From otherworldly landscapes, jaw-dropping grotto 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 finger like their heads are spinning. From the subconscious churches and “fairy chimneys” of Goreme National Park to the legendary hot air unlearn rides that helped shoot this remote region of Turkiye to fame, it’s a rencontre 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 weightier attractions in Cappadocia through the towns of Goreme and Urgu, you can plan a visit that isn’t just heady 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 weightier places to visit and the most weird experiences to help others make the most of their time here. We experienced some phenomenal vita 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 overly found in Gobleki Tepe. But Cappadocia stood out as one of our favorites.
These aren’t just Cappadocia’s top highlights. There are moreover some subconscious gems that, from my research, few people have overly talked about. From cave hotels to hot air unlearn rides, our Cappadocia guide should requite you everything you need to know surpassing visiting one of the most trappy places in the world.
About Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a region of inside 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 when centuries and is characterized by warmed-over civilizations, including the Hittites and Byzantines. However, Cappadocia’s most iconic features are its surreal waddle 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 plane hotels, creating an weird and mystical undercurrent that attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.
Cappadocia’s popularity could hands be drawn from its history alone. Ramified underground cities used to stave off attacks from invading armies lie just unelevated the surface, and Byzantine-era frescoes line the walls of historic grotto churches.
But Cappadocia offers much increasingly than historical wonders. The natural eyeful in the region’s valleys, dotted with rocky monoliths that have been dubbed “fairy chimneys,” and tourist attractions such as hot air unlearn rides that take adventure-seekers on a serene ride right through these famous monuments have widow to its allure.
Our Cappadocia Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Cappadocia
From monumental attractions to under-the-radar subconscious gems, these are my wool favorite things to do in Cappadocia.
Sunrise Hot Air Unlearn Ride
I don’t think that there is a increasingly 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 plane from wideness Turkiye to enjoy this magical adventure.
There are many companies offering hot air unlearn rides throughout Cappadocia, but the most popular are virtually 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 wits itself is incredible (as we learned in our first hot air unlearn ride in Luxor, Egypt). But the weightier views of the balloons unquestionably come from the many hotel terraces sprinkled wideness the towns.
If you have a few days to spend in Cappadocia, spend one morning experiencing a hot air unlearn ride for yourself and flipside morning watching the spectacle from the ground.
Stay In A Grotto Hotel
My family has been lucky unbearable to have stayed in some pretty unique hotels. From floating lodges in Thai rivers to Island retreats with outdoor showers, the grotto hotels in Cappadocia stood out as some of the most unforgettable.
This is a region where the landscape has encouraged a unique tideway to architecture. For centuries, locals have been using the region’s soft sandstone and elegant fairy chimneys as a wiring for towers homes, churches, and plane unshortened cities.
While my family was in Cappadocia, we stayed at two variegated grotto hotels, and both were completely unique and unforgettable.
Divan Grotto Hotel was our walk-up for two nights while we were in Göreme. This trappy hotel had a subconscious pool on the marrow floor of our room that hadn’t plane been advertised prior to our arrival, so it was a well-constructed surprise to us. It moreover had an incredible rooftop terrace with scenic 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 reuse the former town of Kayapaki, which had been left in ruins without earthquakes and neglect.
This hotel is located in a increasingly remote region of Cappadocia, but it still has wangle to many of the weightier things to do in Cappadocia. Kayapaki Premium Caves is an wits in and of itself. There are trappy violaceous gardens, incredible sunset views, and premium on-site restaurants. It’s moreover 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 grotto hotels right here.
Göreme Unshut Air Museum
Step when in time among grotto churches decorated with detailed frescoes that were dug into the volcanic hills during the Middle Ages.
The Göreme Unshut Air Museum is within easy 1-mile walking loftiness of the municipality center, although it’s withal a rented road, so getting here by taxi might be a bit safe. This ramified 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 Part-way in 1985.
The Dark Denomination holds some of the most well-preserved frescoes. Because of that, there is an spare archway fee. But seeing the paintings in spanking-new condition is worth the minimal uneaten cost. Pay sustentation 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 moreover 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 variegated experience.
Most of the valleys have self-ruling ticket with a few exceptions, so if you’re looking to explore Cappadocia on a budget, they make for spanking-new options.
- Pigeon Valley: Throughout Cappadocia, pigeon holes, where farmers in the region used to successors the birds, can be seen everywhere. But there is nowhere that they are increasingly prominent than Pigeon Valley. Toss seeds (which you can buy from vendors on-site) to the birds and watch them soar wideness the scenery.
- Love Valley: Famous for its “phallic-shaped waddle 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 zone into a national park. They live just underneath the markets in a self-made grotto and are the last couple in Love Valley.
- White Valley: Unfluctuating to Love Valley, it’s often nonflexible to know when you leave one and enter the other. But for those hiking or wanderlust through Cappadocia, you’ll pass through here to wangle 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 waddle formations, like the “kissing camels” and others that squint like camels, snakes, seals, and dolphins. My boys had an wool wham running through and climbing over the mazelike structures.
- Monks Valley: Located between the Zelve Unshut 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 wing 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 moreover home to the longest tunnel in the region.
- Red Valley: The valley gets its name from the vibrant hues of the rocks, expressly during sunrise and sunset, creating a picturesque landscape that’s a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts. It’s expressly popular for sunset ATV rides.
- Rose Valley: Popular for its rose-tinted waddle 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 grotto 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 grotto houses and waddle 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 subconscious 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, well-spoken sky, sunset at the sunset viewpoint in Red Valley is where it’s at.
This zone is where most of the horseback riding and sunset ATV tours end. So it’s packed scrutinizingly every night during the upper season. But there’s lots of space, so you’ll be worldly-wise to find a little zone of your own to relax or join the triumph with the throngs of people taking in the views.
Çavuşin Castle & The Denomination of St John the Baptist
If you love under-the-radar attractions, Çavuşin Village is a very tomfool 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 denomination of St. John the Baptist, whose tomb my family saw when we were in the town of Selcuk the week before.
The denomination is the oldest and largest of its kind in Turkiye and is located well-nigh 20 minutes north of Göreme.
Nearby is the stunning Çavuşin Castle. The incredible towers 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 unquestionably wangle 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 midpoint just that. These weren’t villages. Some were home to up to 20,000 people, all living together up to nearly 300 feet unelevated the surface. These were carved out into the soft volcanic waddle and served as refuge and protection for thousands of people during times of war and invasion.
The underground cities in Cappadocia stage when to the Hittite era, nearly 2,800 years ago. They were expanded by early Christians fleeing persecution. The cities full-length an intricate network of tunnels, rooms, ventilation shafts, and communal spaces that are spread wideness 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 underneath the surface. It is believed to have housed virtually 20,000 people withal with their livestock.
This municipality 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 indulge taller people (like me) to move virtually safely. The municipality is carved wideness four levels, although only four of its levels are unshut to the public. It features various chambers for living, storage, and worship, withal with ventilation shafts and a ramified network of tunnels and passageways.
Özkonak: This lesser-known underground municipality is smaller in size compared to Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı. Özkonak offers a glimpse into the underground life of warmed-over inhabitants with its distinctive architectural elements, including ventilation shafts, living quarters, and communal spaces spread wideness multiple levels.
Uçhisar Castle
Towering whilom the Cappadocia landscape, Uçhisar Castle is the highest point in the region. This massive ramified of houses, churches, and battlements was built into the side of a hill and make-believe 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 lanugo without centuries of wind and water erosion, but Uçhisar Castle makes for a fascinating place to explore and take in a unique speciality 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 virtually the structure, you’ll find a hodgepodge of small churches that very few people overly visit. Some of them still have frescoes on the walls.
Eat A Testi Kebab
If you love trying all of the supplies 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 soil pot is packed with chunks of lamb or yellow withal with an variousness 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 veiled in hot coals, which slowly melt the ingredients in their own juices, infusing the flavors. The pot is then croaky in front of the diner, unveiling an whiffy and steamy delight.
One of the restaurants in Cappadocia weightier known for the Testi Kebab is Dibek Restaurant at Cami Sk. and Beldiye Cd. Their high-end but relaxed undercurrent and friendly staff just widow to the wondrous 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 tomfool evening air was a much-deserved unrelatedness to the hot sun of mid-day when we did most of our exploring. The ATV tour lasted well-nigh two hours and came to an end at the Red Valley sunset viewpoint, where I spent the last hour drinking in the unbelievable eyeful of Cappadocia at sunset.
Along with the ATV ride and sunset stop, we moreover had the endangerment to trammels out some parts of Goreme Historical National Park with its fairy chimneys and grotto 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 untied from exploring the castles and underground cities, there isn’t much escape from the sun.
Unless you visit Ilhara 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 veritably teeming with large shade trees and trappy flowers.
The walk withal the marrow of the gorge is trappy and peaceful. And it’s a relatively easy stroll that’s gentle unbearable for most people. However, it is not wheelchair or stroller-friendly.
It’s not just natural eyeful 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 unshut for visitors to explore.
Many of the Ihlara Valley churches still have detailed frescoes and paintings in spanking-new condition.
Pasabag
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 sustentation 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 without he converted to Christianity.
The caves here are relatively unshut to explore, and the boys found several places where they were worldly-wise to climb up to the second floor of some of the grotto 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 flit in which the dancers enter a meditation-like trance.
The hypnotic whirling motion and the transcendent undercurrent 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 recurrence takes place at a 13th Century Caravanserai called Saruhan, well-nigh 30 minutes from Goreme.
You can typesetting that wits here.
Selime Cathedral
If you love off-the-beaten-track attractions, Selime Cathedral is an wondrous place to explore. This testament to human craftsmanship and spiritual devotion is tucked surrounded the fairy chimneys and waddle formations between the towns of Selime and Yaprakhisar.
This weird rock-cut cathedral is carved into the towering cliffs of volcanic tuff and offers some of the most intricate interior diamond work of any grotto denomination 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 exhibit with intricate columns, arches, and vast chambers that once held religious ceremonies and gatherings.
Hammam
Exploring all of the wondrous things in Cappadocia is nonflexible work. And if you want to relax without a nonflexible day of hiking, wandering, and learning, there’s nothing largest than a traditional Turkish hammam.
This rejuvenating wits is steeped in centuries of history. The therapeutic ritual is tightly rooted in Turkish culture and is renowned for its revitalizing effects on the soul and spirit.
The hammam wits dates when 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 inside 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 worldwide ways to get to Cappadocia, Turkiye. The region’s popularity and inside location midpoint that it’s well unfluctuating to large cities throughout the country.
Once in Cappadocia, local transportation options like taxis, rental cars, or organized tours are misogynist to navigate and explore the region’s towns, attractions, and natural wonders.
Cappadocia By Air
The most worldwide and user-friendly 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, taxi, or unify for a private transfer to reach Cappadocia’s various towns, such as Göreme or Ürgüp, which are roughly a 30-60 minute momentum yonder from the airports.
Cappadocia By Bus
For those traveling in Turkiye on a upkeep 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 well-appointed and affordable mode of transportation. The journey elapsing varies based on the throw-away location, but it often takes virtually 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 moreover an option. The region is wieldy by well-maintained roads from major cities in Turkiye. The momentum to Cappadocia allows travelers to explore the scenic routes and stop at various points of interest withal 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 veritably incredible to visit with kids, but there are some things you should know surpassing you go.
My kids were 12 and 10 during our time in Cappadocia.
Hot Air Unlearn Ride Considerations: While hot air unlearn rides are a signature wits in Cappadocia, they might not be suitable for younger children due to age and height restrictions.
Most hot air unlearn rides will unbend children as young as 5 or 6. However, they won’t be worldly-wise to see over the side of the basket. Ask the visitor whether they have viewports for smaller children.
If you plan to take a hot air unlearn ride without your kids, ensure childcare arrangements or activities are misogynist for the kids during this time. Additionally, consider early morning unlearn flights so that without the experience, you have the rest of the day for family-friendly activities.
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, alimony in mind that some underground tunnels might be narrow or have low ceilings, so supervision and circumspection are essential. Opt for visits to underground cities like Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, which are increasingly wieldy 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 zaftig opportunities for kids to run around, discover unique waddle formations, and enjoy the natural eyeful of the region.
Participate in Pottery Workshops: Engage your kids in a fun and educational worriedness 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 wham 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 grotto guesthouses that consider the needs of families. Squint for places that offer spacious rooms or family suites, outdoor areas for kids to play, and perhaps plane 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 unconfined place for strollers and wagons. If you have small children, I’d highly recommend bringing withal a child carrier backpack. You can trammels out my yearly guide to the best kid carriers here.
We stayed at Divan Grotto Hotel in Göreme and Kayapaki Premium Caves in Ürgüp. Both were fantastic.
Remember to pace your itinerary to unbend children’s rest, meals, and playtime needs. With its unique landscapes and rich history, Cappadocia offers a wealth of experiences that can rivet both adults and kids, creating lasting memories for the unshortened family.
Enjoy Your Time In Cappadocia, Turkiye
There’s no denying that Cappadocia is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Turkiye. This region is veritably jam-packed with stunning views and unimaginably wonderful experiences. When you visit, make sure to requite yourself a few days in Cappadocia to fully fathom just how special it is.
You can find increasingly unconfined information well-nigh visiting Turkiye on our Turkiye Family Travel Blog. Or finger self-ruling to join our Family Travel Support Group on Facebook. You can connect with increasingly family travelers just like you who love to explore the world.
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