Cappadocia Travel Guide, 2023

Famous for its fairytale view, incredible rock formations, cave hotels, underground towns, fairy chimneys, the Göreme Open-Air Museum, and great hot-air ballooning opportunity, the magical landscapes of Cappadocia are one of Turkey's most famous natural wonders.

Cappadocia is located in Central Anatolia, bounded by Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Niğde, and Aksaray. The region was once the heartland of the Hittite Empire, and over the centuries, it's been occupied by the Romans, Persians, early Christians, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans. Today, Cappadocia is a prime tourist destination and has become an Instagram legend.

Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

To help you enjoy the excellent and lavish banquet of natural wonders Cappadocia offers visitors, we've put together everything you need to know about the region, including the best activities to do, its prominent sightseeing places, how to get there and the best time to visit.

1. Discover The Goreme Open Air Museum

This Unesco World Heritage site is an essential stop on any Cappadocian itinerary. The museum has a magical feeling and has hosted monasteries from the 4th century to the 12th century.

You can see many splendid rock-cut churches, unique dwellings, ancient paintings, and cave houses from centuries ago all around the museum.

2. Take to the sky with Hot Air Balloons

Another must-do activity when in Cappadocia is the hot air balloon rides. The hot air balloons are fun to watch from the ground and, even more, to fly in, especially seeing the incredible natural beauty of Cappadocia from above.

3. Explore Pasabag (Monks Valley)

Paşabağ is one of the best places to look closely at Cappadocia's famed fairy chimneys. Paşabağ is also called "Monks Valley" because monks lived in the valley's rock-cut rooms during the Byzantine era.

The valley is one of the most popular spots in Cappadocia with its cave dwellings and pretty rock formations with a small "tuff" on top, thanks to the volcanic eruptions and erosion over time.

You can explore the unique rock formations in this valley, hike along the trails, and visit the small chapel in the valley's centre.

4. Enjoy the Pigeon Valley Viewpoint

This hiking valley is named after the many pigeon houses doting its hillsides. At the top of the valley is a pigeon viewpoint that allows you to see a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

You will also see many beautiful patterns of volcanic rock, small rock pillars and pigeon houses.

5. Discover The Zelve Open-Air Museum

Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is a famous destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts who visit Cappadocia to explore its rugged landscape and enjoy the breathtaking views of its mountains and valleys.

It is a neat valley with stunning scenery, rich history and many uniquely shaped natural rock formations. It is an excellent site where you can walk amongst historic dwellings, chapels and religious chambers created by a thriving community of Christian monks.

The museum is particularly renowned for its beautiful frescoes, which adorn the walls of the churches and provide a unique glimpse into the religious and cultural practices of the monks who lived in the valley.

6. Purchase Beautiful Pottery at Avanos

Avanos is a historic town located in the heart of Cappadocia. It is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to the region.

The town is famous for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, pottery and artistic plates and mugs. You can visit local workshops in the city to watch master potters and purchase unique and beautiful pottery pieces.

7. Appreciate Nature at Love Valley

This site is of natural wonders and home to a giant, penis-shaped monuments left by mother nature. The valley also has many short, easy trails for hiking.

The biggest draw to this valley is its spot for viewing and taking captivating photos of the daily hot air balloons directly above the unique rock formations during sunrise.

8. Marvel at Sunset from Uchisar Castle

Uçhisar Castle is a castle rock measuring more than 60m (197ft) built on a hilltop overlooking the town and the surrounding desert landscape. The castle was once the main point of defence in Cappadocia.

It is the highest point in Cappadocia, making it a perfect spot to get fantastic panoramic views of the region and take in one of those famous Cappadocia sunsets.

9. Hike along the Ihlara Valley

Ihlara valley is a fantastic canyon with a depth of about 100 meters and about 10 km length formed by the Melendiz River. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, with many rare and endemic species of plants and animals.

The valley was home to many Christian communities who built churches and monasteries on the cliffs during the Byzantine era. Today, Ihlara Valley is a popular destination for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the region's rich history and culture.

Visitors can hike along the valley floor, explore the many historic sites, or enjoy the landscape's natural beauty.

10. Admire Selime Monastery

Selime Monastery is the biggest religious construction in the Cappadocia region and is carved directly into the rock face. If you venture inside, you will discover steep staircases, weather-beaten frescoes, hidden passageways and signs of early civilisations.

The monastery is thought to date back as early as the eighth or ninth century, but it has been abandoned since the 16th century.

11. Venture inside the Derinkuyu underground city

With more than eight floors of carved rock, the Derinkuyu underground city once housed 20,000 people. This elaborate subterranean community is thought to have acted as a shelter from invaders. Today, it's open for public viewing. You can tour through churches, meeting rooms and storerooms that aided in the running of this long-lost civilisation.

12. Snap photos in Rose Valley

As the name suggests, the Rose Valley is a vast stony valley that extends as far as the eye can see, making a perfect photo opportunity. Watch for rock-carved churches and countless tracks leading to small villages. Explore the loop trail on foot; at the top, you'll find a tiny cafe, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, powered exclusively by solar energy. Cool off with a cold drink and a bite to eat.

13. Admire Historical Churches

The historic churches of Cappadocia are genuinely stunning and inspiring, with well-preserved Byzantine frescoes from the post-iconoclastic period.

Make sure to include the Tokalı Kilise (Church of the Buckle) in your Cappadocia itinerary. Tokali Kilise is the largest church in Göreme, with a central nave that features provincial-style frescoes from the 9th century.

The Elmalı Kilise (Apple Church) is a smaller cave church with scenes of saints, bishops and martyrs.

The Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church) was built in the 11th century. It features frescoes depicting the life of Christ, from the Nativity to the crucifixion.

14. Get a Taste of Turkish Food

Turkish food is incredible, and Cappadocia is a perfect place to taste authentic Turkish cuisine. You can enjoy live music and watch folk dances from different regions of Turkey, including a whirling dervish ceremony and a belly dance over dinner in some restaurants in Cappadocia.

How To Get To Cappadocia, Turkey

There are two ways to get to Cappadocia, including by bus or flight, depending on your origin. The easiest way to get to Cappadocia is to fly a domestic flight from Istanbul airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen airport(SAW) to the Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR), which takes about 1 hr and 15 mins and can cost as little as 150 Liras ($20).

You can also use a bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia, which is the cheapest way to go, but it's also very long, around 10 hours, so it's best to travel overnight.

If you are visiting from Selçuk, there are direct flights from Izmir to Kayseri or bus services from Izmir to Nevsehir, which take about 12 hrs 30 mins.

How To Get Around Cappadocia

1. Horseback:

Cappadocia means "land of the beautiful horses" in Turkish, so what better way to explore this fairy tale landscape than on horseback? Exploring the region on horseback will be one of your fondest memories in Turkey.

2. Hire a Private Driver:

The most comfortable way of transportation in Cappadocia is to hire a private driver. The cost is about 100 Turkish Lira depending on the car and your negotiation, which is about $20. If you are with your friends, this can be very economical. You can hire a private van for even better savings if your group is bigger than three.

3. Scooter/Moped:

Renting a scooter is the best option for solo travellers. Prices run about $30-$40 for the whole day.

4. ATV:

If horseback riding isn't your thing, go on an ATV ride instead. Cruising around on ATVs is another fun way to explore the region's natural wonders and rock formations.

Best Time To Visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia depends on your favourite weather. While the region's weather is incredible all year round, the best time to visit is Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November).

Spring is the ideal time to visit Cappadocia because the weather is perfect, and the crowds are lighter than during the summer peak season. It is also the most favourable time for hot air balloons, with warm nights, clear skies and cool air.

Summer is the busiest period of the year in Cappadocia, with many tourists flocking in, so pricing for accommodations and activities may be at their highest.

Like Spring, Autumn is a great time to visit Cappadocia as the weather is ideal, and crowds are thinner.

Winters can become bitingly cold in Cappadocia, but if you don't mind the cold, it's a beautiful time of the year to go because you will have the chance to fly over snow, which would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In addition, this is the time of the year with very few visitors, making accommodations and activities cheaper.