Cappadocia in Turkey - sights and experiences

Want to experience Cappadocia in Turkey? This area is a magical place on earth, with amazing rock formations and hot air balloons rising into the sky every morning.

Cappadocia in Turkey

Cappadocia is an amazing place to experience. The environment is almost unreal, and moving around the area sometimes feels like being in a fairy tale.

Tuff rock is easy to work, which has been utilised over the years to carve out homes, caves, churches and monasteries in the mountains. Whole cities have even been built underground, which were used by Christians during long periods of persecution.

Today, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination, attracting tourists from all over the world. Many want to see the landscape and ancient settlements. In addition, many dream of soaring above the mountains in a hot air balloon.

Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, about 35 miles southeast of Ankara.

Experiences in Cappadocia in Turkey

So what can you see and do in Cappadocia, Turkey? We were here last autumn, but we haven't had time to tell you all about it or collect our experiences. We now list ten exciting experiences. We also provide tips on restaurants and hotels.

1. the Unesco World Heritage Site "Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia"

Göreme National Park was inscribed on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List in 1985 under the name "Göreme National Park".Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia." The area presents an extremely special landscape with volcanically created ridges, valleys and peaks, which almost look like chimneys.

However, it is not only nature that is fascinating here, but also human history. There are remains of villages, caves, churches, monasteries and entire underground cities.

2. hot air ballooning in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is perhaps best known for the hot air balloons that rise over the dreamy landscape every morning. It looks like a fairy tale indeed, and when you're there, it also feels a bit like being in a fairy tale world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

3rd Göreme

Göreme is a town in Cappadocia in the province of Nevsehir. It is the centre of the Göreme National Park, which, together with its remarkable rock formations, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walking around here is really fascinating and it's easy to think you're in a fantasy film, rather than a real town. Several excursions in the area start from here and you can also choose to stay here in a hotel. Perhaps you'll choose to move into a cave hotel that takes you to the world of fairy tales?

4th Göreme Open Air Museum

The Göreme Open Air Museum showcases a settlement area in the mountains, where monastic life once took place. This is one of the most visited sites in Cappadocia.

5. The underground city of Derinkuyu

The subterranean city of Derinkuyu is one of several underground cities in Cappadocia, and is the largest in all of Turkey. For a long time, the city was completely forgotten, but it was rediscovered in 1963, when a local resident discovered a mysterious room behind a wall in his home... Now it's possible to step down and discover a whole world underground!

6. Horse riding in Cappadocia

A great way to experience Cappadocia is from horseback. You can start your tour at Cemal Ranch, located in the heart of Cappadocia, just minutes from the village of Ortahisar. Tours can vary in length depending on your preferences, but why not experience the magical sunset?

7. monastery of Selime

Selime Monastery is the largest religious structure in Cappadocia, with a large cathedral carved directly into the rock. The site has also served as a stop for caravans along the Silk Road, and today it is an exciting destination for tourists.

8. Ihlara Valley

The Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia is a stunningly beautiful valley with dramatic rock formations, intense greenery, a long line of historic mountain churches and cosy restaurants where you sit and rock on the water. Simply a wonderful place!

9. Wine tasting in Cappadocia

Turkey is a place where you can enjoy good wines. In Cappadocia, for example, you can visit Turasan, in Ürgüp/Nevsehir, where you can find really good wine.

10. Gondola in Cappadocia

What, a gondola ride in Turkey? We had not expected this, but outside the restaurant Sur Balik Avanos there were a number of gondolas waiting for travellers. We and our travelling companion, Charlotte from Go Traveling, we immediately decided to go for a ride, and now we know that this can be recommended!

Restaurants in Cappadocia

During our stay in Cappadocia we managed to eat in a bunch of restaurants. Everywhere we got really good food. The meal often starts with snacks and small dishes, and people like to sit at the table for a long time.

Millocal Restaurant

At the Millical Restaurant in the village of Uchisar we had a fantastic meal, with lots of dishes. In fact all was super tasty!

Address: Tekelli Mah. Karlik Sokak No:30 Uchisar / Nevsehir

Cappadocia Steak House

At Cappadocia Steak House in the village of Uchisar we had a great meat meal. As usual in Turkey, the meal started with picks and starters. So good!

Address: Yukarı mevkii Tekelli mahallesi Göreme caddesi no :1, 50240 Nevsehir

On Balik Avanos

One evening we ate at Sur Balik Avanos, which is nicely located by a river in the town of Avanos. Very good and nice! It was also here that we, just before dinner, went on a nice gondola ride.

Address: Bahçelievler Yukarı, İnönü Cd., 50860 Avanos/Nevsehir, Turkey

Seyyah Han

Seyyah Han in Cavusin is a nice restaurant, beautifully located in a village surrounded by dramatic rock formations. Here you can try, for example, meat cooked inside a clay pot, which you take the lid off just before eating. Very tender and delicious!

Address: 2.küme mahallesi Maltepe Sokağı, no 144, Avanos/Nevşehir

Restaurant Aslan

In the Ihlara Valley there are several cosy floating restaurants, such as the Aslan restaurant. Here, it's not so much the food that stands out (although it's good) but the fantastic environment. Please note that alcohol is not sold in the Ihlara Valley.

Address: Belisırma Köyü Yolu, 68500 Belisırma/Güzelyurt/Aksaray

Hotels in Cappadocia

There are many different hotels in Cappadocia. For example, you can choose to stay in a cosy place in Göreme. There are many lovely hotels here, such as the Cappadocia Cave Suites and the Anatolian Houses. Göreme also has many tour operators, and the town serves as a good starting point for excursions in the area.

Another option is, like us, to stay at Kayakapi Premium Caves in Ürgüp. This is a both luxurious and cosy hotel where you get to stay in beautifully decorated rooms, carved out of the rock. Staying here is an experience out of the ordinary!

Travelling to Cappadocia in Turkey

So, how do you travel to Cappadocia in Turkey? If you are travelling on your own, you can fly to Istanbul, from where you can then fly on to Nevsehir, or possibly Kayseri. It is also possible to make trips from tourist resorts such as Antalya or Alanya, by plane, bus or car. For a bus trip, you can expect a journey time of more than 8 hours.

Film from Cappadocia

Here you can also watch a short film from the balloon flight in Cappadocia.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

There are many amazing places to see and experience in Turkey. We still have a lot to do, but for now we can recommend the lovely big city. Istanbul, with Grand Bazaar and the sanctuary Hagia Sofia.

Have you been to Cappadocia in Turkey?

Have you been to Cappadocia in Turkey? If so, how was your experience? What experiences can you tell us about? Or maybe you are curious to go?

Facts about Cappadocia in Turkey

• Country: Turkey
• Region: Anatolia
• Location: In central Turkey, about 35 miles south-east of Ankara.
• Name: In Turkish Kapadokya and in Latin Cappadocia.
• Unesco: Cappadocia has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
• Mountain: The largest mountains are Erciyes (formerly Argaios) and Antitaurus.
• National Park: Göreme National Park

History of Cappadocia

• 1900 BC: The Assyrians had a trading presence in the area.
• 1600 BC: The area belonged to the Hittites, with the capital Hattusa and a strategic location on the Silk Road.
• 500 BC: The area became a Persian province and the first known satrap (provincial governor) was Ariarathes 1.
• 322 BC: Alexander the Great conquered Cappadocia.
• 260 BC: Cappadocia became an independent kingdom ruled by the descendants of Ariarathes I.
• 36 BC: The Roman commander Mark Antony conquered the area, which was made a Roman province under Emperor Tiberius, and an important part of the Eastern Roman Empire.
• 1071: At the Battle of Manzikert, Cappadocia was conquered by the Seljuks and became part of the Ottoman Empire.