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Cappadocia is a region located in central Turkey. The region is known for its stunning rock formations and, of course, the hundreds of hot air balloons that take off every morning at sunrise. It is the perfect destination if you’re looking for nature, culture, and adventure! In this article, you’ll find information on how to get to Cappadocia, where to stay, and which activities and sights you shouldn’t miss.
Table of Contents
How to Get to Cappadocia?
By plane from the Netherlands, Belgium, or Germany
The fastest way to get to Cappadocia is by plane. From the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Belgium (Brussels), and Germany (for example, from Düsseldorf), there are direct flights to Kayseri. Flying from Germany is usually the cheapest.
Tip: Did you know you can easily compare and book flights via Skyscanner?
By Plane from Istanbul or another city in Turkey
Are you already in Turkey, for example, in Istanbul? Then you can book a domestic flight to Kayseri (about a 1-hour drive from Göreme) or Nevşehir (about a 30-minute drive from Göreme).
We flew from Istanbul to Kayseri. This flight took only 1.5 hours and cost 50 euros per person for a one-way trip.
By bus from Istanbul
Are you already in Istanbul? Then you can also choose to travel to Cappadocia by bus. The costs are lower, but keep in mind that it takes at least 13 hours.
Where to stay?
We chose to stay in the town of Göreme. Göreme is located in the heart of Cappadocia and you will find most accommodations here. It is therefore the perfect base to explore the region. Whether you are looking for luxury or a more budget-friendly hotel, Göreme has something for everyone.
We stayed five nights in a beautiful bungalow at A la mode Cappadocia. This accommodation offers various rooms and bungalows, its own restaurant, and a lovely pool. In the morning, you can watch the hot air balloons from your bungalow or from their terrace.
Do you have a bigger budget and/or want to stay in a more authentic accommodation? Then look for a cave hotel, where the rooms are located in one of the many caves. Most cave hotels have a rooftop, from where you have a beautiful view over the town and can watch the hot air balloons in the morning. Some popular cave hotels are:
How many days to spend in Cappadocia?
Our advice is to stay in Cappadocia for between three and seven days.
You need at least three days to visit all the sights when you do it at a high pace. Moreover, the risk that the hot air balloons do not take off one of the morning is small if you have at least three mornings.
Would you rather take it at a more relaxed pace? There is plenty to see and do to keep you busy for seven days. Do you have more time? Then you can also combine Cappadocia with a visit to Istanbul.
Things to do in Cappadocia
Rent a car
Most of it takes place around Göreme, but there is also a lot to see and do around Göreme. Since not everything is within walking distance, we recommend renting a car. With a car, you can drive everywhere at your own pace and are not dependent on taxis. It is also relatively cheap.
We rented a car through Happycar.nl and paid 150 euros for 5 days, including all-risk insurance.
Take a hot air balloon ride
It’s a bit of a given, but since Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloons, taking a hot air balloon ride a must-do. Every morning, hundreds of hot air balloons take off, creating a stunning spectacle. During a balloon ride, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the beautiful rock formations and landscapes that Cappadocia has to offer.
The balloons depart every morning, if the weather conditions are good enough. Keep in mind that you will need to get up early, as they sometimes take off between 4:00 and 5:00 AM! The flight itself lasts about an hour, and the whole adventure takes around three hours.
Tip: Want to take a balloon ride? Make sure to book in advance, especially if you visit Cappadocia during the high season (spring and autumn). The hot air balloons get fully booked quickly, and usually, the later you book, the higher the price you have to pay. We booked this balloon ride about three months in advance and paid 175 euros per person. The main advantage of booking through GetYourGuide is that you can cancel for free until shortly before the flight. Booking in Göreme was still possible, but the affordable flights departed after sunrise only.
Watching hot air balloons from the ground
If a balloon ride feels too daunting for you or you just can’t get enough of the balloons, you can choose to watch them from the ground as well. Seeing hundreds of balloons in the sky is fantastic even from the ground! Make sure to be at one of the viewpoints before sunrise, so you don’t miss them.
Here are some great spots to watch the balloons:
- Panorama Viewpoint (one of the most popular and therefore the busiest spots)
- Red Valley ATV (a place where balloons often take off)
- Sunset/Sunrise/Balloons Highest Viewpoint in Göreme
- Love Valley Viewpoint
Tip: Planning to wake up early? Ask your accommodation the night before if and where the hot air balloons will be taking off. This way, you ensure that you’re not getting up early for nothing and that you’re in the right spot. Or follow one of the many mini vans in the morning!
Visit the different valleys in the region
Göreme is surrounded by several stunning valleys, formed from volcanic tuff from the extinct volcano Mt. Erciyes. Wind and rain have sculpted the tuff formations into the pillars and rock towers known as “Fairy Chimneys.” Each valley has its own unique features. Here’s a list of valleys you shouldn’t miss!
Love Valley
One of the most famous valleys in Göreme is Love Valley. This valley is full of rock formations that are often described as.. (🍆). There are various hiking trails you can take, and you can also view the valley from a lookout point.
Tip: Want to hike through the valley? Don’t drive to the viewpoint. The hiking trail starts at a different location, which you can find here.
Red Valley and Rose Valley (with sunset!)
Red Valley and Rose Valley are known for their red/pink rock formations, which are especially beautiful in color at sunset. You can also hike through these valleys, but if you don’t want to, you can choose to drive to one of the viewpoints.
Tip: Want to enjoy the sunset over Red Valley? Make sure you get a spot at Crazy Ali or Sunset Point Cappadocia, restaurants on the edge of the valley, about an hour before sunset.
Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley gets its name from the numerous pigeon houses that have been carved into the rocks. In this valley you will find a beautiful walking trail that runs from Göreme to a small village nearby, namely Uçhisar.
During the hike you can enjoy the beautiful nature and fantastic views. The hike is easy to do and there is only a little difference in altitude now and then. We did it in about two hours, with many photo stops.
If you don’t want to do the hike from Göreme to Uçhisar, you can also view the Pigeon Valley from different viewpoints along the road from Uçhisar to Göreme.
Tip: You can find the starting point of the hiking trail here.
Other valleys in Cappadocia
Do you have some extra time and/or do you love to hike? There are many more valleys around Göreme that you can visit:
- Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
- Ihlara Valley
- Sword Valley
- Meskendir Valley
- Pasabag Valley
Visit an Open Air Museum
Cappadocia is home to several open-air museums, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history, culture, and religious traditions of the region. Here are two open-air museums that we recommend visiting in and around Göreme.
Göreme Open Air Museum
Göreme Open Air Museum is an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular attractions in Göreme and Cappadocia. Here you will find all sorts of caves, monasteries, and churches dating from the 10th to 12th centuries. In some of the churches, you can find the famous Byzantine frescoes that have been well preserved.
Dark Church
Within Göreme Open Air Museum, you will find the Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise). This church, also known as the Karanlık Kilise, is one of the most famous and best-preserved rock churches in Cappadocia. It gets its name from the fact that there is only one small window, making it relatively dark inside. The limited amount of light has helped to preserve the frescoes inside this church exceptionally well.
If you want to visit the Dark Church, you will have to pay an extra entrance fee.
Note: You are not allowed to take photos in the churches.
Göreme Open Air Museum is open daily and we paid 20 euros entrance fee per person.
Zelve Open Air Museum
Another open-air museum near Göreme is Zelve Open Air, which is spread over three valleys. Here you can also find beautiful rock formations, caves, churches, and monasteries. The museum offers several walking trails that take you past the sights.
Zelve Open Air is open daily and we paid an entrance fee of 12 euros per person.
Enjoy the view over Göreme from a rooftop bar
Göreme is home to numerous rooftop bars, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the town. Below are our three of our favorites.
Koza Cave Hotel
The Coza Cave Hotel has a cozy, small rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of Göreme. It is perfect for watching a beautiful sunset. The terrace is decorated with Turkish rugs and cushions, which creates a very nice vibe. You can also take some Instagram-worthy pictures here!
Sultan Cave Suites
Another beautiful rooftop is the one of Sultan Cave Suites. From here you can also enjoy a panoramic view of Göreme and the surrounding valleys. On the terrace you will find a raised platform where you can sit and take some nice photos. At the bar you can order delicious drinks and snacks. Take a seat on the cozy cushions and enjoy!
Sultan Cave Suites has, in addition to the bar, its own restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Turkish dishes.
Mithra Cave Hotel
You can enjoy a beautiful view of Göreme from the rooftop of Mithra Cave Hotel. Unlike Koza Cave Hotel and Sultan Cave Suites, this rooftop does not have a bar area with Turkish rugs and cushions, but there are tables and chairs from where you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. On a lower floor there is a separate area furnished with rugs and cushions for a cozy atmosphere. There is also a special corner set up for taking some Instagram worthy shots.
Visit Derinkuyu Underground City or Another Underground City
Don’t suffer from claustrophobia? Then be sure to visit an underground city!
Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the most popular attractions in Cappadocia. It is one of the deepest and largest underground cities in the region.
As you descend, you enter a network of tunnels and chambers. These are spread over eight levels, up to 80 meters deep underground. According to archaeologists, the city is about 3,500 years old and was home to an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 people. The city served as a refuge during various wars.
Please note: The corridors and rooms are really narrow and there are sections where you have to crouch down to get through. If this is not a problem for you, then you should not miss this unique city!
Derinkuyu Underground City is open daily and we paid 13 euros per person for admission.
Other Underground Cities in Cappadocia
Derinkuyu is part of a network of underground cities. Other underground cities in the area include:
- Ozkonak Underground City
- Mazi Village Underground City
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Gaziemir Underground City
- Tatlarin Underground City
Visit Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar is a small town located about 5 kilometers from Göreme. The literal and figurative highlight of Uçhisar is Uçhisar Castle. This 60-meter-high castle is carved out of rock formations and served as a fort and a place of refuge.
Climb past a number of historical chambers to the top of the castle. From here, you have a beautiful view of the town of Uçhisar and the surrounding landscape.
The castle is open daily and we paid 7 euros per person for an entrance ticket.
Go Horseback Riding
Looking for a unique way to explore the Cappadocia landscape? Then go horseback riding! Cappadocia is known as the “Land of Beautiful Horses” and is perfect for a horseback riding adventure.
There are various tours available, from sunrise to sunset rides, with different durations and at various locations. Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, there is a horseback riding tour suitable for everyone!
Visit Galerie Īkman
If you search for “Cappadocia” on Instagram, you’re likely to come across a number of photos taken at Galerie Īkman, an iconic shop and art gallery known for its impressive collection of rugs. The entire shop is filled with Turkish rugs from floor to ceiling, which of course makes for great photo opportunities. Unfortunately, the shop has become so popular in recent years that if you want to take pictures, you will have to pay 25 euros per person.
Whether you want to take pictures or not, it’s a fun place to pop in and take a look around.
Tip: If you’re going to Derinkuyu Underground City, there is also a rug shop in this village, Galeri Baba carpet kilim rug antik shop, where you can take pictures for free.
Food & drinks in Göreme
Since we were staying in Göreme, we ended up eating in this town almost every day. You can find delicious Turkish food on every corner of the street, such as mezzes, pide, köfte, and kebab, and of course Turkish tea. Here are our favorite restaurants:
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