Dream with us for a moment; a vast landscape with cave huts, rock formations in the shape of chimneys with hundreds of balloons above them. And all this during sunset. Do you know what we are talking about? It is Cappadocia , an area in Turkey that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for a reason.
Cappadocia is an area that you must see once in your life. This enormous area in Turkey was formed naturally and consists of fairy chimneys, tuff cones and underground cities. Cappadocia is a true natural wonder and is therefore rightly on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What is Cappadocia famous for?
We already called it a natural wonder above and it really is. The landscape is unique and we dare say unique for the world. It is therefore not without reason that many travel blogs and travel guides write about this destination.
It is difficult to describe and perhaps images say the most. But we will try… The landscape is special because of the presence of what they call fairy chimneys, large rock formations in the shape of chimneys. You will also find beautiful valleys and in the cities cave houses and churches.
Where is Cappadocia located?
Cappadocia – also called Kapadokya – is located in central Turkey, in the Anatolia province, 300 km southeast of the capital Ankara. The area has a surface of no less than 800 km² and lies at the foot of the volcanoes Erciyes (almost 4,000 m high) and Hasandağ (approx. 3,200 m high).
The History of Cappadocia
Cappadocia has a long history, dating back millions of years. The unique landscape was formed by two major volcanic eruptions.
The area was not inhabited until much later; evidence of the first human settlement dates back to around 7500 BC. Since then, it has known many rulers, including the Persians, the Hittites and the Phrygians. Alexander the Great also ruled there for a while, followed by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Mongols and the Ottomans. And yes, that is just a small selection.
You can imagine that this history has created a rich culture in the region; it is much more than just a beautiful landscape. This together makes the Turkish government declare the area a National Park.
Must-see sights in Cappadocia
You can discover Cappadocia however you want. For example, walking, with a guide during an excursion or by rental car. It all has advantages and disadvantages, but one thing is certain; you will not get bored quickly.
What sights in Cappadocia should you not miss?
- Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum . In this ancient open-air museum you will find beautiful rock churches with equally beautiful frescoes from the Byzantine period.
- As far as we are concerned, you can’t get enough of the landscapes full of fairy chimneys . It is impressive how these rock formations were created ‘only’ by erosion. Between Göreme and Zelve you will find a number of beautiful hiking trails to admire them to the fullest.
- In Cappadocia you will find a number of underground cities. Their construction was possible due to the soft tuff in the area. Previously they were used as shelters and it is unique to be able to visit these cities now. We recommend Derinkuyu and Kaymakli.
- Are you a hiker? The Ihlara Valley is a beautiful 16 km long canyon with rock churches and dwellings along the way. Other beautiful valleys are the Göreme Valley and the Pigeon Valley.
- Not only churches and houses have been carved out of rocks, but also monasteries. Visit the Selime Monastery, among others .
- Do you see a picture of Cappadocia on a postcard or travel guide? There is a good chance that it was taken in Üçhisar . This village is almost entirely carved out of an immense rock and towers high above the landscape. In the afternoon, it is almost fairytale-like here because of the light.
Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia
If there is one thing you must do when you are in Cappadocia, it is a hot air balloon ride. You will fly over the beautiful valleys and ravines and have a unique view of the cave houses and fairy chimneys. Do not do this in the middle of the day, but at sunrise or sunset. With the light it is a magical experience.
Through our partner GetYourGuide you can easily book balloon flights in Cappadocia. Prices vary between €75 and €150, sometimes with breakfast included. If you want a private balloon flight, you will have to dig a little deeper into your pockets.
What is the best time to travel to Cappadocia?
Cappadocia has a continental climate, meaning you can expect hot summers and cold winters. Summers can easily reach over 30-35 °C, although it can feel more pleasant than other parts of Turkey due to the lower humidity.
If you go to Cappadocia, you are not going to lie by the pool (if your hotel has one) or the beach (there isn’t one). You are probably going for an active holiday. In that case, we recommend the months of April, May, September and October. It is just a bit more pleasant then.
And the winters? Yes, they can be quite cold and there is often snow. That does however provide a beautiful landscape.
More useful tips for Cappadocia
Hopefully you are now – just like us – very enthusiastic about this new destination for us. If you want to plan a trip, we would like to give you some extra tips:
- Allow about 4-5 days for your trip. Then you will have all the peace and quiet to explore Cappadocia in multiple ways and see all the highlights .
- Cappadocia is suitable for a holiday with the whole family, but keep a close eye on your child(ren) around rock formations and steep cliffs.
- Be sure to try the local specialties of the region. We recommend testi kebabı (a stew), gözleme (thin pancakes filled with spinach, cheese or meat) and manti (Turkish dumplings filled with minced meat and served with yoghurt and garlic sauce).
- With food comes drink and Cappadocia is known for its wines. Taste local wines in the Turasan and Kocabağ wineries.
- Cappadocia is a safe area for tourists, but some places are a bit remote or lost. Don’t go there alone at night.
- Still looking for a fun activity? The town of Avanos is known for its pottery tradition. Follow a workshop where you learn to make pottery yourself.
With this overload of useful information for Cappadocia you are ready to go right? Have fun & feel free to share your impressive holiday photos on social media with us.
