architecture. Ephesus, an ancient Greek city, boasts the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus. Cappadocia’s unique rock formations and ancient cave dwellings offer a glimpse into early Christian history.

Must-See: Colosseum, Pompeii & Roman Forum

Italy is a living museum with relics of the Roman Empire scattered throughout. The Colosseum in Rome, an iconic symbol of Roman engineering and entertainment, is a must-visit. Pompeii, the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, provides unparalleled insights into Roman daily life. The Roman Forum, the center of ancient Rome’s public life, is a historical treasure trove.

Must-See: Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Varanasi

India’s history is a mosaic of various cultures and religions. The Taj Mahal, an exquisite white marble mausoleum, is a testament to Mughal architecture. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is famous for its historic forts and palaces. Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities, is a spiritual hub with its ancient ghats and temples along the Ganges River, offering a profound connection to India’s past and present.

Must-See: Machu Picchu, Cusco & Sacred Valley

Peru is home to the Incan civilization, with Machu Picchu being its most famous legacy. This ancient citadel set high in the Andes Mountains offers breathtaking views and insights into Incan engineering and spirituality. Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and the Sacred Valley with its archaeological sites and traditional villages, provide a deeper understanding of Incan culture.

Must-See: Acropolis of Athens, Delphi & Olympia

Greece is synonymous with ancient history. The Acropolis of Athens, with the Parthenon standing proudly atop, is a symbol of classical Greek culture. Delphi, once considered the center of the world, houses the Temple of Apollo. Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, offers ruins of ancient athletic facilities and temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera.

Must-See: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wawel Castle & Warsaw

Poland’s history is both tragic and triumphant. Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious Nazi concentration camp, stands as a stark reminder of the Holocaust. Wawel Castle in Krakow, a symbol of Polish royalty and history, showcases Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. In Warsaw, the capital city, the meticulously rebuilt Old Town offers profound insights into Poland’s resilience and rich heritage, reflecting the country’s recovery and cultural pride.

Must-See: Kyoto, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Nara

Japan offers a blend of ancient traditions and modern history. Kyoto, once the imperial capital, is home to numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the atomic bombing in World War II and is a powerful symbol of peace. Nara, with its ancient temples and artwork dating back to the 8th century, is a treasure trove of Japanese culture.

For history lovers, these destinations offer an immersive experience into the past, each with its own unique stories and monuments. Whether you’re wandering through ancient ruins, exploring historic cities, or marveling at architectural wonders, these sites provide a profound connection to the civilizations that shaped our world. Pack your bags and get ready to step back in time on your next adventure!

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How to spend 10 days in Turkey as a solo traveler

The world is full of great solo travel destinations , but one we’re loving right now is the magical country of Turkey. Our Turkey tours are stacked with all the sights, sounds, and flavors that make for a memorable trip. Exploring ancient ruins, discovering otherworldly natural landscapes, and sampling delicious meals are just some things to do in Turkey that will leave you speechless. On our brand-new 10-day Turkey for Solo Travelers: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia tour , you’ll get to experience all that this magnificent country has to offer, making life-long friendships along the way.

Why travel solo to Turkey?

Well, why not? We love the idea of taking a Turkey Solo Tour , because for many of us, traveling solo allows us the opportunity for deeper immersion. Going to a destination by ourselves makes us hungrier for adventure—to see the world and go beyond our limits a little bit more than usual. Plus, there’s nothing quite like making new friends on a trip as you cross off these bucket list moments in Turkey together.

To do all of that in a country like Turkey, which is so full of history and rich in unique culture, where the atmosphere of adventure is dialed up even higher, makes for a trip that’s not just immersive but also unforgettable. Read on to discover the perfect 10-day itinerary for a Turkey solo trip.

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