Özkonak Underground City lies beneath the village of Özkonak, north of Avanos in Cappadocia. It is smaller and quieter than the famous underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, but it has features you will not see elsewhere, and its location makes it an easy addition to a day in northern Cappadocia.
History of Özkonak Underground City
Like the region's other underground cities, Özkonak was carved by hand into soft volcanic tuff. Its origins are uncertain, but it is thought to have been expanded in the Byzantine period, when local Christian communities needed places to hide from raids.
The city stayed forgotten for a long time. According to the local story, it was rediscovered in 1972 when a villager noticed that water poured onto the ground kept disappearing, and followed it to hidden rooms below. Part of the complex has since been cleared and opened to visitors.
What you see inside Özkonak
Özkonak is a network of rooms of different sizes joined by tunnels, spread across several levels below ground. The visitor route takes you through:
- long connecting corridors
- a kitchen area
- storerooms for food and supplies
- a winery with pressing areas for grape must
- ventilation shafts that bring air down from the surface
- heavy round stone doors that could seal off the passages
Speaking holes and defensive features
What makes Özkonak different from Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu Underground City is its system of very narrow, long holes running between the floors. They allowed people on different levels to talk to each other and, when the stone doors were closed against danger, still let air circulate through the sealed rooms.
Above some passages there are also small openings that, it is believed, allowed defenders to pour hot oil or water on intruders. Together with the rolling stone doors, these details give a vivid picture of how carefully the city was planned for defence.
Since the route is shorter than at Derinkuyu, Özkonak suits families and travellers who want a taste of underground Cappadocia without a long descent. It also gives you more time to stop at the pottery workshops and riverside cafés of Avanos on the way back.
How to get to Özkonak from Göreme and Nevşehir
Özkonak is in the north of the region, beyond Avanos, so it is closer to Göreme than the southern underground cities.
- By car or taxi: drive from Göreme to Avanos and continue north to Özkonak village; the whole trip usually takes about half an hour.
- By public transport: local buses link Nevşehir and Göreme with Avanos, and some minibuses continue to Özkonak, though services are less frequent.
- On a tour: Özkonak appears on some tours as an alternative to the busier underground cities, often combined with the pottery workshops of Avanos.
Our Cappadocia trip ideas show how to pair it with the valleys around Avanos and Göreme.
Tips for your visit
- Passages are low and narrow, so expect to stoop. It may not suit people with claustrophobia or limited mobility.
- Wear flat shoes with grip and bring a light layer, as it stays cool underground all year.
- Because Özkonak is less crowded, it is a good option if you want a calmer underground visit.
- Entrance fees and opening hours change, so check them on the official website before you visit.
Best time to visit Özkonak
Conditions underground hardly change through the year, so Özkonak is a good choice on a hot afternoon or a cold winter day. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the rest of Cappadocia, and many travellers start the day with a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia before heading out to the sights.
If your trip falls during one of the region's cultural events, see our guide to events and festivals in Cappadocia. For an overview of the whole region, read the Cappadocia travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Özkonak Underground City?
It is beneath the village of Özkonak, north of Avanos in Nevşehir province, about half an hour's drive from Göreme.
Is Özkonak better than Derinkuyu?
Derinkuyu is larger and deeper, while Özkonak is smaller and quieter, with unusual speaking holes between floors. Özkonak is closer to Göreme and Avanos and usually far less crowded.
When was Özkonak Underground City discovered?
According to local accounts, it was rediscovered in 1972 when a villager traced disappearing water to hidden rooms underground.
How long does a visit to Özkonak take?
Most visitors need around 30 to 45 minutes to follow the open route through the underground rooms.
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