Are you looking for the best things to do in Cappadocia? This is the guide for you!
Cappadocia is nothing short of enchanting. I cannot quite find the words to describe this whimsical region of Turkey and highly recommend everyone visiting the country prioritize at least two full days in Cappadocia.
I had the luxury of spending 3 days in Cappadocia this summer and I treasured each mesmerizing moment.
Famously known for its ginormous rock spires and hot air balloon rides, it makes sense that the region sees high tourism each year.
Some of the best things to do in Cappadocia are watching the hot air balloon sunrise, exploring famous rock spires on a hiking trail, staying in a cave hotel, and eating at a cave restaurant.
1. Stay at a Cave Hotel
I didn’t realize how absolutely quintessential staying at a cave hotel in Cappadocia would be until my friend and I impromptu left our hostel for a cave hotel.
We quickly switched gears to Terra Cave Hotel and it was one of the best parts of the entire trip.
The best part of Terra Cave Hotel was the ginormous, two-floored rooftop. Featuring three separate viewing areas, there was plenty of space for all hotel guests to enjoy the infamous Cappadocia sunrise and sunset.
We paid about $70/night for two people (on a weeknight). This was the same cost as our two-bed hostel. It was a huge upgrade for no cost difference! It was also worth it for the incredible rooftop alone.
Tip: Most cave hotels around Cappadocia are located in the town of Göreme. This is also conveniently where most of your top attractions like hiking, cave restaurants, and hot air balloon tours will depart from.
Cave Hotel Recommendation: Terra Cave Hotel
Other Highly Rated Cave Hotels
2. Eat at a Cave Restaurant
The caves continue! When not enjoying the incredible Cappadocia views around you, I highly recommend enjoying the area from a cave, which also includes restaurants!
I absolutely loved my meal at Topdeck Cave Restaurant. The prices were phenomenal and the portions were huge. Topdeck has got to be one of the best restaurants in Cappadocia.
You can have floor seating against the cozy cushions and pillows or at a standard table with chairs.
The restaurant is relatively small and I recommend making a reservation in advance.
Cappadocia Cave Restaurants:
- Topdeck Cave Restaurant
- Inci Cave Restaurant
- Family Cave Restaurant
- Click here for more of the best cave restaurants in Cappadocia
3. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is high on the bucket list of many travelers.
Experiencing the jagged spires against the sunrise while the sky is filled with colorful hot air balloons around you is a site to be seen.
Tip: These tours are costly usually starting at $120 per person for a shared balloon. Consider enjoying the hot air balloon-filled sky from your hotel rooftop.
🎈Hot Air Balloon Tours
4. Sunrise
Watching a sunrise among the floating air balloons in Cappadocia is absolutely one of the best things to do.
Plenty of people visit Cappadocia for the famous hot air balloon ride. This was personally not within my budget but I am so glad we could
Tip: Hot air balloon launches are contingent on weather. During my 3 days in Cappadocia, the balloons only launched on the final day.
I recommend planning any hot air balloon viewing or ride earlier in your trip, so you have the flexibility to reschedule if needed.
5. Sunset
Let’s not forget about the sunset!
While hot air balloons only launch at sunrise, I highly recommend strolling the town of Göreme or situating yourself at a lovely restaurant or hotel rooftop to experience the magic of the evening.
6. Viewpoints
Aside from golden hour at sunrise and sunset, the views around Cappadocia are truly remarkable any time of day.
While my favorite viewpoint during our trip was from the Terra Cave Hotel, there are tons of other, amazing free viewpoints all around Cappadocia.
Some of the best free views in Cappadocia are:
- Sunrise Viewpoint
- Asikar Teplesi
- Click here for more of the best views in Cappadocia
7. Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle provides a unique perspective of Cappadocia. We accidentally made it here while hiking!
Uçhisar Castle stands as the highest rock formation in Cappadocia.
Even without entering the castle, you can enjoy the magnificent vistas surrounding it, which include sweeping views of the fairy chimneys and volcanic landscape.
8. Hiking Trails
The incredible natural scenery all around you means the region features a wide variety of hiking trails for all levels.
The most popular valleys to explore include Pigeon Valley, Love Valley, and Red Valley. Hiking trails may lead you through one or multiple valleys during your adventure. I highly recommend checking Alltrails to find the best fit for you.
Trails through the valleys of Cappadocia range from easy to hard, so there is something for every traveler’s hiking interest.
Some of the best hiking trails in Cappadocia include:
9. Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground City
Visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Underground City in Cappadocia is an absolute must on most travel lists.
Derinkuyu and Kaymakli Underground Cities offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient engineering and historical life.
Located in the Nevşehir Province, these two caves are part of a network of hundreds of underground cities in Cappadocia.
Kaymakli Underground City is a bit closer to Göreme therefore it is commonly included in day tours and known for slightly more crowds.
Derinkuyu Underground City is the deeper of the two, plunging to a depth of around 200 feet and spanning multiple levels.
I had a great experience visiting Derinkuyu.
You can get to the caves in the following ways:
- Half day tour
- Taxi
- Public Transportation
I took the local bus from Göreme to Nevşehir and transferred to the bus labeled Derinkuyu. F
rom the Derinkuyu bus stop, it was only about a 5-minute walk to Derinkuyu Caves.
You can easily purchase your ticket at the ticket booth prior to entering the cave.
Tip: This activity is not recommended if you are claustrophobic.
Highly Rated Cappadocia Tours
Note: I think you can enjoy Cappadocia perfectly fine without taking any tours. Most of the top attractions are within walking distance, and you can always book a taxi if needed.
However, I respect differing travel styles and understand having a tour ready to go might be the best thing for you!
Conclusion
Cappadocia is an incredible region and I highly recommend spending at least two full days here to fully enjoy it. Cappadocia is worth visiting at least once!
Come for the incredible sunrise and stay for downtown shopping, hiking, and cave restaurants or hotels.
This region is not quite like anywhere else I have explored in the world and it lived up to its bucket list fame.
My biggest recommendation is to not try and scratch every item off your list- it’s completely OK if you do not get to every valley, viewpoint, etc. The entire region is beautiful (and looks similar), so any experience you have here will be a miraculous one.
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best things to do in Cappadocia! I would love to hear from you if you visit or have more items you think should be added to the list. Happy travels!
