Most Epic Things to Do in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Cappadocia, Türkiye is an experience like no other and in this weekend travel guide, you’ll learn the highlights and the most epic things to do in Cappadocia. Cappadocia is known for its magical landscapes known for its fairy chimneys (rock formations) will leave you speechless. Riding through the skies admiring the beautiful scenes and seeing the sky filled with thousands of hot air balloons is a memory I will never forget. I traveled here alone and yes, I felt completely SAFE doing so! To learn how to gain the confidence to travel on your own, check out this post on my top solo travel tips.
I’ve put together a helpful travel guide which will give you the essentials to plan your trip there.
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⭐ I’M LINKING MY TRIP TO CAPPADOCIA ON MY INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR MORE INSPO!
How to get to Cappadocia
To get to Cappadocia, there are 2 main airports: Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) and Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV). I flew in from Istanbul and arrived at the Kayseri airport taking a one-hour shuttle into Goreme (my hotel arranged it for me so worth asking your hotel to do the same or pre-arrange here). I spent 2 nights here which was plenty for me to see the main sights. This will also give you the chance to wake up early and ride in a hot air balloon and have one more morning where you can see the hot air balloons from the ground.
Where to Stay in Cappadocia
Staying in a cave hotel is a must when visiting. I stayed at Cappadocia Cave Suites, they have an awesome rooftop deck with loungy pillows and it makes the best spot to take photos of the balloons as they soar through the skies at 5 am. Plus, it’s early & this makes you not have to go far for the perfect view. Sultan Cave Suites and Local Cave House Hotel are other extremely popular hotels with a similar view so if those are booked Cappadocia Cave Suites is definitely a good alternative.
These were some of the pictures I took from the roof of Cappadocia Cave Suites.
Best Things to do in Cappadocia
I honestly don’t do many tours when I travel because I like to explore on my own but I did a few during this trip which allowed me to see all the highlights in 2 days, These tours packed in all the best things to do in Cappadocia and were great for solo travelers too.
1. Take an ATV Sunset Tour
This AV sunset tour: was the highlight of my entire trip. It was such an incredible experience. I felt so adventurous riding through the Cappadocia valleys on an ATV (aka a four-wheeler). Don’t get me wrong, I was super nervous at first but when I got going, I couldn’t stop smiling and admiring all the beauty around me. This was the best way to see and experience the town in my opinion.
2. Take the Red Tour
The Red Tour takes you to the Goreme open-air museum, Uchisar Castle, Love Valley, and Pasabag. There is also the green and blue tour depending on which regions of Goreme you want to explore.
3. Ride a Hot Air Balloon
A Hot Air Balloon Tour is a must thing to do in Cappadocia, Türkiye. Don’t be nervous, just do it! I felt like this was a safe experience and so glad I could experience it.
It is exciting to go up 700 meters into the sky along with the other thousands of balloons and see the unique valleys and insane scenery all around.
You have to be up EARLY to do this at 4am. This is the safest time to fly as the winds are calm. All the balloons go up from about 5am to 6am so be sure to rise early & not miss this incredible moment in Cappadocia.
I used Turkiye Balloons and loved them! Other reputable balloon companies are Butterfly Balloons and Rainbow Balloons. Be sure to book well in advance, I got lucky & booked mine only 2 days in advance after my hotel had to squeeze me in because all companies were already booked up.
Here is a video of my view from the skies:
4. Visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum
The Open Air Museum is a magnificent tourist attraction in Cappadocia, It showcases rock cut churches and beautiful frescos. The rock architecture is super unique in Cappadocia. This is why it’s made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984.
4. See the Fairy Chimneys at Pasabagi
Pasabagi, is a special place to visit in Cappadocial with unique geological formations known as fairy chimneys. These whimsical structures are the result of centuries of natural erosion, sculpting the soft volcanic rock into shapes resembling towering mushrooms. Be sure to arrive before 9am to get free entry. Otherwise tickets cost 20TL.
5. Admire the Rock Formations at Love Valley
6. Take in the Views at Uchisar Castle
Perched atop the enchanting landscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey, Uchisar Castle offers a breathtaking view point. Carved out of the soft volcanic rock, this ancient fortress stands as a testament to both nature’s geological artistry and human ingenuity. After climbing the castle’s spiraling pathways, the panoramic views you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view. It is best to visit at sunrise or sunset when the sky has beautiful colored hues.
7. Try the Famous Traditional Clay Pot Kebab
The best place to try the famous traditional clay pot kebab is Dibek Restaurant. Be sure to book ahead as they are a popular place. Don’t be fooled by the restaurants that have the meal prepared ahead as it’s not as authentic. At Dibek you have to order ahead so they can prepare it. That’s when you know it’s the good stuff!
8. Take a Photo in the Instagrammable Carpet Shop
There is a super instagrammable carpet shop and they allow you to take photos here for a small charge. They even will take a drone shot of you which is super cool! The store is Galerie Ikman.
Best Places to Eat in Cappadocia
Food is part of what motivates me to travel aside from the excitement of seeing a new part of the world. From my research, these were the best places to eat. I was able to try the first 2 places & they were great.
Cafe Keyif: I went for lunch and had the meatballs – they were amazing!
Dibek Restaurant: Go here to try the famous traditional clay pot kebap but pre-book as it’s a popular place Apparently, you have to tell them ahead of time you’d like to order it & if you want the real thing it takes time to make it so telling them in advance so they have time to prepare it is the way to go. Some restaurants have it ready right away and I would avoid eating at one of these places to get the real authentic experience.
For further inspiration on other Instagrammable destinations check out this post!
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Cappadocia is truly magical! If you want to share your experience please comment below!
♥ Jackie
Cappadocia is so high on my bucket-list, I would love to visit! This region is so photogenic! Thanks for sharing all your recommendations in your guide!
Happy to do so! I would def go!