Cappadocia: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do

Cappadocia is one of those places that feels almost unreal—like you’ve stepped into a landscape painting shaped by time, wind, and a touch of imagination. Here are all the best things to do in Cappadocia.

Towering rock formations rise from valleys like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Waves of pink and white stone ripple across the land.

Ancient cave dwellings reveal centuries of history carved into the hillsides.

The hot air balloons and surreal scenery get most of the attention (deservedly so); there’s much more to Cappadocia than the postcard images.

From hiking through hidden valleys to discovering rock-cut churches, lingering over tea and chatting with welcoming locals, this is a destination that goes beyond the Instagram highlights.

In this guide, we’re sharing our personal take on the best things to do in Cappadocia—what we loved, what surprised us, and how to make the most of your time here.

MAP: CAPPADOCIA GUIDE

Everything we have listed in this guide is on the below map. To help you plan, read our Cappadocia itinerary, which has all the details you need to put your trip together.

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BEST THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA

We admit we went for the balloon rides, but we soon discovered there is plenty more to Cappadocia than meets the eye. Here were some of the best things we got up to.

1. HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

On calm mornings, as the sun rises over Cappadocia’s dramatic landscape, it bathes the cone-shaped rock formations in golden light.

Hundreds of hot air balloons take flight, their vibrant colours dancing across the sky, drifting in and out of the rippling canyons before soaring towards the heavens and gently returning to Earth.

With the valley walls aglow and balloons floating all around you, a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is an unforgettable experience, offering a truly magical perspective of this unique landscape.

Keep in mind that flights are weather-dependent and may be cancelled due to wind. It’s best to book your ride for the first morning of your stay so you can easily reschedule if necessary.

Check out our comprehensive guide for everything you need to know about the best hot air balloon experiences in Turkey.

2. SUNSET POINT

Just a few hundred metres from the centre of Göreme, Sunset Point (also called Lover’s Hill or Aşiklar Tepesi) is the perfect place to take in sunrise or sunset at Cappadocia.

At dawn, as the first rays of light hit the unusual shapes of the valley, it’s well positioned to watch the profusion of colourful balloons lift gracefully into the air.

At sunset, there’s a small café serving beer and tables scattered around to watch as a fiery orange and red glow illuminates the beautiful rock formations.

How to get there? – Sunset Point is a short but steep walk, 2 kilometres from the centre of Göreme. They charge a small entrance fee to get in.

3. HIKE PIGEON & LOVE VALLEY

Cappadocia is one of our favourite hiking destinations, and a walk combining Pigeon Valley and Love Valley will take you through some of the best and most diverse scenery in the area.

Paths lead through moulded rock formations, smoothed into wave-like shapes, then burst into colour with long grass and wildflowers in full bloom.

Pigeon Valley is named after the dovecotes carved into the cliff faces.

But the highlight of the walk is Love Valley, where sweeping curves of white rock give way to towering phallic rock formation. The whole area is excellent for photography.

Our tailored hike through Pigeon Valley and Love Valley takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete. Details are on our hiking in Cappadocia guide.

4. STAY IN A CAVE HOTEL

Many of the caves in Cappadocia were originally carved out of the soft rock by early Christians fleeing persecution.

Early humans possibly used similar cave dwellings, taking advantage of the unique topography.

But there’s nothing primitive about the current cave hotels in Cappadocia. Carved out of the natural landscape, they are luxurious, quirky and packed with atmosphere.

The cave hotels are particularly popular for their terraces and rooftops, with glorious views across the fairy chimneys and the hot air balloons

Here are some suggestions for some excellent cave hotels in Cappadocia.

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5. GÖREME OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 10^th to 12th-century churches carved out of the rock.

The churches are peppered with frescoes, demonstrating the significance these hideouts had for early Christians.

Three of the churches included in the entrance fee have frescoes in decent condition.

But by far, the best is at Karanik Kilise or the Dark Church. The entrance through a narrow tunnel opens to a room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling where frescoes depicting Christian biblical scenes adorn the walls.

Hours & Prices – Tickets are currently €20, plus a small extra fee to enter Karanik Kilise. The museum is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

6. LOOKOUT POINT AT RED & ROSE VALLEY

The area around Red Valley in Cappadocia is one of the most beautiful but also the most confusing.

A profusion of unclear signs and arrows pointing in multiple directions makes the trails difficult to navigate. We know because we circled the area several times, trying to find our way.

But don’t let that put you off because it has some of the best scenery in Cappadocia.

Rose Valley is a mass of pointed pink and white rocks whose interiors have been carved into churches. Red Valley is a sweep of sinuous fins of rock creating rippling oceans of stone.

The most stunning viewpoint from which to see it all is called Demir Merdiven.

It might not be the easiest place to get to, but we have provided detailed instructions in our hiking in Cappadocia guide, including a map, and it’s well worth the effort.   

7. PANORAMA POINT

Panorama Point is another excellent viewpoint in Cappadocia, just above Demir Merdiven, on the ridge above the Red and Rose Valleys.

Come here at sunset, and the gentle hues of the Red and Rose Valleys glow in the soft light, with shadows elongating the twisted rock.

Sitting on one of the sofas clinging to the edge enjoy one of the most memorable sunsets you’ll ever see.

The vertical drop from the sofas may not pass health and safety standards in many countries, but it’s an unforgettable thing to do in Cappadocia.

How to get there? – Panorama Point is a 5-minute drive from Göreme. There’s a large car park and several stalls set up along the edge selling the usual tourist trinkets. Skip them, but make sure you try the delicious, dried fruit.

8. UÇHISAR CASTLE

Uçhisar Castle is a 60-metre-high cylindrical tower perched on rock. A network of rooms connected to tunnels was carved into it.

It was once home to up to 1,000 people. Today, much of the castle is inaccessible, but it remains a striking example of an entire village carved into the rock.

The village of Uçhisar is a relatively local Turkish community, however, it’s also a hub for high-end luxury hotels; mostly because it occupies the highest point in Cappadocia.

The views across the surrounding fairy chimneys are excellent.

Hours – The castle is open from 7 am to 8 pm.

How to get there? – It is 5 kilometres from Göreme which you can easily walk (all the instructions are in our hiking in Cappadocia guide). Otherwise, it’s a short taxi ride or there is a minibus which runs hourly from Göreme.  

9. PAŞABAĞI (MONK’S VALLEY)

Paşabağı is a small wine valley in Cappadocia with some of the best mushroom-topped fairy chimneys in the region.

Near the car park, an unmissable three-headed rock formation rises out of this unusual landscape.

Hermits and monks once lived in the chimneys at Paşabağı, and one of their medieval living quarters can still be inspected today.

Christian frescoes and decorated crosses remain preserved on the walls.

Paşabağı is a popular hop-off point on tours of Cappadocia, so the site gets very busy, and it contains the usual tacky tourist shops.

Nonetheless, it’s still a great thing to do. The best option is to arrive at opening time.

Hours & Prices – Paşabağı is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily. It’s currently €12 for foreigners to enter.

How to get there? – Paşabağı is 7 kilometres from Göreme. There is plenty of parking near the entrance. If you are using public transport, the local bus from Göreme to Avanos stops at Paşabağı.

10. KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY

Kaymakli Underground City is a massive network of caves that were initially constructed around the 7^th or 8^th century BCE by early Indo-European people.

Greeks later inhabited the city, then Christians.

The complex descends 8 levels into the earth and includes a network of around 100 tunnels connecting various subterranean rooms.

The first floor contains stables, while the second is dedicated to a church with a nave and two apses. Storage and various rooms for cooking occupy the third floor.

Only the top few floors are open to visitors. Nevertheless, it offers a fascinating insight into how early tribes used this unique geology.

Just beware, it can be a little claustrophobic down there and surprisingly easy to lose your way.

How to get there? – It’s around 30 minutes’ drive from Göreme, and there is plenty of parking out front.

Organise Tour – You can also visit on this organised tour from Göreme which includes several other underground sites.

11. GÖRKÜNDERE VALLEY & ZEMI VALLEY

Cappadocia is blessed with interesting valleys that make it a scenic place to explore.

Görkündere Valley and Zemi Valley are excellent destinations, each offering something a little different.

Görkündere Valley has some of the tallest and most impressive phallic rock formations in Cappadocia. There are several lookout points to admire the surreal geological forces at work in the area. 

Zemi Valley is also well worth a visit for the intriguing El Nazar Kilise. This 10th-century church was carved from a single piece of rock, and the frescoes inside are impressive works that have been kept in fine condition.

Being a little off the beaten track, you may have Zemi and Gorkundere all to yourself.  

How to get there? – There is a parking lot near the entrance of Görkündere Valley, which is located just a short distance from the main road leading to the Göreme Open-Air Museum. For Zemi Valley, there’s a signed parking area on the main road between Göreme and Uchisar.

12. HORSE RIDING IN CAPPADOCIA

This rugged terrain already feels like the location of a Western movie, so seeing it on horseback feels like the right thing to do.

Most rides take place in the Rose Valley, Red Valley and Sword Valley. A local Turkish guide will point out interesting facts, making it a relaxing and informative way to see the area.

Tours are generally 1 hour, 2 hours or 4 hours, and no riding experience is necessary. Most will include transportation to and from Göreme.

We recommend this 2-hour Horseback Riding Experience, which visits some of the quieter valleys in Cappadocia, a local apricot orchard, a vineyard and the rock-cut Hallacdere Monastery.

13. ATV OR QUAD BIKE TOUR IN SWORD VALLEY

If you’re looking for a few hours of adventure in Cappadocia, a ATV (Quad Bike) tour is a great thing to do.

The tours allow you to get further into the hills, valleys, and dunes of Cappadocia so you can see more and get to places that are otherwise not possible.

Many start in Sword Valley, which has shorter and stumpier rock formations surrounded by wider trails.

The bikes are very easy to use (even with no experience), and the energetic guides take you to some of the most scenic spots in the area.

This 2-hour Quad Safari includes the Sword Valley, Rose Valley and Love Valley.

This Sunset Quad Safari covers Sword Valley, Rose and Red Valley, Love Valley and the Cavusin Village at a time that’s just right for photography.

14. TAKE A DAY TRIP TO SOĞANLI VALLEY

Soğanlı Valley is a remote and under-visited area in Cappadocia. It’s a 1-hour drive from Göreme, but there’s plenty to see along the way. The further you go, the more local it becomes.

Mustafapaşa, just 10 minutes from Göreme, still clings on to a rural village feel, despite the local rug sellers pedalling their wares to tourists.

A little further along, Cemil is a small crumbling town full of atmosphere, completely untouched by tourism. It’s a great stop for photo opportunities.

Finally, Soğanlı is a small village that was once a centre for Byzantine Christianity.

Ruins of the old village sit underneath the valley walls into which a collection of rock churches have been carved. A tiny, easy-to-follow trail connects the best of them.

Snake Church, Domed Church, Hidden Church and the beautiful frescoed Tahtali Church are the best churches.

At the end of the valley, there’s a café set in a lovely garden by the river. It’s a wonderful way to get away from it all in Cappadocia.

15. IHLARA VALLEY

Another great day trip from Göreme is the 15-kilometre-long canyon that stretches up the Ihlara Valley.

Narrow, blonde-coloured walls protect a small river that feeds an oasis of slender trees, long grasses and colourful wildflowers.

Byzantine churches, adorned with frescoes, have been carved into the rock on the side of the canyon with rough windows that peer over the idyllic river-side scene.

We loved the easy stroll along the valley floor, stopping at one of the many cafes perched by the river. It’s a taste of Turkish hospitality in a beautiful area.

How to get there? – Ihlara Valley is a 1 hour, 15 minutes’ drive from Göreme. The entrance to the valley is open between 8 am and 6:30 pm. All the details are in our hiking Cappadocia guide.

WHERE TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA?

Cappadocia is a large area, but most visitors stay in Göreme, a great town with good facilities and many buildings carved into the rock. It’s famous for cave hotels with rooftop terraces that overlook the fairy chimneys and surrounding valleys.

Many of the best hiking trailheads are nearby; sunset and sunrise viewpoints are easily accessible, and the town has plenty of facilities and restaurants.

The other popular option is Uçhisar. This tiny place is a traditional Turkish village with very few facilities, but it contains most of the top-end hotels in Cappadocia.

HOW TO GET TO CAPPADOCIA?

Cappadocia is in central Turkey, and two airports are nearby.

One at Nevşehir (40 minutes drive to Göreme) and the other at Göreme (60 minutes’ drive to Göreme). Both have flights from several popular locations in Turkey.

ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA

The quickest and easiest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is to fly. There are several flights daily from Istanbul to Nevşehir and Kayseri Airports.

There is also a bus that runs from Istanbul to Cappadocia and takes between 10 and 12 hours. The bus runs overnight and costs around ₺90, so it’s a very cost-effective option.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS TO GÖREME

If you’re not hiring your own car to explore Cappadocia, private or shared transfers are available from both airports to Göreme in air-conditioned minivans.

Your hotel will be able to organise transfers for you, or you could book a shared airport transfer or private airport transfer in advance.

HIRING A CAR IN CAPPADOCIA

We recommend booking your hire car through rentalcars.com, who compare prices across most of the dependable car rental companies.

Both airports have car hire facilities, although Kayseri has more choices.

Driving in Turkey is also not as hard as you might think, and it’s a great way to see the country. Read our tips for driving in Turkey to help plan your road trip.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CAPPADOCIA

The best time to visit Cappadocia is during the shoulder seasons, from April to June and from September to October.

Cappadocia sits on a plateau over 1,000 metres high, so in winter, the temperature can drop to around 0°C, and in summer, it’s often upwards of 30°C.

Rainfall is higher in Spring than in Autumn, and being a little windier makes balloon riding a bit more susceptible to cancellations.

The upside is the landscape is greener, flowers are more abundant, and the days are longer.

We travelled during Ramadan, which meant the valleys were much less busy as locals don’t take holidays during this time.

We also had no problems booking hotels late (to keep some flexibility) or getting into good restaurants with the best viewpoints.

MORE TURKEY GUIDES

• More great things to do can be found in our guide to visiting Istanbul.
• Travelling around? Read our guide to the best places to visit in Turkey.
• Try these incredible hikes in Cappadocia (maps included).
• Here are the best things to do in Antalya.
• Take the ultimate scenic voyage in a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride.
• Plan your trip with our Turkey Itinerary.
• Here are the best things to do in Cappadocia.
• Relive history in the best ancient ruins in Turkey.
• Plan the ultimate 4-days in Cappadocia with our detailed itinerary.