Cappadocia region, where millions of years of interaction of lava and ashes with nature create the most interesting landforms in the world, welcomes hundreds of thousands of local and foreign visitors every year.
Magnificent underground cities, fairy chimneys. Cappadocia, which gives the feeling of being on a completely different planet with its natural and historical beauties, belief centers and especially landforms; It is a place where you can witness sights that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Short getaways of a few days are not enough for Places to visit in Cappadocia that offers unique memories and experiences to its visitors in its unique geography.. To fully experience the region and feel the atmosphere of Cappadocia, it is necessary to make a program of at least one week.
10 Reasons to Visit Cappadocia
1. Explore the underground cities
There are many underground cities in Cappadocia, where the first human settlement dates back to the Hittite Period.. Cities created by carving into rocks in deep valleys, underground, have a magnificent atmosphere and mystery.. To witness the life of thousands of years ago, make sure to visit at least one of the underground cities of Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Acıgöl, Mazı, Özlüce and Gaziemir.. I visited the Derinkuyu Underground City because it is close to Urgup, Goreme area. This city, which needs at least 2 hours, must be visited with a guide.
2. Take a balloon tour
Seeing the Cappadocia geography from the air, traveling between colorful balloons, fairy chimneys and different landforms is one of the most enjoyable activities in the world.. It is necessary to get out of bed in the morning and set off for the journey, the preparations of which are started before the sun rises.. Although the cost of this group activity is a bit high, it is not possible to go back to Cappadocia without getting on the balloon.
3. Stay in rock hotels
To feel the impressive atmosphere in Cappadocia, it is a must to stay in cave hotels inside the fairy chimneys and carved rocks unique to the region.. Rock hotels bearing the traces of the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods are decorated with today’s understanding.. During my visit to Goreme, I stayed at Cappadocia Cave Suites, which has 36 rooms and 3 fairy chimneys.. It is possible to travel through time in the hotel, where all rooms have different features.
4. Visit historical and ancient cities
There are many historical and ancient cities in Cappadocia, which has been the settlement of different civilizations since ancient times.. There are wonderful places to visit in the region, which has historical values such as Ürgüp, Göreme, Ortahisar, Uçhisar and Avanos.. Göreme Historical National Park; With its deep valleys, plateaus, landforms, churches and dovecotes, it is an insatiable beauty. Ortahisar Castle, Paşabağı, Ihlara Valley, Avanos Ruins, Zelve Valley, Uçhisar Castle and Çavuşin Church are on the list of must-see places.
5. Name the fairy chimneys
You have the opportunity to use your imagination without limits while wandering around the region, among the fairy chimneys and interesting landforms.. The valley, whose real name is Devrent Valley but which people in the region call Imagination Valley, is famous for its rock formations that look like completely different objects when viewed from different angles.. In this valley, where tourist groups take a photo break, it is possible to turn 360 degrees around you and make each rock look like a different object.. The fairy chimney, which is likened to a camel, is the most popular.
6. Greet the Kızılırmak
The Kızılırmak River, which gives life to the geography of Cappadocia and carries the title of the longest river in our country, crosses Ürgüp, Avanos and Gülşehir by making an arc in the region.. Avanos district is the best place to experience the view of Kızılırmak.. It is peaceful to watch Avanos by crossing the Suspension Bridge built over the river in 1973, to sit on the benches by the river, to have a drink in the tea gardens.
7. Taste the local delicacies
Great tastes are found in Cappadocia as well as all over Anatolia.. Due to the tourist activity in the region, it is possible to find many restaurants that serve delicious home-cooked meals.. When it comes to Cappadocia, the first dish that comes to mind is test kebab.. After cooking the cubed meat placed in a soil jug with vegetables in a period of 2 hours, the meal served by breaking the jug creates a visual feast.. Sheet pan, kebab, ravioli and pita varieties can also be tried.
8. Have a wine tasting
Cappadocia is one of the regions where the best quality wines of our country are produced. The tuffy soil structure both allows the production of qualified grapes and prevents the formation of diseases.. It is possible to try wines suitable for different tastes in the region, which has a widespread wine culture from the past to the present.. Turasan and Kocabağ wineries are two prominent brands in the region.. Kocabağ’s workshop across the Güvercinlik Valley is one of the most suitable places for tasting with its hospitality.
9. Enjoy entertainment and romance
The surroundings of Ürgüp and Göreme offer a unique experience with night venues with live music, stylish cafes and restaurants, and concept rock hotels that offer a romantic atmosphere.. The high number of domestic and foreign visitors has increased the variety of venues.. Göreme Pasha Cafe, where you can enjoy wine with wood fire on cold winter nights, Şaziye with live music and plenty of entertainment, Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant and Art Gallery with its nostalgic music and delicious food and with its extraordinary decoration, jacuzzi rooms and authentic atmosphere, the rock hotels attract those looking for romance.
10. Watch the sunrise and sunset
In the Cappadocia region, which has an exquisite view between deep valleys, where the power of nature is felt, there are many hills with impressive views.. Güllüdere Valley, Paşabağ, Güvercinlik Valley, Aşk Valley are among the options to witness the scenery that allows for wonderful photo frames, especially at sunrise and sunset.. Try exploring the environment by doing a safari tour with an ATV in Love Valley!
How to Go to Cappadocia
There are many places in Turkey Nevşehir (Cappadocia) Airport and Kayseri Airport are the closest connection points to the Cappadocia region, which can be reached by direct flight from. It is possible to reach the region with a maximum of 1 hour journey from both airports.
With its beautiful boutique hotels, historical and ancient settlements, underground cities, impressive landforms, Cappadocia; It provides a different travel experience.
