Things to know before travelling to Cappadocia
There are some things you need to know before travelling to Cappadocia which is a geographically perfect place and which belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Transportation, accommodation and activities in Cappadocia.
Information About Cappadocia
How were Cappadocia and fairy chimneys formed? Millions of years ago, Erciyes, Hasan and Güllü mountain volcanic activities of the lava springs during the period, this area of the inner sea dries and fills the resulting pit. The first explosions of the volcanic mountains form a soft layer called tuff with different hardness. Subsequent explosions form another layer of basalt, which is more resistant than tuffs.
At the end of the volcanic activities, natural effects such as wind and rain, as well as the effects of streams, the tuff layers on the surface begin to erode. The fairy chimneys formed in this way are visited with great interest and curiosity from all over the world. The intensity of the occurrences has led to the emergence of valleys that are not satisfactory and continue to provide.
Where is Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is not a province or a county. Cappadocia is a region with a majority in Nevşehir. Places such as Göreme, Ürgüp, Ortahisar, Paşabağ and Avanos are within the borders of Cappadocia. The region, located in the borders of Göreme Historic National Park, forms the basis of Cappadocia. Famous fairy chimneys are located in the national park.
What you should know before going to Cappadocia
- If you want to make your trip to Cappadocia cheap, you need to buy a museum cart.
- Cappadocia is mountainous and you should wear comfortable sports clothes because there are lots of walking distances during the trip.
- Summer is hot so wear clothes to be protected from heat and keep water with you. The winter months are very cold, dress tight.
- There are so many places to visit in Cappadocia, so set your route and places to visit before your trip to Cappadocia.
- Always have your passport with you.
- Carry cash with you.
- Before you buy anything, you should ask prices few different shops or search from the internet.
- Don't forget to bargain in markets and bazaars. Sellers increase the price for tourists.
Top Things to do in Cappadocia, Places to See in Cappadocia
- Balloon tour in Cappadocia
- ATV and horse tour in Cappadocia
- Walking tour in Cappadocia
- Sunset in Cappadocia
- Visit Ihlara Valley
- Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
- Visit Uçhisar Castle
- Buy pottery and ceramic in Avanos
- Visit Devrent Valley
- Visit Guray Museum
- Visit Zelve Valley
- Visit the Underground Cities
Balloon tour in Cappadocia
One of the most popular activities in Cappadocia is to ride the balloon and see Cappadocia from above. You can see Cappadocia in 1 hour with the balloon tour which tekes about 1 hour. A perfect tour to take panoromic photos of Cappadocia.
ATV and horse tour in Cappadocia
In addition to balloon tours, ATV tours and horse tours are among the activities that can be done in Cappadocia. A good option for an ATV tour in the magnificent valley of Cappadocia. Cap tours are also popular activities in Cappadocia. With ATV and horse tour, you will have the opportunity to see spectacular valleys that will not be driven by car.
Walking tour in Cappadocia
A delightful place to visit Cappadocia. There are many walking paths. The paths you can walk along the kilometer take you to various landscapes, structures and fairy chimneys. Each valley in Cappadocia has its own walkways. There are dozens of valleys, including Zelve Valley, the Güvercinlik Valley and the Red valley.
Sunset in Cappadocia
Cappadocia, which is perfect all day, can tell you that it can affect you most at sunset. If you are walking, know the sunset hours and move to one of the valleys below. Then sunbathe in a pleasant way. Cappadocia landscape allows you to capture exquisite images you will not find anywhere else in Turkey. Do not remove the camera for this purpose.
Visit Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley which is the most western point of Cappadocia Region, Aksaray. To reach this valley formed by eroding the Melendiz Stream that is 12 km long over the years, you have to get close to 400 steps. When you go down, you can have some rest on the water benches and watch the valley view.
In Ihlara Valley you can also visit Ağaçaltı Church and Yılanlı Church. Even if they are a little deformed, the gospel scene, the scene of the birth, the Prophet. You can see scenes from the Bible on the walls of the church, like Jesus' rise to the sky.
Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
Covering many churches built by the early Christians, the Göreme Open Air Museum is also a very explored area with its attractive structure and scenery consisting of volcanic tuff. This area, which started to host the monastery life as of the 4th century, has been a suitable place of protection for those who want to hide or to retreat to religious seclusion due to being a rugged place and distance from main transportation roads.
The Goreme Open Air Museum, home to many buildings such as Tokali Church, Elmali Church, Serpentine Church, St. Barbara Chapel, St. Basil's Chapel, Tsarikli Church, Girls Monastery and Karanlik Church.
Visit Uçhisar Castle
Cappadocia region with all the places to be seen in the panoramic view of the top of the peak of the Uçhisar Castle Kızılçukur, Ortahisar, Ürgüp, İbrahimpaşa, Mustafapaşa and Gömede Valley and Göreme, Avanos, Cavusin, Nevsehir, Çat and Erciyes'a a large geography can be seen. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset and takes photo.
Buy pottery and ceramic in Avanos
Avanos, which is famous about ceramics, is a region to be visited in Cappadocia. The soil used for ceramics is a special soil extracted from the Red River. Avanos is the best option to buy gifts to your friends after your journey. It is also a separate experience in trying to make ceramics in ceramic workshops.
Visit Devrent Valley
Imagination Valley, in which the rock formations look like a giant camel other animals or people, is one of the most unique valleys in this unique region. It can also be a walking tour but be careful as some of the slopes are slippery.
You can expect to see rock formations appearing in the shape of a Virgin Mary Statue, two ducks kissing, Napoleon's hat, a couple dancing and many more... It is a very cool location to visit in Cappadocia.
Visit Guray Museum
Güray Museum, the world's first and only underground ceramic museum, presents thousands of years of rich cultural accumulation of the region to visitors from all over the world. The museum exhibits the development of traditional pottery and ceramic art in the historical process. Cappadocia's largest manufacturing and sales workshop in the structure of the region's architecture, two-storey rock-carved underground city style.
Visit Zelve Valley
Zelve, Cappadocia is one of the most important places to visit. It is located on the steep and northern slopes of Aktepe and consists of three valleys. Zelve is one of the important settlements and religious centers of Christians, especially in the 9th and 13th centuries. The most important structures in the valley were the Balıklı, Üzümlü and Geyikli Churches built before the iconoclastic period.
Visit the Underground Cities
In Cappadocia, there are 37 underground cities that have been found so far and only 7 of them are open to sightsee. The largest one of the most open to the tour is Derinkuyu underground citie. The underground city, which was first built by the Hittites for defense purposes, continued to expand as the hands changed over time. With a diameter of up to 7 km and a depth of up to 60 meters, you will be really impressed when visiting this magnificent building.
Best Time to Visit Cappadocia
The best season for visit Cappadocia and outdoor activities make April to May and September to October the best time to visit Cappadocia.
Spotting wildflowers and birds, hiking and cycling are marvellous during the spring.
Summer peak season brings the heat, crowds, and higher prices.
Winter season from December to March can be rainy and windy, but it also brings beautiful views over snow-dusted rocks along with sledding and skiing.
MAR-MAY: This is the ideal time to visit Cappadocia for the reasons outlined above. The weather is ideal and the crowds aren’t as heavy as they are during the summer peak season.
JUNE-AUG: This is the busiest time of the year in Cappadocia so pricing for accommodations and activities may be at their highest.
SEPT-NOV: Like Spring, Autumn is a great time to visit Cappadocia. The weather is similar and crowds are thinner. We we there in November and it was already getting pretty cold, so September or October may be better.
DEC-FEB: This is the coldest and slowest time of the year in Cappadocia. Winters can be frigid but if you can brave it, then it’s a beautiful time of the year to go. Accommodations and activities may also be cheapest around this time.
Where to Stay in Cappadocia
You should definitely choose cave hotels in a quiet area. Make sure you have a very different experience. We recommend you to choose a cave hotel in Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar and Ortahisar.
Hezen Cave Hotel
Hezen Cave Hotel is located in Cappadocia’s best district overlooking to a magnificent view of the Ortahisar castle and the surrounding old cave houses representing local architecture.
Koza Cave Hotel
The hotel in Goreme attracts guests with its historical architecture. The hotel is placed 25 minutes' walk from Üç Hisar Castle. The city center lies within 1 km from the venue. Koza Cave Hotel can be reached in a 35-minute drive from Nevsehir airport.
Kelebek Hotel
Perched above the quaint village of Goreme, The Kelebek Special Cave Hotel offers magnificent views over the village, and to the valleys and mountains beyond. Kelebek offers the best views of the hot air balloon rides amongst the cave hotels in Cappadocia.
Sota Cappadocia
Perched on the hill, on one of the best preserved streets of Urgup, overlooking the tumble of the old town area below, SOTA Cappadocia adds a very contemporary twist to the area’s vernacular architectural style.
Esbelli Evi
A fine small inn of comfortable cave rooms hewn from the golden stone, with beautiful views of Cappadocian landscape, and the warmest welcome you'll receive in Turkey
Antik Cave House
The hotel is 8 km from Göreme Open Air Museum, 10 km from fairy chimneys and only 1 km from Urgup city center. It is located in the very center of Esbelli district. It is an hour from Kayseri airport.
Where to Eat in Cappadocia, What to Eat in Cappadocia
In Cappadocia you will become acquainted with all the specialties of Central Anatoliann cuisine in addition to the home cuisine cultures that have been developed by the people from Turkey and other corners of the world who have come and settled here. It is a lovely surprise for foreign visitors to discover in the hotel restaurants of Cappadocia this rich of Turkish and world cuisine.
Cappadocia cuisie has experienced the influence of many different cultures, and foods such as wheat, dried cracked wheat, noodles and ravioli, as well as legumes such as beans, chickpeas and lentils and the pita-like variety of local bread play an important role.
When you go to Cappadocia, do not come without eating the food we recommend,
Nevşehir Mantısı (a ravioli-like local spencialty): Unlike the mantı we are accustomed to, the pieces of dough should be small enough to fit a few of them in a spoon. Also, they are generally served with boiled chickpeas on the side. There is also a type of meatless mantı known as muhacir matısı that is made by mixing fried onions with leavened dough, and is eaten with garlic-infused yogurt poured over it.
Tıranenik: A special regional dish made with tarhana, (a sun-dried soup mix composed of yogurt,to mato and flour) and molasses.
Pastırmalı Börek: pastırma, a type of cured spiced beef, is very well liked i this region that is so close to Kayseri, the city of pastırma. The pastırm is enfoleded in a sheet of yufka, thi pastery dough, and fried in oil. Another special dish is humus made with pastırma.
Kıymalı sigara böreği: A savory pastry made with ground meat, it is prepared with many different spices.
Çömlek kebabı: Meat, and a variety of vegetables icluding potatoes, eggplant and tometoes are cooked in an When the time comes fort he dish to be served, the mouth of the crock is broken. Another specialty is köfte (meatballs) cooked in a sauce in an earthenware crock.
Peynirli biftek: In the Ihlara valley, a piece of beefsteak is pounded flat and grilled with a filling of regional cheese, black pepper and thyme.
Kuzu tandır and kuzu çevirme: Lamb roasted in a tandouri oven or on a spit can be found in almost every corner of the region. Kuzu beli is another lamb dish that is a regional specialty.
Saç tava: A large sheet-metal skillet is set over the tadouri oven, and meat cut ito small pieces is sauteed along with eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, garlic and thyme.
Ayvalı et yahnisi (meat stewed with quince): The quinces are peeled and left to soak in water with lemon juice added while onions are fried in oil. Pieces of lamba re then cooked with the onions, quince, salt, suger and cinnamon; the dish is served with homemade noodles.
Kayısılı et yahnisi (meat stewed with apricots): The pieces of lamba re placed in an earthenware crock along a variety of small apricot called ’bitirge’; molasses is then poured over it before cooking it in the crock.
Çömlek fasulyesi: Dried beans are cooked in a crock along with lamb, tomatoes, peppers and plentiful spices.
Ermeni yahnisi: A type of stewed beans with cinamon and onions.
Patlıcan dolması: Aubergines are stuffed with rice, onions, parsley, raisins and spices that are particular to the region. There is also a regional dish called ‘tık tık ‘ that cosists of a aubergine salad.
Kora papareni: Pastry sheets are moistened with chicken boulilon and chicken and walnuts are placed over it. It is eaten alongside another type of börek or savory pastry dish called ‘fasulnik’.
Deveci pilavı, or ‘camelherder pilaf’: This is a typical bulgur pilaf dish that has been made since the days whe caravans passed through Anatolia. First the onions are fried and then brought to a boil with water, tomatoes, salt and pepper before the bulgur is added. It is served with garlic yogurt and flaked red pepper.
Patates köftesi: These potato rissoles are made with a variety of potato called’kıraç’ and only made with rainwater. Some of the most flavorful potatoes in Turkey are raised in the Cappadocia region.
Boran aşı: Wheat and chickpeas are cooked together with butter, yogurt and cheese, and sprinkled with a spice called ‘yarpuz’.
Kaşıtsi: A dessert made with molasses and starch