Understanding Cappadocia
Millions of years ago, ash from Erciyes, Hasandağı and Göllüdağ formed a thick layer of tuff; wind and rain turned this soft stone into fairy chimneys and valleys. For centuries, people carved into it to make homes, churches and underground cities.
What to see
- Göreme Open-Air Museum: rock-cut churches decorated with frescoes; the Dark Church needs a separate ticket.
- Paşabağı, Devrent (Imagination Valley) and Zelve: the best-known clusters of fairy chimneys.
- Uçhisar Castle: the highest point in the area, beautiful at sunset.
- Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities: narrow tunnels descending level by level.
- Ihlara Valley and Selime Cathedral: the long walking day in the south.
- Pottery workshops in Avanos and the banks of the Kızılırmak.
Balloon
Balloons only fly at sunrise and when the weather allows. Stay at least two nights; keep the first morning for the balloon and the second as a back-up.
How many days, where to stay?
Two full days are enough for the highlights, three give you a relaxed pace. Göreme, Uçhisar and Ürgüp are the best towns to stay in; cave hotels are the symbol of the region.
Getting there
Kayseri (ASR) and Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) are the nearest airports; the transfer takes about an hour. There are also overnight buses from Istanbul.
