Best 8 Things to Do in Cappadocia With Useful Tips

Cappadocia is an outstanding jewel in the southeastern part of Turkey. It shines with unimaginable geological beauty for nature lovers and intricate subterranean structures of the reclusive ancients for historical explorers. For your Turkey tour, we listed 8 best things to do in Cappadocia based on our local travel experts' advice and our clients' feedback.

Explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum

Once a refuge that early Christian anchorites and monks carved out for settlement and religious purposes. Goreme Open-Air Museum nestled in the central landscape of Cappadocia, is an intricate cave network of man-made monastic complexes that dates back to the 4th century.

Goreme Open-Air Museum earns great fame with a group of jaw-dropping rock-cut churches, beautiful frescoes, and fascinating iconography. With a labyrinth of pathways within Goreme, you can first take in the natural landmarks of the fairy chimneys of Love Valley, Monk Valley, and Imagination Valley, which are excellent for memorable photography.

Then you can go for a fairly easy walk to see its iconic rock-cut churches, such as Karanlik Dark Church, Elmali Apple Church, Tokali Church of the Buckle, and Monastic Complex. The churches are stunning, with a remarkable reservation of beautiful frescoes and mosaics from the medieval Byzantine period that depict scenes from the Bible and the life of Jesus.

Tips

• You can visit it in winter to avoid hot weather and crowds. Otherwise, begin your visit early in the morning.
• A guided tour can choose a suitable route for you and make your exploration easier and clearer.
• Coreme is a huge rock formation-based complex, so wear comfortable shoes for better navigation.

Goreme Open-Air Museum

Hiking Through Cappadocia's Valleys

The rock formation is a key characteristic of Cappadocia. It contains many winding valleys, amazing chimneys, and mystical karst landscapes, as well as some hidden heritage sites. Hiking through Cappadocia's valleys is a fantastic way to experience the region's fascination.

There are some best hiking and trekking trails and tracks, like Red Valley, Rose Valley, and Ihlara Valley. Red Valley features a dreamy landscape of crimson-hued tuff rocks and widespread fairy chimneys. The trail length is about 5 km. You can watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset in fabulous red and pink colors.

Adjacent to Red Valley, Rose Valley also offers fairy chimney formations that change color at sunset. The must-try thing is to explore hidden Christian churches and caved dwellings along the 4 km-long trail.

Ihlara Valley is a quite long hike, about 10 km long, with a distinctive lush landscape and a stream running through it. You have great chances to encounter a large rocky settlement area from the 4th century that includes thousands of dwellings and a hundred rock-cut churches along the way.

Tips

• Wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots because the terrain can be rocky and uneven.
• Choose a suitable hiking route just depending on your interest and physical level.
• For the hiking experience, avoid the soaring summer heat during July and August.

Valley in Cappadocia

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Whether you look on the ground or in a hot air balloon, it's a without-equal sight to the value of hundreds of hot air balloons flying over sweeps of surreal valleys.

It is not only a must-visited attraction but also gives one of the most exciting experiences you can have in Cappadocia. From the balloon, you'll skim the panoramic tops of Cappadocia, from the unique rock formations, fairy chimneys, and valley networks to the captivating villages below. The landscape is particularly beautiful at sunrise when the soft light enhances the colors of the rocks. You can take photos of distinct views from the balloon, the clear rocky shape in summer, and the snow-covered terrain in winter.

Tips

• The best time to ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia is early in the morning, preferably around sunrise. This timing has the advantage of calm winds and more breathtaking vistas with color changes.
• A hot air balloon ride is one of the most popular activities in Cappadocia. It will be busy all year round, especially in the summer. The tickets would sell out fast, so it's better to book the balloon flight in advance.
• Balloons may be canceled due to weather conditions, especially in winter. We recommend scheduling a backup day if you consider it is a must-have experience for you.
• At Odynovo, we would highly recommend our clients to have travel insurance that covers adventure activities, including hot air ballooning, when visiting Cappadocia. While reputable balloon companies in Cappadocia carry their own insurance, which typically covers accidents during the ride, personal travel insurance can offer additional coverage for situations like trip cancellation or delay, medical expenses, and so on.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Istanbul to Cappadocia 9 DAYS Explore This Tour

Visit the Underground Cities of Cappadocia

With easily carved rock formations, Cappadocia boasts a network of ancient underground cities that were carved into the soft volcanic rock by early inhabitants. There are several fascinating underground cities, with the most famous being Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı.

The highlight of visiting Cappadocia's underground cities is delving into the intricate winding tunnels and passageways. This network of passages leads to different rooms of the city, offering an incredible glimpse into the authentic underground life of ancient inhabitants. When you navigate the narrow tunnels, some tips below may be helpful to you.

Tips

• The upper levels in these underground cities are well-lit and accessible, but still, the tunnels and some rooms can be narrow, low, and dim at times, especially on the lower levels.
• Bring a flashlight and be prepared for narrow and steep passageways.
• It would be chilly under the ground, so put on more layers to cope with changing temperatures.

Stay in a Cave Hotel

Maybe you once stayed in a high-end hotel with luxury decorations on the beach, desert, or water, but have you stayed in a hotel just carved out of soft rock? Cappadocia can offer you such once-in-a-lifetime accommodation.

The region in Turkey is unique to numerous cave dwellings. Many cave hotels have been part of historical architecture for centuries, which holds the extraordinary ambiance of Cappadocia's history. You can enjoy ultimate comfort with the region's rich history and stunning views of the fairy chimneys and valleys.

For the best experience, you can stay in Goreme or Uchisar for your first visit to Cappadocia. Goreme provides easy access to some famous valleys for hiking, like Red and Rose Valley, and has many styles of cave hotels to pick out, from different levels and bright spots. Just a 10-minute drive from Goreme, Uchisar is ideal for couples to explore Uchisar Castle and catch sights from the highest point of Cappadocia.

Tips

• Cappadocia is popular at any time of year. Cave hotels can be fully booked during peak seasons (June to August). If you want to visit in the summer, you'd better reserve your room two months in advance to fit your desired choice and schedule.
• Staying in a cave hotel offers a unique experience but comes with potential downsides like limited light, dampness, irregular layouts, and sometimes spotty modern amenities. While the ambiance is memorable, it may feel not as comfortable as standard accommodations. You may consider just taking one night for experience and then using other hotels.

A Cave Hotel in Goreme

Visit Uchisar Castle

Among a wealth of historical heritage, Uchisar Castle is amazingly outstanding in Cappadocia. Visiting the Uchisar Castle has been listed as one of the must-do experiences for travelers when exploring Cappadocia.

The historic castle is a natural fortress carved into soft tufa stone and is one of the finest examples of Turkish cave architecture. The interior of Uchisar Castle is worth exploring. You may marvel at the intricacies of tunnels and chambers from the Byzantine era, captivated by remaining pieces of frescoes and inscriptions.

At 1,400 meters above sea level, Uchisar Castle hits the highest point in the region. People come to admire the surrounding desert landscape and bird's-eye scenic views of Cappadocia at the top of the building. You have opportunities to get some postcard-worthy pictures here, especially at sunrise or sunset when the landscape is bathed in golden light.

Tips

• Uchisar Castle is open from 5 am to 9 pm during the summer and closes 2 hours earlier in winter.
• The steps may be slippery and rugged. So put on hard-wearing shoes, and be mindful of your step and pace, especially children when exploring.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Turkey Classic Tour 10 DAYS Explore This Tour

Taking Instagram-Worthy Photos in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is not short of beautiful places to take Instagram-worthy photos. The region boasts a rich tapestry of natural and historic strengths for everyone to make commendable pictures behind their lens, no sweat.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise when the beautiful balloons fill the sky, or take photos at the high-angle point of the valley for dramatic panoramas. If you seek settings of Cappadocian rock formation, head to some popular valleys like Rose, Red, and Love Valley for different layouts of breathtaking fairytale chimneys.

Open Air Museum is ideal for history shutterbugs. The magnificent decorations and frescoes of interior architecture match the camera well. You can even capture the unparalleled images of its rock-cut churches against the backdrop of sunset. The night also offers a great opportunity for super photos: the lit-up cave dwellings and a starry sky from the hotel rooftop.

Tips

• Cappadocia showcases its best impression at sunrise and sunset for enhanced colors and shadows. Catch the time and you're very likely to make an Instagrammable photo at most attractions in Cappadocia.

Dine at a Rooftop Restaurant at Sunset

In Cappadocia, dining at a rooftop restaurant at sunset is also an unforgettable experience you haven't had before. The region is home to some of the best rooftop restaurants. You can choose to enjoy characteristic highlights in different rooftop restaurants.

Some popular restaurants in Goreme are typically budget-friendly. You will enjoy rooftop outdoor seating for dining with unimpeded panoramas of the center of Goreme and surrounding fairy chimneys. The restaurants in Uchisar are slightly high-end and comfortable. You can savor authentic flavors of Cappadocian and Turkish cuisine, like mezes, kebabs, and local signature grills, under a starry sky.

It's also a good option to dine at a rooftop in Cavusin or Urgup, where you can deluge in the same breathtaking sunset and a starry sky backgrounded by quitter towns.

Tips

• Rooftop restaurants can get busy, especially during sunset hours. It's advisable to make a reservation to secure a good table.

Cavusin

FAQs for Visiting Cappadocia

How Many Days Is Enough for Exploring Cappadocia?

It is more appropriate to visit Cappadocia for 3 days. This allows time to explore the Goreme Open-air Museum, hike the valleys, visit underground cities, and try a hot air balloon ride without feeling rushed.

Is It Easy to Get around Cappadocia Without a Car?

Public transport is limited in Cappadocia. So, if you are looking for a seamless tour, you need to book your tour with a travel agency or rent a car. If you travel with Odynovo, we will arrange a private car with an experienced driver to serve, so that all you need to do is enjoy your trip.

What Is the Best Way to Get Cappadocia From Istanbul?

The best way to reach Cappadocia from Istanbul is by air - it's the fastest and most convenient option. Although Cappadocia itself doesn't have an airport, you can fly to Kayseri and then drive about an hour to reach your destination.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Cappadocia?

Our most recommended periods for taking a trip to Cappadocia are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). During these months, the weather is mild, offering the most comfortable temperatures for you to explore the valleys.

If you are going to do your trip in the summer, especially in July and August, you can expect hot weather and crowds. Though it is the best time for a hot air balloon trip.

Winters can be chilly and sometimes snowy, which can add some uncertainty for your exploration, like hiking can be difficult and the balloon ride can be closed. But this is the time of year when prices are the lowest and crowds are less.

Go & Enjoy the Best Things in Cappadocia

Cappadocia, with its otherworldly karst beauty and unique cave heritage, has many unforgettable high spots for travelers to experience. There's no shortage of adventures to embark upon in this fascinating fairytale. Whether you're after adventure, history, or relaxation, Cappadocia's enchanting magic and spectacular scenery are very worth your visit. If you're struggling with planning a trip, travel with Odynovo. We focus on tailor-made itineraries according to traveler's preferences and needs. You will further experience the Cappadocian charm and surely create lasting memories.