Cappadocia Travel Guide

Around 60 million years ago, the eruptions of Mount Erciyes, Mount Golluda, and Mount Hasan created a soft layer in this region. Over millions of years, wind and rain sculpted this soft layer, giving rise to one of Turkey’s most beautiful and unique places – Cappadocia. Steeped in history, Cappadocia has been a host to various civilizations and religions. To explore this enchanting land, we planned a four-day journey.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Best Time to Visit

While Cappadocia can be scorching during the summer months, the optimal times to visit are from March to May or September to November. However, we desired to witness Cappadocia under a blanket of snow, so we planned our trip for January. Experiencing this fairy-tale land in winter added a unique charm. The tourist numbers were notably low, allowing us to explore comfortably.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Transportation

We flew from Istanbul to Kayseri with Pegasus Airlines. Prior to our journey, we picked up a rental car from Garenta, and upon arrival at Kayseri Airport, we hit the road. The approximately 50-minute drive to our hotel in Goreme presented us with breathtaking, snow-covered landscapes. I strongly recommend renting a car for discovering Cappadocia. You can check the options and prices here.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Accommodation

Cappadocia offers a plethora of accommodation options. Opting for a cave room experience, we chose El Nazar Hotel in Goreme. The hotel, conveniently located near fairy chimneys and the town center, provided a cozy stay.

In Göreme and generally in the Cappadocia region, accommodation options are vast. You can check the accommodation options available in the region here.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Internet

Internet connection is a must in this journey, especially if you rent a car. To avoid internet-related inconveniences during exploration, consider purchasing an e-SIM via Airalo. Using the code IAMONT3974 on your first Airalo purchase will avail you of a $3 discount. If you prefer not to buy a SIM card, I recommend downloading the city’s offline map to your phone.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Places to Visit

Goreme Open-Air Museum

After a day of rest, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Goreme Open-Air Museum. We obtained a museum card for 60TL at the entrance, granting us free access to various locations in here for a year. The museum, adorned in snow, appeared mesmerizing. With a limited number of visitors, we found ourselves almost alone in the enchanting world of fairy chimneys.

Avanos

Following our museum visit, we headed to Avanos to take care of some banking errands. Avanos boasts several supermarkets, pharmacies, and, if needed, bank branches.

Lovers’ Hill (Aşıklar Tepesi)

Returning to Goreme, we set out to explore Lovers’ Hill, located near our hotel. Despite the dusk setting in, the view was stunning. Inspired, we decided to return early the next morning before sunrise.

Urgup

After breakfast at our hotel, we wasted no time and set off for Urgup. We wandered through the city center, indulging in souvenir shopping. We found unique magnets and beautifully crafted bags for my collection. While these items are available elsewhere, we were particularly impressed with the ones in Urgup.

Wishing Hill (Temenni Tepesi)

Post-shopping, we ascended Wishing Hill, known for the wishes tied to a tree on its summit. While the panoramic view was not as remarkable as expected, the library inside the building fascinated us.

Red Valley (Kızılçukur Vadisi)

Next on our agenda was the much-anticipated sunset in the Lovers’ Valley. En route, we made a stop at Turasan for a wine tasting. Entranced by the local wines, we purchased enough to last us through the sunset experience.

Due to time constraints, we redirected to the nearby Red Valley instead of Lovers’ Valley in order not to miss the sunset. Arriving just in time, we were treated to a visual spectacle of patterns created by the setting sun on the fairy chimneys, painted in hues of red. Every minute of it was amazing.

Hot Air Balloon Watching at Lovers’ Hill

As planned, we woke up before sunrise and braved the cold to reach Lovers’ Hill. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast, and the dreamy sunrise we envisioned remained elusive. Usually, Lovers’ Hill offers a spectacular view of hot air balloons, but their ascent was prohibited due to the frigid and windy conditions.

Beneath the Tree Café (O Agacin Alti)

Following our hotel breakfast, we prepared for a journey to the underground cities. En route, we stopped at the quaint “Beneath the Tree Café” for a morning coffee. The café, offering a panoramic view of Goreme, turned out to be a delightful find.

Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi)

Continuing our journey, we arrived at Pigeon Valley. This location provides a vast view, starting from Uchisar Castle. Legend has it that pigeon breeding, which began in the 9th century, led locals to realize the fertilizing benefits of pigeon droppings for grape cultivation. Consequently, the pigeonholes, visible in the rock formations, were created to enhance agricultural yields. Beyond agriculture, pigeon droppings were also used to preserve the colors of drawings and patterns on church walls, ensuring the longevity of frescoes.

Kaymakli Underground City

We reached the Kaymakli Underground City and, with our museum cards, entered for free. This 8-level city, dating back to 3000 BC, left me bewildered as I wandered through its passages. A mix of astonishment and contemplation ensued.

Derinkuyu Underground City

After an hour-long tour, we proceeded to the Derinkuyu Underground City. Again, our museum cards facilitated free entry. Larger and more comprehensive than Kaymakli, Derinkuyu had the capacity to accommodate 20,000 people along with their provisions. It stands as Turkey’s largest underground city.

Three Beauties (Uc Güzeller)

Having explored these extensive underground cities, we redirected our route to the Three Beauties. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Three Beauties represent one of the most photographed spots in Cappadocia. These meticulously shaped fairy chimneys, symbolizing a family – mother, father, and child, offered a captivating view, especially during sunset with Mount Erciyes in the background.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Activities

In Cappadocia, you can ride a hot air balloon, go horseback riding, use an ATV, participate in ceramic-making workshops at local shops, and enjoy wine tasting. There are many different activities you can do here. You can check the details of these activities here and arrange your tickets and tours in advance.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Dining & Food and Drink

Breakfast

Each morning, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast on the terrace of our hotel, offering a splendid view. Many hotels in Cappadocia provide breakfast-inclusive packages, eliminating the need to search for places to eat each morning.

Bizim Ev

On our first day, while taking care of banking affairs in Avanos, we dined at “Bizim Ev,” a restaurant that offered delicious meals. The restaurant’s wine cellar, located on the lower floor, added an extra touch to our dining experience.

Sedef Restaurant

For our first dinner, we were recommended to try the local specialty – pottery kebab. We headed to Sedef Restaurant in Goreme, indulging in the famous pottery kebab. Served in a specially crafted pot, the kebab is broken open with a knife in front of you. The show added to the enjoyment, and the taste exceeded our expectations.

Kolcuoglu Restaurant

In Urgup on our second day, we visited Kolcuoglu Restaurant for dinner. The ambiance and food at this establishment were outstanding, and I highly recommend it. After returning to Goreme and taking some rest, we ended our evening at Pasha Cafe, within walking distance from our hotel. With live music and the company of Goreme wine, we spent a delightful evening.

Cappadocia Travel Guide: Notes & Recommendations & Conclusion

• I meticulously pinned the places to visit and restaurants on Google Maps for convenient navigation. Save the map below to access locations even without an internet connection.
• Our winter visit to Cappadocia brought us immense joy as we witnessed its magical atmosphere under a blanket of snow. If you seek a getaway to escape the city, sip some fine wine, and relax a bit, I highly recommend visiting during winter.
• Renting a car for transportation made our trip convenient, allowing us to explore any place at any time. While most hotels in the region may direct you to tour companies, if possible, I suggest renting a car and exploring Cappadocia on your own. You can check the car options and prices from here.
• If you are interested in reading about my visit to another city in winter, check out my article on Copenhagen here.