Cappadocia

Last update September 29, 2026

Cappadocia is in central Türkiye and the majority of tourists stay in Göreme, Uçhisar or Ürgüp. You should fly into either Kayseri or Nevşehir airport and then take a shuttle or taxi, which takes about 75 to 90 minutes, to reach your village. The best weather, with mild days, occurs in spring (from April to June) and in autumn (from September to October). In summer the weather is hot and in winter there is snow, cold nights and some tours are cancelled. If you would like to book a stay in a cave hotel you should do so early since the better ones become full many months in advance.

The hot air balloon flights are one of the main reasons people visit. They depart at sunrise, last for about an hour, and range in price from 150 to 300 euros depending on the season and the company providing the service. Flight schedules are sometimes cancelled due to wind, so it’s advisable to book at least three nights in advance in order to be able to reschedule if necessary. If the cost is too high, then you can see the balloons take off for free from a rooftop terrace or a viewpoint such as Sunset Hill in Göreme.

Spend your days walking. The trails in Rose Valley, Love Valley and Red Valley each take between two and four hours to complete and go through rock formations, former cave churches and small orchards. The Göreme Open-Air Museum features rock-cut chapels with Byzantine frescoes and it’s a good idea to go there early in order to avoid the tour groups. Derinkuyu Underground City extends down by about 60 metres and has narrow tunnels, so it should be omitted if you don’t like confined spaces. If you would like to cover more ground during the afternoon then rent an ATV or a scooter, but remember to wear a scarf or a mask since there is dust.

Have the local specialty, testi kebab, which is a stew made from meat and vegetables and is cooked in a sealed clay pot that the waiter opens at your table. Accompany it with wine from the area, since the region has been growing grapes for thousands of years. In most of the restaurants in Göreme a good meal can be obtained for 10 to 20 euros per person. It is advisable to bring shoes that are comfortable and have good grip because the paths are uneven, and take cash with you for the small shops and the taxis in the villages.