Cappadocia is a region of volcanic landscapes in central Turkey, with fairy chimneys, colorful valleys and villages carved into the rock. You explore it from Göreme, its best-known village.
What to see in Cappadocia
The main sights are less than half an hour by car from Göreme.
Balloons at sunrise
Every morning with good weather, hundreds of balloons lift off at sunrise over the valleys. The flight lasts about an hour and usually ends with a toast. From the ground, the Göreme lookouts offer the same view.
Book the balloon for your first morning: if wind cancels it, you get a second chance.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
A cluster of rock-cut churches and monasteries with Byzantine frescoes from the 10th to 12th centuries. It is a World Heritage Site.
The underground cities
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı descend several levels underground, with stables, chapels and ventilation shafts, where thousands of people took refuge.
The valleys and fairy chimneys
Paşabağ, the Monks Valley; Devrent, the Imagination Valley; and the Rose and Red valleys, perfect for a sunset walk.
Uçhisar and Avanos
Uçhisar Castle, a honeycombed rock with the best views in the region, and Avanos, on the Kızılırmak River, famous for its pottery.
Cappadocia in 2 days
A third day lets you add valley hikes or a pottery workshop in Avanos.
-
Day 1
Göreme and the valleys
A sunrise balloon (optional), the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Paşabağ and Devrent; sunset in the Rose Valley.
-
Day 2
Underground and castles
The Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city, Uçhisar Castle and Avanos.
Best time to visit Cappadocia
Spring and fall bring mild days and clear skies for the balloons.
- Jan Cold
- Feb Cold
- Mar Good
- Apr Ideal
- May Ideal
- Jun Good
- Jul Peak
- Aug Peak
- Sep Ideal
- Oct Ideal
- Nov Good
- Dec Cold
Summer days are hot but nights are cool, and balloon demand is higher. In winter the valleys are often snowy: beautiful, but cold, with more flights canceled by wind.
Where to stay in Cappadocia
Sleeping in a cave hotel, carved into the rock, is part of the experience.
- Göreme
- The center of everything: cave hotels with terraces for watching the balloons and restaurants on foot.
- Uçhisar
- Quieter and higher, with the best views in the region and luxury hotels.
- Ürgüp
- The largest town, with good restaurants and wineries, 15 minutes from Göreme.
Tips for visiting Cappadocia
Cappadocia is calm and safe. The only thing nobody controls is the weather for the balloons.
- Balloon flights depend on the wind: the authorities cancel flights when conditions are not right; book for your first morning.
- Bring a jacket for sunrise, even in summer: it is cold at that hour.
- In the underground cities passages are low and narrow; not recommended for anyone claustrophobic.
- Walking shoes: the best landscapes are seen on foot, along dirt trails.
Entry requirements for Cappadocia
Turkey’s entry requirements apply to Cappadocia.
US citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Mexican citizens apply for an e-Visa on the official portal.
See the full entry requirements in the Turkey guide
Official sources: Turkey e-Visa (official portal) · U.S. State Department travel advisories
Our tours with Cappadocia
Cappadocia is on almost every one of our Turkey tours, by coach or with a flight from Istanbul. Prices per person in a double room, without international flights.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Cappadocia?
Two full days cover the highlights; three if you want to hike the valleys or keep a spare morning for the balloon.
How much does a Cappadocia balloon ride cost?
The price varies by season, company and basket size. On our tours it is booked as an optional excursion and we give you the current price when you book.
When is the best time for the balloons?
Spring and fall, with more calm-wind days. Balloons fly year-round, but winter cancellations are more frequent.
How do you get to Cappadocia from Istanbul?
By plane to Kayseri or Nevşehir (about an hour and twenty minutes), or by road on a tour, via Ankara and the Salt Lake.
