Cappadocia – Turkey’s Magical Landscape

Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most beautiful regions, stuns visitors with its unique rock formations known as “fairy chimneys.” The main town in Cappadocia is Göreme, with Ürgüp being another great option to stay. There are various activities to enjoy, from exploring the underground city of Kaymakli to taking day tours to enjoy the unique scenery and, of course, experiencing the popular hot air balloon rides.

This travel guide will help you with how to get there, what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Cappadocia.

How to get to Cappadocia

✈️ By plane: You can choose between Kayseri Airport and Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport, both of which offer convenient access to the region. From these airports, it’s just a short drive to the heart of Cappadocia. Most accommodations provide a pick-up service from the airport straight to the accommodation.

🚌 By bus: If you prefer a more budget-friendly journey or enjoy exploring the landscapes, you can take a long-distance bus to Göreme or Ürgüp. Check out 12GO for the available options and prices.

What to do in Cappadocia

Hot Air Balloon Ride

The absolute best activity in the region is to experience the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia from the sky with a sunrise hot air balloon ride. You’ll float above the unique and stunning landscapes of the region, taking in the enchanting rock formations, fairy chimneys, and valleys. The sunrise flights offer a tranquil and magical atmosphere, and as the balloons rise, the world below transforms into a dreamlike panorama.

Despite the many balloons in the sky, which was interesting in its own way, the flight felt wonderfully peaceful. The quietness of the ride is quite intriguing. Even the landing was quite exciting, as the pilot skillfully touched down on a trailer. Following the flight, we were treated to a certificate ceremony and a delicious breakfast. Truly an unforgettable experience!

Balloon rides in Cappadocia can be quite costly, but it’s essential not to base your decision solely on the price. Some tips on booking your flight:

🌟 Check out reputable companies: There are many companies around, so it’s good to do some research. We went with Butterfly Balloons and were very satisfied.
✈️ Timing of the flight: Choose if you want to take off before or slightly after sunrise. Both times offer a worthwhile experience.
📅 Book ahead: This is not an activity that you can book a day before (unless you’re really lucky). Make sure to book a few weeks ahead to avoid disappointment. You can book flights directly with your preferred company or book this top-rated tour.
⚠️ Allow for cancellations: Flights can get canceled and rescheduled, so make sure you allow some room for rescheduling in your travel itinerary.
🧥 Dress warmly: It might be warm at the surface, but it can get chilly when you’re 800 meters in the air. Bring warm clothes.
⏰ Wake up early: Enjoy the early morning magic!

Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum

You can easily reach the Göreme Open-Air Museum by taking a pleasant 15 to 20-minute walk from the center of Göreme. Once you arrive, you’ll discover a collection of remarkable rock-cut churches and caves that have witnessed centuries of history. Inside these caves, you will find captivating scenes in mosaics. Strolling through the open-air museum is like stepping back in time and immersing yourself in the rich heritage of Cappadocia.

Explore Göreme’s Color-Coded Tours

In Cappadocia, there are different color-coded tour routes that cover various attractions and experiences in the region. Each color represents a specific tour route, and you can choose the one that aligns with your interests. Here are the most common color-coded day tour options:

🔴 Red Tour (North Cappadocia Tour): This tour typically includes visits to Göreme Open-Air Museum, Pasabag (Monks Valley), Devrent Valley, Avanos, and Ürgüp. It’s an excellent choice for exploring the iconic rock formations, cave churches, and pottery-making in the region.
Reserve your spot for the Cappadocia Red Tour directly on this small group tour.

🟢 Green Tour (South Cappadocia Tour): The Green Tour often covers attractions like Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley. It’s a great way to explore the underground cities and stunning landscapes of Cappadocia’s south.
Reserve your spot for the Cappadocia Green Tour on this small group tour.

🔵 Blue Tour (Southern Cappadocia with Ihlara Valley Tour): This tour includes destinations such as Kaymakli Underground City, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and the unique Ihlara Valley with its rock-cut churches and a relaxing walk along the Melendiz River.
The Blue Tour is the least popular tour and therefore done more often in private tours. You can also opt for a small group tour.

While it is always best to book tours that you would really like to do before, you can usually book these tours through your accommodation as well and there are multiple tour companies in town that are there to help you out.

Visit the Kaymakli Underground City

The Kaymakli Underground City is really interesting. They started building it more than 1000 years ago, and they kept making it deeper to keep their community safe during the Arab-Byzantine wars when Muslim Arab raids were a concern. There are several underground cities in the region, and some of them are linked by underground tunnels. These tunnels were used again in later wars to protect against enemies.

The tunnels in the underground city can be quite narrow, and some people might feel claustrophobic. It’s fascinating to explore the various sections within the underground city as you go deeper and deeper underground. Only a small part of the underground city is open to the public due to safety reasons. Visiting one of the underground cities is a must when you’re in Cappadocia.

How to visit the underground city by bus

Getting from Göreme to Kaymakli by bus is simple, even though there’s no direct route. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start at the Göreme bus station, where you’ll find two buses per hour (as of 2019) heading to Nevsehir.
2. After arriving in Nevsehir, cross the road from the bus station, and you’ll come across a bus that departs for Kaymakli every 15 minutes. Usually Kaymakli is written on the front of the bus, but ask the driver if you are not sure.

Where to eat in Göreme

We love Turkish cuisine, and there are plenty of good restaurants in the area. Some of our top picks:

• Haruna Restaurant – A restaurant with a fantastic view of the area serving mediterranean dishes. A top choice for the area.
• Happena Cappadocia – For local and authentic Turkish food, Happena is your top choice. Not only the food, but the views are worth it as well.
• Göreme Han Restaurant – A very nice restaurant serving local and authentic Turkish food for good prices.

Where to Stay in Göreme

There are many great places to stay in Göreme, and we highly recommend choosing a boutique cave hotel. These unique lodgings offer a true Cappadocian experience, combining modern comforts with the ambiance of cave living, often featuring stunning panoramic views of the region’s incredible landscapes. While a pool might seem appealing, be aware that many pools are unheated and can be very cold, so it’s worth checking for accommodations with heated pools. Our top picks are:

The Shoestring Cave House is a budget-friendly option for a comfortable but affordable stay. Nestled in the heart of Göreme, this cozy cave hotel offers a warm atmosphere with good rooms. Rooms start at €50 a night for a double room.

If you are looking for a bit more luxury without breaking the bank, than the Design Cave Hotel is a good option. This boutique hotel combines design with the unique charm of cave accommodations and great service. Double rooms start at €60 a night.

If you want a more exclusive and peaceful experience, then the Naif Adults Only Hotel is your place to go. This boutique hotel offers a great atmosphere, and an overall comfortable stay. Double rooms start at €70 a night.