Where is Cappadocia, How to Go? Places to Visit in Cappadocia

Where is Cappadocia How to Go Places to Visit in Cappadocia
Where is Cappadocia How to Go Places to Visit in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a geographical region located in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. It is located in the region where the borders of Nevşehir, Kayseri, Niğde and Aksaray provinces intersect. Cappadocia is famous for its fairy chimneys, valleys, underground cities and churches. Cappadocia was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Cappadocia is a volcanic region. Erciyes, Hasandağı and Güllüdağ volcanoes in the region erupted millions of years ago. These eruptions caused the soil in the region to be shaped in different ways. Fairy chimneys are a result of this shaping.

Cappadocia has hosted many civilizations throughout history. It is possible to see the traces of civilizations such as Hittite, Phrygian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk in Cappadocia. The underground cities in the region are the shelters built by these civilizations for protection.

Cappadocia is a tourism center today. Millions of visitors visit Cappadocia every year. Cappadocia offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors with its fairy chimneys, valleys, underground cities and churches.

How to go to Cappadocia?

It is possible to reach Cappadocia from many cities of Turkey. The most common means of transportation are:

  • Aeroplane: The closest airport to Cappadocia is Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport. The airport has direct flights from major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.
  • Bus: Cappadocia can also be reached by bus from many cities of Turkey. Bus services are usually at night and the journey time is approximately 10-12 hours.
  • Car: Cappadocia can also be reached by car from many cities of Turkey. Travel time varies from city to city.

After reaching Cappadocia, you can reach the city center by bus, minibus or taxi. From the city center, you can join the tours organized to fairy chimneys, valleys and underground cities.

Places to Visit in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most popular tourism centers in Turkey. It is famous for its fairy chimneys, underground cities, valleys and wines. The best time to visit Cappadocia is during spring and autumn when the weather is warm.

Places to visit in Cappadocia are:

  • Goreme Open Air Museum: Göreme Open Air Museum is located in Göreme district of Nevşehir province. The museum is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The museum consists of churches and monasteries carved into the rocks. The museum was used from the 10th to the 13th centuries. There are frescoes from the Byzantine period in the museum. The museum is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia.

Goreme Open Air Museum

  • Derinkuyu Underground City: Derinkuyu Underground City is the largest underground city of Cappadocia.

    Derinkuyu Underground City is located in Derinkuyu district of Nevşehir province in Turkey. The city has 8 floors and can host up to 20.000 people. The city was built by the Phrygians in the 8th century BC. The city was expanded and used during the Byzantine period. The city was discovered in 1963. The city is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia.

    Derinkuyu Underground City is on the Nevşehir-Niğde highway and 30 km from Nevşehir. The city is located in the center of Derinkuyu Town. It is possible to reach the city by private car, bus or minibus.

    Derinkuyu Underground City is open to visitors every day between 08:00-17:00. The entrance fee to the city is 15 TL. To visit the city, it is necessary to participate in guided tours.

Derinkuyu Underground City

  • Ihlara Valley: Ihlara Valley is the longest valley of Cappadocia. The valley is 14 kilometers long and 100 meters deep.

    Ihlara Valley is located in Güzelyurt district of Aksaray province in Turkey. The valley is 14 kilometers long and 100 meters deep. The valley was formed by the Melendiz River. The valley consists of churches, chapels and caves carved into the rocks. The valley is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    Ihlara Valley is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia. The valley offers its visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauties and historical riches of Cappadocia. The valley is also suitable for activities such as hiking, cycling and rafting.

    Ihlara Valley can be reached by bus or minibus from Nevşehir. The valley is located in the center of the town of Güzelyurt.

Ihlara Valley

  • Urgup: Ürgüp is the largest city of Cappadocia. The city is famous for its fairy chimneys and wines.

    Ürgüp is a district located in Nevşehir province of Turkey. It is one of the most important districts of the Cappadocia region. Ürgüp is famous for its fairy chimneys and wines.

    Ürgüp is 20 km from Nevşehir city center. The district is located on the Nevşehir-Aksaray highway. It is possible to reach Ürgüp by bus, minibus or taxi from Nevşehir.

    Ürgüp is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia. The district offers its visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauties and historical riches of Cappadocia. There are fairy chimneys, wine cellars, churches, mosques and inns in Ürgüp.

    Ürgüp offers many different activities to its visitors. In the district, it is possible to walk among the fairy chimneys, wine tasting, balloon tour, ATV tour, jeep safari and eat traditional Turkish food.

    The best time to visit Ürgüp, Cappadocia is during spring and autumn when the weather is warm.

Ürgüp

  • Avanos: Avanos is one of the oldest settlements of Cappadocia. The city is famous for pottery making.

    Avanos is a district of Nevşehir Province in Turkey. It is one of the important districts of the Cappadocia region. Avanos is famous for pottery making.

    Avanos is 27 km from Nevşehir city center. The district is located on the Nevşehir-Ürgüp highway. It is possible to reach Avanos by bus, minibus or taxi from Nevşehir.

    Avanos is one of the important tourism centers of Cappadocia. The district offers its visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauties and historical riches of Cappadocia. There are pottery workshops, churches, mosques and inns in Avanos.

    Avanos offers many different activities to its visitors. In the district, it is possible to participate in pottery making, walk among the fairy chimneys, balloon tour, ATV tour, jeep safari and eat traditional Turkish food.

    The best time to visit Avanos, Cappadocia is during spring and autumn when the weather is warm.

Avanos

  • Uchisar Castle: Uçhisar Castle is the highest castle in Cappadocia. The castle is 160 meters high and offers panoramic views of Cappadocia.

    Uçhisar Castle is a castle located in Nevşehir, Turkey. It is one of the most important castles of the Cappadocia region. Uçhisar Castle is located on a hill covered with fairy chimneys. The castle is 160 meters high and offers panoramic views of Cappadocia.

    Uçhisar Castle was built by the Romans in the 1st century BC. The castle was also used during the Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. The castle was restored in 1965.

    Uçhisar Castle is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia. The castle offers its visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauties and historical riches of Cappadocia. The castle is also suitable for hiking, photography and balloon tours.

    Uçhisar Castle can be reached by bus or minibus from Nevşehir. The castle is located in the center of the town of Uçhisar.

  • Pigeon Valley: Güvercinlik Valley is one of the most famous valleys of Cappadocia. The valley is covered with pigeon nests.

    Güvercinlik Valley is a valley located in Nevşehir, Turkey. It is one of the most important valleys of the Cappadocia region. Güvercinlik Valley is a valley covered with fairy chimneys. The valley is about 4 km long and 100 meters deep.

    Güvercinlik Valley is covered with pigeon nests from the Byzantine period. Pigeons made their nests in these burrows and used their manure as fertilizer in the vineyards.

    Güvercinlik Valley is one of the most important tourism centers of Cappadocia. The valley offers its visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauties and historical riches of Cappadocia. The valley is also suitable for hiking, photography and balloon tours.

    Güvercinlik Valley can be reached by bus or minibus from Nevşehir. The valley is located near the town of Goreme.

Guvercinlik Valley

Things to do in Cappadocia are:

  • Walking among the fairy chimneys
  • visiting underground cities
  • take a balloon ride
  • doing an ATV tour
  • make a jeep safari
  • Tasting the wines of Cappadocia
  • Eating traditional Turkish food in Ürgüp
  • Participating in pottery making in Avanos
  • Visiting Uchisar Castle
  • Taking pictures in Pigeon Valley

Cappadocia is one of the most beautiful and interesting regions of Turkey. Visiting Cappadocia will be an unforgettable experience.