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30+ Best Things To Do In Cappadocia: The Comprehensive Travel Guide

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If you’re not sure what to do in Cappadocia, then you’ve come to the right place.

Cappadocia is one of our favorite destinations in Turkey because of how much there is to see and explore. From the iconic fairy chimneys to the surreal hot air balloon rides and epic rock-cut churches, there are plenty of things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey.

As the home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park , this region of Central Anatolia is filled with stunning historical and natural wonders, and if you haven’t been to Cappadocia before, it can be a hard task narrowing down what attractions to add to your to-do list.

That is why we have written this comprehensive guide to the best tourist attractions in Cappadocia, so you can see the best of this region.

We’ve included some of the best attractions, as well as some hidden gems, so you can explore beyond the typical tourist.

We have also included essential information such as where to stay, where to eat, and more so you can have everything you need for your visit!

Planning a trip to Cappadocia last-minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Cappadocia:

• Airport Shuttle From Nevsehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Airport (ASR) (Super affordable!)

Here are our recommended tours in Cappadocia:

• Hot Air Balloon Flight In Cappadocia At Sunrise (A must-do In Cappadocia)
• ATV Tours At Sunset
• Green Tour In Cappadocia (Perfect for those not renting a car!)

Here are our recommended places to stay in Cappadocia:

• Koza Cave Hotel (Amazing views and great photo opportunities)
• Museum Hotel (Most luxurious hotel in Cappadocia)
• Kamelya Cave Hostel (Budget hostel with cave rooms!)

Best Things To Do In Cappadocia Turkey

1. explore cappadocia from above on a hot air balloon ride.

Perhaps the biggest attraction in Cappadocia is the opportunity to go on one of the hot air balloons and float through the sky during sunrise. There is no better way to appreciate the unique landscape of Cappadocia than to see it from above.

Visitors can see the unique rock formations that Cappadocia is known for. From the phallic fairy chimneys of Love Valley to the ancient rock-cut churches that dot the valley, everything is within your eye’s reach.

Riding one of the hot air balloons is the best way to appreciate the scale of this region. When you see the rock formations all over the valley, you’ll realize how special this place is.

The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a bucket list item that should not be missed.

📚 Read More: The Complete Guide To Hot Air Balloons In Cappadocia

2. Watch The Hot Air Balloons At Sunrise

If you have several days in Cappadocia , consider waking up early one morning to see the hot air balloons at sunrise. Riding on one of them is an amazing experience, but seeing them at sunrise from one of the viewpoints in Cappadocia is equally breathtaking.

There are many places to see the sunrise in Cappadocia . The best views are a little bit further from town, but you can also just go to the terrace of your Cappadocia hotel to see the hot air balloons glide above you.

We recommend finding a viewpoint that faces east because that’s the direction the sun rises. The sun slowly rising and illuminating all the features of the valley is an incredible sight. If you are a photographer, don’t miss out on this opportunity.

3. Explore The Goreme Open-Air Museum and Its Rock Churches

Without a doubt, the best museum in Cappadocia is the Goreme Open-Air Museum. It was one of the first three sites in Cappadocia that was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park.

The most iconic feature of the Goreme Open-Air Museum is the numerous rock-cut churches, many of which contain original frescoes from the 10th to 12th centuries during the Byzantine and Roman era.

Though the Goreme Open-Air Museum dates back much older than that, it is the monastic settlement during this period that has made it one of the most popular sights in Cappadocia today.

One of the most well-preserved churches in the Goreme Open-Air Museum is the Dark Church. Because little light enters this dark cave, the frescoes are still vibrant and detailed. Visitors can admire frescoes depicting biblical scenes as well as the vaulted ceilings carved into the cave.

The best part about visiting Goreme Open-Air Museum is that it is within walking distance from the town center of Goreme!

4. Explore The Zelve Open-Air Museum

There are debates as to which open-air museum in Cappadocia is better – Goreme Open-Air Museum or Zelve Open-Air Museum . Our word of advice is to visit both as they are drastically different.

Unlike the Goreme Open-Air Museum, the one in Zelve is spread out into 3 valleys. Altogether, the three valleys used to make up the settlement that was called Zelve. Matter of fact, these valleys were inhabited until 1952, when the Turkish government relocated the residents due to the unsafe structural stabilities of the cave houses.

Historically, the Zelve Monastery was home to both Christians and Muslims. It was a place where they lived harmoniously. As you explore the valleys, you’ll find both mosques and churches that were once used.

You won’t find any religious frescoes here as you would at Goreme Open-Air Museum, but you’ll find tons of cave dwellings, cool fairy chimneys, and several churches that were dedicated to different parts of daily life.

5. Stay In A Cave Hotel

Thanks to the unique geological properties of the soft volcanic rock formations in Cappadocia, troglodytes carved cave dwellings out of them. While the majority of them are no longer inhabited, the tradition of living in caves has not died out.

Nowadays, travelers can experience a part of that history by staying in one of the many cave hotels in Cappadocia . These cave hotels are an upgrade from the more primitive kind, and feature modern luxuries such as free WiFi, private bathrooms, cozy decor, and comfortable amenities.

Cave hotels have natural insulation, which means they provide warmth in the cold winter of Cappadocia and coolness in hot summers.

We recommend Goreme Cave Lodge , which not only has authentic cave rooms, but a gorgeous outdoor area with a pool. It also has a terrace for relaxing and just admiring the views of Goreme after a long day.

6. Go Below The Surface at Derinkuyu Underground City

One of the most interesting places to visit in Cappadocia is the underground cities. They are truly a primitive engineering achievement as many of these underground cities are over several levels deep.

Thanks to the soft volcanic tuff of the region, early settlers (the Phrygians) in the 8th to 7th BCE were able to dig into them to create entire underground cities.

The biggest of which is the Derinkuyu Underground City . Derinkuyu Underground City didn’t really take its current form until the Pyygrians died out and Romans and Byzantines inhabited them.

In the underground city, you can find stables, cellars, storage rooms, chapels and more. However, its most iconic feature is the barrel-vaulted ceiling which indicates that the room was most likely used as a religious school.

There are a total of 8 excavated floors in Derinkuyu, extending a total of 85 meters deep. Experts estimate that there might be a total of 18 floors in total, but more work needs to be done. The underground city was capable of housing 20,000 people inside!

7. Explore Kaymakli Underground City

Though Derinkuyu is the largest underground city, it certainly isn’t the oldest. The oldest one is believed to be Kaymakli Underground City , just a little over 9 km north of Derinkuyu.

Though situated 9 kilometers away from each other, archaeologists have discovered underground tunnels that connect one city to another. In fact, there are over 200 underground cities in Cappadocia, and most of them are connected through underground pathways.

Kaymakli is a little smaller in size compared to Derinkyuyu, Only 4 of the floors are available for tourists to visit, but the complex is much deeper than that.

Its most iconic feature is the clever use of a deep ventilation shaft that keeps the underground city with good air circulation. Some believed that the ventilation shaft could be a well in the past.

At Kaymakli Underground City, visitors can find a massive millstone door that acted as a defense for the inhabitants. The caves were used as a hiding place for many of its residents in the past, and their design could sustain life for many months.

Here you’ll find places such as a stable, bathrooms, kitchen, storage spaces, and more! The underground cities in Cappadocia are proper cities!

📚Read More: Which Is Better? Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City?

8. See Panoramic Views from Uchisar Castle

If you’re not sure what to see in Cappadocia, then Uchisar Castle is a great all-round attraction; it offers history, panoramic views, and is just a stone’s throw from the main town of Goreme.

Rising 60 meters above the ground, Uchisar Castle is the highest point in Cappadocia.

Historically, due to its stature, Uchisar Castle was used as a lookout spot and fortification. When the people saw that invaders were approaching, they would simply go inside the castle, close the doors, and be safe.

Consequently, this Turkish landmark attracted more people coming to seek refuge. The new settlers started carving out more of the volcanic tuff to create living spaces inside.

However, the castle could only hold so many people at once, so many had to settle outside the castle. This eventually formed the small town of Uchisar that you see today.

Though no longer a landmark for fortification purposes, Uchisar Castle still attracts plenty of travelers. Because of its height, visitors can get an epic panoramic view of Cappadocia and the Goreme National Park. It is one of the must-see places in Cappadocia, especially during sunset!

📚 Read More: Best Sunrise Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours You Can’t Miss!

9. Watch Whirling Dervishes

If you’re looking for a more spiritual experience, then watching the Whirling Dervishes is a must. The Whirling Dervishes are part of the Sufi tradition and they are known to induce a trance-like state that leads to divine inspiration, or “ecstatic trances” for the performers.

The ceremony starts with the recitation of devotional Islamic prayer and then the dervishes start to spin. There are three sections to the dance, so they whirl around for about 10 to 15 minutes each time.

For many of them, this is a way to connect with God and achieve a state of inner peace. The experience can be quite powerful, even if you’re not religious.

There are plenty of places where you can watch the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia. However, if you want to see it in an atmospheric setting, then I suggest watching it at the 13th-century Saruhan Caravanserai near Avanos. It is one of the best things to do in Cappadocia at night.

10. Catch The Sunset At Goreme Sunset Point (Lover’s Hill)

Perhaps one of the best things to do in Cappadocia is watching the sun set over the lunar-like landscape. There are many places to do so, but none is as easy to get to as Goreme Sunset Point, also known as Lover’s Hill.

This sunset location is situated right about the town of Goreme, and it takes visitors no more than 15 minutes to arrive on foot from anywhere in town.

From Lover’s Hill, visitors can see as far as Uchisar Castle, which looks so beautiful with the sun setting next to it. There is also a platform for visitors to take an iconic photo with Goreme town as the background.

Goreme Sunset Point has a few restaurants and tea shops where you can sit and enjoy the view with Turkish Tea in hand. However, it is one of the windiest places we’ve been to in Cappaodic and the sand can get overbearing.

11. Check Out The Pottery In Avanos

One of the most hidden attractions in Cappadocia is the pottery scene in Avanos.

The pottery here has a long history, dating all the way back to the Hittite period, around 2,000 BCE. The clay used to make the pottery comes from the Red River (Kızılırmak), which runs through Avanos.

The pottery-making tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and today, there are many pottery shops in Avanos where you can watch the potters at work. When you walk down the street of Avanos, you might see some of the master craftsmen still practicing their pottery skills in their family-owned business.

Some of the pottery shops also offer free pottery-making sessions, perfect for travelers that like an interactive experience when traveling in Cappadocia. Without a doubt, pottery from Avanos is the perfect souvenir to remember your Cappadocia trip.

But beware of the tourist traps in Avanos. Many of the pottery is now mass-produced in factoriesto mimic the work of the skilled potters. If you are not sure how to look for a good properly handcrafted piece of work, then make sure you find someone that can help you with it!

12. Explore Salt Lake Tuz

Situated over 160 km (99 mi) from Goreme is one of the best hidden gems in Cappadocia – Salt Lake Tuz (or Tuz Golu in Turkish).

This lake is actually the second-largest salt lake in Turkey and it’s one of the few hypersaline lakes in the world. Because of the high salt concentration of the water, it is home to hardly any living organism.

One of the things that survive in the salt lake is algae. These algae are responsible for turning the salt lake pink, which creates a beautiful scenery.

However, in the summer months when Cappadocia is dry, most of the water evaporates and leaves nothing but a bed of salt, so if you are visiting during the dry months (June and July) then you might want to skip this one as you won’t see a beautiful pink lake as you hoped.

If you’re visiting during Spring, Autumn or Winter, there are a few places where you’ll still find water, but you should know that it’s not guaranteed and you might not have the best pink lake experience you were hoping for.

The truth is, due to global warming, this lake is pretty much dried up now. Even when there is water, the lake only turns pink during the presence of algae, which is not all the time.

Because there are no tours that go to the Salt Lake in Cappadocia, it is difficult to get there. Your best bet is renting a car in Cappadocia or hiring a taxi driver for a day to take a day trip.

We’d personally only add this to your itinerary if you’re a photographer, or if you want to see the damning effects of climate change!

13. Visit Monks Valley

There are many cool valleys in Cappadocia , and one of the most unique ones is the Pasabag Valley , or Monks Valley in English. This valley is known for its unique fairy chimneys with double to triple mushroom heads.

The most interesting part of the valley is that some of the fairy chimneys have been turned into dwellings by monks and hermits, which is how the valley has gotten its name.

The caves were first inhabited by St. Simeon from Aleppo in the 5th century. Eventually, more and more monks followed in this footsteps and came to Monks Valley to escape from the world and live a simple life in nature.

Nowadays, the caves are no longer inhabited but you can still explore them! Just be careful with going in and out as some of the rooms are very high and might require a bit of climbing!

14. Try Pottery Kebab

One of the most iconic Turkish dishes you can try in Cappadocia is Pottery Kebab, or Testi Kebab in Turkish.

This Anatolian delicacy is usually made with lamb, beef or chicken with vegetables such as onions garlic, and potatoes. The ingredients are put inside a clay pot, which is then sealed with bread dough.

The whole pot is then cooked over a tandoor for hours so the flavor of the ingredients comes out. But pottery kebab isn’t just an experience for your taste buds. When served, the server must crack open the pottery kebab with a hammer to unleash the deliciousness within. Some of the restaurants in Cappadocia don’t serve them this way, and that is how you know it is not traditional.

It takes several hours to prepare this traditional Cappadocia dish, so you can’t just show up at a restaurant demanding one. You must make a reservation beforehand.

Two of the best places to try Testi Kebab in Cappadocia are Kapadokya Kebapzade and Dibek . They are both situated in the city center of Goreme so they’re most likely going to be within walking distance from your accommodation!

15. Explore St. John the Baptist Chapel at Cavusin Castle

One of the best free things to do in Cappadocia is to explore Cavusin Castle, an epic rock formation that rises above the village of Cavusin.

The Cavusin Castle is home to St. John the Baptist Chapel, which is one of the largest cave churches in Cappadocia. Unfortunately, most of the Cavusin Castle has been heavily eroded, which means that it might not be the safest place to visit. There is a bridge that allows visitors to get to the chapel, but it is quite damaged.

If you are looking for something adventurous and off-the-beaten path, Cavusin Castle is the perfect place. Here you’ll find what an old monastic settlement would look like if it wasn’t well-preserved – faded frescoes, litter, graffiti, and more.

16. Be Amazed By Chez Galip Hair Museum

Perhaps there is no attraction in Cappadocia more unusual than the Chez Galip Hair Museum in Avanos. This museum is exactly what it sounds like, a museum dedicated to hair, women’s hair. It is estimated that there are over 16,000 locks of hair in the museum.

The museum all started when the owner of a pottery shop, Galip Körükçü, was given a lock of her friend’s hair as a memento when she moved out. This story moved a lot of over women that stopped in the area, and many of them started to give some of their hair to Galip Körükçü.

Eventually, he opened up a museum dedicating the hair of women. Nowadays, women still come to donate their hair, but that is because they have a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Cappadocia.

When visiting the Chez Galip Hair Museum, make sure you check out the pottery shop that accompanies it.

17. Take Selfies at Devrent Valley

Devrent Valley , also known as Imagination Valley, is a place in Cappadocia filled with unique fairy chimneys. These rock formations have been carved out over time by erosion, and they look like different animals or objects.

The most notable one is the camel-shaped rock at the entrance of the valley. But as you walk around, you might find a dolphin-shaped rock, snail-shaped rock, and more! It is one of the best places to get a photo to remember your visit to Cappadocia!

Getting to Devrent Valley can be quite challenging since it is hard to get there via public transport. The best offer is to either get a taxi or take the red tour, which has Devrent Valley as one of the stops.

18. Go Carpet Shopping at Galerie Ikman

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SALIM BUFTHEIM | INDONESIAN (@theexoticman)

If you’re scrolling on social media to find inspiration for the best places to visit in Cappadocia, then you’ll likely find some beautiful shots of travel influencers in a carpet shop, with Turkish rugs hanging from the walls, stacked in piles, and covering the floors.

This is Galerie Ikman, the most photographed shop in Cappadocia (if not all of Turkey). It was once a hidden gem, but word got out!

In fact, it’s so famous for Instagram photos, that you have to pay a small entrance fee to visit the shop just to take photos.

If you buy a carpet, then you don’t have to pay an entrance fee.

Although touristy, it’s one of the highlights of any visit to Cappadocia since you can come away with unique photographs and a possible souvenir.

The staff here are very knowledgeable and can tell you the symbolism and meaning behind the patterns on the carpets, as well as how they are made.

Best Hikes In Cappadocia

Because of Cappadocia’s beautiful landscape, one of the best activities is to go hiking. There are many amazing hiking trails in the area that takes you up close to some rock-cut churches, pigeon homes, cave dwellings, epic fairy chimneys, and more. We have created a complete list of the best hikes in Cappadocia here .

Here are some of our favorite ones:

1. Rose Valley

• Distance:  ~4.3 kilometers (2.67 mi)
• Duration:  1.5 hours of hiking
• Difficulty:  Medium

If there is one hike to do in Cappadocia, it is Rose Valley . On the hiking trail, visitors will come across some of the most stunning characteristics of the Goreme National Park. Hikers will see a total of three rock-cut churches, including the Crusader Church with its beautiful frescoes and the Column Church with its beautiful architecture.

Besides the historical values of the sites on this trail, Rose Valley hike offers stunning vistas with amazing views. The most popular one is at the end of the trail, which is the Red Valley Sunset Viewpoint. It is one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset in Cappadocia .

However, this trail can be a little bit difficult because there is a section that is very steep. You might want to reconsider this trail if you have mobility issues.

2. Red Valley

• Distance:  ~3.3 kilometers (2.05 mi) one-way
• Duration:  1 to 1.5 hours of hiking, but allot extra time for photos
• Difficulty: Medium

Red Valley is one of the most iconic hikes in Cappadocia. It earned its name from the rock formations that would have a red glow at sunset. The Red valley runs adjacent to the Rose Valley until they connect at the Red Valley Sunset Viewpoint.

As a result, we recommend you combine Rose Valley and Red valley to create a hiking loop. This way you don’t have to return the same way you came and can explore more along the trail.

The Red Valley doesn’t have as many cave churches as Rose Valley, but there are plenty of cool-looking fairy chimneys along the way. There is also a tea garden also the way where visitors can rest and have a refreshing drink before they continue hiking!

3. Pigeon Valley

• Distance:  ~3 kilometers (1.86 mi)
• Duration:  1 hour
• Difficulty:  Easy to Medium

If you are looking for an easy hike in Cappadocia, then check out Pigeon Valley . This valley connects Uchisar with Goreme, meaning that visitors don’t need to drive to the trailhead if they are staying in either of those towns.

As the name suggests, Pigeon Valley is known for its Pigeon houses (dovecotes). Historically, pigeons were treasured in this region of Cappadocia because their droppings were used as fertilizer. That is why you will see many pigeon houses carved into the cliffs along this valley.

Pigeon Valley is a great option for those who are short on time or are not looking for a strenuous hike. It has beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and is relatively flat compared to some of the other hikes in Cappadocia!

4. Ihlara Valley

• Distance:  ~10.5 kilometers (6.52 mi), but can shorten or lengthen depending on your preference.
• Duration:  3 to 4 hours of hiking
• Difficulty:  Medium to Difficult

If you want to do some proper hiking in Cappadocia, then Ihlara Valley might be the perfect place for you.

The Ihlara Valley hike takes you through a canyon with towering walls on either side. The trail follows along Melendiz River which flows through the valley. You will come across many Byzantine cave churches and dwellings along the way that was carved into the canyon walls.

This hike can be as long or short as you want it to be since many different trails branch off the main path. However, we recommend starting at Ihlara Village and finishing at Selime so you can see the Selime Monastery.

But if you don’t want to hike for that long, you can start at Ihlara Village and finish at Belisirma Village, where you can have a meal at one of its iconic floating restaurants.

5. Love Valley And White Valley

• Distance:  ~ 7.5 kilometers (4.66 mi)
• Duration:  2 to 2.5 hours

Perhaps one of the most famous hiking trails in Cappadocia is the Love Valley and White Valley. Love Valley earned its name from the numerous phallic fairy chimneys that inhabit the valley. Though they might sound gimmicky, those fairy chimneys are some of the most prominent and impressive ones we’ve seen in Cappadocia.

Meanwhile, the White Valley gets its name from the type of rock that gives the valley a white hue. These two valleys are connected and a popular hike for hiking from Goreme to Uchisar or vice versa.

Along this hike, you are blessed with stunning landscapes and natural rock tunnels for exploring!

6. Zemi Valley Loop

• Distance:  3.2 km (2 mi)
• Duration:  1 hour
• Difficulty:  Easy

If you are traveling in Cappadocia with kids or elders and want to explore some of the outdoors, consider the Zemi Valley Loop. This is one of the easiest hikes in Cappadocia and hikers are blessed with some really amazing fairy chimneys along the way.

Some refer to the Zemi Valley as a mini Love Valley, thanks to some of the phallic fairy chimneys in the Zemi Valley too. Unfortunately, visitors won’t find any cave churches or pigeon homes, but the rock formations alone are enough to leave you amazed!

7. Hidden Church Hike

• Distance:  ~ 1.2 km (0.74 mi)
• Duration:  <30 minutes

There are many cave churches in the region of Cappadocia and unfortunately, not all of them are protected and well-preserved, such as the hidden church.

This is a cave church that you won’t find in any guidebooks because it is so hidden. Thanks to some of the friendly locals we met, we were able to visit this beautiful hidden church in Cappadocia.

Because it is not preserved, you won’t find any spectacular fresco or cool architecture. Matter of fact, many of the columns of the church have broken off, and that is exactly why we liked it so much. It showed what would happen if nature reclaimed what’s hers.

It is a short hike and there are no signs on the trail, so if you want more information, shoot us a message!

Tours In Cappadocia

If you are not sure what to do in Cappadocia, there are plenty of tours that showcase some of the region’s best sights without you having to do any planning. Though we aren’t big fans of them because we like to travel slowly and explore some of the sites extensively, they are a good option for those with a short stay.

Here are the tours we recommend in Cappadocia.

1. Red Tour

The red tour is one of the two most popular tours in Cappadocia, as it allows visitors to see plenty of the sights in the area in a shorter amount of time. Here are the stops on the Red Tour:

• Uchisar Castle
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Avanos Town (Pottery Workshop)
• Pasabag Monks Valley
• Devrent Imagination Valley

We love the red tour because it takes you to some of our favorite tourist attractions in Cappadocia such as the Goreme Open-Air Museum and Uchisar Castle. But it might not be the best in terms of value-for-money since many of these places are within a short walk from Goreme. Still, it’s great if you only have 1 to 2 days in Cappadocia and don’t want to do any planning.

2. Green Tour

The green tour is another very popular tour in Cappadocia. Similar to the red tour, it showcases some of the region’s best sights. Here are the stops on the Green Tour:

• Esentepe Viewpoint
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Ihlara Valley
• Belisirma Village
• Selime Monastery
• Onyx Jewelry Factory

The green tour is known as the southern tour of Cappadocia since it focuses on attractions in the southern part of this region. The green tour is much better value-for-money than the red tour since a lot of the attractions are situated further from town, and visitors could spend ages or lots of money trying to get to them by themselves.

Some of the most notable attractions on the green tour are the Ihlara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground City.

📚Read More: Which Is Better? Red Tour or Green Tour In Cappadocia

3. Blue Tour

If you are looking to visit more of the less popular attractions in Cappadocia, then the Blue Tour might be the one for you. Here are the stops on the Blue Tour:

• Red And Rose Valley Viewpoint
• Ozkonak Underground City
• Pigeon Valley

Note that different tour companies might offer a different itinerary for the blue tour. The one listed above is the most common. Seeing some of the hidden gems in the region is cool, but we don’t recommend this tour unless you are staying a long time in Cappadocia and running out of things to do.

Make sure you check out our complete review of the Blue Tour before going!

4. ATV Tour

If you are looking for adventurous things to do in Cappadocia, then you must try the ATV tour. Zip through the valleys at high speed on an all-terrain vehicle, and explore Cappadocia in a way that few have experienced it.

The ATV tour is one of the most popular activities in Cappadocia, and for good reason. It is an adrenaline-pumping experience that is perfect for those looking for a little thrill.

Just be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants to avoid getting scraped up.

5. Horseback Riding Tours

If hiking the valleys in Cappadocia is too demanding, then consider exploring them on horseback.

Cappadocia is believed to be called “land of beautiful horses” and throughout the region, you’ll find plenty of stables and horse farms that offer an enjoyable ride.

The tours are led by what people call “Turkish cowboys” and most of them are locals that have grown up in Cappadocia.

Not only do you get to explore the beautiful valleys, but you’ll learn a lot from your Turkish cowboy!

6. Winery Tours

As if there aren’t enough reasons to visit Cappadocia ! The region is also home to some of Turkey’s best wineries.

Matter of fact, the practice of wine-making has been taking place here for a long time. Thanks to the excellent grapes and fertile soil (thanks to the pigeon droppings), the wine in Cappadocia is some of the best in Turkey.

And visitors can experience a part of that tradition through one of the many wineries tours in Cappadocia.

These tours will take you through the vineyards where you learn about the wine-making process. And of course, you get to sample tons of different types of wine in the process!

Alternatively, you can visit some of the popular wine cellars in Goreme, such as Red Red Wine House , which is the most popular wine bar in town.

Map Of The Best Attractions In Cappadocia?

Above is an interactive map filled with all of the best things to do in Cappadocia we mentioned. This map does not include all the tours because there are plenty of tour agencies in town that can assist you with that.

This map is great when planning your day-to-day activities in Cappadocia. Knowing how far the attractions are from one another is going to help you plan the perfect itinerary.

Next to the name of the map, you’ll find a small star where you can click and save this map to your personal Google Maps. This way, you can use it when you are in Cappadocia to get to places you would like to go.

Where To Stay In Cappadocia Turkey

Cappadocia spans around 5,000 square kilometers and there are numerous towns where visitors can stay. It is important that you pick a good place to stay otherwise all the tourist attractions might be situated very far away.

The best town to stay in Cappadocia is no doubt Goreme – the historic center of the Goreme National Park. In Goreme, you’ll find tons of tourist-friendly amenities, such as tour companies, restaurants, hotels, and more!

Here are some of the accommodations in Goreme we recommend!

Best Hostel In Goreme – Kamelya Cave Hostel

For budget travelers and backpackers, there is no better hostel to stay in Cappadocia than Kamelya Cave Hostel. They offer dormitory-style cave rooms so even people without a high budget can experience what it’s like sleeping in a traditional cave room.

The hostel also offers free breakfast every morning on their balcony, where guests can drink a nice Turkish Tea (cay) as they admire the landscape. The hostel also has its own roof terrace, perfect for relaxing after a long day or watching the hot air balloons at sunrise!

Best Hotel In Goreme – Henna Hotel

If you are looking for a hotel that just oozes Central Anatolian charm, then Henna Hotel is perfect for you. The common areas and rooms of this cave hotel in Goreme are decorated with traditional Turkish elements. You’ll find nice Turkish rugs and common Anatolian symbols all across the accommodation.

But perhaps the most outstanding amenity of this hotel is the terrace. Not only does it offer sweeping views of Cappadocia, but it is tastefully decorated for the perfect photo-taking opportunity. If you want to get a nice photo for Instagram or just your social media, Henna Hotel is where you need to stay!

How To Get To Cappadocia

Getting to Cappadocia is quite easy, as there are tons of long-distance buses in Turkey and there are two airports in Cappadocia – Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) and Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR).

Flights to Cappadocia

Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) is the closer of the two airports to Goreme, the historic center of the region. However, flights are usually more expensive and come only from Istanbul. That means even if you are coming from Antalya, you’ll have to do a layover in Istanbul.

Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is an international airport that serves many destinations in Turkey as well as several European cities. The airport is situated outside of the Goreme National Park, and it takes about 1-hour to get to Goreme.

However, the prices of the flights to Kayseri Airport are usually cheaper and there are more availabilities. Plus, if you get a pre-arranged transfer ahead of time, you don’t have to deal with the taxi drivers that are going to scam you.

Buses to Cappadocia

For budget travelers, one of the long-distance buses to Cappadocia is perfect. There are many tour companies to choose from, such as Metro, KamilKoc, and more. From our experience, all the long-distance buses offer similar quality and comfort.

But you must decide whether you want to take a night bus or a night bus. Most of the popular destinations in Turkey are over an 8-hour drive from Cappadocia. Istanbul is over a 10-hour bus journey from Cappadocia, Antalya is over 9 hours away by bus, and going from Pamukkale to Cappadocia can take over 11 hours.

Try not to take a bus that arrives in the middle of the night because you might not be able to get to your accommodation until early morning.

We recommend checking out the bus schedule here before deciding on which bus to get!

How To Get Around Cappadocia

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is “How do you get around Cappadocia?” Is there public transportation or do you have to rely on taxis and private transport?

Luckily, there is public transport in Cappadocia, but it certainly isn’t the best. Visitors can go from Goreme to Nevsehir and Avanos pretty easily, but to get to places that are a little far out of town (like Ihlara Valley), public transportation simply won’t get you there.

To put it in perspective, we visited Derinkuyu Underground City using public transportation, and it took us 2 hours of commuting, 2 buses, and a whole lot of Google Translate with locals. With a taxi, it would’ve taken 35 minutes! It took 4 times as much time to use public transportation than a taxi.

For that reason, if you are not traveling on a budget in Cappadocia , it might be better to arrange a deal with a driver to take you to some of the places to visit in Cappadocia.

Best Time to Visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia is generally the fall, or the months of September or October. Not only is the crowd slightly smaller than the crowd in the summer months, but the weather is more tolerable.

Because Cappadocia is a desert, the temperatures become excruciatingly hot in the middle of the day, limiting what tourists can see and do. The heat and strong sun during the summer are some of the biggest dangers in Cappadocia , so tourists must be aware.

But in September and October, the mid-day temperature isn’t as hot, so you can go hiking, explore the open-air museums, or just go strolling around town.

The precipitation is also fairly low in the fall season, which means the hot air balloon tours won’t get interrupted frequently.

For hot air balloons, the best time to visit Cappadocia is in the summer. This is when the mornings are the warmest and the hot air balloons are least likely going to get canceled.

Visiting Cappadocia FAQs

How many days to spend in cappadocia .

It is recommended that you spend at least 3 full days in Cappadocia. This way you have enough time to visit some of the best tourist attractions, go on a hot air balloon, and do a hike. Four days is also not a bad duration to stay in Cappadocia, especially if you want a higher chance of getting on a hot air balloon as they might not operate every day.

Is the Cappadocia Museum Pass Worth Getting?

Cappadocia Museum Pass is a 3-day pass that offers free access to 8 museums in Cappadocia. At the moment, it sells for 400 TL. It is worth buying if you intend on going to the majority of the attractions. Even if you don’t go to all three underground cities (who would?), you can still get a good deal with the Cappadocia Museum Pass. Find out more about it here.

Is Cappadocia Expensive?

As the value of the Turkish Lira continues to decrease, Cappadocia is becoming more and more affordable. Budget travelers can get by with a daily budget of about 35 to 40 USD.

But if you want to splurge and live luxuriously in Cappadocia, there are plenty of options to do so. The sky is the limit when it comes to how much you want to spend in Cappadocia, but you can also have a cheap visit if you wish.

Before You Go

This concludes our guide on the best things to do in Cappadocia, and as you can see, there is so much to see and do!

Whether you’re into hiking, history, or taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, there can be no doubt that Cappadocia offers quite the adventure.

Hopefully, not only have we helped you discover some of the best Cappadocia attractions, but you have learned a whole lot about planning your Turkey itinerary !

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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Free Tour in Cappadocia

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Join our Free Tour in Cappadocia and get the perfect introduction to the city. Our tour covers many of Cappadocia’s top attractions, including Goreme Open Air Museum and popular valleys such as Pigeon Valley, Red Valley and Monks Valley.

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Our FREE TOUR is the perfect introduction to Cappadocia, a great way to orientate yourself in the city and at a price to suit everybody’s budget.

The incredible   region of Cappadocia  (In Turkish: Kapadokya), comprising the provinces of   Aksaray ,   Nevsehir ,   Nigde ,   Kayseri     and   Kirsehir , is located at the center of Turkey and covers approximately 300 square kilometers of a remarkable landscape, almost surreal and unique in world.

The guides with whom we work have a true admiration for the past, present and future and will bring to life the incredible stories that make Cappadocia a truly awe-inspiring experience.

ON THIS 2.5 HOUR TOUR WE COVER

The independent guides with whom we work have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories below and lasts on average 2½ hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group!

• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Fairy Chimneys
• Pigeon Valley
• Greek Houses
• Monks Valley

…and much more!

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Cappadocia Turkey: Travel Guide, Map, & Tours

Cappadocia Turkey is the most popular hot air ballooning location in the world, and for good reason — the prices are affordable, and you get to see some unique fairytale landscapes.

More than half of the world’s balloon trips happen here. And even if you’re not interested in the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides, it’s still worth coming here for the good food, cave hotels, history, and photogenic hiking trails.

This travel guide will explain how to get to Cappadocia Turkey, where to stay, and all the best things to do, complete with a Cappadocia map and everything else you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents show 1) What Is Cappadocia? What Is The History? 2) Where Is Cappadocia Turkey? 3) How To Get To Cappadocia Turkey 4) Where To Stay 5) Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels 6) Cappadocia Map 7) Best Things To Do In Cappadocia 8) How To Get Around Cappadocia 9) Best Cappadocia Tours 10) How Long To Stay 11) Best Time To Visit Cappadocia 12) More Turkey Travel Guides

Don’t miss the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides! (© GetYourGuide )

What Is Cappadocia? What Is The History?

The Cappadocia area has been settled by humans since prehistoric times, and over the centuries it’s been occupied by the Hittites, Persians, Romans, early Christians, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans.

Historically, Cappadocia Turkey is probably best known for being a place where Christians settled and sought refuge from the hostile Roman Empire, secretly carving thousands of houses, churches, and caves into the hills.

Most of these rock buildings and underground cities can still be seen today, and they look just like Star Wars movie sets. Supposedly George Lucas wanted to film parts of the original Star Wars movies in Cappadocia, but the Turkish government turned it down.

Cappadocia is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site , and today it’s one of the tourism hotspots of Turkey. It draws millions of tourists every year (3.8 million in 2019!) who come to enjoy the unique landscapes, cave houses, and hot air balloon rides.

Where Is Cappadocia Turkey?

Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, and the nearest major city and airport is Kayseri.

The Cappadocia tourist area includes the small towns of Goreme, Uchisar, and Urgup, but almost everyone bases themselves in Goreme since it has the best hotels and restaurant choices.

How To Get To Cappadocia Turkey

The best way to get to Cappadocia Turkey is to fly domestically from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport (SAW) to the Kayseri airport (ASR).

There are a bunch of flights doing this route every day and it only takes 1.5 hours. A one way ticket can cost as little as 150 Liras ($20 USD)! You can shop for flights to Kayseri at Skyscanner.

After you arrive in Kayseri, you’ll need a van transfer since it’s a 1 hour drive to the Goreme town center in Cappadocia. You can arrange this with your hotel, or book it online.

I recommend pre-booking this top rated Cappadocia shared airport transfer for as low as $7 USD per person. They also have private airport transfers for $30 USD. We’ve used this company ourselves and had a great experience!

Where To Stay

Most Cappadocia hotels are located in the towns of Goreme, Uchisar, or Urgup.

Goreme is generally the best area of Cappadocia to stay in because it has a huge variety of restaurants, tour shops, and cave hotels for all budgets — from backpacker to luxury hotels.

The Cappadocia cave hotels below are some of our top recommendations! You can see more options here .  

Best Cappadocia Cave Hotels

Zara Cave Hotel

Taskonaklar

Panoramic Cave Hotel

Anatolian Houses Cave Hotel

Mithra Cave Hotel

Cappadocia Map

Here’s a Cappadocia map below showing the main towns and some of the top tourist sights (click to enlarge).

The 4 popular tours in Cappadocia are color coded and each one covers a different area. My personal favorites are the Red Tour and Green Tour (more on that later).

Cappadocia map (click to enlarge) showing the color coded tour areas: red, green, blue, and orange.

Best Things To Do In Cappadocia

• cappadocia hot air balloon ride.

You can’t miss the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides. More than half a million tourists do this every year. The balloons are fun to watch from the ground, and even more fun to fly in!

You can wait and book your balloon ride once you arrive in Cappadocia, but I would recommend pre-booking online because it’s a very popular activity that can sell out.

Here’s a top rated 1-hour Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride with free hotel pickup starting at $70 USD. We’ve used this company ourselves and had a great experience!

Book Now: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon

The famous Cappadocia Turkey balloon rides (© GetYourGuide )

• Devrent Valley

This is a neat valley with a lot of uniquely shaped natural rock formations.

Some of them look like the typical chimney rocks, while others are shaped like animals or humans. The most popular one is Camel Rock, which has a neck and humps like a camel!

Devrent Valley is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Devrent Valley

The famous Camel Rock at Devrent Valley

• Monks Valley (Pasabag)

This was one of my favorite stops on the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Like the name implies, Monks Valley was inhabited by monks in ancient times who carved their own homes and windows into the steep chimney shaped rocks.

Monks Valley (Pasabag)

This is a historic town just a short distance north of Goreme, and a lot of Cappadocia visitors stop here as part of the historic Red Tour .

Avanos is known for its pottery and artistic plates and mugs, and even if you don’t plan on buying souvenirs it’s definitely worth a visit to see their wares being made. Lots of talent!

Avanos pottery

A fancy plate in Avanos

• Love Valley

This valley gets its name from the natural phallic shaped rocks. There are a bunch of short, easy trails in the valley if you want to do some easy hiking!

Love Valley is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Love Valley

• Goreme Open Air Museum

This area is full of interesting cave churches from the 11th and 12th centuries. You can go inside them, and some of the frescoes on the walls are fantastic.

The Goreme Open Air Museum is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Goreme Open Air Museum

Wall murals

• Uchisar Castle

Uchisar is a town just a short distance southwest of Goreme, and the central landmark is a 60-meter tall ‘castle mountain’ carved into rocks.

It’s the highest point of Cappadocia Turkey, and you can get some amazing panoramic views from the top of the tower.

Uchisar Castle is part of the Cappadocia Red Tour .

Uchisar Castle

The small town of Uchisar

• Derinkuyu Underground City

There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the deepest one is Derinkuyu.

This city is 85 meters deep in the ground, and it has stables, churches, storage rooms, and thousands of ventilation ducts that gave it fresh air when people were living in it. It’s a fascinating place to explore!

Derinkuyu is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour , but some companies go to Kaymakli instead. Kaymakli is the deepest underground city, and Derinkuyu is the widest.

Cappadocia Underground City

• Ihlara Valley

This is a 100 meter deep valley formed by the Melendiz River.

At one time, this valley was home to 80,000 people, and thousands of their cave houses and churches can still be seen in the rock walls. It’s an amazing area that can be seen on a day trip with some light trekking.

The Ihlara Valley trek is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Ihlara Valley

• Melendiz River

This is a peaceful clear river that runs through the Ihlara Valley, and most day tours stop by the river for lunch.

In the autumn season (mid-October), you can see bright yellow fall colors here.

• Selime Monastery

This is the biggest religious structure in the Cappadocia area, and it’s one of my favorites.

It looks just like a Star Wars set, and you can go inside most of the buildings, which date back to the 8th or 9th centuries.

Selime Monastery is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Selime Monastery

Inside the Selime Monastery

• Pigeon Valley

This is a great hiking valley near Uchisar with lots of easy walking trails that wind through the chimney rocks and cave houses.

Pigeon Valley is part of the Cappadocia Green Tour .

Pigeon Valley

Fall colors at Pigeon Valley

How To Get Around Cappadocia

• Walking: If you’re staying in Goreme and want some exercise, a bunch of nice sights will be in walking distance from your hotel. Some ideas would be Rose Valley, Lovers Hill (sunrise point), and the countless cave houses and churches.
• Horseback: This is another fun way to go sightseeing in Cappadocia. You can find 2-hour horseback riding tours online starting at $50 USD.
• Car + Driver: The most comfortable and efficient way to explore Cappadocia is to hire a private driver . Prices for a 4-8 hour tour start at $60 USD. If you have a couple of friends joining you, this can be very economical. If your group is bigger than 3, you can even hire a private van for even better savings.
• Scooter: As a solo traveler, renting a scooter in Goreme can be cost effective sometimes. Prices run about $30-$40 USD for the whole day.
• ATV: Quad biking can be another fun way to see Cappadocia, and the terrain is perfect for it. You can find Cappadocia ATV tours online starting at $25 USD for 2 hours.
• Group Tour: There are lots of Cappadocia group tours that you can join if you’re a couple or solo traveler. These normally include hotel pickup, lunch, and a full day of sightseeing. Read the section below for some more info on recommended Cappadocia tours!

Best Cappadocia Tours

The 4 popular tours in Cappadocia are color coded (Red, Green, Blue, Orange) and each one covers a different area of Cappadocia. My personal favorites are the Red Tour and Green Tour .

The Red Tour covers sights like Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Avanos, the Goreme Open Air Museum, and Uchisar Castle. The Green Tour covers Ihlara Valley, Melendiz River, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and the Derinkuyu Underground City.

The Blue and Orange tours are less popular, and they cover sights like Ortasihar and the Gulsehir Open Air Museum. I didn’t do these tours, but we plan to try them next time we visit Cappadocia.

For the Red and Green tours, you can book them with a tour agency on the street in the Cappadocia, or you can pre-book the same tours online, which is what I did.

GetYourGuide has the Cappadocia Red Tour for $35 USD, or the Green Tour for $55 USD, with free lunch and hotel pickup included. We’ve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Cappadocia Red Tour / Green Tour

How Long To Stay

At least 2 full days in Cappadocia are needed if you want to do both Red and Green tours and see the highlights of the countryside.

I’m sure you could spend longer too if you want to hit up more of the hiking paths and leave no stone unturned. Besides, Goreme town is a great place to get stuck, with loads of good Turkish restaurants!

If you plan to do the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride, I would add at least 2 extra days to your itinerary in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. The balloon rides can get canceled on windy days, so it’s good to have a little extra time as a safety buffer.

Best Time To Visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia Turkey just depends on what you’re looking for. It’s a nice place all year round, but the temperatures go up and down quite a bit with the seasons.

Cappadocia has hot summers, and cold winters with snow. In either season, the landscapes will be stunning and photogenic, and hotels have air conditioning and heating so you’ll still be comfortable.

I went in the autumn (October) and this seemed just about perfect. The crowds weren’t too bad, and the leaves on the trees were almost at peak color.

Spring would also be a great time to visit, because you’ll get cooler temperatures and less crowds.

Happy travels!

More Turkey Travel Guides

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this Cappadocia Turkey travel guide.

Don’t forget to check out my other Turkey travel guides for more tips, info, and photos!

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I like the whole article about Cappadocia, Thanks

Excellent information about Cappadocia Hopefully will visit soon

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My Free Range Family

Destinations , Turkey · Last Updated: July 7, 2022

17 Magical Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey

Fairy chimneys, caves and hot air balloons… the scenery of Cappadocia could be straight out of a fairytale.  And nothing can prepare you for that moment you drive into this magical destination for the first time.  Cappadocia has this mystique about it and there are just not enough hours in a day to explore it all.

At a young age I remember coming across a photo of the fairy chimneys and cave houses in Cappadocia Turkey.  I was mesmerized and knew that one day I’d end up there exploring the valleys.  So, when I finally DID get there it was one of those surreal moments where you can’t actually believe you made it!

In Cappadocia you can find a little something for everyone. No longer just a hub for hiking valleys and exploring fairy chimneys, Cappadocia has diversified! Due to our now full-time slow travel, we were able to make REALLY explore the region on our one month road trip in Turkey . So look no further for a complete list of things to do in Cappadocia.

Browse through for the best free activities like walking and hiking, the best paid tours from the Green and Red Tour, to hot air balloons and we even throw in some of the best unique things to do in Cappadocia!

We’ll guide you to the best museums, churches and frescoes and the best vantage point to watch the hot air balloons. BUT to get you started we share three perfect hotels that you should check out… one to suit each type of budget.

Table of Contents

Where is Cappadocia

* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!

Cappadocia refers to a very large region of Turkey.  You’d be forgiven for mistaking Cappadocia as the town that launches hot air balloons over fairy chimneys.  We made the same mistake, and on researching for our visit we learned that Cappadocia is in fact the entire region.  See our map below for a better understanding.   

This post highlights our top things to see and do in Cappadocia and so you’ll find some might involve up to a 40 minute drive to get to.  But trust me… every location we mention here is worth every minute.  If I could do it all over again I would.  

Before moving onto our really cool list of 18 things to do in Cappadocia, let’s first take a look at where to stay.  This is an important decision as it will greatly affect your stay in Cappadocia, particularly if you are like me and enjoy being at the centre of all the action.

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

The main village in Cappadocia is Göreme.  This is where we stayed and where I would recommend is best. We had friends who had visited before us and this piece of advice they shared with us served us well.

Aside from being a really cute little village, Göreme is the location that you see those now infamous photos of balloons in the background.  Ofcourse this also depends on the wind direction on the day, but generally speaking Göreme is the place to be. 

The second best location to stay is Uçhisar.  This is still very close to the action and can be a great vantage point to see the balloons from also.  

I recommend these three hotels in Göreme.

Budget – The Garden Cave Hotel

The Garden Cave is where we stayed.  We travel full-time so budget is important to us.  What we loved the most about The Garden Cave was that despite choosing budget accommodation we still had the cave room.  In other words, all the atmosphere at a fraction of the price. 

The staff were very friendly, the breakfast was great and the view from our balcony was perfect.  Ask for Room 2 if you can, as it has its own balcony.  The other thing is that the hotel is up high, it is at the end of a quiet road and is a short walk to Sunset View Point, which is one of the best views for catching the balloons in the morning.

In the same location come the following two midrange and high end hotels. And so you still benefit from the same beautiful, central, quieter location in Göreme, but just with a few more comforts.

Midrange – Grand Elite Cave Suites

If our budget was a little more flexible we would have stayed in the Grand Elite Cave Suites . This hotel is rated superb. They were right beside our hotel so the location was perfect. They have a great breakfast and pool to boot!

High End – Divan Cave Suites

And if we were still living and working in Dubai and travelling as we used to, the Divan Cave Suites would have been my top choice.

Their terrace provides the perfect view over Göreme and the hot air balloons. This is the perfect luxury location for a visit to Cappadocia.

For more information and choices on where to stay in Cappadocia, see this post here (coming soon.)

Things to do in Cappadocia

There are literally loads of things to do in Cappadocia as the area is massive.  What was once a destination for hikers and geology enthusiasts has now become a busy tourist hub.  With the arrival of Instagram and the hot air balloons Cappadocia blew up in terms of popularity.  

As a result, the region became big on adventure tourism – from hot air balloon rides, to ATV safaris to horse treks.  And so now they have a little bit of everything for everyone.

They have incredible walks for all levels of hikers and they have museums and historical sites for the history lovers. Basically, if you want any of the above OR to go carpet shopping, pottery making or get a photo shoot, then you are going to love Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon

Phew what an experience this is… and it isn’t just like any normal hot air balloon.  Given that you are surrounded by some other 200 balloons is what makes this hot air balloon ride stand out beyond all the other balloon rides.  

When it comes to price, it varies greatly.  Depending on the season, holiday seasons in Turkey, school holidays in Europe and plain old supply and demand.  During the peak it can go over 250 Euros and in winter you can get it for 100 Euros. 

The great thing about booking a balloon ride is if the weather doesn’t come to the party, you’ll always get your money back.  Usually tour providers hold the money and you go up when the weather is agreeable. But if you haven’t gone up before the end of your stay, then you can expect a full refund. 

The whole process is one extremely slick operation.  These tour providers know exactly what they are doing.   But see this post for our full review of a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia .

Hot Air Balloon Booking

As always we like to book our tours with Get Your Guide original tours. Below are two of the best tour providers for balloon rides in Cappadocia. They are the most frequently booked with consistently high reviews. If you are on a tight schedule then we recommend booking your hot air balloon ride in advance. And note, that if you don’t get to fly you will receive a full refund.

Walks, Hikes & Valleys

Now before you assume I am a master hiker or something like that, I’ll let you know that I am nothing of the sort.  I enjoy nature and as a result love walking in nature.  Also, when you are on a budget travel mission, hiking and walking fits nicely into that category of travel.

So, the following walks and hikes that we did were beautiful and totally manageable for a non-hiker like me.  But most importantly were great for the kids – ours are nine and seven.  At times they needed a small motivational push, but mostly they handled it like champs.

Basically, you can turn up to any of these valleys and wander as little or as long as you like. There is no need to do the full track.

Rose & Red Valley

This hike was my favourite.  The starting point was only a five minute drive from town, two valleys, two completely different walks combined into one hike. 

The rock formations and colours on this walk are some of the best in Cappadocia. And the bit I loved the most was the total lack of other tourists.  I mean every now and again, we’d cross paths with another, but generally speaking… no one! 

The churches, and cave houses made for an interesting pit stop for the kids.  But also, the couple of tea houses where you can stop for a tea or fresh orange juice were a pleasant place to chill for five minutes.  

Download the AllTrail app if you don’t already have it.  We followed it very closely while walking the Rose and Red Valley tracks.  You don’t need the paid version, the free one is all we had.  It just helped to understand where we should be as the signs were a bit vague on route.  

We started from Rose Valley and walked the loop track in a clockwise direction.  Just keep the app open and use it to guide your path.  At times we had to backtrack a few metres when we realized we’d diverted from the trail.  To be honest I don’t think we would have finished the hike without the app.  All up we walked 9km and it took us four hours.

Note:  There is one section that involves some wall scaling.  There was a rope there to help and we whipped up it pretty quickly.  But you definitely want to bring some sturdy walking shoes and plenty of water.

Tip:  Rose Valley is a great spot to get photos of the hot air balloons, if they head in this direction.

Ihlara Valley

This was my second favourite walk and was about a 40 minute drive from Göreme.  We parked our car in Ihlara village near the Star Restaurant and walked to the starting point at the southern entrance of the valley, guided by the AllTrail app. There was small fee to pay to enter the national park and keep in mind this is not a loop track.  

We didn’t walk the full valley, instead we choose to complete it at Belisirma. You can also return and walk back the way you came. But as we had the kids we decided to grab a taxi at Belisirma to bring us back to the start.

What makes Ihlara Valley special is the river valley which you follow.  A contrast to the fairy chimney and rocky views typical of Cappadocia, in this valley you are surrounded by lush green scenery.  

All the way down the river you’ll find cave churches a few minutes walk up from the river’s edge. In some of these churches you will find stunning frescoes painted from 900-1000 AD. The beauty of the Ihlara Valley track is that you can pick and choose which cave churches you want to walk up to.  

In total the walk was 6.5 km and it took us under four hours to walk one way.  That included a lunch stop and plenty of photo taking.  

Some of our favourites churches were Kokar Church, Dark Castle Church, Jacinth Church, Kirkdamalti Church (also known as St George Church).

When you get to the end of the track walk out the gates and head left up the road a little further to the Direkli Church.  This was actually one of my favourites with the central columns a striking difference from the other churches we had seen.  And the frescoes painted on the columns were incredible.  Back down the hill we caught our taxi back to the car for around 100 Lira.

Love & Pigeon Valley

This walk can be taken from Göreme and connects two well-known valleys into one.  It also includes Uçhisar Castle (more below).

Starting from Göreme and heading through Pigeon Valley, look out for the small pigeon sized holes carved into the rock walls.  Historically speaking, pigeon poo was very important to the people living in these valleys.  The holes were carved to encourage pigeons to set up nest here.  This gave locals access to their manure, which played an important role in fertilization for gardens.

Link up to Uçhisar castle for some lunch or a tea and then carry on back towards Göreme via Love Valley.  This one is famous for the phallic shaped fairy chimneys most commonly photographed in Cappadocia.

Once again, check the AllTrail app for a detailed and interactive map for navigating this trail.

Tip:  Love Valley can also be a great spot to photograph the hot air balloons early in the morning, wind depending.

Devrent Valley – Imagination Valley

Imagination Valley is a good one for the kids.  We treated it as a drive by really, jumping out of the car for a couple of quick pictures and stretch the legs.  

The rock formations in this cluster are a little more unique than the other areas and are subject to interpretation.  Take a wander and use your imagination… what is it that you see?

Sunset View Point

Sunset view is a must see… pure and simple.  We went for sunset, but ofcourse it is peaking at 5.30am for sunrise as well when the balloons are in the air and the day is clear.  There is a small charge to get in which is paid just a little further towards the bottom of the road.

If you decide to have a tea at Sunset View Point, first ask the price!  We had friends who were stung with a high bill because they forgot to ask first.

Underground Cities

Did you know there are some 30+ underground cities visited in the Cappadocia region?  Neither did we!  They were a real surprise and an experience that we really enjoyed.  I am not a lover of small spaces, but these underground cities were an exceptional place to visit.

They have literally been carved deep down into the earth. At some point we were down four stories.  And when you stop to think about that when you are four stories down the thought becomes a little overwhelming.  So, you make the decision to stop thinking about it and carry on exploring more dark corners.  They are maze like and great fun for the kids.

There is a small fee to enter the underground cities.  Each varies depending on the location.  We were recommended the following three caves by a local friend and so we explored the first two.

This was the smaller underground city of the three mentioned and less visited by tourists.  We visited Özkonak first and this gave us a great introduction to what an underground city was all about. 

What we liked about Özkonak was the grounds just outside the exit.  Take a stroll through the grassy area and you can see more cave dwellings above ground. 

I recommend arriving early to avoid the tourist buses.  It did get a little crowded while we were there as a large bus arrived just before our visit.  Also, there are a few dark corners to explore, so bring a headlamp and go a bit further into the lesser explored rooms should you choose.

Kaymakli  

Kaymakli is the wider of the three caves mentioned here.  There is a route in and a route out which makes navigating the caves in and out relatively easy amidst the other tourists.  It was probably one of our favourites of the two because of the depth you get to.

There was a little documentary at the entrance to the cave which also helped explain how these underground cities came about.  It was interesting to learn that they were only inhabited when under threat of invasion.  Basically, when the villages were attacked they would go to ground and hide. 

In Kaymakli there were rooms, a church, wine pressing chambers a kitchen.  There were also large ventilations shafts that gave a perception of just how deep down they would go.  But probably the most intriguing fact is that we were only able to explore a fraction of the city.  In many cases, the underground cities were not entirely excavated. 

This is the most visited underground city and certainly the most popular. It is the deepest of the three mentioned here, at eight floors down you’re getting pretty far down!

We didn’t visit Derinkuyu as the first two came highly recommended. And when you’ve seen two, I think that’s enough for one trip. When we go back to Cappadocia we’ll be sure to make a stop at this one too.

Open Air Museums

There are a couple of open air museums worth visiting, but read below to narrow down which is better suited to your budget or preferred experience.

Göreme Open Air Museum

The Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the main tourist attractions in Göreme.  Confession – it wasn’t one that we visited. We had so many other places to see and visit that we just didn’t get to this one.  

About 1.5km out of the main village in Göreme this is nice and close and walking distance from town.  Inside you’ll find churches, incredible frescoes and believe it or not more cave houses!  

In total honesty, we had friends that visited and the reviews from all were mixed.  In my opinion, if you are walking the Rose and Red Track or Love Valley then you’re essentially seeing more of the same thing.  If you perhaps don’t have a rental car and therefore no access to these trails then it would be worth the visit. 

Açık Saray Museum – Free to Enter

This special little place is one totally off the tourist trail… a little secret shared by a friend living in Göreme.  What was once a museum that tourists used to pay to enter, is now open for free.  A few years back, the museum commission decided to up and leave and so now it is essentially abandoned. Gates wide open for all to explore at will.

Given that there was no one there, this was one of my favourite places to visit in Cappadocia.  And if you go early May when we did, you might be lucky to see the wildflowers in bloom. It brings the space to life!  And an hour or two before sunset is the picture perfect time of day to walk through the caves.

Our friend took us for a family photoshoot and got these beautiful pictures.  Read below for more details on getting your own family photos in Cappadocia.

The open air museum spans a few kilometres in total.  And when you stroll from the path to explore the cave houses, the church and cathedral it feels surreal that you would have it all to yourself.  

Uçhisar Castle

If you happen to enter Göreme from the East, then chances are this is the first glimpse you will get of iconic Cappadocia.  The castle is an impressive sight and is one of the tallest points in the area.  The castle was inhabited until the 1960’s but now is only open for tourism.

While there is not a lot to see inside the castle aside from the normal cave rooms and passages the panoramic views from the top can’t be beat!  

There is also a walk via Pigeon Valley that ends at Uçhisar Castle, so you might like to combine the two sights into one.  Read the Love and Pigeon Valley above for directions on how to get there.

Photoshoots in Cappadocia

Now it has to be said that Cappadocia is the most ideal instagrammable destination.  Images of rooftops covered with carpets and cushions flood the gram.  And if you want a little piece of this action then we can tell you how to get it.

First of all, don’t be fooled by these Instagram shots.  They are more often than not shot by photographers and that carpet and table with bowl of fruit is essentially a photoshoot. The insta reality is that there is a line of people waiting in the wings for the same photo.  

But hey I get it, Cappadocia is a bucketlist destination and let’s be honest there is no place on earth with these unique views.  Fairy chimneys, cave houses and hot air balloons as I said in the beginning, are stuff that fairytales are made of. 

So, if you want this view then book yourself a night at the Sultan Cave Suites .  They are perched high on the hill and their in-house photographer will help you get that family photo you are looking for. But prepare yourself ahead for the queue of people who are waiting for the same photo. It isn’t actually the dreamy relaxed breakfast it is made out to be.

My Favourite Photographer in Cappadocia

If you want my favourite photographer in town, Maria claims to be a hobby photographer but in reality, she is the real deal!   Look her up on Instagram and reach out, she might be in town if you are lucky… home is the Ukraine, but her second home is Cappadocia.

Best Spots to Photograph the Hot Air Balloons

If you want to get your own photos of the balloons in the morning like I did then read on.  I woke up early every morning.  No sleep-in for our family in Cappadocia.

In truth everyone will tell you they know the best place… but on the day it really all depends on which way the wind blows. And this basically means, there is a bit of luck involved. I recommend, got to bed with a bit of a plan the night before, get up just before 5am and then monitor which way the balloons are headed. Then get there pronto!

• The best view of course is from a hot air balloon.  
• The next best way is to head to Sunset View Point (read above).
• Drive to the launch points or landing points to get really close.
• Book a night at Sultan Caves Suites for a rooftop view.
• Wake up early – keep an eye on which direction the balloons are veering towards and then drive to either Love Valley or Rose Valley.

Alternative Things to do in Cappadocia

One of the things we love about Cappadocia, were the reasonably priced tours. There are so many ways to explore this region and honestly something for everyone.

We recommend booking a couple of things and going for it… chances are you won’t be back. So might as well splash out on a few of the more unique things to do in Cappadocia and make some cool memories.

Sundowners at Crazy Ali’s

Now I know we mentioned visiting Sunset View Point at sunrise, well now I’m going to tell you where to go for an alternative sunset. Follow the road Dr. Zeliha Berksoy Blv. out of town to the top of Rose and Red Valley. Grab a beanbag or a cushion, order a drink and enjoy the sunset.

For more clarification on the location, check our map below.

Red and Green Tours

If you don’t have a rental car but you don’t want to miss the sights then book yourself a Red or Green tour of Cappadocia. The red tour is centred around the history and culture of Cappadocia, while the Green tour visits underground cities and usually Ihlara Valley.

Big Bus Tour

Yes, I was also surprised to see that the Big Bus Tour company are in Cappadocia! From the open air double decker bus you’ll have a great view of the mountains, fairy chimneys, valleys and scenery of Cappadocia. Also included is a stop at the Zelve Open Air Museum.

Horse Riding Tours

IF you are a horse lover then consider booking a two hour horse riding tour through the Rose and Red Valley. We passed a few groups going out on a trek while we hiked and the backdrop and surroundings couldn’t be prettier. The horses look well cared for and the tour includes a pickup from your hotel. Easy peasy!

Make Pottery in Avanos

For something a little different take a drive to Avanos and explore the town of pottery. As soon as you drive in you begin to note that the craft of pottery making is a central focus. This is because of the red clay that comes from the river banks.

As a result there are many workshops and ateliers to visit, and hey why not take a quick crash course in the art. Culture trip recommend avoiding the large tourist shops and head for where the real art happens in the smaller family run ateliers.

Final Thoughts on Cappadocia + Map

This about exhausts our list of things to do in Cappadocia. We know you’ll find something from this list to keep you busy and to get you on your way towards making holiday memories of a lifetime.

Cappadocia is superb and I have no doubt you will absolutely love your time there. Still have some more questions? Drop them below and we’ll get right back to you!

Check out our other posts on Turkey –

• Turkey Road Trip
• Visiting ANZAC Cove and Gallipoli
• 4 Days in Istanbul
• Planning for the Perfect Visit to Pamukkale
• 16 Awesome Things to Do in Kas
• Taking a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia – Is it Worth it?

And don’t forget to pin this post for later!

We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)

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A Perfect 3 Day Cappadocia Itinerary & Guide

• January 26, 2024

We’ll admit, before visiting Cappadocia, our assumptions were that it was going to be overrated. With all the hype surrounding it, how could a place really be that dreamy? Fortunately, we were proved really wrong and even extended our time there after quickly falling in love with it. Whatever you may have seen or heard about Cappadocia’s incredible terrain, breathtaking sights, and the celebrated hot air balloons, we’re confirming it’s all true! With this Cappadocia itinerary, find out how you too can see the top attractions in just three days .

This Cappadocia travel guide and itinerary includes practical information for visiting, what to see, a map, and a suggested day-by-day plan.

Where Is Cappadocia? Is Cappadocia a City?

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When discovering a new destination that piques your interest, one of the first things you may do is search for it on a map. Unfortunately, when searching for Cappadocia on Google Maps, you may be left a little confused. Despite the way it may be portrayed in articles and Instagram, Cappadocia is not a single location or city. Cappadocia is its own historical region in the country of Turkey (Türkiye). When looking at a map of present-day Turkey, Cappadocia is located pretty much right in the middle. Zooming out even further, Cappadocia belongs to the Central Anatolia region, which is home to Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

Instead of referring to Cappadocia as if it were exclusively one city, try searching for the major towns of the region. The most popular town is Göreme , and is an easy reference point when figuring out the lay of the land. Additional towns in Cappadocia that serve as good bases include Ürgüp, Uçhisar, Ortahisar and Avanos .

If you’re wondering why Cappadocia has become so famous, you’re probably not alone. Of course, we’ve all seen photos of the incredible hot air balloons, but to think that Cappadocia stops there is a mistake. There are many things to see and do in Cappadocia that aren’t limited to just floating in the air. Below is a list of a few things that Cappadocia is known for and reasons for visiting .

• Going on a ride or watching them at sunrise
• Hiking Trails
• Scenic Viewpoints
• Open Air Museums & Ancient Sites
• The Extraordinary Natural Landscape
• ATV, Off-Road Tours & Horseback Riding
• Charming Towns

Spending three or four days in Cappadocia is an adequate amount of time to enjoy its top highlights and sites . Depending on how slowly you prefer to go through itineraries, there are places that can be left out to avoid any sense of rushing your trip. Luckily, a good portion of places you must see in Cappadocia are located within the northern section of the region and near Göreme. Comparatively, Ihlara Valley (a 15 km long canyon) is an admired attraction that’s the most out of the way for the typical tourist.

The way you choose to get around Cappadocia will also impact how much time you should plan on spending there. Using a car will clearly be the most efficient and will allow you to explore on your own schedule. However, Cappadocia is very tour-centric, which means you can easily join a guided tour from and to anywhere in the region without worrying about transportation. When deciding on how many days to spend in Cappadocia, do not overlook the logistics of how you’ll be getting from one itinerary item to another.

Personally, we spent less than a week in Cappadocia with our toddler and miraculously managed to visit the must-see attractions in the area. Fortunately, the Cappadocia region isn’t massive and is well connected by developed roads , which makes getting from one side to the other straightforward. Nevertheless, it is one of those places that you can (and will want to) return to and see what you missed the first time. Especially if you enjoy hiking, Cappadocia offers numerous trails that naturally require more time to conquer.

1st Day in Cappadocia

Hot air balloon ride (or view)

Pigeon Valley

2nd Day in Cappadocia

Imagination Valley

Zelve Open Air Museum

Fairy Chimneys

3rd Day in Cappadocia

Göreme Open Air Museum

Pancarlık Church

Love Valley Göreme Town

OPTIONAL 4th Day in Cappadocia

Mustafapaşa Village

The renowned signature activity that Cappadocia is most known for is its hot air ballooning. For flying in a hot air balloon, the landscape and climate are simply perfect in the Cappadocia region and allow for balloons to float through the skyline nearly every morning. To start the trip off with an epic note, book a hot air balloon in advance for your first day. Depending on the time of year you visit, rides will take place at sunrise, which can be as early as 5:30 am and usually last an hour through the morning’s golden filter. Hot air balloon rides float over the various valleys, including cave dwellings, the famous fairy chimneys, and endless panoramic views. There is no better introduction to a Cappadocia itinerary than this experience.

After a well-deserved mid-morning nap, it’s time to gear up for some more remarkable sights. The town of Uçhisar is the perfect place to grab lunch before wandering through its ancient rock civilization . At the pinnacle of the town is the Uçhisar Castle , a historic fortress comprised of individual tuff cones, carved-out dwellings, Byzantine-era churches and hidden corners that let your imagination run wild. The best part is, it’s free to visit the castle grounds and doesn’t require a reservation or paying for a tour.

Pigeon Valley runs below and in parallel with Uçhisar. It is one of the top natural attractions and especially fantastic for immersing yourself in the Cappadocia terrain. It’s possible to experience Pigeon Valley in a couple of ways. There is a hiking trail within the valley, which allows you to get up close and personal with the scenery. One of the easiest access points to the Pigeon Valley hiking trail can be found here . Along the ridge and throughout the surrounding farmland, there is a scenic path to enjoy Pigeon Valley from above instead. If you trek all the way to this point , you’ll receive a breathtaking view of the valley in addition to Tiraz Castle in the background. Alternatively, you can simply admire the rock formations and caves from one of the scenic viewpoints that don’t require any hiking, such as here .

As the sunset approaches, the incredibly picturesque town of Ortahisar is where you’ll want to have dinner. Before you settle down to eat, consider one last small adventure to the top of Ortahisar. Although the village center is smaller than neighboring Göreme, Ortahisar’s rock castle stands nearly 300 feet in the air and makes quite the statement. For less than €1, you can climb to the top of the sharply angled rock along the uneven interior staircase that can only be described as “very historic.” The panoramic view of Ortahisar is what you simply cannot miss. With its intricate construction of cave dwellings, carved arches, and overall magnificent scenery, it’s even better at night when it’s lit up. For drinks and one of the most beautiful experiences on your Cappadocia itinerary, check out the Lavanta Panorama Cafe .

The only way to wake up properly is with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea . Whether you stop into a trendy cafe or small street vendor, you’re destined to experience the same product anywhere you go. Once you’re caffeinated, it’s time to head out.

Also known as Devrent Valley , it is nicknamed Imagination Valley for its uniquely formed rocks. These shapes are the result of volcanic rock erosion over the course of time and changing climate. During this process, they have coincidentally turned into shapes that resemble the appearance of chimneys, a camel, and other pieces that are left to your imagination to decide. The amount of time you spend in Devrent Valley is up to you as it can easily be checked off as a roadside attraction or as a morning-long hike. There are no entrance fees or queues, just beautiful attested nature at its finest. Near Devrent Valley is also where you’ll find a few observation decks (like this one ) worth stopping at. Trust us, you won’t be able to get enough of the unbelievable landscape and you must take in all the views.

One of the great things about Cappadocia is that just by being outdoors (for free), you feel like you’re in a museum. Although this is true, there are still attractions along your Cappadocia itinerary that are worth paying to see, like the Zelve Open Air Museum . Admission will cost you less than €5 and actually includes entrance to that museum, in addition to Pasabaglari Muze ve Orenyeri (fairy chimneys) located up the street.

The Zelve Open Air Museum is particularly astonishing because it was inhabited by a handful of residents until 1965. Considering how deep the history of Cappadocia is, this is quite recent! You’ll get to witness what an ancient apartment complex looked like, a church, underground dwellings, and a magnificent glimpse into a different lifetime. This site is a gorgeous place to take in the history of Cappadocia but also to enjoy a lovely light hike . The trail throughout the museum is more or less a loop that takes anywhere from 1-2 hours to complete.

Paşabağları Müze ve Örenyeri , is the tourist sight that is more commonly known as the Cappadocia fairy chimneys . The name comes from the tuff sculptures that have eroded into the shapes of chimneys… and other unusual formations. The Pasabag Valley is where you’ll find the most number of fairy chimneys within one area, which is why it’s such a must-see destination in Cappadocia. Upon entering the grounds, we recommend keeping right and walking to the top of the hill for the best panoramic view of the “chimneys” below.

Within the most frequented area of Cappadocia, the city of Avanos feels the least like Cappadocia. However, just because it’s not surrounded by scenic valleys and rock formations doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. It is a larger town with a busier feel, with many delicious places to eat and shop. One of the best things to do in Avanos is to peruse the countless pottery workshops and studios, each selling their own unique ceramics designs. During the evening, Avanos is a charming place to enjoy a dinner along the river , something you definitely can’t experience near Göreme. Take advantage of the river by having dinner at Sur Balık Restoran , which specializes in grilled fish.

After hot air ballooning, an equally fundamental item on a Cappadocia itinerary is to watch the balloons go by in the morning. It is one thing to be in the air, but to see a hundred (or more in peak season!) balloons hovering over the valleys at sunrise is inexplicably bewitching. There is a reason why Cappadocia is a dream destination and one for the bucket list because this sight is spectacular and must be experienced while visiting. Fortunately, you won’t have to wake up as early just to see the balloons, but you’ll need to plan on waking up by sunrise.

The best sunrise viewpoint of the balloons flying over Red Valley is found here and costs €1 for vehicles to enter. For hikers, you can even trek further up to the mountain summit for an even more magical view. Or, choose a cafe , sip some tea, and believe you’re actually there witnessing it!

Cappadocia has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the Göreme National Park (or Open Air Museum) is one of its primary features. The site is extensive and arguably holds the most historic value in the entire region. With preserved fresco paintings and Byzantine art , rock-carved monasteries, and ancient dwellings, there is a lot to explore during a single visit. If you’re visiting in the summer, remember to pack plenty of water and some snacks, and plan on spending around two hours discovering the site. The base admission fee is around €10, and there are additional options available for purchase, such as the audio guide. For those interested in delving into the history in-depth, this extra cost is highly recommended.

The main reason we recommend getting around Cappadocia by car is the number of landmarks you’ll find without even trying. Beyond the famous tourist sites and must-see Cappadocia itinerary items is a land overflowing with ruins of a long-ago civilization. An example of just one of the hidden gems worth seeing throughout Cappadocia is the Pancarlık Church ( Pancarlık Kilisesi ).

Just 5 km from the town of Ürgüp and along a gravel road is a historic church in a remote area. Within the church are impressive stone arches and surprisingly enough, remaining fresco paintings still intact. The scenery and landscape you’re able to see from the church is alone a good enough reason to visit. Although Pancarlık Church is off the beaten path, you will come across an older man that collects around 20 TL for entry. Authorized to do so or not? No idea but we think a fee of less than €1 is still worth seeing this jewel.

Love Valley is another site within the popular tourist center of Cappadocia that is densely filled with quirky rock formations. Whether you want to believe in old legends of tragic lovers or simply come to terms with the phallic shapes of the rocks, it is still one of the most scenic points in Cappadocia. The tuff tower shapes can easily be experienced with an easy hike from below, which is accessible from the east, near here . Love Valley is also a tranquil place to relax at one of the cafes and appreciate the panorama ahead of you.

Many tourists will choose to base themselves in Göreme during a short Cappadocia itinerary. In terms of logistics, it’s the most visitor-friendly and convenient for those who aren’t driving themselves. You definitely do not need a car if you’re staying in Göreme because there are countless tours which depart from there, in addition to bike and scooter rental options. During the day, it’s one of the best places to go shopping for souvenirs, antiques, and most notably, rugs. If you have time before sunset, stop at one of the many traditional textile stores for something small like a pillow case or seat cushion.

The number of restaurant options in Göreme is excellent, which is why you should visit for your last dinner. There are panoramic rooftop bars , intimate garden restaurants, and classy wine bistros to choose from. Göreme is certainly the most lively out of the main Cappadocia towns and the best place for nightlife.

For travelers who have an extra day, it’s recommended to visit Ürgüp and Mustafapaşa on the eastern edge of Cappadocia. Compared to the other big towns of Cappadocia, Ürgüp feels a bit more relaxed and less touristy. The old quarter of Ürgüp has charming narrow streets and pedestrian alleyways, a variety of local food to try, and historical landmarks to admire. For travellers who like to collect treasures, make sure to stop in the Antikite Veli Baba , an antique store with many interesting items. Conventionally, there is a large rock at the center of the village, which is a dreamy place to hike up for a sunset.

The small village of Mustafapaşa is a real treat and is often overlooked on many Cappadocia itineraries. Its best feature is not possessing the glamour and glitz of Göreme. Instead, it is a delightful small village that is perfect to stay in or visit for the afternoon. Since it is lesser-known, the atmosphere of Mustafapaşa is much more genuine and pleasantly calm. The Old Greek House is one of the village’s staple restaurants and one of the most beautiful dining experiences we had in Turkey.

How to Reach Cappadocia

It’s slightly surprising how admired Cappadocia is, considering its location. For starters, Turkey is a huge country, but its most popular tourist destination is still Istanbul. The fact that visitors are booking dedicated tours, taking additional flights, and even renting cars to get to Cappadocia is a true testimony to how incredible it is. The journey to get started with your Cappadocia itinerary is worth it!

There are two airports that serve as realistic options for flying directly to Cappadocia. The region’s local airport is called Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport , which is a domestic airport that only serves flights within Turkey. For travelers interested in a Cappadocia itinerary that departs from Istanbul, flying into Cappadocia’s Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport is ideal. Operated by Turkish Airlines, nonstop flights depart from Istanbul Airport multiple times a day and only take one hour. The Istanbul to Cappadocia flight cost is usually between €50 – €100 for a round trip. Reaching the heart of Cappadocia and its attractions only takes 30 minutes from this airport.

Just over an hour from Göreme is Kayseri , which is one of the top ten largest cities in Turkey. Kayseri has an international airport (Kayseri Erkilet Airport), which is a feasible option if you’re looking to fly to Cappadocia. Although it’s an international airport, it is by no means on the same level as Istanbul’s international airport. Flight routes are still quite limited but worth looking into in case your departure point is a good match for Kayseri’s airport.

Whichever airport near Cappadocia you choose to arrive at, you’ll very likely depart from Istanbul. Initially getting to Istanbul is much more convenient than tourists may think. Consistently in the top ten busiest airports in the world, Istanbul Airport is a prominent hub for airlines and various flight paths from all over the world. Finding nonstop flights from cities in the U.S. to Istanbul is possible from New York, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, and more.

Driving to Cappadocia is an excellent option for visitors who are curious about experiencing a road trip in Turkey. From any direction, a drive to Cappadocia means you’re bound to come across gorgeous landscapes and beautiful views, and even see what life looks like in rural towns and villages. In general, driving in Turkey is truly uncomplicated , especially if you are headed from one major point to another.

Even as a first-time driver renting a car abroad, getting around Turkey by car is honestly not difficult. However, even for experienced drivers, it’s not recommended to drive in the city centers in densely populated places like Istanbul. As long as you avoid this, you can travel to Cappadocia (or anywhere in Turkey) comfortably and on your own schedule by car.

All-inclusive tours to Cappadocia are the ultimate way to visit the land of hot air balloons without breaking a sweat while trip planning. If you would describe yourself as the complete opposite of a self-guided traveler, just book the tour! Most guided tours and packages will last 2 days and include different features depending on the price. For example, it is possible to book a Cappadocia tour that includes everything from transportation, accommodation, a hot air balloon ride, and even meals. Many Cappadocia tours will also include the cost of flights since this is the quickest way to reach the magical region from Istanbul. The average cost per person for a guided Cappadocia itinerary from Istanbul ranges anywhere from €400 – €900.

Getting Around Cappadocia

There are a few ways to accomplish a 3 day Cappadocia itinerary in terms of getting from one place to another. As the region has continued to reach new heights of tourism records, more options for transportation are available for visitors. However, before planning your trip, it’s important to understand your budget before landing on a transportation solution.

If the cost is not a concern to you, the best way to get around Cappadocia is by hiring a private driver. Although it is expensive, it can particularly be efficient if you are traveling in a group of four or more people. Or, if you are travelling as a family with young children , this option alleviates a lot of stress when figuring out logistics and is worth the extra cost. Besides the convenience and comfort, private drivers are likely to offer you insider information and tips as an added bonus.

The next best thing to a private driver is a taxi service. Although the cost of travel in Turkey is comparatively low, do not underestimate how much taxi rides will add up if you rely on them throughout your entire Cappadocia itinerary. Opting for a taxi is a great choice when you are in a bind to get somewhere in a hurry .

Catching the bus between towns in Cappadocia is feasible for travelers on a budget or backpackers with loose itineraries. Public transportation is undoubtedly the most affordable way to get around but will also take the longest. The sporadic timetables are also not ideal for those looking to stick precisely to their 3 – 4 day Cappadocia itinerary.

To ensure you are able to see all the things on your Cappadocia itinerary in good time and on a flexible schedule , you’ll want to drive. Cappadocia is very easy to navigate by car, even for drivers who are inexperienced with driving abroad. The roads are paved, well-marked, and it’s not as hectic as driving around a major city. The bigger towns in Cappadocia, such as Göreme, are the easiest places to rent a car after flying into the region. You’re also likely to find a better price on a rental car by booking a pickup in a city like Göreme opposed to the airport.

Cappadocia’s climate is semi-arid, which means it’s most similar to a desert, just slightly cooler. These types of climates receive more rainfall than an average desert does, which increases their overall humidity and helps control peak temperatures. However, the key word here is still desert , and unless you thoroughly love the heat, a summer trip to Cappadocia may be difficult to enjoy. During July and August, temperatures can reach over 32°C / 90°F during the day.

Visiting Cappadocia during spring or fall is ideal for the most enjoyable weather. Our time in Cappadocia was spent in September, and it was excellent for being outdoors without worrying about the scorching sun or rain. During the early mornings and evenings, you could get away with a light jacket, and wear shorts throughout the day. Compared to the peak of the tourist season, accommodation prices were also 10-15% cheaper.

Winter time in Cappadocia is surprisingly not out of the question. Naturally, it is cold but not to an extreme, and it usually doesn’t get below freezing temperatures. Each year, we are told that there is a chance of snow, creating one of the most splendid sceneries throughout the valleys and peaks. Heading to Cappadocia in the winter is unquestionably the most unique time a traveller can visit.

Sarnich Cave Suites

Best Stay in Göreme

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Hezen Cave Hotel

Best Stay in Ortahisar

Sinasos Star Hotel

Best Stay in Ürgüp

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Cappadocia Tours & Trips

Discover adventures through Cappadocia. Encounter with some of the most fascinating rock formations of Turkey and experience the best of hiking and trekking . Enjoy the panoramic views of the Mendes Mountains, stay in a cave hotel, and cycle through fairy chimneys and eroded rocks in White Valley.

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69 cappadocia tour packages with 167 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia | 6 Days with 1 flight

The trip was amazing and I saw beautiful parts of Turkey. Some things I would like to point out: - the transport-shuttle-drivers were always very helpful, friendly, on time and organized. Event though their English wasnt perfect, which is perfectly ok, they helped out wherever they could. - the hotel Olimpiyat is OK, nothing special, but good location. I was able to change my room as it smelt like "cigarette-smoke" in my bathroom, so I ask if I can change the rooms, as I do have asthma. The carpets in the room are also bit over-used and in combination with smoke, its not the best option to sleep there. Breakfast ist ok, receptionist are friendly, good location. - Capadoccia: a must seen for everyone, beautiful landscapes, beautiful place, would love to go there again, the Cave.Suite Hotel: wonderful people, very familiar, very helpful, personal and lovely. The one thing I was missing from your side, was that it will be so cold, I had not the right clothes with me :) so for the balloon ride- I should have brought more like "mountain-.snowboarding-skiing-clothes" - this would have been a great tipp, if you could have informed me before.. as obviously the weather-temperature forecast is available online but as it really is then, its a different story - my guide in Istanbul: Mustafa, very cool and easy relaxing guide.. He knows a lot about Istanbul, his English is excellent, I would definitely recommend him to as well younger people, young couples, Families, he is super engaged and informed!! Big praise on him!

7 Days Best of Istanbul and Best of Cappadocia Package

Booking, follow through, organization and communication were all excellent. Mr Ozgur Ates was great help and made everything possible. He maintained communication with us on a daily basis and keep us informed of what was coming. He was key at planning and making sure everything was seamless. The tour itself was great. We visited the landmarks of Istanbul. I feel the guides in Istanbul could have been better. First day Sunday we had the grand bazaar planned but it was closed. In substitution we were taken to a carpet shop which I had no interest whatsoever in going. The tour guide left the group there without giving instructions in how to get back to the hotel. We are seasoned travelers and had no problems going back but I know of a couple that didn’t know how to get back and our guide was pretty dismissive of them. The day concluded earlier than planned as nobody in our group wanted to buy carpets. We ended up visiting the Bazaar on our own and I was glad as that was a highlight in Istanbul. The second day we had planned the Spice Market but the day started pretty late and we had but 20 minutes for the market. Upon entering the guide took us to shop number 7 which was his election pressing us to buy from that shop. I didn’t care for that and felt rushed and short changed on the day. Another couple complained about it and wanted to return but were told that there was no time. In my opinion, that should be corrected and the traveler should get what was promised. We could have started earlier. Bosphorus cruise was nice and get to see all landmarks from the river. WC was filthy. Cappadocia was perfect. Our guide Rose was professional, knowledgeable and fun. She explained everything in detail and engaged the group in active exchanges and fun quizzes. She was adaptable to our needs always checking we were happy, rested and hydrated. She made short brakes to accommodate teenagers with their different needs and adults at the same time. She taught us a lot about history, culture and religion past and present. I will endorse her without hesitation if you can request her as your guide. In general I had a wonderful time and got to check off the Hot air balloon from my bucket list. Well worth the price we paid and guided by professionals. I felt very safe and taken care off. I will come back, there is so much to see and experience that I feel I barely scratched the surface of a beautiful country and lovely friendly people. Thank you City of Sultans for making it possible.

• Photography

Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia | 7 Days with 1 flight

Excellent trip! Great communication leading up to arrival so I felt everything was well-organized, and the trip itself was excellent - informative, fun, and adventurous. Highly recommended!

3 Days-Cappadocia Tour from/to Istanbul

Accommodation, transportation and response was very efficient and well appreciated. The driver and guide were very helpful in every way and explained the history of the area as far back as the Hitite times. Mustafa also explained the phenomenon of the fairy chimneys and the deep history of the people that lived there. Included in the tour was also the Pottery factory, the gem factory and the carpet factory. We also got to visit the many chapels and the underground accommodations. All in all excellent. The hotel Jerveni Cave hotel is a small 10 bedroom hotel run by the family that owned it for centuries, a beautiful very clean and cozy place. The owners very welcoming and generous with their breakfast and welcome. Glad we did not book the balloon ride because the weather was not permitting when we were there. The only disappointment is that the tour indicates 3 days and 2 nights well it is actually 2 days and 2 nights. The first day upon pick up from the airport we immediately started the tour, also next day was a full tour day. However the 3rd day our flight was booked for 10:30 am, so we had to wake up very early, have breakfast and rush to the airport by 7:30. We would have liked a later flight so we can enjoy a little more.

7 Days Istanbul and Best of Cappadocia Tour

Well timed tour & everything was smooth. No major hiccups at all. The guides were great. I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to do a stress free trip to Turkey. If you are visiting, you should buy water from local deli/stand everyday so that you don't have to pay expensive drinks at the included lunch. Also, not all hotels have irons.

Istanbul&Cappadocia-4 Days

The accommodation was really lovely and the guides were very well-informed. I appreciated that Altinkum took care to let me know my itinerary and other useful information every day, which meant I never had to worry about the little details. Overall a great experience

3 Days Best of Cappadocia Tour from/to Istanbul

We had a wonderful trip! All transfers were on time and everything went as scheduled. We had the most fabulous tour guide, Rose, who grew up In Cappadocia and shared a wealth of knowledge, energy, and passion for the area. She was very accommodating to the group’s interests, for example, setting up a wine tasting stop at the last minute. The highlight of our visit was getting to go into a cave house where a family was living for a tour.

• Sightseeing

5 Days - Istanbul Cappadocia Tour

Had an overall amazing experience. Everything was very organised perhaps the only thing is to make sure checking time is clear before booking flights as we first arrived at around 9 and our check in time was not till 2. Other than that we loved our stay in Istanbul and Cappadocia.

A Tale of Two Marvels: Istanbul & Cappadocia 7 Day Tour

Istanbul and Cappadocia are amazing cities to visit, when i saw Hot Air Balloon full of the sky, its the view I would never forget!

3 Days - Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul

Everything was excellent and we had a great time. So we are happy to book with you again. Location and excursions were very nice and we had fine guides and good drivers. Lunch was also excellent. Despite that still 2 remarks: 1. The balloon trip for € 300 that we booked was too expensive compared to the other providers. From € 120.00 to € 180.00 were the usual prices. 2. The buses (some) during the transport could not handle the heat. Air conditioning was not adequate and the buses were (sometimes) very worn.

3 Days Cappadocia & Pamukkale

Your service was amazing and you follow up the tourist in every station . Thank you

• Hiking & Trekking

3 Day Highlights of Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul

The three day Cappadocia tour was amazing!! The cave hotel that we stayed at was unique, artistic and so beautiful! Waking up in the morning with the skies overhead filled with colorful hot air balloons was a sight to remember forever! Next time we come we will definitely take a balloon ride. The places that the tour guides took us were very interesting and the guides were extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful (especially Ms Cini!!) The food was absolutely delicious!

5 Days Istanbul - Cappadocia Tour

Great tour operator! Great scheduling and precious guy. Thanks Mehemet and Turkeyescapades!!! Luca and Fatouma

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

3 Days Cappadocia Highlights

Everything was planned perfectly. Enjoyed whole time having tour of Capadocia.

Customized Private Turkey Trip of Istanbul & Cappadocia, Daily Departure

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

What people love about Cappadocia Tours

Tour was great. Two things to note: tour stated that the maximum amount of people was 18. Actual amount of people was 31. The hotel in Istanbul was outdated. It would have been a better experience to stay at an updated hotel

Would highly recommend City of Sultans. The itinerary was excellent and I was kept up to date at all times about what was happening, meeting and pick up times etc. well done to Ozgur and the team!

Had such a great time !! Our tour guide Nadir, was a very caring person, and he was very professional. He had great knowledge about Turkey, thanks to him we learned a lot. Turkey was a very beatiful country, I definitely want to come again. Overall the hotels were clean and comfortable. Highly recommend this tour !

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• Deutsch: Kappadokien Rundreisen
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The Ultimate Guide to Cappadocia

Here’s your complete guide to Cappadocia! This page will show you how to hike the major valleys, the best underground city to visit, everything you need to know about hot air ballooning and a bunch of awesome tips.

Cappadocia Turkey Guide

The magical kingdom of Cappadocia is special – really special. And it’s certainly one of the brightest highlights of Turkey. If you can only visit one place in Turkey, this should be it. It has it all – incredible views, luxurious and budget accommodation carved into rock faces, hiking, adventure and it’s steeped in history. You could spend weeks here exploring the vast landscape and you’d love every minute of it.

The Best Things to do in Cappadocia

Hot air balloon ride.

On my first visit to Cappadocia I passed on the hot air balloon ride. Wasn’t interested and it was too expensive. On my next visit, six years later, I still wasn’t interested and it still cost too much. But my girlfriend wanted to do it so I relented – and I’m so frickin glad I did. The hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is one of my favourite memories of Turkey – and I’ve spent a year travelling to its every corner.

Butterfly Balloons stood out as a top company when researching and they offered an incredible experience for £105 per person (including an impressive breakfast before, champagne after and a certificate – for some reason). The set-up was professionally run and we’d recommend them based on our experiences.

What happens on the day?

Going on a hot air balloon ride means an early start. Expect to be up at 5am. Most places will include a breakfast, Butterfly Balloons’ breakfast was a buffet style with fresh fruit, toast, cheeses, chocolate and pastries with hot drinks. While you’re having breakfast the company will be waiting on flight confirmation. Ballooning in Cappadocia is highly regulated and every company must get the go-ahead from the Aviation Authority. Flights have been known to be cancelled on the day, in which case you’ll be given a full refund. Once the all clear has been given you’ll jump on a minibus and be taken to your balloon. From there it’s up and away for an hour to an hour and a half. You’ll land somewhere else completely and (with most companies) will be treated to champagne, strawberries and a flight certificate. From there they’ll stick you on a minibus and drop you back at your hotel.

How safe is it?

There is risk – you’re floating in a basket strapped to a balloon with fire blasting into it. And there have been casualties and, tragically, 8 deaths in the last 10 years in Cappadocia. However, Cappadocia is still one of the safest places in the world to take a balloon flight. There are on average 150 balloon flights a day. Let’s say each basket takes a minimum of 10 people and they fly 250 days out of the year. That’s 375,000 people in the sky over Cappadocia a year. The numbers are on your side.

Which company should I go with?

It’s easy enough to book when you’re there and get a feel for the company as opposed to doing it online. If you’re worried then stick to big companies like Butterfly Balloons and Voyager. If you’re doing it while you’re there go directly to the company’s headquarters or book through a travel agent. Don’t do it through a carpet shop or restaurant. You can also find a good selection here on viator.com of reviewed companies.

More information

• Pilots must train for roughly 16 months, fly 200 hours and have a Commercial licence and Private Pilot’s licence before being hired by a company.
• A balloon ride should cost anywhere from £100-£150 dependent on season. Our flight was £105 in March 2018.
• If you’re splashing out there are deluxe flights for around £450
• Balloons typically fly at 3000 feet. The maximum altitude is 6000 feet.
• Some companies run flights all year round. Snowy back drops are incredible if you go in winter.
• Up to 200 balloons can be in the sky at one time
• Baskets typically take 10 passengers (it can range from 2 passengers plus one pilot up to 24 people) so that’s up to 2000 people in the sky!
• It costs £80,000 per balloon (usually made in the UK) and £20,000 for the basket
• I get pretty bad travel sickness, but as the basket moves with the wind there’s no swaying and no feelings of motion sickness!
• It’s also surprisingly warm in the basket.

Check out this short video clip of our hot air balloon ride!

Watch the sunrise

Watching the sunrise over Cappadocia is beautiful and should be at the top of your list of things to do. It’ll suck getting up early, but it’s definitely worth it, especially if you’re not opting for a balloon ride. And even if you are going for a balloon ride, we’d still recommend seeing the sunrise from the cliff top, it offers a different perspective and makes for some amazing photography.

There’s a specific sunrise point in Goreme (use the same point for the sunset). It’s a short-ish walk up a steep hill. You’ll want to check what time the sun rises online or ask your hotel owner and make sure you’re up there about 30 minutes beforehand. In peak season it can get busy with everyone scrambling for the perfect photo op. When you get to the top you’ll find a café, walk behind it and down onto the cliff face, keep walking until you can see all the balloons on the ground. Get as close as you can to the edge as they’ll be flying close.

Hike the famous valleys

There are five famous valley walks in Cappadocia. If you fancy it, you can complete all five in two days (it’s a bit much to squeeze them all into one) by following our suggested walking route below. If you’re rushed for time then use the map to pick and choose your favourites! 

If you’re nervous about hiking alone, we recommend hiring a professional guide to accompany you. Not only do you get a guided and personal tour, but loads of additional info too. Here’s a good selection of guided hiking and walking tours on vitator.com.  

From Goreme; hike Pigeon Valley (1.5 hours – easy) through to Uchisar and climb to the top of the castle for a panoramic view. Join White Valley (1.5 hours – steep and slippery in places) which will turn into Love Valley (1 hour – easy). Walk back to the main road and hitchhike a lift back to Goreme (to walk is about 45 minutes). This is a full day’s walk.

Then do Red and Rose Valley on a separate day as it will take around 3.5 hours, not including time to explore churches and abandoned homes carved into the rocks. It’s well worth leaving early and taking the shortcut route shown on the map.

Cappadocia Hiking Map

Pigeon Valley (1 hour, easy)

The great thing about Pigeon Valley is that it’s perfectly situated, the easiest one to access from Goreme, links up to Uchisar Castle and the south entrance to White and Love Valley and is a great introduction to hiking in the area. We’d recommend starting at Pigeon Valley.

White Valley (1.5 hours, steep and slippery in places)

If you’re starting from Uchisar, look at the road pointing towards Goreme and the entrance to White Valley will be to your left, while Pigeon is on your right. White Valley is not difficult, but it is tricky if you’re not wearing the right footwear. You could hike the rest of these valleys in flip flops, but White Valley has some steeper terrain to negotiate and is usually peppered in gravel. White Valley eventually turns into Love Valley.

Love Valley (1 hour, easy)

Love valley is the most famous of all in Cappadocia, for obvious reasons – the phallic shaped rock formations. It’s a very easy valley to walk through and makes for some cracking photos. You’ll find a little cafe shack half way through. Once you’ve reached the end, turn right and follow the road until you hit the main road. From there you can either walk or hitchhike a lift back to Goreme. If you have a tight time frame and just want to see Love Valley then get a taxi to the north entrance, it’s easy to find and walk for about 30 minutes into the valley turn around and head back to the main road.

Red and Rose Valley (3.5-4 hours, easy)

Be prepared for a full day’s hiking. Red and Rose Valley will take at least three hours, and a little longer if you walk this shortcut route below. But by taking this route you’ll see so many more stone home cut outs, it’s well worth it!

Red and Rose Valley is signposted everywhere, but once you’re actually on the trail it can get confusing with spray painted arrows pointing in multiple directions. The best thing to do is to use Maps.Me (see the extra tips below) and use the offline trail map.

You can’t go wrong. You won’t get lost if you don’t use it, it could just take a little longer. Red and Rose Valley has some incredible churches and abandoned buildings along the way, you’ll want to start early, take plenty of water and wear comfy clothing for scrambling into old ruins. Make sure you get to the Panoramic viewpoint, if you’ve had enough by then there’s a main road and car park near it where you can grab a taxi. Equally, if you don’t fancy the hiking just get a taxi to the viewpoint (shown on our map).

Visit Ihlara Valley

Ihlara Valley is a about an hour and a half’s drive from Goreme. There’s a small admission charge of around £2, it’s well preserved, looked after and has cafes along route. It’s a very easy walk and very beautiful.

You can make it trickier for yourself by clambering up the cliff sides to explore the abandoned churches – and Ihlara is filled with them.

If you’ve already hiked the major valleys around Goreme then you’re not really missing much if you don’t go, but Ihlara is beautiful and if you’re heading to the underground city of Derinkuyu then it’s only a further 30-minute drive.

If you’re making your own way there then park up at either the north or south entrance, walk the length of the valley along one side of the river, cross the bridge at the end and walk back along the other side. If you have a taxi service or are on a tour then they’ll drop you at one end and pick you up at the other.

Climb Uchisar Castle

If you’re following our suggested walking route then as you finish Pigeon Valley the Uchisar Castle will be in plain sight (it looks more like huge rock than a castle) so just head towards it, pay a £1 entry fee and then it’s steps all the way up to the top. It’s the highest point in Cappadocia and well worth the walk up. If you’re not walking then the castle is only 5km from Goreme and a cheap taxi drive.

Derinkuyu Underground City

There are hundreds of underground cities in Cappadocia with new ones still being discovered today. The biggest and most famous of them (so far) are the Kaymakli (widest) and Derinkuyu (deepest) cities. Unless you’re really into underground cities there’s not much point in seeing both and we’d recommend sticking to the Derinkuyu one as it’s the deepest and eeriest. It’s the largest multi-level underground city in Cappadocia, it drops 200 feet below the surface, could hold 20,000 people including live-stock, had schools, libraries and a complex tunnel system with ventilation shafts.

Derinkuyu is a 30-minute drive from Goreme, there are plenty of tour services and taxis willing to take you there. A good option is to rent a car the night before for an 8am drop off, drive yourself to Derinkuyu to be there for 9am. You’ll miss the bus loads of tourists and have the entire place to yourself. If you do get there early then take a coat as it can be chilly (try your best to get there for opening time, you won’t regret it). Once you’ve finished you can then drive to Ihlara if you fancy it (a further 30 minutes).

Don’t forget to take a torch! The tunnels and main passageways are lit, but if you want to explore mini tunnels and hidden rooms you’ll need the light as dead ends in the dark aren’t fun…

If you’re driving yourself there then there’s a car park right outside which you’ll have to pay for. If you arrive at that car park (which is clearly signposted as a paid car park and there is an attendant) then drive around the underground city entrance to the opposite side of the car park and you can park your car there for free. There’s not much else to do in the area. There are plenty of little trinket shops and cafes though. Also, don’t forget to check opening times when you’re there as it can close early.

Alternatively, you can always make life easier and go with an organised tour of the underground city. Here are some suggestions. 

How to get to Cappadocia

Cappadocia is easy to get to from two main airports, Nevsehir and Kayseri. Nevsehir is the more popular as it’s closer. We recommend using skyscanner.net to find the cheapest flights. Just make sure you select ‘flexible dates’ so you can see what the cheapest dates are. 

If you’ve already booked accommodation your hotel should pick you up for free or a small price. If not, you should expect to pay around £5 one-way.

If you’re travelling around Turkey via public transport then Cappadocia is well set-up for buses with a main bus station (car park) in the centre and good time tables taking you to major guides around the country.

Once you’re there it’s very easy to arrange taxis to get around. Most of the major attractions are in walking distance, but you’ll certainly need transport to get to the underground cities and Ihlara valley and prices are reasonable, especially considering the driver will wait for you as you explore them. But do check with your hotel owner for a rough guide to pricing.

If you’re the independent type then renting a car is also simple and cheap. Your accommodation should be able to recommend a company who will drop the car off to your front door. We always do this in Cappaodica and typically spend around £20 for 24 hours. The roads to Ihlara Valley and the underground city of Derinkuyu are in good condition. However, you can easily end up on a long, dusty gravel track if you take the wrong turn. But this can be done in a small car. You don’t need a 4×4. Bear in mind that petrol attendants fill your car for you. You won’t be able to operate the pump until an attendant is there to swipe his card. If you do decide to rent a car, check over it while filming with your mobile phone. Then you have an easy record of any dents.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

Debate always surrounds where to stay in Cappadocia. Your two main options are Goreme and Uchisar. Simply, Goreme is where it’s at while Uchisar is quiet and further away from all the action. I always stay in Goreme, and sometimes if I prefer the quiet I can just stay on the outskirts of Goreme, which would mean a 10 minute stroll into the town centre. It’s easier to get around, far more to do and you’re at the entrance to all the valleys – perfect!

You’ll find a tonne of online recommendations on places to stay – namely luxury cave hotels which have paid for people to stay in them and write nice things. But they’ll still be good choices, as to be fair, you can’t really go wrong in Cappadocia. Staying in a cave hotel is a popular option as it’s more of an authentic experience, living like the locals. However, if you’re on more of a budget then AirBnB is your best friend. There are some awesome homestays on there, ultra-clean, tidy and spacious, double, private rooms with your own bathroom for about £10 a night. You’ll also find a load of great options on Booking.com.  

Extra tips, tricks and recommendations

• Cap a what?  Cappadocia is pronounced Cap-a-doke-eeyah
• Download Maps.Me  to your mobile phone and then download the Cappadocia region map. It’s a free app and a free download. You can then use the map while offline and walking about. It has most, if not all of the major hiking trails already saved on there so you can’t get lost. And you can use it as a satnav if you get really stuck. You could always bookmark the locations onto Google Maps too.
• Recommended accommodation  –  Cappadocian Special House . Rooms can come as cheap as £8-£12 a night with an en-suite and delicious breakfast included. The host, Mustafa, is a dab hand at arranging cars, balloons, transfers and anything else you need. Plus he’s a good guy.
• Recommended restaurant  – Fat Boys Restaurant, Café and Bar. Having spent months sampling Goreme’s restaurants Fat Boys has always come out on top. I first visited the restaurant 6 years ago and it’s just as good today. The food is delicious and very well priced. You’ll find its location with a quick Google search.
• Recommended Hot Air Balloon company  –   Butterfly Balloons . The service is excellent, the breakfast tasty and the pilots and set-up are professionally run.

Everything else

• There are plenty of ATMS in Cappadocia, so don’t worry about taking wads of cash with you.
• If you don’t fancy walking all the time then check out horseback riding and quad biking tours. There are loads of options to choose from.
• There are plenty of cheap food options dotted around Goreme serving kebabs for £2. If you’re on a tight budget then opt for an AirBnB which has a kitchen and prepare your own food, there are a couple of decent ‘supermarkets’ in Goreme.
• Four days is the perfect amount of time to see Goreme. Two days for hiking, one for ballooning and one for the underground city. If you’re up for a more luxuriously relaxed trip then take the week – there’s so much to do!   
• Note: we’re not affiliated with any company and receive no backing, payment or free rides. All our words are based on our own experiences. Thanks!

Join an organised tour

Alternatively, if you’d like to join an organised tour to visit Cappadocia in Turkey, we recommend booking on Viator. There’s a range of tours to choose from dependent on your budget.  

• Cappadocia Turkey Tour

We may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a product using the affiliate links on this page. We’re not sponsored, are completely impartial and don’t run ads. So this helps us keep the site running. Thank you for your support.

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THE 10 BEST Cappadocia Tours & Excursions

Cappadocia tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride / Turquaz Balloons

2. Full Day Private Cappadocia Tour (Car & Guide )

3. Cappadocia Balloon Flight (Official) by Discovery Balloons

4. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour Over Fairychimneys

5. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Fairy Chimneys And Goreme

6. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon 1 of 4 Valleys

7. Red (North) Tour Cappadocia (small group) with lunch and tickets

8. Green (South) Tour Cappadocia (small group) with lunch and ticket

9. Turkish Night with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks İn the Rock Cave

10. 2 Day All Inclusive Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Optional Balloon Flight

11. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Flight over Goreme

12. Cappadocia Balloon Ride and Champagne Breakfast

13. Full Day Private Tour with Local Guide and Vehicle in Goreme

14. One Hour Deluxe Hot Air Balloon Tour(Goreme Valley)

15. Cappadocia Sunset Tour with ATV Quad - Beginners Welcome

16. Cappadocia Green Tour (inc: Pro Guide, Transfers, Tickets, Lunch)

17. Cappadocia Balloon Ride with Breakfast, Champagne and Transfers

18. Cappadocia Green Tour

19. Adventure in Cappadocia Horse Riding Sunset ,Daytime

20. Fascinating Cappadocia Photoshoot by Private Minivan

21. Cappadocia Private Tour with Car & Guide

22. Cappadocia Private Airport Transfer From/To Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport

23. Cappadocia Dream - 2 Days Cappadocia Travel with Balloon Ride from/to Istanbul

24. Full-Day Private Tour in Cappadocia with Guide and Driver

25. Cappadocia Half-Day Jeep Safari

26. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Cat Valleys with Drinks

27. Exclusive Hot air balloon Flight in Cappadocia

28. Cappadocia ATV (1 Quad Bike) Tour - 2 Hours

29. Cappadocia Balloon Flight

30. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Flight ( Cat Valley )

What travelers are saying.

• Cappadocia Balloon Flight (Official) by Discovery Balloons
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride / Turquaz Balloons
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour Over Fairychimneys
• Hot Air Balloon Flights in Cappadocia 1 of 4 Valleys Tour
• Cappadocia Balloon Ride and Champagne Breakfast
• Turquaz Balloons
• Gorgeous Travel - Daily Tours & Balloon Flights
• Discovery Balloons
• Royal Balloon - Cappadocia
• Hereke Travel
• Kelebek Travel
• NOMAD TRAVEL
• Butterfly Balloons
• MyTrip Travel & Tourism Agency
• Andromeda Day Tours
• Old Town Travel
• Paradise Travel

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The Ultimate 2-Day Cappadocia Itinerary

Your dream journey to cappadocia begins here.

Cappadocia, a land where fairy chimneys rise from the ground and hot air balloons paint the sky, is a must-see destination in Turkey. This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to experiencing the best that Cappadocia has to offer in just two days. Buckle up; an unforgettable journey awaits you!

Why Cappadocia is a Must-Visit Destination

Cappadocia is not just another tourist destination; it’s a magical realm that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture. The region is famous for its surreal landscapes, ancient cave dwellings, and vibrant local life. Whether you’re an adventure junkie, a history buff, or someone who just wants to relax and take in the views, Cappadocia has something for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Cappadocia

The ideal time to visit Cappadocia depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip. Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and hot-air ballooning. Summer can be hot but is also the peak tourist season. Winter provides a magical snowy landscape but comes with the challenge of cold temperatures.

How to Get to Cappadocia

Getting to Cappadocia is relatively straightforward. The nearest airports are Kayseri and Nevşehir, both of which have regular flights from Istanbul . From the airport, you can take a shuttle or taxi to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can opt for a scenic drive if you’re coming from other parts of Turkey .

Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions

Morning: hot air balloon ride.

Kickstart your Cappadocia adventure with a hot air balloon ride. Floating over the fairy chimneys and unique rock formations as the sun rises is an experience you’ll never forget.

Afternoon: Göreme Open-Air Museum

Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to explore ancient cave churches and monasteries. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich history and religious significance.

Evening: Sunset at Uçhisar Castle

End your day by watching the sunset from Uçhisar Castle. The panoramic views of the landscape bathed in golden light will leave you speechless.

Day 2: Exploring the Hidden Gems

Morning: derinkuyu underground city.

Start your second day by delving into the depths of Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city. It’s a labyrinth of tunnels and rooms that once served as a refuge for early Christians.

Afternoon: Ihlara Valley Hike

Spend your afternoon hiking through the Ihlara Valley. The trail takes you along the Melendiz River and offers stunning views of the canyon and its rock-carved churches.

Evening: Turkish Night Show

Wrap up your trip with a Turkish Night Show, where you can enjoy traditional music, dance, and delicious local cuisine.

Accommodation Options in Cappadocia

From cave hotels to luxury resorts, Cappadocia offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences.

Local Cuisine: What to Eat

Don’t miss out on trying local dishes like Testi Kebab and Gözleme. The region is also famous for its wine, so make sure to visit a local vineyard.

Shopping in Cappadocia: Souvenirs and Local Crafts

Cappadocia is a great place to shop for unique souvenirs like handmade ceramics, textiles, and spices.

Travel Tips and Safety Precautions

Always check the weather forecast, especially if you plan on doing outdoor activities. Make sure to also keep an eye on your belongings as you explore.

Packing Essentials for Cappadocia

Pack layers, and comfortable shoes, and don’t forget your camera! This landscape is too beautiful not to capture.

The Ultimate 2-Day Cappadocia Itinerary: Summary

In just two days, you can experience the best of what Cappadocia has to offer, from its surreal landscapes to its rich history and culture.

• What is the best way to get around Cappadocia? Public transport is limited, so renting a car or hiring a taxi is recommended.
• Is Cappadocia safe for tourists? Yes, Cappadocia is generally safe, but it’s always good to take basic safety precautions.
• Can I fly a drone in Cappadocia? Drone flying is restricted in certain areas, so always check local regulations.
• What should I wear for the hot air balloon ride? Dress in layers as it can be chilly in the morning.
• Do I need a guide for hiking in Cappadocia? While not necessary, a guide can enhance your experience by providing valuable insights.
• How much should I budget for a 2-day trip? This can vary widely depending on your choices but expect to spend at least $300-$500 per person.

Conclusion: Your Unforgettable Journey in Cappadocia

Your 2-day trip to Cappadocia promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, beauty, and cultural enrichment. With this ultimate itinerary, you’re all set to make the most of your time in this magical land.

Top 3 Must-Experience Cappadocia Tours Starting from Istanbul

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Green Tour Cappadocia – Itinerary + Price + All You Need To Know

Last Updated on April 17, 2023 by Soumya

Thinking of a Green Tour in Cappadocia, Turkey ? Keen to find out what is part of a Green Tour itinerary, what are the prices, and how long the tour takes? Is it good value for money?

I just came back from my month-long trip to Turkey and honestly, the Green Tour was one of the best things I did in Cappadocia . Well, the hot air balloon also! And the hundreds of rock-cut churches and the amazing fairy chimneys too! Cappadocia is one amazing place that you should definitely have on your Turkey bucket list.

But, a Cappadocia Green Tour is a great way to see some of the best attractions in the region in a short time. The tour includes one of Turkey’s mysterious underground cities, the picturesque Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, a panoramic viewpoint, and a couple of other smaller stops.

In my opinion, the Green Tour is good value for money especially because you get to cover a lot during the tour. These attractions are not particularly close to each other and not easy to get to by public transport which is not the case with a Cappadocia Red Tour (I delve into details in my Green Tour vs Red Tour section here) .

That’s why it makes all the more sense to sign up for a Green Tour in Cappadocia. One of the highest rated tours in the market is this small-group tour with a knowledgeable tour guide.

However, I highly recommend that you red through this entire post and then decide if the Green Tour is a good fit for your Cappadocia itinerary .

Table of Contents

Quick link to the best Cappadocia Green Tour

Which green tour did I join?

Small-group Cappadocia Green Tour

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

What is a Green Tour in Cappadocia?

A Green Tour in Cappadocia is a popular, full-day tour that covers some of the best attractions in southwestern Cappadocia including an underground city, the Ihara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley.

When I arrived in Cappadocia, I was surprised to find all shops and stores displaying signs of Red, Blue, and Green Tours. Apart from the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon rides , of course.

After some asking around, I found that red tours covered the northern part of Cappadocia including the more popular spots such as Goreme Open Air Museum and Uchisar Viewpoint. Green tours covered the southwestern part of Cappadocia and included an underground city, Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery. Blue tours were somewhere between the two and the least popular.

If you have enough time like 3 days in Cappadocia or more, I would recommend that you do both the Green Tour and the Red Tour. However, if you are spending fewer nights here and have time for only one tour, I recommend doing the Green Tour. I have reasoned it out my section on Green vs Red here .

Note that all these tours are full-day tours but start around 9:00am in the morning. So, you can easily do them even if you are doing a hot air balloon ride in the morning.

Sample Green Tour itinerary

Depending on which agency you pick, your Green Tour itinerary may differ a little bit. But overall, this is what a sample itinerary for a Cappadocia Green Tour looks like.

Goreme Panorama

The first stop on our itinerary was the Goreme Panorama. This place, as the name suggests, offers a stunning panoramic view of Goreme. The viewpoint gives a 180-degree view of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys with the Uchisar Castle at a distance.

There are several benches in the area where you can just sit and absorb the beauty of the landscape that surrounds you. I urge you to venture a little away and find a quieter spot for yourself, without the crowds.

Small shops have cropped up in the area. They sell everything ranging from dondurmas (Turkish ice cream), gozlemes, and small trinkets in case you wish to purchase some. But feel free to venture away and capture some of your best photographs in Cappadocia, here.

Your tour guide will allow you 20-30 minutes to enjoy the views at Goreme Panorama.

If you decide not to do the Green Tour in Cappadocia, you can visit the Panorama on your own. It is a 30 minutes walk from Goreme City Center in the direction of Uchisar. A good bit of the walk is uphill, though.

Onyx factory or Pigeon Valley

Next up on our list was a tour of the Onyx Factory and a view of Pigeon Valley. Since both are located right opposite each other, we could pick what we liked. There was no pressure to go to the Onyx factory.

I am always a little wary of factories that process precious stones (or claim to do so). Plus, I have heard of some stone scams in Turkey. Therefore, we decided to do Pigeon Valley, instead. And boy! What a view that was! This was even better than the one at Goreme Panorama.

Pigeon Valley gets its name from the hundreds of dovecotes that have been carved into the soft tufa rock in this region. Our guide told us that pigeons have always played important roles (as messengers and their poop as fertilizer) in the lives of Cappadocian people. This place was, once, home to thousands of pigeons. Now, only a few hundred remain.

Pigeon Valley is one of the best places to watch a sunset in Cappadocia, if you decide to come back later. Or you can do a Cappadocia Blue Tour which almost always ends with the sunset at Pigeon Valley.

Kaymakli Underground City

One of the best things that is included in the Green Tour itinerary is a visit to an underground city in Cappadocia. You’ll probably have Derinkuyu or Kaymakli on the list. Both are located in southern Cappadocia and just 10mins from each other.

Cappadocia is famous for its strange martian landscape and out-of-the-world fairy chimneys. However, not many people know of the hundreds of subterranean settlements that remain hidden within the surface of Cappadocia.

Huge, multi-tiered cities complete with living rooms, community kitchens, wine cellars, stables, and sanctuaries dot the insides of this region in Turkey. Many of them date back to the 1st century when Christians fled from Roman persecutors and chose to hide in these underground colonies. The cities were repeatedly used during the Arab raids and Ottoman attacks later in history.

We visited Kaymakli on our green trip. It was surreal to enter into this hypogeal world and wonder how life would have been for people who spent months hiding. Be sure to notice the tall ventilation shafts that were used to provide citizens with fresh air.

Here are a few points to prepare you for the underground trip.

• You’ll need to walk through narrow tunnels and enclosed spaces while exploring. If you are extremely claustrophobic, it is best to avoid the underground city tour. However, if you’d like to test the waters, I highly recommend going down the first level and then gauging if you can do it. You can always come back from the first level.
• Wear a hat to avoid bumping your head especially if you are taller than 70 inches.
• There isn’t much light inside, so be prepared for low light photography.

Ihlara Valley hike

After being done with Kaymakli Underground City, we headed to our next destination – Ihlara Valley. The valley was a good 1-hour drive from Kaymakli and many in the van enjoyed a quick nap.

Ihlara is a stunning green valley located in a canyon between the villages of Ihlara and Belisarma. A glittering, gurgling Melendiz river flows through it and you can enjoy some tea or lunch by the river in a traditional Turkish setting.

Perhaps, the most interesting part about Ihlara Valley is the presence of numerous rock-cut churches here. Dating back to the 7th century, these Byzantine churches are adorned with gorgeous murals and religious frescoes.

We visited the first church on our way down the stairs of Ihlara Valley. It was the Agacalti Church with frescoes dating back to the pre-Iconoclast period of 9-11th centuries. Some of the remarkable scenes that you can still see here are the Annunciation, the Nativity, and the coming of three Magi.

There are several other churches that you’ll notice during your hike through the valley. You can always come back and visit them on your own.

During the easy hike by the river, you’ll come across a sort of a restaurant area where you can enjoy a cup of tea by the river or dig into some gozlemes (Turkish stuffed bread). You’ll have for these on your own.

At the end of the hike, you’ll have lunch (included in the cost of the tour). Our meal consisted of soup, salad, bread, and a veg/non-veg casserole. The food was okay, nothing out of the world.

A few points to note before the Ihlara Valley hike.

• You’ll need to climb down about 350 stairs to get to the bottom of the canyon from where you’ll begin the hike.
• It is an easy hike by the Melendiz River, not much climbing involved. Honestly, it is not really a hike, more of a walk with a few ups and downs. A long walk for sure! Get a good pair of walking shoes.
• There are several Instagram spots by the river where you can click great pictures.
• Note that your tour will usually have one rock-cut church in the itinerary. If you want to see more, you’ll have to come back later on your own.
• Toilets are available at the end of the hike at the restaurant where you are going to have lunch.

Yaprakhisar

Yaprakhisar is a massive rocky outcrop with rock-cut churches and monastic dwellings. It provides a stunning view against the clear blue skies and is apparently the place that inspired several scenes in Star Wars!

We just passed by this attraction but I guess, you can ask your guide to stop for a few minutes if you need some pictures.

Selime Monastery

Our next stop was Selime Monastery which was probably the most tricky climb of the day but totally worth it.

Selime is one of the most elaborate cave complexes in the region and an absolute must-have on your Cappadocia bucket list . The entire complex is cut into a cliff that is 50m above the valley and is home to a cathedral, monastery, kitchen, and even a stable. The walls were once covered with colorful frescoes but not much remains today.

It is believed that the Selime Monastery was built sometime between the 8th – 9th centuries. As a result, it has seen the Byzantines, the Romans, the Persians, the Ottomans, and nearly everyone that has influenced Turkey’s history.

At one point of time, Selime was used as a caranvanserai for merchants and travelers on the Silk Road. No doubt, there’s a ton of history hidden here.

Climbing to the top of Selime Monastery can be a little hard (because of the undulating structure of the tufa rock) but not undoable. Good shoes are key.

There are toilets and Turkish gifts stores after you are done with the complex tour.

Mt. Hasan view

On our way back to Goreme, we stopped for a few minutes to get some pictures of Mt. Hasan glistening in the sun. This was definitely the best end to our Cappadocia Green Tour.

Quick note: The eruption of Mt. Hasan is what created the canyon that Ihlara Valley rests in.

Itinerary map for Green Tour

Green Tour or Red Tour?

Honestly, both. But if you need to prioritize, I would recommend you pick the Green Tour over the Red Tour in Cappadocia. And there is a reason for that.

Green Tour takes you to places that are hard to reach by foot or public transport. For seeing Ihlara Valley or Selime Monastery, you’ll need to hire a taxi which costs about 100 EUR per day in Cappadocia.

However, the Red Tour covers attractions that can be accessed by public transport. And sometimes by walking. For example, the Red Tour includes Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, and Avanos which can be easily reached by a dolmus (shared mini-buses that are the best public transport in Turkey) from Goreme City Center.

These mini-vans run every hour, from 7:00am – 8:00pm, from Urgup – Avanos and vice versa. The dolmus ride will cost between 7 – 15 TL depending on where you are going.

To get to Uchisar, you can use the Avanos – Nevshehir bus.

Price of Green Tour in Cappadocia

Depending on the travel agency you choose, the price of a Green Tour in Cappadocia can vary between $40 – $50. The tour price includes entrance fees to all the historical sites and lunch. If you decide to buy anything else, then you will have to pay on your own.

This price is for a small group tour (14-16 people) and you’ll be traveling in an air-conditioned van. There will be a tour guide who will lead the group, an aide who makes sure everyone is coming along, and a driver.

Important point to remember.

If you have a Turkey Museum Pass, note that entrance to Kaymakli, Ihlara, and Selime are covered in your museum pass . Be sure to mention that to your Green Tour provider and ask him for a discount that equals the sum of the value of these tickets. We got a $5 off our tour tickets because of our museum passes.

Book your Green Tour

You can always book your Green Tour online and reserve your slot.

My favorite go-to sites are GetYourGuide and Viator because they are easy to use and have flexible cancellation policies. Based on my personal experience, the rates on these platforms are competitive with the ones that you get on site or through your hotels. But you can always ask your hotels and check.

Here are some of the highest-rated green tours in the market.

• This highly-recommended Green Tour in Cappadocia comes at a really attractive price. Guests love the knowledgeable guide and the underground city tour.
• On this small group tour , you’ll not just see the usual Green Tour attractions but also get a chance to visit the beautiful crater Lake of Nar.
• If you are looking for a private tour, here’s a great one . You’ll not just visit the green places of interest but also step into the Sarihan Caravanserai from the 13th century.

Green Tour pick up time

The pick up time is usually around 9:30am in Goreme.

We were staying at Design Cave Suites in Goreme, so we were picked up around 9:45am from our hotel (official pick up time was 9:30am but there was a traffic jam in Goreme).

If you are staying in Urgup or Mustafapasa, you might be picked up a little earlier, say between 8:30 – 9:00am. If you are staying in Uchisar, you may be picked up around 10:00am.

Green Tour travel tips

• Green Tours will pick you up between 8:30-10:00am depending on where you are staying in Cappadocia. Please ensure that you are ready on time to avoid discomfort to your fellow passengers and to make the most out of your own day.
• Carry a good pair of walking shoes because there’s a lot of walking in Ihlara Valley and a bit of climbing at Selime Monastery.
• Underground cities have narrow tunnels that you’ll need to bend and walk through. If you are claustrophobic, I would advise you to avoid this part of the tour. If you wish to give it a try, read my section on Kaymakli .
• You’ll find toilets at the Onyx Factory, Kaymakli Underground City, restaurant in Ihlara valley, and Selime Monastery. Some of these might be paid and require 2-3 TL. The toilets at the restaurant are free to use.

Is the Green Tour worth it?

The Green Tour in Cappadocia is absolutely worth it because it takes you to some of the best attractions in Cappadocia that are not easily reachable by transport. You get to explore an underground city, hike through a stunning river valley, and check out the fascinating rock-cut monastery of Selime, all on the same day at a very affordable price.

Loved our Cappadocia Green Tour guide? Pin it for later!

You may also like:

• Hot Air Balloon Ride In Cappadocia: What You Need To Know?
• 13 Best Cappadocia Tours That Are Totally Worth Your Money
• The Best Cappadocia Itinerary - How Many Days Is…

10 thoughts on “ Green Tour Cappadocia – Itinerary + Price + All You Need To Know ”

Hi, thank you for a great guide to Cappadocia! Do you mind providing a link for the green tour you did? I’ve looked at reviews of several green tours but all of them seem to do mandatory jewelry stops which I don’t want. The tour you did sounds perfect!

Hi Roopa, The tour that I did also had a jewelry stop – it was the onyx factory. But there was no pressure to go there. You can also excuse yourself from the factory tour and appreciate the scenery outside, instead. For us, the factory was right next to the Pigeon Valley so I had a good time capturing photos of Pigeon Valley. I have linked to the Green Tour that I took here . I have also linked to the tour in a yellow box on the top of my post.

Thanks a lot for the info! We’re headed to cappadocia in a few days. Just booked the same tour that you did 🙂

That’s great. Hope you have an amazing tour of Cappadocia. Happy travels.

Thank you for the information shared. Very helpful.

Glad you found this Green Tour info useful. Have a good trip to Cappadocia.

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The 12 Best Tours in Cappadocia, Turkey

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

Categories TURKEY , TOURS

Cappadocia is a well-known tourist destination for hot air ballooning and breathtaking landscapes such as fairy chimneys and rock formations in particular. However, before the hot air balloon industry was even around, Cappadocia was popular for small hikes and historical tours. This region in Turkey is so stunning to explore for so many reasons whether it’s cultural, historical, or geological. In this article, I will share with you the 12 best tours in Cappadocia so you can explore this beautiful region.

My personal favorites are Hot Air Balloon Ride for its fairytale sunrise and The Red Tour for its top attractions and amazing viewpoints.

Table of Contents

QUICK PICKS: TOP 3 TOURS IN CAPPADOCIA

Don’t have time to read my entire article about the best tours in Cappadocia? No worries! I’ve shortlisted my three favorite Cappadocia tours here to make things easy for you.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

• During sunrise

The Red Tour

• Top attractions
• Very knowledgeable tour guide
• Amazing viewpoints

Sunset ATV Tour

• Dunes, valleys, trails
• Rock-cut valleys
• Easy-to-use bikes

BEST TOURS IN CAPPADOCIA COMPARISON TABLE

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA

• Ultimate Luxury: Mithra Cave Hotel – Amazing Balloon View & Pool
• My Favorite: Sultan Cave Suites – Insta-worthy & Amazing Terrace
• Value Hotel: Traveller’s Cave Hotel is easily the best value (luxury) hotel in Cappadocia

12 BEST TOURS IN CAPPADOCIA

In this article, you will first find a comparison table, which shows you the price, duration, and average review score for each activity. Below the comparison table, you will find a detailed description with photos for each individual activity as well as the link to the booking site so that you can easily navigate to book the tour that you find most exciting! Hope you enjoy the article.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

Tour: Hot Air Balloon Ride (book in advance)

I did this tour and it was beyond epic. It’s truly a fairy tale and it definitely lives up to the hype. The sunrise hot air balloon ride is the most expensive tour in Cappadocia but you simply have to do it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. You can view my full blog post about my hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia.

Before the flight, there’s a complimentary breakfast with tea or coffee. You’ll be flying over Cappadocia’s wonderful landscapes and unique rock formations. Have a 360-degree panorama of the entire region and get a satisfying view of its valleys and mountains. After landing, get a toast of free champagne as you enjoy watching hot air balloons flying over you.

It’s important to book this one in advance as often the entire town is sold out of bookings during peak season and there is a 2-3 day waitlist.

Book your tour: Hot Air Balloon Ride

BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN TURKEY

When you book your Turkey Rental Car online, I personally recommend and always use  Discover Cars . They search for both local and international companies, so you get the best deal!

THE RED TOUR

Tour: The Red Tour

This is the most popular day tour in Cappadocia. A tour that will bring you to the most known attractions around Cappadocia.

• Explore Çavusin, one of the area’s oldest settlements.
• Walk among the Devrent Valley’s fairy chimneys
• Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum and see centuries-old rock-cut churches and monasteries.
• In the Pasabag Valley, marvel at the best collection of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia .
• Reaching the top of Uchisar Rock Castle is the area’s highest point.
• Stop in Ürgup to visit a winery for a tasting.

The tour will last for a whole day so you will be provided with convenient transportation and a very knowledgeable tour guide. This is undoubtedly one of the best tours in Cappadocia!

Book your tour: The Red Tour

• Open-air views

Tour: Blue Tour

After the Red Tour, this is the second-most popular day tour in Cappadocia. After a pickup from your hotel at 10 AM you will see the following sights on this all-inclusive tour.

• Hike along the Red and Rose Valley
• Conclude your hike at the Cavusin Cave Village
• Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant
• Descend towards the center of the earth with a trip to the Underground City
• Visit the Pigeon Valley
• Marvel at the old Greek houses of Uchisar
• Visit Ortshisar Castle, the biggest mass of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia.

Book your tour: The Blue Tour

The Blue Tour

• Mysteriously beautiful valleys
• Spectacular view
• Underground city

GREEN TOUR WITH TREKKING IN IHLARA VALLEY

Tour: Green Tour with Trekking in Ihlara Valley

This tour is a little bit cheaper than the Red Tour and it lasts for approximately 8 hours. Green Tour is among the tourists’ favorites as there are more places to see. After the pick-up at your hotel, you’ll be headed directly to Goreme’s Underground City, the highlight of this tour.

You’ll be amazed at how people lived their lives during this time. I hope you won’t forget to bring your cameras as you’ll be taking shots of their amazing landscapes along the way. It also includes pit stops at the place’s famous sites, including the Ihlara Valley. The trip is kind of hassle-free with pick-up and drop-off in a luxury van! It is guaranteed to give you comfort and relaxation. If you love to hike and trek, this tour is perfect for you!

Book your tour: Green Tour with Ihlara Valley

Green Tour with Ihlara Valley

• Bit cheaper
• Amazing landscapes

SUNSET ATV TOUR

Tour: Sunset ATV Tour

The most popular ‘short’ tour in Cappadocia. As you travel on a sturdy ATV (quad) bike, you will be greeted with spectacular rock-cut valleys that will leave you in awe. This activity is a good option for sightseeing as this will give the opportunity to wander the dunes, valleys, trails, and hills of Cappadocia. The tour finishes right at sunset out in the valley of rock formations for an amazing sunset view.

Book your tour: Sunset ATV Tour

• Dunes, valley, trails, and hills
• Easy to use bikes

HORSE-RIDING TOUR

Tour: Horse-riding Tour

This 2-hour horse ride includes pick-up and drop-off at Cappadocia area hotels. You’ll ride through the valleys of Goreme with their beautiful horses and witness the enchanting fairy chimneys. Explore the peaceful environment with a professional guide.

Among the highlights of this ride are the rock-cut Hallacdere Monastery, the orchards and vineyards with their picturesque landscapes you’ll pass by. The best thing is that you can choose your own schedule and I highly recommend you’ll tour at least 2 hours before sunset.

Book your tour: Horse-riding Tour

Horse-riding Tour

• Pick-up and drop-off
• Beautiful horses
• Peaceful environment

TURKISH NIGHT AT CAVE RESTAURANT

Tour: Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant

Looking for an authentic Turkish-style experience with a combination of night-filled music, dancing, and drinks? You will definitely love what the Cave restaurant in Cappadocia offers. I must say I enjoyed the night of pure relaxation with a touch of Turkish culture.

The onstage performers will keep you entertained the whole evening, so you won’t notice the passing of time.  The location of the restaurant is uniquely situated in a rock-cut cave which makes it more appealing. When it comes to culture, this is the best tour in Cappadocia to really soak it in. You don’t have to worry you might lose your way of getting there, the restaurant also provides free transportation to and from your hotel.

Book your tour: Turkish Night Tour

Turkish Night Tour

• Authentic Turkish style experience
• Night-filled music, dancing
• Night of pure relaxation

RED VALLEY AND UNDERGROUND CITY TOUR

Tour: Red Valley and Underground City Tour

This full-day tour in Cappadocia will give you everything there is to offer. You’ll be picked up from your accommodation and headed right away to the first stop, Red Valley as you witnessed its stunning rock formations and iconic landscapes. You can also hike through the colorful fairy chimneys of the place. Among the highlights are the stops at Pigeon Valley and Ortahisar Rock Castle, both are popular spots.

Book your tour: Red Valley & Underground City Tour

Red Valley & Underground City Tour

• Stunning rock
• Iconic landscapes
• Underground City

BEST OF CAPPADOCIA DAY PRIVATE TOUR WITH LUNCH

Tour: Best of Cappadocia Day Tour with Lunch

The best way to see all of the sights is on this all-day guided, private tour of Cappadocia’s best spots. You can customize the itinerary or go with the popular spots the guide recommends.

• The panoramic viewpoint of Göreme
• Visit the Underground City 
• Visit Pigeon Valley
• Tour Goreme Open Air Museum
• Çavuşin, which is the Old Greek Village
• Visit Paşabağı to see mushroom-shaped rock formations
• Devrent Valley, which is also known as İmagination Valley.

Book your tour: Best of Cappadocia Tour

Best of Cappadocia Tour

• Unforgettable experience
• Worth paying

FULL-DAY DISCOVERY HIKING TOUR

Tour: Full-day Discovery Hiking Tour

When it comes to hiking in Cappadocia, it’s hard not to pick this tour. Get ready for some trail adventures as you descend and find yourself in the underground cities in the region, hike in one of the most attractive valleys, and visit one of the biggest monastic settlements and the largest cathedral.

Book your tour: Full-day Discovery Hiking Tour

Full-day Discovery Hiking Tour

• Attractive valleys
• Unique beauty

GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM AND FAIRY CHIMNEYS

Tour: Goreme Open Air Museum and Fairy Chimneys

The tour kicks off with a visit to the Imagination Valley wherein you’ll get to witness animal-shaped natural rock formations. You’ll then be headed to Monk’s Valley with its amazing mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. It also includes a stop at Avanos town, famous for its pottery works.

Of course, lunch is included at a famous local restaurant before you head to Goreme Open Air Museum, the main attraction. You’ll be in awe of its stunning panoramic views all over and churches dating from the Byzantine Empire. The last stop is at Rock Castle and it’s worth a visit. You’ll be dropped off to your hotel comfortably. Personally, I think this Cappadocia tour is value for money! 

Book your tour: Goreme Open Air Museum & Fairy Chimneys

Goreme Open Air Museum & Fairy Chimneys

• Enjoyable and memorable
• Imagination Valley
• Animal-shaped natural rock

UNDERGROUND CITY AND IHLARA TOUR

Tour : Underground City and Ihlara Tour

On this tour, you’ll get a chance to discover the unique rock formations of Cappadocia. Personally, I like to explore ancient tunnels like the famous Derinkuyu Underground City in Cappadocia and learn the traditions of the locals on how they lived during those times.

If you join this tour, you’ll feel close to nature as you go on your journey to Ihlara Canyon which was formed by volcanic activity, with its scenic views. As you visit the Ihlara Valley, you’ll know how the early Christians made their churches from rocks. This Cappadocia tour also includes quick stops at the Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and the famous Onyx factory to watch how a volcanic stone is formed.

Book your tour: Underground City & Ihlara Tour

Underground City & Ihlara Tour

• Unique rock formations
• Stunning views of the chimneys

HOW TO GET TO CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia isn’t actually a town as many people think but it is an entire region. Within this region are towns such as Goreme (the most popular tourist spot), Uchisar, Urgup, and Ortahisar among others. There are two airports that serve Cappadocia.

• Kayseri Airport (70km/60 minutes) is the main airport and takes just over an hour by van/bus to reach Goreme Town
• Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (/40km/40 minutes is the secondary airport, which is closer to Goreme but only by about 20 minutes.

The big difference here is that Kayseri is a bigger airport, with more flight options, and often has cheaper flights. It is very convenient and quick to fly into Kayseri and I did it twice.

To get from Kayseri (or Nevsehir) you need to pre-book your shuttle or be prepared for an expensive taxi. The cheapest and easiest way to do that is to book online here .  For under $15 you can ride in a shared, air-conditioned airport transfer or a private transfer from $50.

WHERE TO STAY IN GOREME, CAPPADOCIA

Where I stayed: Design Cave Suites Cappadocia – I was lucky enough to stay at the Design Cave Suites in Goreme. The location was great and I walked to all attractions. The rooftop garden was awesome for sunrise balloon watching. The buffet breakfast spread was amazing as were the cave-style room designs.

Best Cave Hotel with Pool:   Local Cave House Hotel – This cave hotel rose to fame because of its incredible pool. Make sure you click the link and check out how epic the pool backdrop is, with those classic Cappadocia rock formations in the background and traditional cave rooms it is a top pick.

Cave Hotel with Best Roof View (and dogs): Sultan Cave Suites – This cave hotel became famous because of its epic rooftop area for sunrise viewing. Guests can lay out on traditional pillows and carpets while watching the hot-air balloons flying above. The hotel dog might also join you for a photoshoot on the roof!

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE REST OF MY CAPPADOCIA BLOG POSTS?

Click on one of the articles below to check out all of the places you should visit while in Cappadocia!

The big guide! This post has all of my favorite activities, which I personally did while in Cappadocia for ten days:  24 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA

The hiking guide!  Find out about all of the best hikes in Cappadocia with details, directions and lots of photos:  8 AWESOME HIKES IN CAPPADOCIA

Thinking about flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia? Read this first:  CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOONS: THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY

Have you heard about the castles in Cappadocia? Check these out:

THE UCHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT

ORTAHISAR CASTLE VIEWPOINT

CAVUSIN CHURCH, VALLEY & CASTLE

Not sure where is the best region to stay? Wondering which hotel provides the best value? Check out this guide that will help you decide:  WHERE TO STAY IN CAPPADOCIA: THE BEST HOTELS & HOSTELS

OR… I write a post about the 12 BEST CAVE HOTELS IN CAPPADOCIA that you might find interesting.

I’ve written a blog post for almost all of the places I’ve visited while in Cappadocia. You can find every single one of these articles right here: CAPPADOCIA ARCHIVES

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Cappadocia tours. Enjoy your trip!

Sunday 10th of May 2020

Incredible. Can't wait to be there! I bookmarked your blog and I'm going to use this as my guide when I got there. Thank you so much!

• Things to Do
• Ideal 3 Days Itinerary
• Top 10 Attractions
• Places to See
• Eating Out Guide
• Local Dishes & Flavors
• Best Restaurants
• What to Buy?
• for Families & Kids
• for Couples
• for Foodies
• for Adventure Seekers
• Unique Experiences
• Outdoors & Sports
• Daily Tours
• Sunrise and Sunset
• Best Sightseeing Tours
• Private Cappadocia Tours
• Cappadocia tours from Istanbul
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Cycling Routes + Tours
• Scenic Hiking
• ATV & Quad Safari
• Off-Road Jeep Safari
• Horse Safari
• Photo Shooting for a Day
• Ceramics & Pottery Tour
• Wine tasting for a Day
• Gourmet Tour & Cooking Class
• Whirling Dervishes
• Turkish Night
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Zelve Valley Open Air Museum
• Pasabag Monks Valley
• Uchisar Castle
• Pigeon Valley
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Ihlara Valley
• Top 15 Best Places To Visit
• Fairy Chimneys
• Panoramic Viewpoints
• Churches & Monasteries
• Cavusin Village
• Underground Cities
• Mustafapasa
• Where to Stay Guide
• Accommodation & Hotel Guide
• Best Cave Hotels
• Best Honeymoon Hotels
• Top-Rated Goreme hotels
• Top-Rated Urgup Hotels
• Top-Rated Uchisar Hotels
• Top-Rated Avanos Hotels
• About Cappadocia
• Towns & Villages
• Reasons to Visit
• First Timers
• Cost to Visit
• New Year’s Eve
• Getting from Abroad
• Kayseri Airpot (ASR)
• Nevsehir Airport (NAV)
• What to Bring, Wear?
• Nevsehir Hospitals

Cappadocia Blue Tour: Best Tours, Prices + Insider Advice

Cappadocia Blue Tour is a popular sightseeing tour covering the popular attractions and sights of the southern part of Cappadocia such as valleys, fairy chimneys, villages and Kaymaklı Underground City. Majority of the tours are made via professional tour guide and driver.

Table of Contents

• Cappadocia Blue Tour is a full-day guided tour that takes visitors to some of the lesser-known sights of Cappadocia .
• It is a full-day tour , usually starting at 9 am and ending at 5 pm.
• Top sights mostly include ; the central and southern parts of Cappadocia, including the towns of Soganli , Sahinefendi , and Mustafapasa , Kaymakli Underground City and Red Valley .
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included on most tours.

Top Blue Tour Tickets

If you are looking for the best Cappadocia Blue tours, trust our recommendations, save time and money, we have you covered . Below are some of best experiences you can find! Feel free to  book online in advance, and make an eco-friendly option of online tickets .

• Cappadocia Blue Tour with optional Balloon Flight
• Best of Cappadocia Private Blue ( South ) tour
• Cappadocia Blue Tour (Red Valley)
• Cappadocia Daily Blue Tour
• Cappadocia: Balloon Flight and Private Cappadocia Blue Tour
• Cappadocia: Blue Tour (Lunch, Museums, all extra included)
• Private Cappadocia Blue Tour
• Cappadocia: Blue Tour with Entry Fees and Lunch
• Cappadocia: Blue Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfer

What to Expect?

While the Red and Green tours are the most popular ways to explore the area, the Blue tour is an excellent choice for those looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience . This tour takes you to some of the lesser-known but equally fascinating sights of Cappadocia .

Typical tours mostly start early in the morning upon you’re being picked-up from your hotel around 9 am in the company of a professional tour guide, and goes for about 8,9 hours. At the end of the tour, you’re being dropped-off to your hotel.

Differences from the Red & Green Tour

One of the unique features of the Blue Tour is that it takes visitors to the heart of the local culture. Unlike the Red and Green Tours, which focus on the more popular tourist sites, the Blue Tour takes visitors to small, charming villages that are home to local artisans and craftsmen . Visitors can witness the ancient art of carpet weaving and pottery making and learn about traditional handicrafts and trades that have been passed down through generations.

The tour also takes visitors to some of the most beautiful and less crowded valleys of the area. The Gomeda Valley is a highlight, known for its stunning rock formations and tranquil atmosphere. The Soysallar Valley is another impressive stop on the tour, with its unique rock-cut churches and monasteries that date back to the 7th century.

The Cappadocia Blue Tour is an excellent choice for those looking for a relaxed and off-the-beaten-path experience . With visits to small villages, less crowded valleys, and local craftsmen, the tour is a perfect way to experience the heart and soul of Cappadocia.

Attractions & Sights to Explore

The schedule of the sights and attractions of Cappadocia Blue Tour  may change but you’ll finish your day out by exploring the top Cappadocia sights including;

• The old Greek town of Mustafapasa
• Keslik Monastery
• Soganli Valley
• Sahinefendi

Kaymakli Underground City

Typical cappadocia blue tour itinerary.

Cappadocia Blue Tour is a full-day guided tour that takes visitors to some of the lesser-known sights of Cappadocia. Typical tours mostly start early in the morning upon you’re being picked-up from your hotel around 9 am in the company of a professional tour guide, and goes for about 8-9 hours, lasts until 5 pm. At the end of the tour, you’re being dropped-off to your hotel.

The tour covers the central and southern parts of Cappadocia, including the towns of Soganli , Sahinefendi , and Mustafapasa . The tour also includes stops at some of the area’s most impressive valleys, including the Gomeda Valley and the Soysallar Valley .

Mustafapasa Village

Mustafapasa is a charming village located in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, about 5 km southeast of Ürgüp. The village is also known as Sinasos, its former Greek name, and has a rich history dating back to the Byzantine period.

Mustafapaşa was once a major center of Greek culture in the area, and its historic houses, churches, and other buildings reflect its Greek heritage. The village is home to many beautiful examples of Greek Ottoman architecture, including several large mansions and churches with frescoes and intricate stonework.

One of the most famous buildings in Mustafapaşa is the Medrese, a former theological school dating back to the 19th century. The building features a beautiful courtyard and many well-preserved rooms, including a mosque and a library.

Mustafapaşa is also known for its underground tunnels, which were once used by locals as a means of protection from invaders. Today, visitors can explore some of these tunnels and gain a glimpse into the village’s past.

In addition to its historical attractions, Mustafapaşa is also known for its natural beauty. The village is surrounded by scenic valleys and rock formations, making it an ideal place for hiking, trekking, and outdoor activities.

Gomeda Valley

Gomeda Valley is located in the west of Mustafapasa village along Urgup . The valley is known as “Small Ihlara” . Just like in Ihlara Valley, you will experience and enjoy variety of rock-cut houses and churches, shelters and a river running through the valley. Gomeda Valley is also called the “Devil’s Creek” , due to its pleasant trails with hollows, tunnels and dovecotes.

The 1,5 km hiking trail of the Gomeda Valley offers a different atmosphere for its guests. One of the caves has been used as a reservoir for rain water since ancient times, and it continues to be used to irrigate poplar trees, which can be seen frequently while walking.

Kaymakli Underground City has  8 levels underground  (only 4 are open) carved from the soft volcanic stone that are connected with each other by narrow tunnels.

Visitors may visit stalls, stables, stores, refectories, churches, wineries, kitchens and the other sections.

Red Valley (Kizilcukur) is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Cappadocia . The valley is located in the middle of Goreme National Park named after the red colored tuff rocks and fairy chimneys spread through the valley.

Red Valley has such a beautiful landscape in a dreamy crimson color that attracts its visitors. We can say that it is the most beautiful valley of Cappadocia.

The 5 km. hiking track makes Red Valley a popular hiking area in Cappadocia. It is an ideal area and activity for hiking lovers. For walking out the whole valley, you’ll need about 1-2 hours. The walking trail will lead you to the famous Cavusin Village .

You’ll experience Cappadocia from a different perspective by viewing its lovely hills and fairy chimneys from the ground level. There is also a lovely observation terrace .

Rose Valley

Rose Valley (Gulludere) is located near Goreme . and the valley is one of the best places to see the fairy chimney formations in Cappadocia . And that makes Rose Valley a popular hiking route in Cappadocia for nature lovers.

As in other valleys of Cappadocia, here you’ll find many churches, monasteries and shelter areas carved into the rocks. Travelers may see variety of lovely churches and chapels along the valley.

Rose Valley is also home to the best trekking and hiking trails in the Cappadocia region. Rose Valley has about 4 km. hiking track and the valley is only accessible by foot. You will see many pigeons while walking in the valley.

How to Book Cappadocia Blue Tour?

You can determine your day tour schedule by specifying the popular places you prefer. If you don’t know much about Cappadocia, you can check the popular places and activities below to get to know these places and choose the places you want to see.

Typical blue tour includes; southern part of Cappadocia such as valleys, fairy chimneys, villages and Kaymaklı Underground City .

Your typical adventure will start with a fascinating 10:00 AM hotel pickup, laying the groundwork for an unforgettable experience. Travel through Red and Rose Valleys, two enchanted places where the artistic hand of nature shows itself in enigmatic splendor.

In Cavusin Cave Village, where the past seems to live on and the present seems to be frozen in time, you can lose yourself in the enduring charm. Be amazed by the troglodyte homes and rock castles that served as refuges for people up until the turn of the twentieth century. Enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant serving regional specialties.

Explore the vast maze of the Underground City as you descend into Cappadocia’s depths. Navigate its complex system of stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches, and wineries to uncover the secrets hiding beneath.

Dovecotes and deserted cave dwellings dot the scenery at Pigeon Valley , where your adventure might continue. Take in the quaint Greek homes of Uchisar and marvel at Ortshisar Castle , a massive complex of fairy chimneys that exemplifies Cappadocia’s otherworldly splendor.

Top Rated Cappadocia Blue Tour Options

We believe that booking your Cappadocia day tour with one of the below companies and online not only guarantees a world-class experience but also provides the convenience of flexible booking, free hotel transfers, and the assurance of thousands of satisfied travelers who have shared their positive experiences through online reviews. It’s the smart choice for a hassle-free and memorable adventure in Cappadocia.

Here we only suggest the proven ways and top rated ones with travelers’ comments. You can feel free to book one of the below top selling Cappadocia Blue Tour.

1. Cappadocia Blue Tour with optional Balloon Flight

This is one of best Cappadocia blue tours made. You’ll see several top sites in Cappadocia on a small-group full-day tour with hotel pickup and drop-off. You’ll explore fairy chimneys in Ucguzeller , stop at Cavusin village , descend into Kaymakli Underground City , and take a walk in Red Valley with a guide who shares the history and landmarks at each stop. Upgrade to include the optional pre-sunrise hot air balloon flight .

You can cancel cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Read more and book this Blue Tour online

2. Best of Cappadocia Private Blue ( South ) tour

This is a great private tour that you’ll discover the hidden gems of Cappadocia with this captivating Blue Tour, a full-day guided adventure that takes you off the beaten path. You’ll see and explore Mustafapasa Village : Greek heritage charm, Gomeda Valley : Enchanting rock-cut houses, and Kaymakli Underground City : Subterranean marvel.

3. Cappadocia Blue Tour (Red Valley)

This is a great Blue Tour that you’ll see the highlights of Cappadocia on a full-day tour to Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery. Your guide shares the history of each site as you see fairy chimneys, ancient churches carved into the rock, underground living quarters, and more. Includes a riverside lunch, transportation, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

4. Cappadocia Daily Blue Tour

This is also one of the best and private blue tour that will allow you to spend a wonderful day by allowing you to visit and see the hidden areas in the region. The route usually includes the southern part of Cappadocia. You can visit places further from the center compared to the green and red tour. The tour has many stopovers that you can visit and explore. Their professional and experienced guides who dominate the region accompany you on this tour.

5. Cappadocia: Balloon Flight and Private Cappadocia Blue Tour

This is one of the best tours with balloon flight. You’ll fly over the Cappadocia landscape early in the morning in a hot air balloon, a truly surreal experience you’ll never forget. Follow this up with a 6.5-hour tour full of incredible natural formations, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and ancient art.

6. Cappadocia: Blue Tour (Lunch, Museums, all extra included)

You’ll be picked you up from your hotel and visit the Red and Rose Valley and Çavuşin Cave Village . Descend to Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground City . Explore Pigeon Valley , Uçhisar’s Greek houses and Ortahisar Castle . You’ll also Enjoy a delicious lunch and get dropped off back to your hotel.

7. Private Cappadocia Blue Tour

This is a superb private tour that you’ll visit both historical and natural attractions. You’ll explore ancient rock-carved monasteries near the village of Soganli , discover the Roman history of the Sobesos Ancient City , visit the old Greek village of Sinassos , and take an easy hike through the Red Valley . You’ll travel in comfort by a luxury minivan with your own private guide to ensure a stress-free experience.

8. Cappadocia: Blue Tour with Entry Fees and Lunch

This is one of the best private tours that you’ll be accompanied by a tour guide and driver, visit historic sites in Cappadocia such as the Underground City , Red , and Rose Valley , the Greek houses of Uchisar , and Ortshisar Castle on a full-day tour. It includes local art historian guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation by luxury vehicle, lunch, national park fees, all museum entrances and all taxes, duties, and handling fees.

9. Cappadocia: Blue Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfer

This is a great tour that you’ll explore the hidden gems of Cappadocia on a guided tour with lunch included. Visit the Mustafapasa Village , Keslik Monastery , Sobesos ancient city , Soganlı valley , the Mazi Underground City , and the Ortahisar Castle and viewpoint.

All Above Recommended Alternative Tours

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts

by Getyourguide

• ATTRACTIONS
• GUIDED TOUR
• POINTS OF INTEREST
• SIGHTSEEING

Related Reading

Best cappadocia tours from istanbul (2024 prices with advice), fairy chimneys in cappadocia (where best locations advice), 3 days in cappadocia itinerary: best things to do & see advice, ceramics and pottery for a day in cappadocia + best tours advice, local recommendations from cappadocia4u team.

If youʻre visiting Cappadocia for the first time, we have you covered. Below are some of the top recommendations, tours and experiences!

Some useful info

• Cappadocia is the name of the region situated in the middle of Turkey . It is mostly known by the three popular towns of Goreme, Urgup  and  Uchisar  but actually  it is the name of the very big region  spread through the  cities of Nevsehir, Kirsehir, Nigde, Aksaray and Kayseri .
• If you are first-time visitor , want to get familiar, please read our Cappadocia for first timers guide.
• If you are not sure how to travel , please read our Traveling to Cappadocia guide.
• If you don't know where to stay , please read our Where to Stay in Cappadocia guide for regions, and Accommodation guide for hotels.
• If it is hard to plan your days , please read our Ideal 3-Days Cappadocia itinerary .

Top Attractions & Sights

There are 6 must do and see in Cappadocia that you won't want to miss!

• Hot Air Balloon Rides (the most exciting attractions in the world)
• Goreme Open Air Museum (some best-preserved examples of Byzantine rock-cut architecture and frescoes in the world)
• Pasabag Monks Valley (one of the most popular  fairy chimneys  areas)
• Uchisar Castle ( highest point, the biggest fairy chimney )
• Derinkuyu Underground City (one of the largest underground cities in the world, 8 th  century BC)
• Ihlara Valley (fantastic  canyon with a depth of about 100 mt. and 14 km. length)

Tip-1: One of the best ways to explore Cappadocia is by taking a sightseeing tour, so that you can cover all the top sights. Three main sightseeing tours available:  Red Tour  (covers the highlights of the region), Green Tour (best of natural  and  historical sites ), and Blue Tour  (lesser-known sights, off-the-beaten-path experience )

Tip-2: Private Tours are also good choice within a well-planned and custom itinerary along with a private vehicle, driver and professional guide. Great for those who don't have a car or don't know the region well.

For leisure activities we'd recommend 2 must-take attractions ! Don't miss! Wine Tasting and Photo Shooting

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9 Best Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul: Multiple Day Excursions [2024]

• Post author: Nicoletta
• Reading time: 69 mins read
• Post last modified: February 5, 2024
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Cappadocia is one of the top places you can’t miss when visiting Turkey. Its fairy chimneys, unique landscape, underground cities, and unforgettable hot air balloon ride at sunrise are on every traveler’s bucket list .

I visited Cappadocia for 4 days and traveled from Istanbul. So I know what a good tour should contain and look like.

I’ve picked the 9 best tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia for you. So read about my insights and opinion, and choose the right one.

My Top Pick 2-Day Tour To Cappadocia

This 2-day tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia (without a hot air balloon) offers all the highlights.

It contains roundtrip flights from Istanbul, airport transfers , a stay in a luxury cave hotel , meals , Red Tour , & Blue Tour .

My Top Pick 3-Day Tour To Cappadocia

This 3-day tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia (without flights) gives you a full experience.

It includes airport transfers , a stay in a cave hotel , a hot air balloon ride , meals, Red Tour , and Green Tour .

Important Factors To Consider When Choosing A Tour From Istanbul To Cappadocia

When choosing the right tour of Cappadocia, I recommend considering a few factors . So here are my top tips for what to think of when booking a tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia:

• list of things to do in Cappadocia
• Red/Blue/Green Tour
• number of days
• hot air balloon experience
• cave hotel accommodation
• free time during the tour
• transportation

List Of Things To Do In Cappadocia

The most important thing is to clearly define what exactly you expect from Cappadocia and what you want to see and do. Since you landed on my article, I’ve done the job for you and chosen tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia to show you the highlights.

I also visited the entire area and researched the best things to do in Cappadocia . I’ve also done many of them during my visit.

👉So read my article here and create your own list of things you want to experience in Cappadocia.

Red Tour/Blue Tour/Green Tour

The main thing to do in Cappadocia is to join organized tours : Red, Blue, and Green . Each tour offers different places and experiences. All of them together will show you the entire Cappadocia.

Each tour from Istanbul consists of the Red Tour (the first day), with the Blue Tour or the Green Tour on the second day.

So I recommend you first read about each tour and its offerings. And then choose whether you want to do the Blue or Green Tour . It’ll make the decision-making much easier and faster when booking your Cappadocia tour from Istanbul.

👉 Click on each tours to learn about what they offer: Red Tour , Blue Tour , and Green Tour .

Number Of Days

Another major thing is, of course, time . I haven’t included day trips from Istanbul to Cappadocia on this list just because I believe once you spend the money going to Cappadocia, you should get the most out of it .

Honestly, spending just a day in Cappadocia (including flights from and to Istanbul) doesn’t give you a lot of time to soak up the atmosphere of this place and do the best things. So I don’t recommend booking a 1-day tour to Cappadocia.

The optimal time to spend in Cappadocia is between 3 to 5 days . 2 days are also fine if the tour includes everything that’s on your bucket list.

👉 I don’t recommend booking a 1-day tour to Cappadocia as it’s not worth the money.

Hot Air Balloon Experience

One thing to consider when choosing the right tour to Cappadocia is the hot air balloon experience. Do you want to ride a hot air balloon for sure? Or do you want it to be an optional activity on your tour? Check with yourself and see how important it’s for you to have it on the itinerary.

👉 Click this link to learn more about the hot air balloon experience and what to expect.

Cave Hotel Accommodation

All of the tours below include a hotel stay. My tip is to book the tour that includes a cave hotel . It’s one of the experiences you can’t miss in Cappadocia .

Many tours offer a stay in a beautiful cave hotel, and the price is similar to other tours that offer just a regular hotel room. So consider it: sleeping in a cave hotel in Cappadocia is an unforgettable experience .

👉 READ ALSO: Where To Stay In Cappadocia: Best Areas & Hotels

Free Time During The Tour

Once you have your list of things to do in Cappadocia and have chosen a tour, think about your free time. Does it give you extra time to explore more things on your own?

Usually, the 2-day tours are packed and don’t have extra free time . So, if you want to do even more activities that your tour won’t include, opt for a 3-day tour from Istanbul.

👉 Check out my list of the top activities in Cappadocia to see what else you can do besides the three main tours (Red/Blue/Green).

Transportation

Last but not least, think about how you want to get to Cappadocia .

The fastest and most convenient way is to fly from Istanbul to Nevsehir (the main city in Cappadocia). And most of the tours in this list have flights included.

But taking an overnight bus from Istanbul is a unique experience , too. So, just in case you want to experience a Turkish bus ride and stop at several bazaars, I’ve also included a Cappadocia tour from Istanbul by bus.

Some tours end in Cappadocia , and some offer a return trip to Istanbul.

👉 Consider whether you want to stay in Cappadocia or have return transportation to Istanbul included in the tour.

9 Best Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul

Here is the list of the top 9 tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia. It includes tours for different days , activities , and places ; some are with a cave hotel , and some include a hot air balloon ride . So choose the tour that best fits your needs and interests , and book it using my links to get the best deals.

All these tours are provided by 2 companies with which I cooperate: Get Your Guide & Viator . Both companies offer reliable tours with professional guides and the best experiences . I often book activities with them when I travel.

Here is a quick list of the best tours to Cappadocia from Istanbul:

• 2-Day All Inclusive Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul
• 2-Day Cappadocia Tour With A Cave Hotel
• 2-Day Cappadocia Tour With Hot Air Balloon & Cave Hotel
• 2-Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul By Bus
• 3-Day Cappadocia Tour With Hot Air Balloon
• 3-Day Cappadocia Tour With Cave Suite
• 3-Day Cappadocia With Hot Air Balloon (With A Champagne) & Cave Hotel
• 4-Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul
• 8-Day Cappadocia Tour Package From Istanbul (With Pamukkale & Ephesus)

2-Day Cappadocia Tours From Istanbul

We’ll start with 2 days tours to Cappadocia from Istanbul. I’ve selected three different packages based on the things and activities they offer, accommodation options, and hot air balloon rides. Almost all of them include domestic flights to Cappadocia.

1. 2-Day All Inclusive Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul

This 2-day all-inclusive tour to Cappadocia includes the main highlights . You’ll hike through the top valleys like Rose, Red , and the Pigeon Valley .

A professional guide will walk you through Goreme and its open-air museum , so you’ll learn a lot about the history. You’ll also visit famous underground cities , eat traditional food (Testi Kebab), and have some spare time for extra activities.

You’ll also stay in a traditional cave hotel , which is amazing.

The tour doesn’t include a hot air balloon ride is optional . So you’ll have to pay extra for the balloon experience if you want to.

What’s Included:

✅ roundtrip domestic flights ✅ airport transfers ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ stay in a cave hotel ✅ professional guide ✅ museum tickets ✅ 2x lunch ✅ 1x breakfast

What’s Not Included:

❌ hot air balloon – optional to add ❌ drinks & dinner ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

Why To Choose This Tour?

What I like about this tour is that the hot air balloon ride is optional. It’s not included in the price of the tour. But it gives you a lot of flexibility .

If the weather is bad and hot air balloons don’t fly, you don’t have to deal with refunds or money losses. But if the weather is great and you decide to do the hot air balloon ride on the spot .

This tour also includes airport transfers in Istanbul , which many other tours don’t.

2. 2-Day Cappadocia Tour With A Cave Hotel

With this 2-day tour , you’ll follow the highlights of the Red Tour on the first day. You’ll enjoy stunning views of Göreme from the panorama point. After, you’ll visit the Devrent Valley with its rocks in the shape of animals. Then, you’ll explore the Monk Valley before visiting Avanos and its famous pottery workshop . Enjoy a delicious lunch , and after, visit the stunning Uschisar Castle .

On the second day, you’ll follow the Blue Tour by hiking between the gorgeous Red and Rose Valley . You’ll visit an underground city , Cavushin , and the famous Pigeon Valley .

Flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia, baggage (15kg bag per person), and all airport transfers are included in the price.

The only disadvantage of this tour is that it doesn’t include a hot air balloon ride . Yet, I believe you can book it in early in the morning on the second day if you want to.

✅ roundtrip domestic flights with baggage ✅ airport transfers ✅ cave hotel stay ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ 1x breakfast ✅ 2x lunch ✅ professional guide

❌ hot air balloon ride ❌ drinks & dinner ❌ entrance fees to the sights ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

Why To Choose This Tour

This tour offers the most things in Cappadocia from this list. It also has a special-class cave hotel stay , which is awesome.

The only thing it doesn’t offer is the hot air balloon ride . But you could still do it on the second day if you wanted to. Everything is possible.

3. 2-Day Cappadocia Tour With Hot Air Balloon & Cave Hotel

This 2-day Cappadocia tour from Istanbul with a hot air balloon and a cave hotel stay is perfect for those who want to have the one-package experience and e xperience almost all the highlights of Cappadocia. It already has the top 2 things from the bucket list (hot air balloon ride and cave hotel).

In addition, this tour will show you some spots included in the Red Tour , such as Göreme Viewpoint and Göreme Open Air Museum, take you to a pottery class, and the Devrent Valley.

On the second day, it’ll guide you through the famous sights of the Green Tour . These include the Pigeon Valley, Uschisar, Kaimakli underground city, and Ihlara Canyon.

A disadvantage of this tour is that it doesn’t include flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia. But you can look for flights and find cheap deals by clicking this link .

One thing that this tour doesn’t have is the famous Rose and Love Valley . But you can add the hikes yourself in the evening after the organized program ends (e.g. on the 1. day).

✅ hot air balloon ride ✅ cave hotel stay ✅ airport transfers (Cappadocia) ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Green Tour (all sights) ✅ professional guide ✅ tickets to museums and sights ✅ 2x lunch ✅ 1x breakfast

❌ domestic flights from Istanbul ❌ dinner & drinks ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

This tour is fantastic because it checks off the main activities (a balloon ride and a cave hotel stay). And it’s affordable compared to other tours that don’t include these two things.

Just think about it: a hot air balloon ride alone costs between $150 and $200. So this tour has a great price vs. program balance . It also covers highlights from the Green Tour (my favorite tour in Cappadocia).

The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t include airport transfers in Istanbul (only in Cappadocia). And it doesn’t have flights to Cappadocia either. But it’s great for those who already have flights purchased or want to start their tour in Nevsehir, Cappadocia (not in Istanbul).

4. 2-Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul By Bus

I also have something extra for you if you want to experience an overnight bus ride to Cappadocia instead of flying there.

I took the overnight bus, and it was, indeed, a great experience . The bus has comfortable seats, some serve drinks, and you’ll stop at Turkish bazaars several times.

This bus tour to Cappadocia includes program for 2 full days . You’ll do the famous Red Tour on the first day and the Blue Tour on the second day . It also includes a stay in a boutique cave hotel , all entrance fees, lunch, and a professional guide.

The tour doesn’t include a transfer back to Istanbul , nor a hot air balloon ride .

✅ overnight bus to Cappadocia ✅ stay in a cave hotel ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ meals ✅ professional guide

❌ drinks ❌ return ticket to Istanbul ❌ tips for your guide

This tour is perfect if you want to experience an overnight bus ride to Cappadocia instead of flying there. It’s also great if you want to finish your tour in Cappadocia and keep exploring other places in Turkey (like Pamukkale or southern beaches ) rather than getting back to Istanbul.

The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t have a hot air balloon ride , but you can always add it and do it yourself before the tour program starts.

3-Day Tours From Istanbul To Cappadocia

If 2 days sounds like too little time for you in Cappadocia, I have some tours for 3 days. These three tours cover even more than the ones above, including extra special activities you’ll love.

They’ll also give you extra free time so you can do things that are left on your Cappadocia bucket list, which I love.

Almost all of the following tours include domestic flights . So let’s get to the best 3-day tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

5. 3-Day Cappadocia Tour With Hot Air Balloon

This all-inclusive 3-day tour is amazing as it includes almost all the highlights that Cappadocia has to offer. Your flights and transfers are included, and you’ll see the Red Tour and Green Tour sights .

One early morning, you’ll experience the breathtaking hot air balloon ride . What is special about this tour is that it offers the ATV tour at sunset after you arrive in Cappadocia, which no other tour on this list has.

It only doesn’t have a stay in a traditional cave hotel . Yet, you’ll sleep in a beautiful boutique hotel with rooms in the style of a cave .

✅ hot air balloon ride ✅ ATV (quadbike) sunset tour ✅ roundtrip flights to Cappadocia ✅ airport transfers ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Green Tour (all sights) ✅ 2-night stay in a boutique hotel ✅ professional guide ✅ 2x breakfast ✅ 2x lunch ✅ all entrance fees

❌ drinks & dinner ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

This tour is for you if you want to ultimately skip planning and want to have everything organized for you. With this tour, you’ll experience the top sights, and everything is included, so you don’t have to think about anything .

It might be slightly pricier, but it takes the stress out of you as the organizer will take care of everything for you.

6. 3-Day Cappadocia Tour With Cave Suite

This 3-day Cappadocia tour contains a one-way flight ticket to Cappadocia and a stay in a beautiful cave hotel . You’ll do the two famous tours: the Red Tour and the Blue Tour . The only thing not included is the flight back to Istanbul and hot air balloons .

Yet, it can be perfect for those who don’t want to return to Istanbul . Perhaps you want to continue touring Turkey and visit the southern beaches around Antalya or take a bus to the cotton castle of Pamukkale .

You’ll arrive in Cappadocia on the first day and stay in a cave suite . So I recommend adding an extra activity you can do in the evening yourself such as horse riding , camel riding , or this ATV Tour .

On the second day , a professional guide will take you to the sights covered in the Red Tour . You’ll see Goreme and its Open Air Museum, Uschisar, experience a pottery workshop, and see the Red River.

On the third day , you’ll hike between the two stunning valleys: Rose Valley and Red Valley . Afterward, you’ll see the beautiful Cavusin village, Kaymakli underground city, Pigeon Valley, and Ortshisar Castle.

PRO TIP: You can add a hot air balloon ride on the 2nd or 3rd day before your program starts.

✅ one-way flight ticket to Cappadocia ✅ airport transfer ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ 2-night stay in Cave Suite Hotel ✅ 2x breakfast ✅ 2x lunch ✅ professional guide

❌ return flight to Istanbul ❌ dinner ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

This tour is suitable for you if you don’t want to return to Istanbul but want to continue visiting other places in Turkey from Cappadocia (such as Antalya and Pamukkale). It’s perfect because it includes all the highlights , including a stay in a cave hotel .

The only drawback is that it comes without the hot air balloon ride . But you can organize it early on day 2 or 3 before the official program starts.

7. 3-Day Cappadocia With Hot Air Balloon (With A Champagne) & Cave Hotel

This 3-day Cappadocia tour includes the famous hot air balloon with champagne at the end, the Red Tour and the Green Tour sights, and a cave hotel stay .

On the second day , your guide on the Red Tour will take you to Göreme Viewpoint and explain how the unique landscape was formed. After, you’ll take a pottery class in Avanos and visit the stunning Uschisar with its castle.

On the third day , you’ll tour the popular sights of the Green Tour . Visit the Pigeon Valley, underground cities, Ihlara Valley with traditional lunch, and Selime Monastery.

This tour is great as it shows you the highlights of Cappadocia and still leaves you space to do other activities on your own. I recommend visiting the Rose or the Love Valley on one of the evenings to get the most out of your stay.

It also includes a 2-night stay in a beautiful cave hotel . The airport transfer and entrance fees are included, too.

The tour doesn’t include flights to Cappadocia . So you’ll have to book these by yourself. Click this link to get the best flight deals to Cappadocia.

✅ hot air balloon ride with champagne ✅ 2-night stay in a luxury cave hotel ✅ airport transfers ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Green Tour (all sights) ✅ entrance tickets to museums and sights ✅ lunches ✅ 2x breakfast

❌ flights to Cappadocia ❌ dinners & drinks ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

Overall, this tour is fantastic if you’re already in Cappadocia and want a personalized and organized package for your stay. This is the perfect way to skip planning and see the highlights of Cappadocia.

I recommend adding extra activities after each day’s program, such as an ATV tour , Camel safari , horse riding , or hiking in The Love and Rose Valley.

8. 4-Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul

Now I have something extra for those of you who want to ultimately skip planning and visit the top 2 places in Turkey : Istanbul and Cappadocia .

On this 4-day tour , you’ll experience Istanbul in a day and Cappadocia in 3 days. It includes return domestic flights, airport transfers, stay in a cave hotel, and meals.

During the 2 full days in Cappadocia , you’ll see the highlights of the Red and Blue tours . And it also gives you extra time to do activities by yourself.

The only thing that is not included in this tour is the hot air balloon ride , which you can always add to your itinerary early in the morning.

So, if you only want to get to Istanbul from your country and have everything taken care of , this tour is a great package.

✅ highlights of Istanbul (guided tour) ✅ return domestic flights ✅ airport transfers ✅ stay in a cave hotel ✅ Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ 3x breakfast ✅ 2x lunch ✅ professional guide

❌ dinners & drinks ❌ entrance tickets to sights ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

This tour is excellent for you if you dislike planning anything . The bonus is it also includes the highlights of Istanbul , but most of it is Cappadocia. And you’ll get to do it almost all in the area.

As I mentioned, the only drawback is that it doesn’t include a hot air balloon ride . But it gives you flexibility to choose whether to do it on the spot or not.

9. 8-Day Cappadocia Tour Package From Istanbul (With Pamukkale & Emphesus)

Last but not least, I’ve got a full package for you to visit Turkey . So it’s not just about Cappadocia , but you’ll get the entire experience of seeing the top sights in Turkey .

This is an 8-day tour to Istanbul , Cappadocia , Pamukkale , and Ephesus . Out of all, you’ll spend 2 full days in Cappadocia .

The first two days are designed to explore Istanbul . After, you’ll fly to Izmir and visit the beautiful travertine pools of Pamukkale . On the next day, you’ll get the chance to visit one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world – Ephesus .

Then you’ll fly to Cappadocia , where you’ll enjoy this tour’s last 2 full days . It includes all the top sights from the Red and Blue tours with a professional guide.

It’s a nicely designed tour, so you don’t have to plan anything . You’ll only have to pay extra for entrance fees at each location.

✅ domestic flights ✅ transportation ✅ accommodation ✅ Ephesus ✅ Pamukkale ✅ Cappadocia Red Tour (all sights) ✅ Cappadocia Blue Tour (all sights) ✅ meals

❌ hot air balloon ride ❌ entrance fees to sights ❌ some meals ❌ tips for your guide (optional)

This 8-day tour is for you if you want to explore the highlights of Turkey and return to Istanbul. Flights, transportation, and accommodation are included, so you don’t have to worry about anything .

The only thing that this itinerary is missing is the hot air balloon. But as you already know from this article, you can add it by yourself early in the morning on one of the days you’ll be in Cappadocia.

Practical Tips For Visiting Cappadocia From Istanbul

Here are some tips (from my experience) for your visit to Cappadocia. It’s important to know which time of the year is the best to visit and what you should pack . I’ve also included a list of things to do so you can plan extra activities for your free time and get the most out of Cappadocia. Check them out below.

Best Time To Visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia is during the shoulder season : April, May, September, October, and the beginning of November. It’s way less crowded throughout these months, and the temperatures are mild . It’s also a great time to go hiking in Cappadocia’s valleys and enjoy its breathtaking views.

Summer In Cappadocia

Summer months (June, July, and August) are often the most crowded , and the place is full of visitors. While it’s also a nice time to visit, it’ll be very hot , so prepare accordingly. July and August are also famous for the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival . So prepare for the crowds.

Winter In Cappadocia

Winter in Cappadocia is a different experience. You can still do all the activities at other times of the year. But it gets cold . The temperatures range between 6°C and -5°C . It can also rain more often , so there is a higher chance that your hot air balloon ride will be canceled. Consider this when booking a tour.

How To Pack For Your Tour From Istanbul To Cappadocia

You can pack what you want for your visit to Cappadocia. But the most important thing is to pack warmer clothes such as a jumper, sweater, jacket, and long pants. It gets chilly in Cappadocia in the early mornings and late evenings.

You’ll be in the mountains, so the temperatures drop for the night. Especially if you want to do the hot air balloon ride , bring long-sleeve (warmer) clothes .

I also suggest packing hiking clothes to visit the famous valleys (Love, Rose, Pigeon Valley).

Otherwise, Cappadocia has no restrictions on what to wear , so pack what feels comfortable.

If you take one of these tours from Istanbul, this is about the luggage allowance for your flight . Pack accordingly so you don’t have to pay extra for oversized luggage.

Packing List For Your Cappadocia Tour

Here is a quick packing list for your trip to Cappadocia:

• 1x jumper/sweater
• 1-2x pants (long sleeve)
• 1x hiking shoes
• hiking poles (optional)
• 1x sneakers
• smaller backpack
• swimming suit (just in case)
• flipflops (optional)

Is Cappadocia Safe To Visit?

Cappadocia is a very safe place to visit. It’s the safest place in Turkey . Locals are very friendly and hospitable, there is not much danger, and an earthquake risk is also very low.

If you want additional safety tips and learn to be safe in Cappadocia, check out my article here . It’ll tell you about common traveler scams , too.

Best Things To Do In Cappadocia: Ultimate Guide

To help you choose the right tour , I’ve also written a separate article about the best things to do in Cappadocia. This list will give you a great overview of what to expect and activities you can do.

So check it out and choose the things that interest you. Then, write them down on a piece of paper and compare which tours from Istanbul offer the most of the things from your list.

Travel Itinerary Planning Services

Here are my answers to the most frequently asked questions so that you can prepare even better for your trip. Check them out below.

Is It Possible To Do A Day Trip From Istanbul To Cappadocia?

Yes, it’s possible to do a day trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia. You can fly from Istanbul to Nevsehir early in the morning, do one of the tours (Red/Blue/Green) to see the main highlights, and then fly back to Istanbul in the evening.

It’s doable. However, I don’t recommend it as you won’t get to enjoy the atmosphere to the fullest. I suggest visiting Cappadocia at least for 2 to 3 days .

How Much Does It Cost To Travel From Istanbul To Cappadocia?

The average price per flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia is $60 (one-way without extra luggage). The average price of the overnight bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia is $30 (one-way, including luggage).

The cost of travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia depends on various factors . You can either fly to Cappadocia or take an overnight bus. The price will also vary depending on the season and day you want to visit.

Cheaper flights are usually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Flights are more expensive on the weekends. Overnight bus has more and less the same price throughout the week. Price also depends on the company with which you choose to travel.

Is 2 Full Days In Cappadocia Enough?

Yes , 2 full days in Cappadocia is enough. You’ll get to enjoy all the highlights , including a stay in a cave hotel , a hot air balloon ride in the early morning, and 2 different tours that will show you the top sights of Cappadocia.

Is Cappadocia More Expensive Than Istanbul?

Yes , Cappadocia is more expensive than Istanbul. Istanbul is a big city so it depends on what you choose to do and how much you spend. Overall, Cappadocia is more expensive than Istanbul.

What Is A Good Time Of Year To Go To Cappadocia?

The best times of year to visit Cappadocia are the shoulder months : April, May, September, and October. These months are less crowded , and temperatures are mild . So you’ll enjoy the place more than in the crowded summertime.

What Is The Most Beautiful Town In Cappadocia?

The most beautiful town in Cappadocia is Göreme . It’s in the heart of Cappadocia, and you can easily access other sights and famous valleys from the town. It also has the best hotels, restaurants, cafes, and stunning views of the entire area.

WRAP-UP: Best Cappadocia Tours From Istabul

These are my top recommendations for organized trips to Cappadocia from Istanbul. As mentioned, first, create your own list of things you want to experience in Cappadocia. Then, choose the tour that checks most of the things from your list. This is the best way to choose the right tour for you.

If you have any questions, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com . I’ll gladly help you or design a customized travel itinerary for you.

Happy travels!

More Tips For Turkey Travel

Looking to visit more places in Turkey? Check out my related articles:

Best Of Turkey Itinerary: 10 Days In Turkey

Best Of Istanbul Itinerary: 3 Days With Tips

Is Turkey Worth Visiting? 12 Best Things To Do

Is Cappadocia Safe? Top Safety Tips For Travel

27 Best Things To Do In Cappadocia

33 Famous Turkey Landmarks To Visit

19 Best Things To Do In Pamukkale Turkey

What Is Istanbul Known For? 21 Reasons To Visit

About the author: Nicoletta  is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

TURKEY : Interested in more articles for Turkey? Check out my Turkey Travel Page :

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The 2024 Masters will be televised by ESPN and CBS, with ESPN airing the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday, and CBS taking the third and final rounds this weekend. If you don't have cable, check out all the ways to stream the Masters Tournament live at home.

Watch the 2024 Masters Live on FuboTV

Get all the Masters coverage in one place with FuboTV. The sports-focused live TV streaming service  has access to ESPN, CBS and over 200 other channels. A Fubo subscription costs $79.99 per month, but the streamer is offering a seven-day free tria l right now. Grab the free trial offer to stream the entire Masters Tournament at no cost.

Watch the Masters on FuboTV

Fubo offers access to watch this year's major at Augusta National. With ESPN, CBS and over 200 other channels of live sports and TV, Fubo is the best way to stream the whole tournament — especially when you sign up for a free trial now.

$79.99/Month

7-Day Free Trial

Watch the 2024 Masters Live on Sling TV

With the first two days of the tournament on ESPN, you can watch the first half of the Masters on Sling TV . Prior to the start of its coverage on Thursday and Friday, ESPN will also broadcast a two-hour lead in program, “Welcome to the Masters.”

Right now, there is a Sling TV deal offering 50% off your first month — bringing the Orange package with ESPN down to just $20 and the comprehensive Orange + Blue package down to $30. Sling TV comes with 50 hours of free cloud-based DVR recording space, perfect for recording the Masters if you're not home to watch the tournament live.

Watch the Masters on Sling TV

Catch the 2024 Masters Par 3 Contest and the first two days of the tournament on ESPN with Sling TV. Right now, Sling Orange is 50% off for your first month, bringing the cost of a subscription down to $20.

For Your First Month

Watch the 2024 Masters Live on Paramount+

CBS will broadcast the third and finals rounds of the Masters on Saturday and Sunday, which will be available to stream simultaneously with a  Paramount+  premium tier subscription. Paramount+ has two plans: the ad-supported Essential plan available for $6 per month, and the ad-free Premium plan available for $12 per month.

The Premium plan is required to stream live sports (through your local CBS affiliate). You can try Paramount+ free for 7 days , so you can watch the 2024 Masters Tournament this weekend.

Watch the Masters on Paramount+

Stream live coverage of the Masters on Paramount+ starting on April 11. Paramount+ will be streaming the third and final round coverage along with five days of “Masters Live” feeds.

$11.99/Month

ET, CBS, CBS Sports, and Paramount+ are subsidiaries of Paramount.

Watch the 2024 Masters on Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is another great option for watching the 2024 Masters. With a subscription starting at $76.99 per month, you'll have access to a wide range of channels, including ESPN and CBS for the Masters broadcast.

Watch the Masters on Hulu + Live TV

With a Hulu + Live TV subscription, you’ll have instant access to the PGA on CBS, ESPN and the Golf Channel at home and on the go.

$76.99/Month

When is the 2024 Masters? 

The first major of the year, the Masters Tournament, takes place Thursday, April 11 and will run through Sunday, April 14. There are three days of practice before the opening round, including the Par 3 contest on Wednesday, April 10.

Where is the 2024 Masters?

The Masters Tournament will take place at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

2024 Masters TV Schedule

The 2024 Masters Tournament will be broadcast over four rounds, with the first round of the tournament airing on Thursday, April 11. Before the tournament officially starts, there will also be three days of pre-tournament events, including the Par 3 Contest taking place on Wednesday, April 10. Find the full Masters Tournament 2024 schedule below. All times Eastern.

Monday, April 8

Live From the Masters: 2-5 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/ Peacock )

Live From the Masters 7-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Tuesday, April 9

Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Live From the Masters: 7-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Wednesday, April 10

Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Par 3 Contest: 3-5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Thursday, April 11

Live From the Masters: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Masters Tournament, Round 1: 3-7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Live From the Masters: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/ Peacock)

Friday, April 12

Masters Tournament, Round 2: 3-7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Saturday, April 13

Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Masters Tournament, Round 3: 3-7:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Live From the Masters: 7-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/ Peacock)

Sunday, April 14

Live From the Masters: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (Golf Channel/Peacock)

Masters Tournament, Round 4: 2-7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Which LIV players will be at the 2024 Masters?

There will be 13 LIV golfers at this year's Masters Tournament. Last year's winner Jon Rahm will be accompanied by fellow LIV golfers and previous Masters winners Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson as well as 2023 runner-up Brooks Keopka. Check out the full list of LIV players who will be at the Masters below.

• Bryson DeChambeau
• Adrian Meronk
• Brooks Koepka
• Bubba Watson
• Charl Schwartzel
• Dustin Johnson
• Joaquin Niemann
• Patrick Reed
• Phil Mickelson
• Sergio Garcia
• Tyrrell Hatton

How much is the 2024 Masters prize money?

This year's total prize purse is expected to be $18,000,00, the same as last year. The winner of the 2024 Masters is expected to walk away with $3,240,000.

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Latest News

Valero Texas Open, Round 1: How to watch, featured groups, live scores, tee times, TV times

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Round 1 of the Valero Texas Open gets underway Thursday from San Antonio, Texas. The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, one of the TOUR’s most historic events and the last stop before the Masters, sees Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Max Homa in the field. Corey Conners will look to defend an event that he has won twice, the first coming as a Monday qualifier.

Here's everything you need to know to follow the action.

HOW TO FOLLOW (all times ET)

Television:

• Thursday-Friday: 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Saturday: 1-3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3:30-6 p.m. (NBC)
• Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC)
• Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Friday: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 3:30-6 p.m.
• Sunday: 2:30-6 p.m.

PGA TOUR LIVE ON ESPN+

PGA TOUR LIVE is available exclusively on ESPN+

• Main feed: Primary tournament coverage featuring the best action from across the course
• Marquee group: New “marquee group” showcasing every shot from each player in the group
• Featured groups: Traditional PGA TOUR LIVE coverage of two concurrent featured groups
• Featured holes: A combination of par 3s and iconic or pivotal holes

Radio on SiriusXM and free at PGATOUR.com/liveaudio :

• Thursday-Friday: 1-7 p.m.
• Saturday: 3-6 p.m.
• Sunday: 1-6 p.m.

FEATURED GROUPS

Marquee group

• 8:53 a.m.: Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, Corey Conners (10 th tee)

Featured groups

• 9:04 a.m.: Matt Fitzpatrick / Brian Harman / Adam Scott (10 th tee)
• 9:15 a.m.: Ludvig Åberg / Harris English / Joel Dahmen (10 th tee)

Featured holes

• Nos. 3 (par 3), 7 (par 3), 13 (par 3), 16 (par 3)

The First Look

Monday qualifiers: Kuest survives 5-for-1 playoff at Valero qualifier

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'I'm A Realist!' Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Predicted To Have Worse Season in 2024 - By His Brother

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had one of the best seasons on record by a Dallas signal caller last season, but can he repeat?

• Author: Timm Hamm

In this story:

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a phenomenal season last year, leading his team to a playoff berth on the heels of a third-straight 12-5 mark.

But there are some who don't think that pace is sustainable for another year.

FanStreamSports.com

One of the so-called "doubters" is Prescott's own brother, Tad, who told the I Am Athlete podcast that people shouldn't have those same expectations in 2024.

"I'm a realist. The only reason I say worse is because, in order for him to be better, he's an MVP. He's a first-team All-Pro, and he’s a Super Bowl champion," Tad said. "I mean, Dak’s second-team All-Pro, second in MVP voting, and leader in touchdown passes [last season]. So the only way you can get better than that is to do what I just said."

One I Am Athlete host, Brandon Marshall, disagreed, saying he thinks Prescott will have a season similar to the beginning of his 2020 campaign before he broke his ankle and was lost for the season. Over five games that year, Prescott threw for 1,856 yards and nine touchdowns to four interceptions.

Last season, Prescott set career marks with a 69.5 completion percentage, a 105.9 quarterback rating and added 36 touchdown tosses, just one off his career best. So expectations for him to have a repeat performance are high, especially considering he's in a contract year along with head coach Mike McCarthy.

While Prescott and the Cowboys have found regular season success recently, deep playoff runs have escaped them. Last year, Prescott threw two interceptions in a 48-32 Wild Card loss to the seven-seed Green Bay Packers.

There's also the statistic that all four quarterbacks in the conference championship games last season were younger than Prescott. So the Super Bowl window may be closing ... for Prescott and the Cowboys.

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• Category: Xbox Game Pass

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: LEGO 2K Drive, EA Sports PGA Tour, Harold Halibut, and More

• Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

My favorite part about “coming soon” to Game Pass is that it quickly turns into “available today” messaging. From driving to golfing to tomb raiding, there’s plenty here that’s going to be available sooner rather than later. Let’s take a look at the games that are mere moments away from your download queue!

Available Today

Superhot: Mind Control Delete (Cloud, Console, and PC) Returning to the Game Pass library today, Superhot: Mind Control Delete gives you more insight into the signature power fantasy world of Superhot with more story, more signature gameplay, more action, more guns. Keep dancing the slow-motion ballet of destruction for much longer than ever before.

Coming Soon

LEGO 2K Drive (Cloud and Console) – April 3 Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world LEGO driving adventure. Race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals for the coveted Sky Trophy!

Lil Gator Game (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 4 Who wouldn’t want to be an adorable Lil Gator? Embark on a cute “lil” quest, discovering new friends, and uncovering everything its island has to offer. Climb, swim, glide, and slide your way into the hearts of the many different characters you meet along the way in this adorable open-world adventure!

EA Sports PGA Tour (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – April 4 EA Sports PGA Tour is coming to The Play List with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play. Become a Major champion, tee off on the Par 3 Course at Augusta National, along with three new 2024 Major host courses.

Kona (Cloud and Console) – April 9 Another game is making a return to the Game Pass library! A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive in this chilly, interactive tale you won’t soon forget.

Botany Manor (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 9 Available on day one with Game Pass! Explore the historic manor home of retired botanist Arabella Greene, who has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten flora that require special conditions to help them bloom. Unlock new seeds, look for clues in the items scattered around the residence, and solve each gardening puzzle to revive these plants.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 11 Experience the final chapter of Lara’s origin as she is forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be. Combining the base game, all seven DLC challenge tombs, as well as all downloadable weapons, outfits, and skills, Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition is the ultimate way to experience Lara’s defining moment.

Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 16 Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here .

DLC / Game Updates

No Man’s Sky Orbital Update – Available now Dock your fully customized starship in the sleek new space stations of update 4.6, Orbital! Space stations have been completely overhauled internally and externally; new starships can be constructed from salvaged parts; frigate fleets can reach out for guidance with interstellar expeditions; standing and guilds have been improved, trading and system economies have been deepened – and much more! Learn more about No Man’s Sky ’s Orbital update here on Xbox Wire .

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Final Fantasy XIV Online: Starter Edition – Available now Join over 30 million adventures worldwide in the critically acclaimed online RPG.  From now through April 19, the Final Fantasy XIV Online – Starter Edition base game is now free for a limited time – including a 30-day free play period for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Terms apply. You can also learn how to build your Warrior of Light in Final Fantasy XIV Online here on Xbox Wire .

YouTube Premium 3 Month Trial – Available now Watch your favorite YouTube creators without ads, offline, and in the background. Plus, stream the latest songs from your favorite artists with uninterrupted access to YouTube Music. New users only. Monthly subscription fee starts at the end of trial. Cancel anytime. Not available in all regions. Terms apply .

Battlefield 2042 : Season 7 Field Kit – Available now In the iconic all-out warfare first-person shooter of Battlefield 2042 , Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play members can get the Battlefield 2042 Season 7 Field Kit containing a Ride’em Crab Boy Weapon Charm, Rising Tide AM40 Weapon Skin, and Dustproof Specialist Headgear.   Check out the other EA Play member rewards and Perks here on Xbox Wire .

Leaving April 15

Make sure you give the following games a proper farewell before they leave the Game Pass library. As always, you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library.

• Amnesia Collection (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Amnesia: Rebirth (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Back 4 Blood (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Phantom Abyss (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Research and Destroy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Soma (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That wraps us up! Let us know which game you’re planning on playing first over at @Xbox ,  @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC . Catch you next time!

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