Cappadocia: Main Attractions

Turkey is not just all-inclusive beach resorts and Istanbul with Zara and Mango shopping. We tell you how to get to Cappadocia, what hot air balloons have to do with it, and why you should stay in a cave hotel.

History

Cappadocia is a historical region in central Turkey. Its peculiarity is an unusual volcanic landscape that somewhat resembles all well-known space films – from “The Martian” to “Interstellar”. During the Cenozoic era, frequent lava eruptions transformed the area into an intricate labyrinth of caves, ravines, and hills made of soft gray volcanic rock – tuff. 

At various times, the region was part of the Hittite, Persian, Roman, and Ottoman empires. In 1515, it was finally annexed to the Ottoman Empire, and in the 20th century, it became part of the Turkish Republic.

Cappadocia Attractions

Göreme — the cultural center of Cappadocia

This is an open-air museum, covering an area of 300 km2. Once, the first Christians, fleeing Roman persecution, found refuge in the Göreme valley. Here they organized underground settlements that were almost impossible to find. Saint Basil the Great was born in Cappadocia, and under his leadership, the first churches were founded in Göreme, where frescoes depicting saints can still be found. Since the churches are located in cave recesses, they are all inconspicuous from the outside, and access is only possible with a guide.

Churches worth seeing:

• Apple Church — named so because there was once an apple orchard nearby;

• Dark Church — thanks to the church having only one small window, the frescoes here are best preserved;

• Chapel of Saint Basil, which houses a fresco depicting Saint George slaying the dragon;

• Church of Saint Barbara — here you can see frescoes painted with red ochre;

• Snake Church — adorned with frescoes depicting Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena.

In 1985, the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Most of the popular hotels where tourists stay are also located here, as Göreme offers convenient access to any point in Cappadocia.

Kaymaklı — underground city

Like in Göreme, Christians once lived here, fleeing persecution. Now it is a large underground city, a network of tunnels with ventilation and water supply. Previously, it housed warehouses, food cellars, stables, and chapels. Now it is a tourist destination. The city has eight floors in total. It's best to explore with a tour: firstly, it's easy to get lost in the underground, and secondly, the signs in Kaymaklı are not very informative.

Nevşehir — inhabited caves

Unlike other underground cities in Cappadocia designed for tourists, people continue to live here in volcanic caves. This is not entirely safe: many caves are on the verge of collapse, and although the authorities are relocating residents to ordinary houses, the local population leaves their homes without enthusiasm. Among the city's attractions is a complex of buildings constructed in the 18th century, which includes a mosque, a dining hall, a madrasah, baths, and a library. 

Nevşehir has an airport where flights from Istanbul arrive. 

Derinkuyu — the largest city in caves

The underground city of Derinkuyu could accommodate about 50,000 people simultaneously, making it the largest city in Cappadocia. So far, archaeologists have excavated only 11 floors, but it is likely there are more. Local residents placed great importance on security: entrances to the caves were sealed with huge stone discs that could only be moved from the inside, protecting inhabitants from enemy attacks. The most important place in Derinkuyu, shown to all tourists, is a large hall with a vaulted ceiling on the second floor, considered a spiritual power spot. 

Hot air balloons in Cappadocia

Cappadocia gained widespread fame thanks to the hot air balloon festival held here every spring. It lasts only a few days, but you can fly in a balloon at any time of the year, weather permitting. The cost of a flight is approximately 150–200 euros per person (11,400–15,000 rubles). If you have the opportunity, don't spare the expense for this experience: it will stay with you for a lifetime. However, the spectacle looks no less impressive from the ground.

You can book a balloon flight online in advance or on-site. There are many companies in Cappadocia that organize flights. Most popular hotels provide flight booking services and arrange transfers to the launch site – so we recommend contacting your hotel and organizing all activities through them in advance. During the summer months, it is harder to book a spot on a hot air balloon due to the large number of tourists. 

If you buy a standard ticket, there will be 10 to 20 people in the balloon with you, depending on the basket size. But you can book both an individual and a group tour for three to five people: for example, just for your company. The cost of such a flight will be significantly higher. 

During the flight, you will witness the sunrise, see birds flying by, and listen to the sound of the wind. Many other balloons will ascend into the sky alongside you – you can take photos of each other from different baskets and then exchange photos with strangers. The flight lasts about an hour. After landing, you will be ceremoniously presented with flight diplomas and enjoy champagne with the captain who conducted the flight.

Flight safety is monitored by the state aviation service. If the weather is bad, flights are canceled, so it's better to go to Cappadocia for several days to ensure you get to experience the hot air balloons.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Cappadocia from Russia is to buy tickets to Istanbul and then travel from there. There are no direct flights. Two major Cappadocian cities – Nevşehir and Kayseri – have airports. When you fly to Istanbul, you will need to make a transfer. The entire journey will take 6 to 8 hours. 

If you fly from Istanbul to Kayseri. You need to get to the main attractions (Göreme, Derinkuyu) by bus or car. The bus station, from which services to Göreme depart, is located on the territory of Kayseri station – you will also have to travel there from the airport by public transport. Therefore, the easiest option is to arrange a transfer with your hotel in advance. The distance from Nevşehir to Göreme is 80 km.

If you fly from Istanbul to Nevşehir. Buses run from Nevşehir to Göreme, departing from the main station. A shuttle bus from the airport will take you to the station. A simpler way is, again, a transfer. The distance from Nevşehir to Göreme on the map is 40 km.

Where to stay

Most hotels in Cappadocia are located in caves. No extreme conditions, it's normal: usually, inside there are all amenities – from plumbing to double-glazed windows, and some hotels offer spa treatments, swimming pools, and hammams. Such places also exist in Europe: for example, in the cave city of Matera, which is called “Italian Cappadocia”. 

If you want a more authentic travel experience, stay in a cave hotel. It's worth it: firstly, the rooms look unusual, and secondly, these “rock” hotels offer incredible views of the Cappadocian stone landscape. If you wake up early, you can see hundreds of colorful hot air balloons soaring upwards at sunrise. 

Before booking a room, read reviews carefully: it's quite cool in the caves, so it's better to be safe and bring warmer pajamas in case of heating issues. Although many tourists write that it's even more comfortable in the caves than outside.

• Divan Cave House — a hotel with panoramic views of Göreme Park and rooms in traditional Turkish style.

• Adora Cave Suites — a small hotel with a panoramic rooftop terrace.

You can also stay in a regular hotel, but there are fewer such options. They look simpler compared to the “caves”.

When to visit Cappadocia

The season in Cappadocia is year-round. Hot air balloons fly daily from 6 to 8 AM. The most optimal months for a vacation are April, May, September, and October: there are fewer tourists, and the weather is comfortable. 

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