A valley of monastic churches and chapels carved into the rock, with Byzantine frescoes in bright colours. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Göreme.
Türkiye
Cappadocia travel guide
Fairy chimneys, cave hotels, underground cities and balloons at sunrise.
- Best time to visit
- April-June and September-October
- Getting there by air
- About 1 h 15 min from Istanbul to Nevşehir or Kayseri
- Airport
- Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV), about 40 min to Göreme; Kayseri (ASR), about 1 h 15 min
- Time difference
- Türkiye time (UTC+3) all year
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY); cards accepted in hotels and most restaurants
- Language
- Turkish; English is common in hotels and in Göreme
- Visa
- Visa-free or e-Visa depending on your passport - we can help
Cappadocia, in the heart of Anatolia, looks like no other place: valleys of soft volcanic rock shaped into fairy chimneys, churches and homes carved into the cliffs, and whole cities dug deep underground. At sunrise, when the weather allows, dozens of hot-air balloons rise over Göreme – the picture everyone comes for.
Plan two to three nights, three if you can. Stay in Göreme, Uçhisar or Ürgüp. One day for the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ and the pottery town of Avanos; another day for an underground city (Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı) and a walk in the Ihlara Valley. Keep the evenings for the sunset over the Red and Rose valleys.
The best months are April to June and September to October. Summer days are warm and dry, but the nights are cool all year. Winter is cold and often snowy – beautiful, but balloon flights are cancelled more often. The sights are spread out, so a car with a driver or a day tour makes the visit much easier.
Things to do in Cappadocia
The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.
A giant rock pinnacle honeycombed with old rooms, the highest point of the region. Climb to the top for a view over Göreme and the valleys - beautiful at sunset.
A city dug many levels deep, where people and animals once sheltered: stables, kitchens, wells, chapels and rolling stone doors. Tunnels are low and narrow.
The most photographed fairy chimneys, some with two or three stone caps, and small hermit cells cut into them. Easy paths, good for children.
A green canyon with a river, poplar trees and rock churches in the cliffs. The walk between Ihlara and Belisırma is flat and shaded; lunch by the river is a classic.
A town of potters on the Kızılırmak, the Red River. Watch a master at the wheel, try it yourself, then walk along the river and its pedestrian bridge.
Hotels in Cappadocia
Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.
Tours, packages and transfers in Cappadocia
Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.
Cappadocia, Türkiye
Cappadocia Holiday Package – Vie Cappadocia – Adults Only – 3 Nights
Ask on WhatsApp
3 nights
from€557per person
3 nights
from€631per person
Private transfers in Cappadocia
Private car or van with driver, meet and greet at arrivals. Tell us your flight and we send you the price.
Request a price
Car with driver in Cappadocia
A private car and a professional driver for half a day or a full day: shopping, visits, day trips or business meetings. Arabic-speaking drivers on request.
- Sedan, minivan or large family van
- Hotel pick-up, waits for you at every stop
- Child seats and water on board
Where to stay in Cappadocia
GöremeThe heart of Cappadocia: cave hotels with balloon views, many restaurants and a short walk to the Open-Air Museum. Lively and practical for a first visit.
UçhisarThe highest village, around the rock castle. Quieter, with wide views and some of the finest cave hotels.
ÜrgüpA real town with more shops and restaurants, elegant cave hotels and family hotels with pools. Good for longer stays.
AvanosOn the Red River (Kızılırmak), known for pottery. Calmer and often better value, about 15 minutes from Göreme.
Where to eat: restaurants and cafés
Places we like and recommend to our guests, from local classics to cafés and sweet stops.
Pottery kebab (testi kebabı)
Halal Local speciality · All over Cappadocia
Meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot, which is cracked open at your table. Order it a few hours ahead in some restaurants.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Mantı and home-cooking houses
Halal Turkish home cooking · Ürgüp, Avanos and the villages
Small dumplings with yoghurt and spiced butter, lentil soup, stuffed vegetables and gözleme pancakes - simple food, cheap and loved by children.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Breakfast on a terrace
Turkish breakfast · Göreme and Uçhisar
A long Turkish breakfast - cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, jams and fresh bread - on a terrace after the balloons. Many cave hotels serve it with the view.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Riverside restaurants in Avanos
Halal Grills and river trout · Avanos
Simple family restaurants along the Red River serving grilled meat, köfte and trout. A relaxed stop after the pottery workshops.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Pide and kebab houses in Göreme
Halal Grill and Turkish pizza · Göreme centre
Around the main square and bus station: pide from the wood oven, lahmacun, kebabs and salads. Quick, inexpensive and open late.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.
Tips for your trip to Cappadocia
- Book the balloon flight early and choose a licensed company. Flights depend on the wind and are often moved or cancelled, so keep a spare morning in your plan. Age rules for children differ by company.
- Even without flying, wake up before sunrise: from a hotel terrace or a viewpoint in Göreme the balloons are a show for free.
- Nights are cool even in summer and cold in winter. Bring a warm layer for the early mornings.
- The underground cities have low, narrow tunnels and steep steps. Children love them, but they are not for anyone uncomfortable in tight spaces or with walking difficulties.
- Wear good walking shoes: valley paths are dusty and uneven.
- The sights are 15 to 60 minutes apart and public transport is limited. A private car with a driver saves a lot of time - ask us for a price.
Questions
How many days do we need in Cappadocia?
Two to three nights. Two full days cover the main valleys, the Open-Air Museum, an underground city and the Ihlara Valley; a third night gives a second chance for the balloon flight.
Is the balloon flight suitable for families?
Flights start before sunrise and last about an hour. Each company has its own age and health rules, and flights only go ahead in safe weather. We can book a licensed company and arrange the hotel pick-up.
Which area is best for families?
Göreme for being close to everything, Ürgüp for hotels with pools and more space, Uçhisar for quiet and views.
How do we get there?
Fly from Istanbul to Nevşehir (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR) in about 1 h 15 min and take a transfer. By road it is about 10 hours from Istanbul.
Plan your trip to Cappadocia with us
Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.
- Reply within a few hours
- Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
- Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Photo credits
- Cappadocia — Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0
- Cappadocia — Photo: Emrahuygun · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cappadocia — Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Derinkuyu Underground City — Photo: Nevit Dilmen (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Paşabağ (Monks Valley) — Photo: Noumenon · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cappadocia — Photo: Tevfik Teker · CC BY 3.0
- Avanos pottery town — Photo: Ludovic Courtès · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kayakapı Premium Caves — Photo: Kapatuka · Public domain
- Sultan Cave Suites — Photo: MusikAnimal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.
