Cappadocia belongs to a special category of places on Earth.
Places that are so surreal you'll doubt their existence until you've seen them for yourself.
Most photographs of Cappadocia look like they've been generated by AI.
And although its a cliche to say it looks like it came out of a fairytale, quite frankly, it does.
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What Makes Cappadocia Special?
Sitting on the bucket lists of millions of travellers, Cappadocia looks like nowhere else on Earth. But why?
It's mainly due to a mix of natural phenomena, climate and the passage of time.
Millions of years ago, volcanic activity in the region led to the formation of a soft rock called tuff.
Easily eroded by ice, wind and rain, over the centuries the tuff has gradually worn away to reveal incredible rock formations.
These include columns of rock that resemble chimneys or icicles rising from the ground.
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Not only do their shapes give the landscape an ethereal, celestial feel, so do their colours.
As the sun rises and sets, the intensity of the light awakens the pigments in the mineral-rich tuff.
One minute you're enjoying a Turkish wine in the sun. The next, the landscape is bathed in the warmth of reds, pinks, yellows and golds.
This otherworldly effect is nature's way of showing off. And it's absolutely nailed it.
Göreme at sunset - Image owned by author
Where Should You Go in Cappadocia?
Sitting in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a region with a host of well-visited towns, including the following.
- Göreme - The epicentre of Cappadocian action, Göreme is the small town most people use as a base. And it's within easy reach of the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the fairy chimneys and the incredible valleys. With cave hotels, restaurants, buses and taxis on tap, it's the go-to hub for exploring the region.
- Ürgüp - This modest settlement is less touristy than Göreme, but still packed with character and things to do. It's a great base for visiting nearby valleys, ancient rock-cut churches and wine tasting sessions in the region's vineyards.
- Avanos - Famous for pottery, many visitors take day trips to Avanos for a slower pace, scenic walks and a glimpse into local artisan culture. Here you can buy the wares, attend pottery workshops and wine tastings or walk along the Kızılırmak River.
Things to Do in Cappadocia
Intrigued? Then let's get to the good stuff.
Put the kettle on, sit back and let me take you through some of the best things to do in Cappadocia.
Wake Up at an Ungodly Hour for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Top of the list of things to do in Cappadocia is taking a hot air balloon flight to see the landscape at its finest.
Sure, it might be the most touristy way to experience Cappadocia. But it's also the most memorable.
Adobe Free Stock / Michelle Silke
Hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia are scheduled either before dawn or at dusk. Which may require you to lose a little sleep in the process.
But with Turkish coffee and dramatic sunrises to hand, early mornings are not so painful in this part of the world.
Soaring above the fairy chimneys, you'll get a 360-degree view of the landscape and rock formations in their full, colourful glory.
Fair warning though, flights are dependent on the weather.
So if you're dead set on floating up, up and away, be prepared to take things as they come and shuffle your plans accordingly.
Delve into Cappadocia's Underground Cities
After you've seen Cappadocia from above, it's time to go in the opposite direction.
The region is home to several incredible ancient underground cities carved into the tuff centuries ago.
Former living spaces for Christian communities, these cities were designed to conceal those at risk of persecution.
Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are two of the most visited and are reachable by public transport. They also boast impressively advanced features.
Derinkuyu, for example, once housed thousands of people and comes complete with ventilation shafts, wells and even wineries.
It seems Turks in ancient times understood the importance of a quality drink in the face of peril.
Adobe Free Stock / Parilov
The low ceilings and narrow passageways seem to have been designed for people of small proportions.
If you're claustrophobic or particularly tall, you might want to book a guided tour with experts who can navigate you safely to the most accessible areas.
Appreciate the Well-Preserved Art at Göreme Open-Air Museum
Göreme Open-Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage site that'll have your jaw firmly on the floor.
On the site are churches and chapels hewn into the rock. Many feature frescoes, primarily dating back to the 10th to 12th centuries, when Byzantine artists painted detailed religious scenes on their walls.
Adobe Free Stock / Özgür Güvenç
Protected by the dark of the caves, many of the frescoes are in outstanding condition for their age.
Their well-preserved scenes and bold colours make them a must-see for visitors interested in art, Cappadocia's religious history and cultural heritage.
Wander Among the Fairy Chimneys
The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia are perhaps the region's most iconic natural attractions.
Naturally sculpted over centuries by wind and erosion, these tall, cone-shaped rock formations look like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
The best way to see them? By hiking through areas like Pasabag Valley, also known as Monks Valley, where monks once lived in rock-hewn dwellings.
Here, many of the formations have multiple 'caps' on top. This makes them look like tall, stone mushrooms, ramping up the visual drama of your stroll.
Hike Through Cappadocia's Surreal Valleys
Cappadocia's incredible landscapes are best explored slowly and on foot.
Love Valley - Image owned by author
One of the most-visited is Love Valley, so-named because of a local legend about a tragic romance and its collection of heart-shaped fairy chimneys.
Rose Valley is particularly stunning in the late afternoon when the setting sun makes the rocks glow pink.
Rose Valley - Image owned by author
Red Valley offers similar views with fewer tourists. While Ihlara Valley provides a refreshingly green landscape with a river running through it.
Ihlara Valley - Adobe Free Stock / Steve Lovegrove
For those looking to avoid crowds, the less-visited Soganli Valley offers serene trails, ancient rock-cut churches and Roman-era tombs.
Just remember to bring water, sun block and a hat if you visit in the warmer seasons.
The Turkish sun doesn't mess about. Plus, you don't want to end up as bright red as the landscape.
Watch the Sunset from Uchisar Castle
They say the best things in life are free. And nothing is freer or better in Cappadocia than watching the sun go down.
Uchisar Castle offers one of the best lookouts in Cappadocia, especially at sunset.
Sitting at the highest point in the region, the views from this natural fortress are like gazing over a planet from Star Wars.
Adobe Free Stock / Leonid Andronov
For more adventurous sunset spots without the crowds, head to Sunset Point in Göreme or to Rose Valley.
A little further away, Red Valley has a ridiculously idyllic café perched on the edge of a cliff.
Here you can sip tea on a sofa while watching the sun sink below the horizon.
Watch your footing when taking the perfect sunset selfie. Cliffs and distractions don't mix well.
Get Your Hands Dirty in Avanos
Located along the Kizilirmak (Red) River, Avanos is famous for its pottery traditions, which have been passed down through generations.
Visit a local workshop and try your hand at creating a masterpiece on a pottery wheel.
Adobe Free Stock / Esin Deniz
It's harder than it looks and will probably result in something less like fine art and more like a toddler's finger painting.
Avanos is an interesting spot with pottery-dotted streets and cafes well worth exploring.
The river views are a real draw and there's even a hair museum here - yes, you read that right - featuring thousands of locks of women's hair collected over decades.
This Guinness World Record-breaking museum has a fascinating backstory and is certainly memorable, if nothing else.
Take a Crash Course in Turkish Wine
You may not find Turkish wines taking up shelf space at Tesco.
But Cappadocia has been producing wine since Hittite times, i.e., 3000 BC, making it one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.
The volcanic soil creates unique growing conditions, resulting in distinctive local varieties like Emir, Narince and Boğazkere.
Adobe Free Stock / David Fuentes
Kocabağ Winery in Uçhisar offers excellent tastings, as does Turasan in Urgup.
For a more atmospheric experience, try the cave wine shop at Mahzen in Ürgüp.
Here you can sample wines in a traditional setting. But take care - Turkish wine can be deceptively strong.
And attempting to pronounce "Cappadocia" after a few glasses may result in humiliation.
No time for a full tasting? Head to one of the bars in Göreme, such as the brilliant Red Red Wine House, and sample a glass in a Cappadocian cave.
Adobe Free Stock / DenisProduction.com
Dig Into Mouth-watering Turkish Food
Cappadocia's cuisine is a belly-pleasing mix of Central Anatolian flavours and traditional Turkish dishes.
The regional speciality is the ceremonious testi kebab.
iStock / evrim ertik
Meat, vegetables, herbs and spices are slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot that's dramatically cracked open at your table. It's part dinner, part performance art.
A firm Turkish favourite any visitor will love is manti. This moreish, comforting ravioli-like pasta dish is topped with chili oil, garlic-infused yoghurt and mint or sumac.
Adobe Free Stock / Esin Deniz
For something sweet, try the grape-based dessert köftür. If you're craving like a little pastry, go for katmer.
This flaky dessert filled with clotted cream and pistachios and makes croissants look positively restrained.
Your waistline might not thank you, but your taste buds certainly will.
Day Trip to Ürgüp
A hike through the valleys or a short bus ride from Göreme, Ürgüp is a bolthole away from the main tourist trails.
With its traditional Turkish architecture, local wineries and unique sites like Temenni Hill, Ürgüp may feel more authentic than the bustle of Göreme.
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If you visit, try to snag a seat on the terrace at Ziggy Café.
Named after a dog which was, in turn, named after a David Bowie album, this popular spot serves excellent Turkish dishes with views over the town.
Soak Your Troubles Away in Kozakli Hot Springs
If your legs are protesting after days of hiking through valleys, treat yourself to a soak in the therapeutic waters of Kozakli.
About an hour's drive from Cappadocia's main attractions, this town is famous for its natural hot springs.
They're supposedly so rich in minerals that the waters can cure everything from arthritis to existential dread - results may vary.
Several thermal spas and bathhouses offer traditional Turkish bath experiences.
Enjoy being scrubbed within an inch of your life by an attendant who shows no mercy. It's intense, but incredibly relaxing at the same time.
Stay Connected with the Best eSIMs for Turkey
While disconnecting in the land of fairytales has its appeal, keeping in touch and sharing your adventures is a must.
Visit our store to select and install the best eSIM for Turkey from Airalo before your trip for reliable, affordable data on your Cappadocian adventure.
Now you can book that balloon ride - enjoy!
