Things to see and do on a trip to Cappadocia

When you think of Cappadocia, the first thing that comes to mind is probably hundreds of hot air balloons flying over valleys at sunset, but this region has so much to offer; otherworldly landscapes and cities unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your life. This is due to the soft terrain that has given rise to curious valleys and rock formations that have been eroded over the years. In addition, the fragile terrain has allowed for the construction of tunnels and underground cities, a must-see in Cappadocia.

In this post we help you organise your trip and tell you everything you need to know before setting off on your adventure, such as the main points of interest to include on your route, or the best way to get there. We also tell you about the best places to stay and the most recommended restaurants, as well as the gastronomic specialities not to be missed. And in case Cappadocia is too small for you, we’ll also give you some ideas for excursions in the surrounding area.

What are the best places to see in Cappadocia?

1. Pasabag, the must-see valley in Cappadocia

The Pasabag Valley, also known as the Valley of the Monks, is one of the most beautiful places to see in Cappadocia. It is located 3km from Göreme and its main feature is the chimneys, rock formations inside which houses and churches were built, the most famous being the Chapel of St. Simeon. The place is known as the Valley of the Monks because many people decided to retire to live in this spiritual refuge.

The valley can be reached by bus from Göreme and admission is free. What’s more, the complex is open all day. It is, after all, a village. Another option is to walk from Göreme, which doesn’t take long.

2. Love Valley

This is one of the most characteristic sights to see in Cappadocia. The valley is characterised by rocky pinnacles scattered along the route. These curious formations have appeared by the erosion of the land over the years, and we can assure you that they are impressive. There are several hiking trails starting from Göreme with varying distances, so you can choose depending on how far you feel like walking. Many of them end at high vantage points where the scenery is a thousand times better. However, we recommend you bring sun protection and water as there is little shade.

3. The underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu

On your trip, don’t miss the underground cities, a must-see in Cappadocia. They were built to survive during enemy attacks, and there are more than 30 of them throughout Cappadocia. The city of Kaymakli is the largest, but the most spectacular is Derinkuyu, which is 20 storeys deep and was built in the 7th century.

Both cities are connected by an 8km tunnel and feature schools, dwellings, chapels, cellars and stables. The towns can be visited from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and the guided tour costs 35 Tl. If you have time, it is recommended to visit both of them, but otherwise it is better to visit Derinkuyu.

4. Zelve, the museum to see in Cappadocia

The open-air museum at Zelve is a collection of rock-hewn dwellings along three interconnected valleys. Each has its own charm, and being close together, you won’t need to walk far. Among the buildings you will also find churches, chapels, dovecotes and tunnels where people lived until 1950. In addition, the characteristic reddish colour of the earth gives a special mystery to the landscape, it looks like another planet.

The visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the whole visit can easily be done in 2 hours. The entrance fee is 25 Tl. It is one of the must-sees in Cappadocia. So we insist that you include it in your travel itinerary.

5. Ballooning in Cappadocia

Ballooning is the most famous attraction in Cappadocia, and it’s no wonder, as the views of the valleys with dozens of balloons overhead are incredible. The balloons fly all day long, but the most spectacular moment is at dawn, around 4am. We can assure you that the early start is worth it.

To book the excursion, it is best to ask at the hotel where you are staying. There are flights every day. It’s unlikely you won’t have room on one of them. If you’re organising your own, avoid the cheapest ones and look for the ones you trust the most. As for the prices, I have to say that they are not the cheapest. They are usually around €100.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Cappadocia?

1. Istanbul

The truth is that there is not much to see around Cappadocia as the region itself covers all points of interest. The most interesting cities in the surrounding area are about 7 hours away by car, so if we’re going to move, we’ll take a plane and go to Istanbul, which is only 1.5 hours away. Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities to see in Turkey, and in fact it is usually the point of origin when we fly to Cappadocia. In Istanbul you should ideally spend several days because there is so much to see, such as the Blue Mosque, the Karaköy district or the bazaars.

2. Pamukkale and its natural swimming pools

Pamukkale is another of Turkey’s gems. These are natural pools that have formed in terraces of travertine, an all-white rock material. The views are spectacular, everywhere you look everything is the same colour. For this reason and for its characteristic rock formations, Pamukkale is considered a World Heritage Site. The Cotton Castle is the most famous area, but there are also other places to visit such as Hierapolis and the thermal pools.

What to see in 1 day in Cappadocia?

Though it may seem impossible, visiting Cappadocia in 1 day is an option. We’re not saying it’s the best, as it’s usually recommended to spend at least 3 days in the region, but it is possible. There are organised excursions from Istanbul (including flight) that move you in a private bus between the different points of interest to see in Cappadocia. It’s a bit expensive, but it’s a very convenient option. You can also do it on your own by car.

On your express visit you won’t have time to do much hiking, but you’ll have to be content with the views from the lookout points to take it all in. Your itinerary should include some of the valleys, such as Pasabag or Love Valley, some of the open-air museums, such as Göreme or Zelve, and of course the underground cities.

Where and what to eat in Cappadocia?

Cappadocia is a fairly touristy place, so you’ll have no trouble finding restaurants where you can eat cheaply. The region is also an agricultural area, so there’s a great gastronomic tradition in which the Testi Kebab, Lahmacun, Dolma or Tandir stand out. These are some of the restaurants where you can try them.

• Orient Restaurant: is one of the most recommended restaurants in Cappadocia for its extensive menu of Turkish and international dishes at very good prices. You can eat deliciously for less than €20. The restaurant is located in Göreme.
• Old Greek House Restaurant and Hotel: is one of the best restaurants in Urgup. It is a family-run business, very cosy and serves delicious dishes of traditional Turkish cuisine. It is also very good value for money.
• Ziggy’s Shoppe & Cafe: is a cosy, traditional place, with a fireplace in winter and terraces in summer. The food they serve is Mediterranean, both Turkish and European, and they have plenty of vegetarian options.

Where to stay in Cappadocia?

The most famous towns in Cappadocia are Göreme and Nevsehir, where you’ll find all kinds of accommodation as they are the best connected areas. However, there are also many other quieter villages where you can stay, such as Ürgüp. Ortahisar, Uchisar, Avanos and Cavucin. Here are some ideas of where to stay in the area:

• Terra Vista Hostel: is a nice hostel located in Göreme. It has a wonderful terrace with jacuzzi and private rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms. They also offer breakfast for 5€. Prices per night are around 30€.
• Cappadocia Nar Cave Hotel: the main feature of this cosy hotel in Nar is that it’s carved into the rock. They have a terrace, indoor pool, spa and bar. They also offer breakfast for €8.
• AJWA Cappadocia: this is a 5-star hotel in Ürgüp that offers all the amenities: restaurant, spa, pool, bar and gym. The price per night is between 200 and 300€, and breakfast is included in the price.

How to get to Cappadocia?

The most common option when going to Cappadocia is to travel from Istanbul, however, it is an area well connected to other cities in the country both by land and air. From Istanbul these are the options available to you.

• Flight: There are two airports in the area just 1 hour and 30 minutes from Istanbul Airport, Erkilet International Airport and Kapadokya International Airport. From there it takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour to reach Göreme.
• Bus: from Istanbul’s main bus station there are buses to  Nevsehir which take about 11h. Many tourists opt for the night timetable. The price ranges from 60 to 150 liras depending on the season.
• Train: not the best option as it only drops you off in Konya (4h) and from there you have to take the train to one of the main cities in Cappadocia.

What should I consider before travelling to Cappadocia?

• The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
• The best time to travel to Turkey is in spring or autumn, when the weather is milder. In summer it is very hot.
• Credit cards are not as commonly accepted in small towns as they are in cities.
• It’s best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
• The tap water is not safe to drink.
• From Spain it is not necessary to have a visa if you are travelling for less than 90 days, but you must have a valid passport and be able to justify with your hotel reservations that the trip is for tourism.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case be careful with your belongings and take care on the Syrian border.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Cappadocia?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Cappadocia.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cappadocia