Best things to do in Cappadocia
Find out more about those top places in Cappadocia
Located in the arid heart of Anatolia, the geological wonderland of Cappadocia is likely Turkey’s most iconic destination. The region is best known for its ‘fairy chimneys’, tall cone shaped rock formations that are clustered in the Monks Valley and Göreme that remain inhabited until now. While the region’s topography is undoubtedly the main draw, Cappadocia’s history is some of Turkey’s most fascinating. The ‘fairy chimneys’ have been used as shelter for millennia with the rock-cut churches at the Göreme Open Air Museum and sophisticated underground cities at Derinkuyu and Kaymakli seemingly ripped straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Despite its iconic status, Cappadocia remains one of Turkey’s most remote regions and a real hidden gem.
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Hot Air Balloon Flight
Since many have not actually been in a hot air balloon before, this is always an exciting experience for most of the tourists that visit Cappadocia. However, the thrill does not just end with being in a hot air balloon. The view of the best features of the city that are spread out beneath you is what makes the hot air balloon ride even more interesting.
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Goreme National Park
This park makes a nice tourist attraction site for lovers of history, nature, and adventure. Those three things - history, nature, and adventure - are what make the park one of the busiest in the country. The Goreme open air museum attracts a great number of visitors due to highlights such as churches and monasteries that were cut out from rocks.
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Cave Dwellings
This tour presents a chance to marvel at the caves that were at some point or another inhabited by humans. These caves served a number of purposes including housing churches and serving as public meeting places. A tour of the site will make one understand how intelligent human beings are when it comes to adapting to a harsh environment, in the face of hardship.
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Derinkuyu Underground City
Yes, the underground city is just like any other city that is normally found above ground. This underground city in Derinkuyu has a complex network of tunnels that lead to churches, wineries, courtyards, and stables. This underground city is a testimony of the intelligence of man and attracts thousands of tourists annually.
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Rose Valley
A hike through the Rose Valley would expose you to the many beautiful features present here. The fairy chimneys found here are "cute" while the churches here that were carved out of rocks are awe-inspiring, despite their age. The Rose Valley is a popular site among tourists and even locals who crave a relaxing stroll.
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Fairy Chimneys
Fairy chimneys are actually a kind of rock formation, and Turkey is one of the few countries in the world where they are found. However, the ones found in Cappadocia are so beautiful that it was adopted as their emblem. Being as beautiful as they are, the three fairy chimneys attract countless tourists all the time.
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Pasabag Monks Valley
The fairy chimney of Pasabag is a sight to behold. These rock formations stand tall and beautiful, making you feel like you are walking among giant mushrooms whenever they are passing through. St. Simeon who was known for performing miracles was said to live in one of these fairy chimneys.