Cappadocia is located in the middle of Turkey. When you’re there, you often feel like you’re on a different planet. You won’t find the unique landscapes of Cappadocia anywhere else in the world. You’ll also get to experience the diverse Turkish cuisine and explore many remarkable attractions and activities. Curious about what to do in Cappadocia? Below, you’ll find all our tips for a fantastic trip to one of Turkey’s most beautiful regions.
Fun Fact: In English, it’s Cappadocia, but in Turkey, it’s Kapadokya. You pronounce it as ‘Kappadokja,’ and the locals will appreciate it if you say it that way too.
How Cappadocia Came to Be?
Before we share all the things to do in Cappadocia, it might be interesting to know how it came into existence. The unique landscapes of Cappadocia will even amaze the most seasoned world traveler. Millions of years ago, there were three major volcanic eruptions that covered Cappadocia with layers of lava and years of ash rain. This resulted in a combination of hard and soft rocks that were then shaped into the most extraordinary rock formations by erosion from rain and rivers. The soft rock allowed people to easily carve out caves, which is why people have been living in cave houses in Cappadocia since the Middle Ages. Nowadays, this is no longer allowed, but you can still find remnants of houses and Christian churches everywhere. The churches, in particular, are impressive, as some of them contain beautiful wall paintings and graves.
What to Do in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia offers a lot to do due to its many different attractions. If you want to do and see a lot, you should plan on spending at least three full days exploring Cappadocia. Are you curious about practical matters like the best time to visit or transportation? Then also read our practical tips for Cappadocia.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight
The highlight of a visit to Cappadocia is, of course, a hot air balloon flight. Every morning, about 150 hot air balloons take off, creating a magical experience against the backdrop of the unique landscapes. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive, but a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is worth every dollar. Nowhere else in the world do so many balloons take off simultaneously every day. It’s a surreal feeling to be up in the sky with about 3,000 people spread across 150 balloons, all watching the sunrise. Before booking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, be sure to read our tips for booking a balloon flight to ensure you book with a reliable company and make the most of your experience.
Watch the Sunrise from Lovers Hill
If your budget doesn’t allow for a hot air balloon ride, watching the sunrise from Lovers Hill is the next best thing. From here, you have a view over Swords Valley, the valley where the hot air balloons take off. With a bit of luck, they’ll fly right past you. Even if you’ve taken a hot air balloon ride, it’s still enjoyable to take some beautiful photos here and enjoy the view. To get to Lovers Hill, it’s best to walk to this location and follow the path from there towards the large Turkish flag. Don’t come by car as parking can be difficult.
Tip: This viewpoint is visited by hundreds of people every morning. If you prefer a quieter spot, this location is a good alternative. You won’t be as high up as on Lovers Hill, but you’ll still have an amazing view and can easily find a spot where no one else is.
Hiking in the Red Valley and Rose Valley
Cappadocia is a popular travel destination, but when you go hiking, you’ll hardly notice the crowds. The majority of travelers come here not to take beautiful walks. They visit the famous viewpoints, take some photos, and move on. In our opinion, this is a missed opportunity because the best way to experience the unique landscapes is by taking some short hikes. Almost all hikes go through valleys, and the Red Valley and Rose Valley are the most impressive ones. During the 2.5-hour Red and Rose Valley hike, you’ll encounter the most breathtaking views and rock formations, ending with a stunning sunset. Want to take this hike? Be sure to read our tips for the Red Valley hike before you go.
Tip: If you can’t or don’t want to do this hike but still want to watch the sunset at Red and Rose Valley, go have a drink at Crazy Ali Cafe. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, you can also bring your own drink and walk a few hundred meters (feet) further, where it’s just as beautiful.
Spot Giant Asparagus in Love Valley
Another very special valley in Cappadocia is Love Valley. When you see the photos below, you’ll quickly understand why it got its name. Somehow, rock formations have formed here that resemble, let’s say… giant asparagus. You can view this place from this popular viewpoint, but it’s more beautiful to drive down this road and stand directly in the valley among the asparagus. If you want to take a nice hike through the valley, you can follow the path through the valley to Uçhisar Castle, where you can watch the sunset. This walk takes about 1.5 hours with a gradual climb of 300 meters (984 feet). If you want to do this hike, it’s better to take a taxi to the starting point and then another taxi back to Göreme.
Watch the Sunset from Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Cappadocia. The castle has many tunnels and rooms carved into a 60-meter-high (197-feet-high) rock. Due to its height, you have a panoramic view of all of Cappadocia, making it a popular spot to watch the sunset. We found it a bit crowded at the top, so we found a quieter spot a bit lower where the view was still spectacular. At the entrance, there are stalls where you can get some dates, nuts, or a fresh juice.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
Cappadocia boasts two remarkable open-air museums where you can explore the remnants of ancient civilizations. Both places are beautiful, but they lack informative signs. The Göreme Open-Air Museum is a pilgrimage site from the 17th century, consisting of several rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries adorned with colorful murals. It’s a small museum that can get quite crowded, so it’s advisable to go early. You can pay for an audio tour at the entrance, and it’s worth noting that you’ll need an extra ticket for the Dark Church, which is the most beautiful church in the museum and highly recommended when you’re there.
Zelve Open-Air Museum
The Zelve Open-Air Museum is a, until now, less-known open-air museum that is much larger and quieter. There are three small valleys where you can wander for about an hour among hundreds of cave houses. If you have to choose, we would recommend going to Zelve because it’s larger, quieter, and more affordable.
Tip: On your way to the Zelve Open-Air Museum, you’ll pass Pasabag Valley, a beautiful place for a short walk. With your ticket from Pasabag Valley, you can also enter the Zelve Open-Air Museum.
Horseback Riding Amidst the Hot Air Balloons
The spectacle of hot air balloons in Cappadocia is magical, but with other tours, the massiveness is less appealing. One popular activity is horseback riding at sunset, but due to the crowds, it can feel more like being stuck in a traffic jam. The horses walk in rows of dozens and may not always appear well-cared-for. Nevertheless, horseback riding in Cappadocia can be an amazing experience, and you can avoid the mass tourism. We chose a sunrise tour with The Dalton Brothers and rode on two very healthy horses with a guide through the valley while hot air balloons took off all around us. It’s an incredible experience that we highly recommend to everyone!
Skip: Quad Biking at Sunset
We made the mistake of booking the quad biking tour at sunset. We found this tour to be terrible, as it involved being in a constant, slow-moving traffic jam with over 1000 other quads. This is not an exaggeration; these figures come from the guide. You stop for 20 minutes at a viewpoint where you can take a photo with a neglected camel, and they take a photo of you along the way, which they immediately frame and try to sell to you. All in all, this tour is not really about quad biking. In our opinion, we would recommend skipping this tour altogether.
Explore the Charming Göreme
Göreme is the most charming base for your trip to Cappadocia. You can savor the delicious Turkish cuisine at the numerous excellent restaurants and pick up fun souvenirs like colorful carpets, antique jewelry, or a vintage pair of sunglasses. A well-known photo spot is the carpet shop Galeri Ikman. Unfortunately, this shop now attracts so many people that you have to pay to take a photo there and often wait in line. We found Cappadocia Antique Culturel Collection to be a much more enjoyable place. This antique shop looks beautiful and is partially located in a cave. Everywhere you look, you’ll see antique rugs, jewelry, and sculptures. Later in this article, we’ll also share some tips for great restaurants in Göreme.
Tip: Love cats? Bring a bag of cat treats because they’ll help you make lots of new friends in Turkey!
Hiking in Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley is a beautiful location for a short hike that connects the villages of Göreme and Uçhisar. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning viewpoints, and as always in Cappadocia, the landscapes are truly unique. It’s remarkable how each valley has its own rock formations. Pigeon Valley features a undulating wall of soft rock, and the valley is filled with trees and bushes, making it greener than many other places in Cappadocia. Check out our tips for the Pigeon Valley hike to see the route.
Visit the Underground City of Derinkuyu
About a 40-minute drive from Göreme, you’ll find Derinkuyu Underground City. This gigantic underground city has five floors and once housed 20,000 people and their livestock. It’s a maze of narrow corridors and spaces, some of which are located as deep as 85 meters (279 feet) underground. At the entrance, you’ll find guides who can provide you with more information about the history of this unique city for a small fee. It’s advisable to hire a guide because there are no information boards inside.
Important: If you suffer from claustrophobia, high blood pressure, or heart problems, it’s better to avoid this place.
Best Restaurants in Cappadocia (Göreme)
The Turkish cuisine is flavorful with lots of vegetables and various spices but not overly spicy. We had the pleasure of trying many restaurants in Cappadocia and have compiled a list of our favorites for you.
Omurca Art Cave Cafe – This is a very cozy place to grab a light meal or a drink. The Piyaz (Turkish bean salad) is highly recommended, and you can also enjoy smoking a water pipe here.
Topdeck – Here, you can dine in a cave, and if you’d like, you can opt for a traditional dining experience at a low table on the floor with rugs and cushions in the back. The extremely affordable mezze is delicious for sharing.
Turkish Ravioli – The perfect place to try Manti (Turkish ravioli), but be sure to also order the delicious pottery kebab.
Firin Express – If you’re looking for a quick bite, you can order various variations of pide here. Pide is a crispy piece of dough filled with tomato sauce, vegetables, and optionally meat.
Pumpkin – Here, you’ll also taste many traditional Turkish dishes at their best.
Namaste India – If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, this is the place to be. It might not be the coziest spot, but the delicious food makes up for it.
Cafe Safak – The best coffee in Cappadocia, brewed by very hospitable people in a small cafe.
Tip: If you’d like to dine at Topdeck, Turkish Ravioli, or Pumpkin, it’s a good idea to make a reservation a few days in advance.
Our Favorite Cave Hotels in Cappadocia
In Göreme, you’ll find some fantastic hotels with rooftop terraces offering spectacular views of all of Cappadocia. Here, you can enjoy a delightful breakfast while hot air balloons float low over the hotel, and the first rays of sunlight illuminate the valley. Some of these hotels offer traditional cave rooms. Henna Hotel and Charming Cave Hotel are our favorites, but there are a few other extraordinary hotels in Cappadocia worth considering. We’ve compiled the top 5 hotels in Cappadocia for you.
Tip: To stay in the most beautiful hotels, it’s necessary to book well in advance. These hotels tend to fill up quickly, especially the affordable rooms.
  Henna Hotel |
  Charming Cave Hotel |
