Things To Do in Cappadocia
Activities To Do in Cappadocia
Gear up for an enchanting experience with magnificent views of Goreme on a hot-air balloon ride. Considered among the most popular things to do in Cappadocia, hot-air ballooning is a one-hour ride offering awe-inspiring views of sunrise. While you are aboard, you can see gorgeous sights of the Love Valley, Red Valley and Sword Valley. From a height of 1500 feet, riding on a hot-air balloon can promise some unforgettable memories
Admire the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Goreme Open Air Museum. You can see 10th-century buildings adorned by frescoes here. It also boasts more than 60 churches, 45 refractories and many burial graves. Visiting this monastic complex offers you a glimpse of Byzantine history and is one of the famous things to do in Cappadocia. The most impressive places to see here are the churches of Dark (Karanlık), Sandal (Çarıklı), and Apple (Elmalı).
Witness the marvel of nature in Love Valley which is full of phallic-shaped rocks formed due to wind erosion. Hiking here is an adventurous activity that you can undertake if you wish to explore hidden caves. In addition to walking through this geological wonder, you can try horseback riding for a thrilling experience. If you wish to capture 360-degree views of Love Valley from above, you can consider a hot air balloon ride.
These troglodyte cave cities in Cappadocia are basically underground cities. They are spread to 8 floors underground with an extensive network of tunnels, storage areas and stables. Considered among the best activities to do in Cappadocia for archaeology enthusiasts, visiting these underground caves offers an enthralling experience. It is believed that these cities were tunnelled out 2500 years ago with complex ventilation shafts, wineries and kitchens and once housed more than 3500 people
.jpg?w=340&dpr=2)
Güllüdere Valley is also called Rose Valley as the rock’s colour here reflects rose-tinged hues in the late afternoon and early evenings. While riding along the sand-filled tracks on horseback, you can marvel at the breathtaking scenery of Rose Valley. After an exhilarating trip, you can relax at a small tea house to cherish a beautiful sunset with a cup of tea, making it one of the exciting things to do in Cappadocia.
.jpg?w=340&dpr=2)
Enjoy the thrilling activity of hiking in the beautiful Ihlara Valley. An easy hike up to 15 km through the gorgeous river canyon treats you with spectacular vistas of cave churches. You can see more than 50 rock-hewn Christian churches along with many rock-cut buildings. A popular attraction of Ihlara Valley is the Snake Church. When you are here, make sure to visit the Niğde Archaeological Museum and Aksaray Museum as well.
If you love birdwatching, the Sultan Marshes is a splendid spot to see birds like Greater Flamingo and Great Spotted Cuckoo. At Sultan Marches, you can spend a serene day amidst nature and explore at least 428 natural plant species and 48 endemic species. You can also head to the observation tower and enjoy a day in the tranquil surroundings of Sultan Marshes to experience one of the top things to do in Cappadocia.
.jpg?w=340&dpr=2)
Also called Devrent Valley, this place boasts magnificent rock formations which have eroded over millions of years to take iconic shapes. You can spot unique rock formations which may resemble animals like camels, snakes and dolphins. If you let your imagination go wild, you may be able to point out Napoleon’s hat and the Virgin Mary among the rocks here. Counted as a unique activity, visiting the Imagination Valley deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Travel back in time to learn about Cappadocia’s history at Kayseri Archaeological Museum. One of the popular things to do in Cappadocia, visiting this museum in Kayseri Castle is a delight for art lovers. You can look at the well-displayed exhibits and learn the history of Kayseri from the Bronze Age to modern times. Among the popular items to see here is the Hercules Sarcophagus which depicts the Twelve Labours of the mythological Greek hero
FAQs
What are the best things to do in Cappadocia?
There are many things to do in Cappadocia like taking a hot air balloon ride, hiking in Ihlara Valley and birdwatching in Sultan Marshes. You can also explore its history at Kayseri Archaeological Museum or witness the wonders of nature at Love Valley, Rose Valley and Imagination Valley.
What is Cappadocia best known for?
Cappadocia is best known for its unique geological formations that boast fairy chimneys and unique rocky valleys. You can see carved churches belonging to medieval times in the Goreme Open Air Museum or underground cities of Kaymakh. It is also known for many picturesque valleys like Güllüdere Valley, Imagination Valley and Ihlara Valley.
What is the best time to visit Cappadocia?
You can visit Cappadocia anytime throughout the year to discover unique valleys and geological wonders. For the best weather, you can visit Cappadocia between April to June and September to November. It is also the best time to try outdoor things to do in Cappadocia like hot air ballooning and hiking.
Is it worth visiting Cappadocia?
Yes, it is worth visiting Cappadocia which promises to enchant you with beautiful towns like Urgup and Uchisar. You can see beautiful rock valleys with fairy chimneys and rock-cut dwellings with a mesmerising hot-air balloon ride. Also, tourists can visit the churches in Goreme and explore the underground cities of Kaymakh to experience the famous activities to do in Cappadocia.
What churches are in the Goreme Open Air Museum?
There are about 60 churches in Goreme Open Air Museum which reflect Byzantine art and boast unique frescoes. The largest church is the Church of the Buckle and Apple Church is a smaller cave church. Other popular churches here are the Church of Saint Barbara, the Snake Church, the Church with Sandals and the Dark Church.