Cappadocia, Turkey: a wonder of the world that is truly a dream come to life. Explore lunar-like vistas, cavern hotels, and hundreds of hot air balloons soaring through the golden sky.
Every experience in Cappadocia is enchanting, whether you’re lying down beneath a blanket of stars, hiking between rock formations, or horseback riding at dusk. This will be a trip of a lifetime filled with experiences that will stay indelibly in your heart and mind.
Greetings from enchanted Cappadocia
Located in Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is one of the most breathtaking places in Turkey, if not the entire world! The region of Cappadocia rose to fame due to its unusual landscapes, which included deep valleys and mushroom-shaped rock formations formed over time by erosion and volcanic activity.
It’s incredible to think that nature itself can produce such surreal scenery, which many have compared to the moon! The inhabitants of this area have made use of what nature has given them for hundreds of years by chiseling homes, churches, and underground communities out of the rock.
1. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Cappadocia
The most recommended activity to undertake while visiting Cappadocia is riding one of the renowned balloon rides. In a sight unlike any other, hundreds of hot air balloons in a rainbow of colors soar through the gorgeous skies above the fantastical settings.
2. Riding horses at dusk Via Rose Valley and Cappadocia
Rose Valley is the place where Cappadocia truly lives up to its moon-like reputation. Large rolling rock formations, craters, and pink-tinted rock valleys can be found there, about a fifteen-minute drive from Goreme. The unique landscapes of Cappadocia, especially Rose Valley, are what make it such a wonderful place to hike and ride horses.
A Cappadocia hike
If you’re not into horseback riding, there are lots of different hiking trails to pick from. They range in length from 2 to 10 kilometers, and along the way, you can see the well-known churches and cave dwellings. There are additional ways to see Rose Valley if you’d like a little more speed, like quad biking.
Advice: Don’t forget to visit Love Valley and Pigeon Valley if you have the time!
3. Take in the Balloons at Dawn
It’s amazing to see Cappadocia from above, but perhaps even more amazing is seeing the balloons from below! Get up early and stroll to a vantage point to observe the balloons’ glow against the morning sky’s pinks and oranges.
The hot air balloons can get extremely close, almost touching, depending on your preference. At one point, we had to actually step aside for a balloon to avoid getting hit by the basket! Being able to get up close and personal is not only a photographer’s dream come true, but it’s also one of our favorite things to do in Cappadocia.
Directions to the balloon take-off location
It’s best to rent a bike or motorbike the night before because you’ll need to leave at 5 AM to watch the balloons take off. When you look up “The Dalton Brothers” on Google Maps, you’ll see a road that passes at the base of the valley. After about five minutes, park when you notice the hot air balloons starting to light up. As the sun rises and the night stars fade, hike as high as you can onto one of the ridges to witness balloons soaring all around you.
4. The Cappadocia and Pasabag Open Air Museum
The mushroom-shaped rock formations reside in Pasabag, also referred to as the “Valley of the Monks.” These chimneys, which are scattered throughout the valley and have massive rocks that appear to balance atop them, were formerly a significant monastic settlement. Many of them were thus turned into churches, and today there are more than thirty rock churches that are accessible to the public. Don’t forget to visit the interior and even ascend to the summit!
Cappadocia Outdoor Exhibition
The Cappadocia Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey, is another must-see. If you’re staying in Goreme, it’s a convenient and enjoyable place to visit, situated just a 15-minute walk from the city center. Beautiful frescoes painted on the walls and numerous magnificent churches carved out of the rock can be found at the Open Air Museum.
Fee for entry: The cost to enter the Open Air Museum is approximately 40 TL, or $3 USD. Because of the paintings, this museum costs more to visit than Pasabag, but it’s totally worth it!
5. Become Lost in a Rug Maze
In Goreme, there is a well-known carpet store called “Galeri Ikman.” One of the greatest spots to capture stunning images of vibrant Turkish rugs and other types of traditional handicrafts is right here. It’s enormous, containing more than 50,000 masterfully crafted pieces spread across 17 rooms!
Take pictures, enjoy chai tea, and stroll among the vibrant textiles while chatting with the incredibly helpful and kind owners.
6. Book a Room at a Standard Cappadocia Cave Hotel
The inhabitants and monks of Cappadocia used the hundreds of years-old caves as homes and churches. These days, the rock houses have been transformed into hotels, allowing guests to experience life as the locals did. This lodging experience is truly exceptional and unlike anything else.
Ways to Go to Cappadocia
When you’re heading to Goreme, there are two nearby airports from which to choose. The primary route departs Istanbul and takes one hour and fifteen minutes to reach either Kayseri Airport or Goreme Nevsehir Airport. Many tour operators offer a package that makes it simple to arrange a transfer to Goreme from these airports. It’s a good idea to find out if your hotel provides an airport transfer service.
If flying isn’t your thing, you can also go to Goreme by night bus, which departs from a number of cities. It is praised for having good service and a comfortable ride, and it takes about 12 hours.
The Ideal Time to Go to Cappadocia
Though Cappadocia is stunning year-round, July and August should be avoided due to the heat, large numbers of visitors, and increased costs. The best time to go is in late spring or early autumn when it’s not too hot and costs are lower.
You’ll also notice that many visitors only stay for a day when visiting Cappadocia, but a day is insufficient to fully experience the ambiance of this breathtaking location. We advise staying for three to four days so that you can hike, unwind, go on a hot air balloon ride, and partake in all the available outdoor activities.
Top Dining Options in Cappadocia
Turkish cuisine is very delicious! Think mezze platters with vibrant colors, Turkish delight, and Baklava. Though its kebabs are its specialty, there are plenty of delicious vegetarian options.
- Our favorite, pumpkin!
- Sedef Restaurant: Don’t miss the ceramic kebab!
- Firin Express (yummy + affordable flatbreads)
- Dibek, the greatest traditional dish