Cappadocia - Top 11 Things to do in Cappadocia
11 Really Mind-Blowing Things to Do in Cappadocia
I usually plan my travels. However, I had no list for things to do in Cappadocia on this visit. I had heard a lot about the Cappadocia from friends and seen numerous photos on the web.
Having Roma Sinha as a part of my travel was an added benefit since she had visited Cappadocia before. The entire region is captivating so I left the tour planning to Roma & my hosts at The Castle Inn.
Where is Cappadocia?
Things to Do in Cappadocia Beyond its Dreamy Landscape and Hot Air Balloons
Cappadocia lies in central Anatolia, in the heartland of what is now Turkey. It is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations in Monks Valley, Göreme & elsewhere.
It is also a home to sprawling underground cities, a plethora of viewpoints, open air museums and archaeological sites.
How do I Reach Cappadocia?
How to get to Cappadocia from istanbul?
Travelling by air is perhaps the most convenient way to reach Cappadocia.
Though, the Kayseri Erkilet Airport is an hour’s drive from Cappadocia, it is mainly served by the Turkish Airlines, which operates numerous flights from the Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
Daily flights from Izmir via Istanbul to Kayseri are also run by this airline. Some of the other airlines operating from this airport are AtlasGlobal, Borajet, Pegasus Airlines, Corendon Airlines & Onur Air.
Alternatively, you can avail the services of Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport which is nearest to the city.
It is well connected to other nearby cities such as Istanbul and Antalya via service providers such as Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
The Top 11 Things to do in Cappadocia
Here is a brief rundown on the top 11 things to do in Cappadocia when you are stretched for time.
1. Stay in a Cave Hotel like Castle Inn, Ortahisar
We stayed at the Castle Inn, Ortahisar. Castle inn is a newly restored & renovated 150-year-old Cappadocian house with just five rooms. The hosts at the castle inn are very hospitable and helpful.
Like many structures in the region, it was partially carved into the soft volcanic tufa rock (cave sections) and partially built with hand-cut masonry stone (arch sections).
Guests can still see the original stone arches and soot-stained cave ceilings in some rooms, markers of the families who lived and cooked there over a century ago.
Though the structure could have held 10 standard rooms, it was intentionally kept to 5 intimate rooms to preserve the original layout of the 150-year-old house.
2. Visit Ortahisar & the Ortahisar Castle
The Ortahisar Castle (Ortahisar Kalesi) is one of Cappadocia’s most striking historical landmarks. Known as the “world’s tallest fairy chimney,” this monolithic rock citadel served as the literal and metaphorical heart of the village of Ortahisar for over two millennia.
Unlike traditional castles built from transported stone, Ortahisar is a “rock-cut” fortress, carved directly into a natural volcanic tufa formation.
Its name, Ortahisar, literally translates to “Middle Castle.” Historically, it sat at the center of a triangular defense network between the better-known Uchisar Castle and the Ürgüp (Temenni Hill) fortifications.
For decades, the cool, naturally temperature-regulated caves at the base of the castle were used to store the region’s famous citrus fruits and potatoes.
Ortahisar is famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches.
3. Visit the Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle is the highest point in Cappadocia. Climb up to view the wonderful panoramas of the surrounding clusters of fairy chimneys, Ürgüp, and Avanos. The castle is accessible by a flight of stairs. Entrance fee is 5 TL. This is a must out of things to do in Cappadocia.
4. Visit the Pigeon Valley or Güvercinlik Vadisi
Located between the high-perched town of Uchisar and the tourist hub of Göreme, Pigeon Valley (known in Turkish as Güvercinlik Vadisi) is one of the most historically significant and visually stunning trails in Cappadocia.
Hang an evil eye on the tree as is the tradition & feed the pigeons. If you are lucky you will witness the flight of the pigeons. The views of Uchisar Castle and the surrounding valley from the Pigeon Valley are amazing.
5. Hike through the Love Valley
Located in the heart of Turkey’s Anatolia region, Love Valley (known locally as Bağlıdere) is arguably the most famous and photographed landscape in Cappadocia.
While the region is filled with unique geological formations, Love Valley is world-renowned for its colossal, freestanding “fairy chimneys” that reach heights of up to 40 meters.
Local folklore is a bit more poetic, suggesting that the valley was a place where ancient lovers would meet in secret, hidden by the giant stone pillars.
Regardless of the origin, it has become the premier destination for wedding photography and romantic proposals in Turkey.
We got caught in a hailstorm hence could not walk the valley. I did manage to click a bird’s eye view of the valley though.
The love valley, cappadocia
6. Walk through the Monks Valley or Pasabag
Monk’s Valley, known locally as Pasabag (The General’s Vineyard), is home to the most striking and iconic fairy chimneys in all of Cappadocia.
Located on the road between Avanos and Göreme, this valley is where nature’s geological oddities meet the profound history of early Christian hermitism.
Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia.
Pasabag or the monks valley
7. Go Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia
Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia completes the trip to Cappadocia. Its an exhilarating experience. You see rock formations and impressive valleys giving a breathtaking view of the region. This has to be a part of your things to do in Cappadocia.
Hot air ballooning in cappadocia
8. Eat an authentic Cappadocian Meal with Pottery Kebab
Definitely try their Pottery kebab in which meat, vegetables and spices are mixed together and baked till done. Another must try dish is their Turkish Ravioli.
Gonul Sofrasi is run by a Turkish couple in Avanos, and they do the best food out there so don’t miss it when you are in Avanos.
9. Walk through the town of Avanos
Avanos is located on the banks of Kizilirmak River, or “Red River”. It is a centuries old centre for ceramics and pottery. You can shop for stuff as well as participate in a pottery workshop.
Vases, jugs, ashtrays, figurines, and plates are just a few items available. Eat traditional homemade food at the Gonul Sofrasi (our meal for five was 127 Turkish Liras).
This should be a definite part of your things to do in Cappadocia.
Avanos, cappadocia
10. Drive through Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a very small area. It consists of several towns such as Ortahisar, Urgup, Goreme, Uchisar & Avanos. All of these towns are very close with distance ranging between 5 to 10 kms.
A drive through these towns makes you experience and appreciate the serenity of this region even more. A sedan will cost 70 Euros a day with insurance.
Drive through cappadocia
11. Visit the Underground City, Kaymakli
Located approximately 20 kilometers south of Nevşehir, Kaymaklı Underground City (Kaymaklı Yeraltı Şehri) is a breathtaking testament to human ingenuity and survival.
While Cappadocia is famous for its “fairy chimneys” above ground, Kaymaklı reveals a sprawling, multi-level metropolis carved deep into the volcanic tufa rock.
Kaymaklı is an architectural marvel. It is believed to have eight levels, though only four are currently open to the public. At its peak, it could house nearly 3,500 people simultaneously.
There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is Kaymakli underground city, while the deepest is the Derinkuyu Underground City.
There is an ancient 9km tunnel that physically connects Kaymaklı to Derinkuyu, though it is currently blocked and not traversable for tourists.
We visited Kaymakli underground city that has around 100 underground tunnels with low, narrow and sloping passages.
Kaymaklı is more than a tourist site; it is a monument to the human will to endure. Walking through these hand-carved halls, you don’t just see a city—you feel the echoes of the families who lived, prayed, and survived in total darkness to protect their way of life.
Underground city of kaymakli, cappadocia
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