Summary
Cappadocia Turkey is the most popular hot air ballooning destination in the world. The combination of affordable prices and breathtaking landscapes that seem to belong to a fantasy realm makes it a must-visit. More than half of the world’s hot air balloon trips occur in this enchanting area. Even if hot air balloon rides aren’t on your agenda, Cappadocia offers delightful food, unique cave hotels, rich history, and stunning hiking trails.
This travel guide will provide insights on how to reach Cappadocia Turkey, where to stay, and the best activities to enjoy, along with a detailed map and essential travel tips.
What Is Cappadocia? What Is The History?
The Cappadocia region has a rich history of human settlement dating back to prehistoric times. Throughout the centuries, it has been home to various civilizations including the Hittites, Persians, Romans, early Christians, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, and Ottomans.
This region is probably best recognized for being a haven for early Christians who sought refuge from the Roman Empire, carving thousands of dwellings, churches, and caves into the hills. Many of these remarkable rock structures and underground cities still exist today, resembling sets right out of a Star Wars film.
Cappadocia is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a significant tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year (3.8 million in 2019) eager to witness its unique landscapes, cave houses, and, of course, take part in hot air balloon rides.
Where Is Cappadocia Turkey?
Situated in central Turkey, Cappadocia is conveniently accessible, with Kayseri being the nearest major city and airport. The primary towns in Cappadocia include Goreme, Uchisar, and Urgup, with most travelers opting to stay in Goreme due to its excellent selection of hotels and restaurants.
How To Get To Cappadocia Turkey
The most efficient way to reach Cappadocia is to fly from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport (SAW) to Kayseri airport (ASR). Multiple daily flights are available, with a flight duration of about 1.5 hours, and one-way tickets can be as low as 150 Liras ($20 USD). You can search for flights to Kayseri through Skyscanner.
Upon arriving in Kayseri, a van transfer will be necessary, as it takes about an hour to drive to downtown Goreme. Consider pre-arranging a transfer with your hotel or booking online.
Where To Stay
Goreme, Uchisar, and Urgup are popular towns for accommodation in Cappadocia. Goreme stands out as the best choice for its wide range of restaurants, tour agencies, and cave hotels catering to various budgets—from backpackers to luxury travelers.
Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels
Cappadocia Map
Below is a Cappadocia map illustrating the main towns and some significant tourist attractions (click to enlarge). The 4 popular tours in Cappadocia are color-coded, each corresponding to different areas. My favorites are the Red Tour and Green Tour.
Best Things To Do In Cappadocia
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
The iconic hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia are an experience you cannot miss. Annually, over half a million tourists partake in this breathtaking activity, marveling at the stunning vistas from above.
While it is possible to book your balloon ride upon arrival, I recommend pre-booking due to its popularity and potential for sell-outs.
Here’s an excellent option: a 1-hour Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride with complimentary hotel pickup starting from $70 USD.
• Devrent Valley
Devrent Valley is renowned for its uniquely shaped rock formations. While some resemble traditional chimney rocks, others mimic animals or humans—most notably the well-known Camel Rock, which features a camel-like neck and humps.
This valley is included in the Cappadocia Red Tour.
• Monks Valley (Pasabag)
A highlight of the Cappadocia Red Tour, Monks Valley, was historically inhabited by monks who carved out spaces for their homes and chapels in the towering chimney rocks.
• Avanos
This historic town located just north of Goreme is frequently included in the Cappadocia Red Tour. Avanos is renowned for its pottery and artistic crafts, making it a worthwhile visit to witness skilled artisans at work, even if you’re not looking to buy souvenirs.
• Love Valley
Famous for its phallic-shaped rock formations, Love Valley features many short trails for easy hiking. This captivating location is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour.
• Goreme Open Air Museum
The Goreme Open Air Museum is rich in cave churches from the 11th and 12th centuries. Visitors can explore several of these awe-inspiring structures, with some frescoes still in excellent condition. This site is included in the Cappadocia Red Tour.
• Uchisar Castle
Uchisar is a charming town located southwest of Goreme, famous for its towering ‘castle mountain’, which is 60 meters tall and carved from rock. As the highest point in Cappadocia, Uchisar Castle offers stunning panoramic views from its summit.
This landmark is also featured in the Cappadocia Red Tour.
• Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu is the deepest of 36 underground cities in Cappadocia, stretching down 85 meters. It contains stables, churches, and storage rooms, complete with an extensive network of ventilation ducts that once ensured fresh air. It’s a fascinating place to explore!
This underground marvel is included in the Cappadocia Green Tour. While some tours visit Kaymakli instead, Derinkuyu is noted for its spacious designs, whereas Kaymakli is recognized as the deepest.
• Ihlara Valley
The Ihlara Valley is carved by the Melendiz River and plunges 100 meters deep. Once home to around 80,000 inhabitants, remnants of their cave houses and churches are still visible on the valley’s rock walls. This stunning area can be experienced on a day trip that includes light hiking.
The trek through Ihlara Valley is integrated into the Cappadocia Green Tour.
• Melendiz River
This serene river flows through the Ihlara Valley, and many day tours make a stop here for lunch. During the autumn (mid-October), the riverbanks come alive with vibrant yellow hues.
• Selime Monastery
The Selime Monastery is the largest religious structure in the Cappadocia region and one of the most intriguing. This stunning site, which dates back to the 8th or 9th century, resembles a set from a sci-fi movie. Visitors can explore the majority of the buildings here.
Selime Monastery is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour.
• Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley is a delightful hiking spot near Uchisar, featuring numerous easy walking trails that meander through chimney rocks and cave houses. This captivating location is incorporated into the Cappadocia Green Tour.
How To Get Around Cappadocia
- Walking: For those staying in Goreme and wanting to explore on foot, various attractions are conveniently accessible such as Rose Valley, Lovers Hill (popular sunrise viewpoint), and the countless cave houses and churches.
- Horseback: A unique way to sightsee in Cappadocia is through horseback riding. You can find 2-hour horseback riding tours starting from $50 USD.
- Car + Driver: The most comfortable option to explore Cappadocia involves hiring a private driver. Prices commence at $60 USD for a 4-8 hour tour, making it economical if you have friends joining. Larger groups can even hire a private van.
- Scooter: For solo travelers, renting a scooter in Goreme can be a budget-friendly option, with daily rates around $30-$40 USD.
- ATV: Experience the rugged terrain through quad biking. You can find Cappadocia ATV tours starting at $25 USD for 2 hours.
- Group Tour: There are numerous Cappadocia group tours available for couples or solo travelers. These typically include hotel pickup, lunch, and a full day of sightseeing.
Best Cappadocia Tours
The four popular tours in Cappadocia are color-coded (Red, Green, Blue, Orange), each covering distinct areas. Personal highlights include the Red Tour and the Green Tour.
The Red Tour includes attractions such as Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Avanos, Goreme Open Air Museum, and Uchisar Castle. Conversely, the Green Tour encompasses the Ihlara Valley, Melendiz River, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and Derinkuyu Underground City.
Although the Blue and Orange tours are less frequented, they also explore locations like Ortasihar and the Gulsehir Open Air Museum. While I haven’t participated in these tours yet, I may try them on future visits.
Tour agencies readily offer the Red and Green tours on the streets of Cappadocia, or they can be pre-booked online, which is a worthwhile option.
How Long To Stay
To fully appreciate both the Red and Green tours along with the highlights, you should plan for at least 2 full days in Cappadocia. Those who wish to explore more hiking trails may want to extend their stay, as Goreme is a pleasant town filled with quality Turkish restaurants.
Additionally, if you are keen to partake in the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride, consider adding at least 2 extra days to your itinerary. Weather conditions occasionally lead to cancellations, so it’s prudent to allow a buffer.
Best Time To Visit Cappadocia
The ideal time to visit Cappadocia Turkey largely depends on personal preferences. This stunning destination is enjoyable year-round, though temperatures exhibit considerable variation by season.
Summer months are hot, while winters can be chilly with snowfall. Regardless of the season, you can expect astonishing views and photo opportunities, as most hotels provide air conditioning and heating for comfort.
I visited in October, and the experience was near-perfect due to manageable crowds and vibrant autumn colors on the trees. Spring also proves to be an excellent time to visit, characterized by cooler temperatures and fewer tourists.
Thank you for exploring this comprehensive guide to Cappadocia Turkey! I hope you found it helpful for planning your trip.
