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Cappadocia Travel Blog – Things to do and Not to Do
The go-to destination for travel enthusiasts, especially in Turkey, is the magical Cappadocia. I mean, who can resist the allure of the renowned Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon rides?
Surprisingly, I’ve come across online forums where people question if Cappadocia truly lives up to the hype! Well, you’ll find your answer right here in this post – along with essential insights for your two to three-day adventure in Cappadocia. No sugarcoating, just practical travel tips and stories.
We bring you the authentic side of this “hard-to-believe” natural wonder, coupled with reality checks on those social media-perfect photos.
Table of Contents
1. What and Where is Cappadocia?
Cappadocia (pronounced Kapadokya) is a Persian word that means “land of the horse.” So, now you know, the place has Persian influence and sexy horses. This cave town in the Anatolian region was under Persian rule, later under the Ottomans, and eventually fell into the hands of Christians slowly. At present, it is part of Central Turkey, to the east of Istanbul, roughly 800km. You call Cappadocia “historical” not because it has any historical monuments – The region was formed 60 million years ago! The volcanic formations just don’t happen overnight, right?
Why should you visit Cappadocia?
You must visit Cappadocia for those unique shaped rocks formed by ancient volcanoes, like millions of years ago. You’ll encounter some peculiar sights that are hard to find elsewhere, such as ancient cave houses alongside a mosque’s minaret – total weirdness! Once you enter the Goreme which is actually an open air museum ( UNESCO World Heritage), you really don’t have to bother traveling or walking 2 km to witness the natural wonder. The entire town is built between these fairy chimneys. So, you get this 360-degree visual bonanza of natural wonders.
Whether you call them fairy chimneys or just plain strange, Cappadocia is a land of enchanting vibes. Bonus: you can catch all this magic from above too – Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon flights reveals the land’s captivating creations in a way you can’t imagine.
More about Cappadocia’s beautiful places
Cappadocia’s hypnotically beautiful Dervish Ceremony is super famous. A good whirling Dervish dance ceremony is as expensive as 40 Euros, but worth it if you don’t mind spending! Besides Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons, you got hiking trails lined with lime formations, wine, monasteries, and underground cities built during the early 800 ADs! Here you’ll master the art of duck walking and wondering how on earth someone could shove so much earth to create an abode 280 feet below the earth surface!.
Cappadocia is more than lime formations – an hour’s drive takes you to nearby villages with endless grasslands and snow capped mountains on the horizon. Solitude in Nature forms a perfect combo in Turkey’s best-preserved natural wonder. If none of that appeals, sit back on a mountain early in the morning, watch balloons rise behind crazy rocks indulge in delicious Kayseri cheese, and smoke hookah on a Turkish carpet to soothe your soul.
Planning a trip to Turkey and want to know what all other places you can visit apart from Cappadocia? Check our post “Complete Travel Guide to Turkey” – It got everything you must know while planning a trip and travelling to Turkey
2. How many days is enough for Cappadocia?
You need a minimum of three days for Cappadocia! We spent two full days and stayed for three nights – it wasn’t enough. Our half a was gone by a delayed flight and we missed that spectacular “Signature Sight” of Cappadocia of hot air balloons rising from our cave hotel terrace in the morning. We managed to explore only one of the three Cappadocia trails by bike, and the second is only half done.
I am certain – A day trip to Cappadocia is a waste. If you are taking up any private guided tour and your Cappadocia or Turkey organizer suggests a day trip to Cappadocia from Istanbul, please don’t fall for it, as you don’t even get to scratch the surface of this Fairy Chimney land.
Best time to Visit Cappadocia
The best time to explore Cappadocia is Late Spring – April, May. Or early June. During these months, the crowds are smaller, and prices are more reasonable. Our visit in May was fantastic with fewer people, though we ended up purchasing extra jackets, unlike in Greece a few days prior.
Summers can get very hot with too much of a crowd. So July to August isn’t an ideal time to visit Cappadocia. The winter turns the Fairy Chimneys mystical with snow – I am sure, the place looks beyond beautiful. But chances of Hot air Balloon rides getting cancelled is more due to the weather in winter.
3. What’s the best way to get to Cappadocia?
You can get to Cappadocia either by flight, train or by bus.
Kayseri, 70km away, is the nearest airport and railway station to Cappadocia. The airport is a small domestic one with only a runway and an entry/exit gate. Upon arriving in Cappadocia, take cheap and reliable shuttle buses waiting outside the airport/railway station. Their schedule aligns with train and flight arrivals, so pre-booking isn’t necessary. Check with the driver when booking your ticket, specifying your destination among the many villages in Cappadocia.
If you arrive at odd hours, like late night and want to have a trouble-free airport transfer, pre- book a private taxi here
A secret Travel Tip while getting to Cappadocia from Kayseri
Don’t sleep while traveling to Cappadocia from Kayseri train station or airport: Probably 20 minutes after leaving Kayseri, the magical land reveals itself. Very likely, you will be sleep-deprived like we were. Put in the effort to stay awake for a while. Once the fairy chimneys and rolling hills appear, your eyes, mind, and soul will be wide awake, stunned by the beauty right outside your bus window.
Travelling from Istanbul to Cappadocia
The most economical way to travel to Cappadocia from Istanbul is by night bus, a 12-hour journey that takes you to Cappadocia centre, Goreme. Flying is the quickest option. The bus journey is suitable for those planning to stay in Cappadocia for a week, and don’t worry – they are comfortable. During our night bus journey from Cappadocia to Pamukkale, they even served snacks, much like they do on flights. There was a stop to use toilets at least every 3 hours.
As we were in Cappadocia only for two days, we took a quick fix – a flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
4. Where to stay in Cappadocia?
The Cappadocia region has multiple towns, all featuring cave hotels. Many of these cater to luxury travelers and can be expensive. However, with little research, you can find mid-range budget cave hotels especially if you visit Cappadocia in Spring. If you want to save more, there are also plenty of usual hotels available.
Which part of Cappadocia is best to stay?
- Goreme
- Urgup
- Uchisar
- Avanos
Goreme
Goreme is the heart of Cappadocia’s tourism. The bus stand, bike/car rental places, hot air balloon agencies, route tours, food places – the town centre caters to everything a tourist needs, so the prices here for rooms are higher, but you get plenty of choices.
A famous Instagram photo of Breakfast with the dog and Balloons in the background is usually taken in the hotel Sultan Caves here at Goreme. You got plenty of hostels here if you don’t mind dorms.
We stayed at SOS Cave Hotel, Goreme, and we don’t recommend it. The stay was comfy, providing a budget-friendly cave experience. However, the host was rude, making racist comments like “Your kind of people should wait to get into the room.” The check-in was unnecessarily delayed, with the host claiming that’s how he works. The food was average.
I wish we had booked our next option “Cappadocia Cave Hotel” than SOS Cave hotel.
Urgup
Urgup is a quieter town,7km from Goreme Open Air Museum. With few restaurants and hotels, you can expect more excellent views of the new village meeting the older caves. Try Narcissos Cave Hotel ( mid-range)
Uchisar
Uchisar is located on the highest point in Cappadocia, so expect some of the best views. It’s less touristy than Goreme, but make sure you have either a car or bike to get around. Kemal Sone House Hotel (not a cave hotel) is famous among budget-conscious folks.
Alternatively, consider La Casa Cave Hotel for an amazing view of Cappadocia’s famous Hot Air Balloon Flights.
Guest Houses in Avanos
Avanos, a smaller town, is renowned for its cheese and pottery – I had my best Kayseri cheese here. You may not get views of the valley or chimneys right at your doorstep, but the town has a traditional vibe. The rooms are cheaper in Avanos compared to other villages in Cappadocia. If you prefer staying with locals in guest houses and don’t mind biking around Cappadocia, this is a great choice.
Heads up: Many guest houses in Avanos may showcase a beautiful picture of hot air balloons rising from their front-yard, but it’s likely not true. Such sights are seen in and near Goreme Open Air Museum.
5. How do you travel around Cappadocia?
Traveling around with a scooter is the best way to explore Cappadocia because there are more places to see than those labeled destinations on Cappadocia route map. Driving on the with changing landscapes – grasslands to lime formations, small villages to snow-capped mountains – is the best thing you can do in Cappadocia. Renting a car is an option, but finding parking spot in towns is a headache.
Cycling or mountain biking will be fun for those who are fit and traveling in Cappadocia for a week. A Scooter is the best option if you are in Cappadocia for less than 3 days.
Is it safe to travel around Cappadocia by yourself on bikes?
Yes! It is safe to travel around Cappadocia by yourself on bikes. We have missed some routes, taken detours, and ended up in some no-man’s land with a poor network. I wouldn’t say drop your guard and get lost in the woods; it is still safe to do so. You can stop at random places where the bus tourists don’t come. Local Turks also love to play music and dance with their hookah in some exotic locations. So it is all good to go by yourself to witness the magical Fairy Chimney land.
How to rent bikes in Goreme?
There are plenty of rental agencies in Goreme and very few in Uchisar and Avanos. You have to show your original DL and a copy of the same to rent bikes or cars. We had forgotten to carry my DL. Fortunately, we had Ashrith’s DL copy in our email inbox. We rented it from the agency called Gortur in Goreme. He did agree to give the bike without seeing the original document – But mind that he is a bit cranky. You can rent bikes for hourly (Minimum 2hrs) or days together.
Worst way to travel around Cappadocia
We rented a motorbike on the first day, and we had a fantastic yet freezing evening. Ashrith’s fever from Hagia Sophia increased due to Cappadocia’s cold weather. Without any choice left, we booked two seats on a group bus tour, which wasn’t fun enough. The places we visited were amazing, but they rushed too much.
Why I don’t recommend bus tours to Travel around Cappadocia?
Cappadocia bus tours are suitable for non-drivers or those okay with limited time at specific spots. After enjoying a day on mopeds at our own pace, the constrained bus tour felt restrictive. They take you to specific tourist spots, offering little flexibility to explore further or linger. Being bound by the clock was irritating in such an amazing natural wonder like Cappadocia.
6. Cappadocia Travel Itinerary for 2 & 3 Days
When it comes to listing things you must do in Cappadocia, the list is limited – Explore the trails at your pace, experience the famous Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride, and watch the balloons rise. But don’t let these three points fool you – There are three trails in Cappadocia: Blue, Green, and Red. All three have mannnnnnny things to see, do, and experience. Plus, you can’t say no to Cappadocia’s food and cheese! Let me show you how to enjoy Cappadocia in two to three days along these three routes.
Before you go ahead deciding on your travel itinerary, we will tell you where we had the best food in Cappadocia
- Kebapzade in Goreme – Kurufasulye, the stewed beans with rice, olive oil is one of the best dishes I have ever had, not just in Turkey but the whole world. Ashrith liked their Chicken Kebabs also
- Kumsal & Inci, Avanos – A small “not at all fancy” restaurant served the best Mushroom with Kayseri cheese.
- Nazar Borek & Cafe in Urgup is great for cheap and quick bites of Simit and other breakfast.
Things to do in Cappadocia on Day 1
Take the epic Hot Air Balloon ride, come back to the hotel, freshen up. Fuel your body with Simit, Turkish Crepe and some Tea. Go to the town and rent a scooter – Explore the Red Route, get off the map, go to Avanos and have food. End the day watching sunset at Urgup.
D1.a Taking Hot Air Balloon flights in Cappadocia
A trip to Cappadocia without taking a Hot Air Balloon ride is like Idli without Sambar. You get the taste, but the actual taste lies in the Sambar.
The Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon prices aren’t as low as in Egypt, but they are worth every single paisa we pay. Every weird formation you see on land collectively gets visible from above. The combination of vineyards, caves, and rocks makes you realize how feeble you are in front of mother nature. Take up early rides that start right before the sunrise. The sunrays falling on the valley make it even more dazzling.
Where to book Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon rides?
We booked a non-private ride through Cappadocia Balloon Flight by Discovery Balloons online a week before the day of the ride. It included a two-way transfer o the hotel, morning mini breakfast and tea. Plus a certificate of Participation ( LOL Ya, we did nothing but stand and watch the phenomenal landscape . Still a certificate of participation :D) and a champagne celebration at the end. We had a good time with them.
Wear the most comfortable footwear and jackets for your morning Hot Air Balloon rides. While going hiking, be mindful to carry body cover-ups – as you have to visit/cross many religious sites.
On paper, the hot air balloon ride is throught out the year. If the fortune isn’t in your favour, the ride may get cancelled if the wind speed is more than 10km/hr or the weather is rainy, snow, stormy or foggy.
Does these rides get crowded?
Be prepared to face the annoyance of your fellow passengers in the ballon. There will be16 people in one cradle if you pick “non-private” ride like us.
All of us were overexcited, and few of them didn’t know how to control themselves. Many made video phone calls to their families to show them how beautiful their background is. Some were jumping with joy, unaware of them pushing the person next to them.
There were over-enthusiastic videographers recording and giving live commentary for their vlogs. And there were only a few of us who quietly took photos on phones for a while and savoured the otherworldly landscape while trying to ignore the annoyance for 1.5hrs. To avoid this annoyance, you can book private Balloon rides that cost you a fortune.
D1. b Travel on the Red Route of Cappadocia
Red route the shortest route, with a 29km round trip. Perhaps the best. Highlights of the RED route are – Love valley, Uchisar castle, Pasabag valley, and Devrent Valley (camel rock). You get to see a lot of rock formations and chimneys on this route.
Uchisar Castle
Built by Byzantine Settlers in 4th Century, this place is the boss of all place in Cappadocia. Scattered throughout the castle were numerous pigeon holes, appearing splendid from afar and quite impressive up close. This architectural feature stands as the iconic symbol of Cappadocia.
Pasabag valley
This is the place where you find most tourists! Every Cappadocia visitor come here. Plus it is a famous place among localities also for picnics.
In olden days Pasabag Valley served as a refuge for Christian monks who sought solace in the fairy chimneys of the valley. These monks lived within the caves and chapels carved into the rocks. Don’t forget to run around the place, climb up and down – You can escape the crowd and get more stunning sights
Avanos for lunch
It is good to follow the routes, but it is all fine to even miss them and end up in some village or rocks you never thought of going to. On our way to fairy Chimney, we missed a right turn and ended up in a beautiful compact village called Avanos. The village is famous for pottery and cheese. Plus, the chilling cold made us buy a good quality jacket here for a cheap rate.
More than that it gave us the best of Cappadocia – Finest Kayseri cheese with mushrooms in a local restaurant “Kumsal & Inci.” Wandering around this small town is fun.
Love Valley – Penis Rocks
Love Valley, aptly nicknamed for obvious reasons, is a quirky destination filled with distinctive rock formations colloquially known as “Penis Rocks.” These natural wonders, shaped like, well, you know, add a touch of humor to the stunning landscape.
Whether traversing its trails on foot or drifting above in a balloon, the allure of Pasabag Valley is unmistakable. We did hike through the trail for a bit – If you want to hike for the whole route, from Uchisar to Love Valley, it takes about 10km
Devrent Valley – Camel rock
All the formations in other areas are beige-ish. But in Derven Valley, they turn Rose!
Locally referred to as ‘Imagination Valley,’ the rock formations in Devrent Valley stand out as some of the most intricately shaped and densely concentrated in Cappadocia. I am sure, I saw a fish, elephant and more animals in the form of rocks here. As this is bit far from Uchisar, you won’t find much tourists, except for locals playing some good Turkish music and dancing on the hilltops
Sunset at Urgup –
Wish Hill, or Temenni Tepesi, is the go-to spot for catching an amazing sunset in Urgup. Seeing the main area bustling with people, we decided to take a little detour, around 100m from Temenni Tepesi. We found ourselves on the terrace of a private hotel with these cool narrow alleys that are open to the public. Believe me, these lesser-known spots, tucked away from the usual sunset hubs in Urgup, are the real hidden treasures of Cappadocia.
Things to do in Cappadocia on Day 2
Get up early again and go to the Balloon take-off area to watch sunset – Come back to the room if you want to rest. Munch on some local delicacies and set your ride on the Blue Route for monasteries, wine, and more landscape. This route is quite long, so you must plan well – whether to take the whole route or part of it based on your preference.
Being honest – I didn’t take the route and is the biggest mistake I have ever made! We took the green route on second, that too on a bus tour – So don’t make the mistake as we made, especially if you are in Cappadocia for only two days like we did. Green Route should be your last option.
Another heads up : I am not a “sommelier.” But wine lover. I tried local brand of Cappadocia – Kocabag Narince. It is indeed nice with the acidic taste of lemon. However it isn’t my favourite wine – My love for Grüner Veltliner Wachau will never fade. But visiting any vineyards and going on wine tasting tour in Cappadocia is a fine experience.
Things to do in Cappadocia on Day 3
On the third day, don’t get up early – but be on the terrace by 9 AM or before to watch the famous Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons Rise. Have some food and head towards Ihlara Valley on the Green Route.
b. Green Route
The longest route is the Green one, covering a round trip of 213km. The roads are smooth, allowing you to cover 100km in just 1.15 hours. Highlights include the Göreme Panorama, Kaledibi Monastery, and Ihara. While the natural beauty is impressive, if you’ve explored the wonders on the red route, this might be your least preferred option.
Hasan Dagi mountain
Pigeon Valley
Ihlara
Kaledibi monastery
7. What you see on social media Vs reality
Cappadocia is one of the most Instagrammed locations in the world. Before you get carried away by the over-edited glam pictures or get discouraged by the off-beaten travellers who label this extraordinary place “Touristy”, read ahead to decide for yourself.
So here goes the truths and lies about Cappadocia
7a. The Carpets & Cappadocia
You’ve probably seen glamorous pictures where travelers pose with Cappadocia’s carpets. Most carpet shops in Cappadocia don’t encourage photography! So, getting those beautiful carpet photos for Instagram might be a bit tricky or come with a fee. Budget accordingly if you want those stunning carpet shots.
7b. Cappadocia isn’t worth the hype
Cappadocia is worth the hype, although social media travellers may overemphasize it. Some global wanderers find it very touristy, but we don’t fall into either category. You can easily escape the touristy crowd if you just go outside of Goreme Open Air Museum area for 4-5km. Immerse yourself in nature, then return to enjoy usual things like the hot air balloon.
The views of Love Valley, Red Valley, and vineyards from above exceeded our imagination. It’s even more fascinating than the internet pictures. While I won’t deny it’s touristy, the valley is so vast that you can go on infinite hikes and camping if you want and know how to do it.
The monasteries and their caves are breathtaking. The cave openings sometimes frame the snowcapped mountains at the horizon. This scene looks like a painting. When you see the underground cities, you will be speechless and wonder how humans lived 8 floors underground with each floor interconnected.
For some “I want to be away from humans” time, take a moped and ride about 5km – find a quiet corner in the middle of nowhere.
7d Breakfast, Balloons and Cappadocia are – Most famous pictures on the internet.
Planning is essential for capturing one of Cappadocia’s most sought-after Instagram pictures. The Balloon+breakfast frame isn’t as candid as it appears. Schedule breakfast at a specific time and location, ensuring your room is in the right area, especially near Goreme Open Air Museum, around 6 AM. Balloons fly above particular locations, and it’s not an all-day phenomenon. Many cafes with the perfect spot can be expensive. Check influencers behind the scenes for insights into the effort involved in getting that perfect shot. Personally, I prefer spending our energy on hiking trails rather than focusing too much on one “Gram” photo.
7e. Every route/spot on the map is magical.
The underground cities are a charm, but not everything on the map is worth your time in Cappadocia for less than 3 days. The Green tour itself is a big trap. Ilhaara is not worth wasting your time if you are in Cappadocia for two to three days. Those sloped roof-hanging huts on the river are not as good as they appear on the brochure. Plus, the food tastes horrible in the place where I ate in Ilhara.
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