Cappadocia

From hot air balloon adventures over fairy chimneys to exploring ancient underground cities, from pottery workshops in Avanos to mystical whirling dervish ceremonies, Cappadocia offers experiences tha

Cappadocia is a volcanic region of central Turkey where erosion cut the soft rock into valleys, cones, and cliffs. People carved homes, churches, and whole underground cities into it over two thousand years. Sunrise hot air balloon flights are the region's best-known draw.

Things to do in Cappadocia

Hot Air Balloon Adventure

Float above Cappadocia's fairy chimneys at sunrise. Balloons climb to between 500 and 1,000 meters, high enough to take in the whole rock landscape below, and flights last 60 to 90 minutes with a champagne toast after landing.

⏱ 60-90 minutes

Fairy Chimneys Exploration

Tall, cone-shaped rock towers formed by volcanic activity and millions of years of erosion stand in clusters across Göreme, Pasabag, and Devrent valleys. People later carved churches and homes into many of them, and several sites are open to walk through.

⏱ Half day

Underground City Adventure

Beneath Cappadocia lie underground cities carved into volcanic rock, where thousands of people once lived. Derinkuyu reaches eight levels deep, and the complexes include homes, churches, wine cellars, ventilation shafts, and defense systems that sealed the passages.

⏱ 2-3 hours per city

Valley Hiking Trails

Trails through Rose, Red, Love, and Pigeon valleys follow paths people have walked for thousands of years. Each valley has its own rock formations and cave churches with frescoes, and most routes take two to six hours.

⏱ 2-6 hours depending on route

Uçhisar Castle Climbing

Uçhisar Castle is a massive natural rock tower carved into a fortress, the highest point in Cappadocia. From the summit you get 360-degree views over the whole region, taking in the fairy chimneys and the mountains on the horizon.

⏱ 1-2 hours including summit time

Pottery Workshop Experience

Avanos has produced pottery from Red River clay for over 4,000 years. In a workshop you sit at the wheel yourself, learn the traditional techniques from working craftsmen, and make a piece of your own to keep.

⏱ 1-4 hours depending on workshop

Cave Hotel Stay

Cappadocia's cave hotels put guests in rooms carved from volcanic rock. The stone keeps rooms naturally cool and quiet, every room has a different shape, and many terraces look out on the fairy chimneys and the morning balloon flights.

⏱ Overnight accommodation

Camel and Horse Safari

Ride a camel or horse through the fairy chimneys and valleys around Göreme, the way travelers crossed this region for centuries. Tours run one to two hours with professional guides, and sunrise or sunset departures give the best light for photos.

⏱ 1-2 hours

Wine Tasting in Ancient Caves

Cappadocia has made wine for 4,000 years, and local wineries still age it in underground cave cellars where the temperature stays constant. Tastings feature wines from grapes grown in volcanic soil, including the native Emir and Narince varieties.