Straight out of a fairytale, with its’ surreal, towering hills, massive boulders, and mystical caves, Cappadocia is the most scenic and historical region in central Turkey. Set in the Anatolian plains, this beautiful, out worldly destination is an extremely popular spot for tourists.
You may have seen the breathtaking photos of hot air balloons filling up and soaring the golden Cappadocian skies with a grand backdrop of rippled landscapes. This whimsical place is one of the best areas to visit in Turkey and is a hotspot for scores of tourists every year. It is a mountainous region that is linked with roads.
Cappadocia is a haven of nature, beauty, and serenity. Filled with dreamy spots, mystical wonder, and stunning views- there is so much once you visit this place. From living in cave hotels to riding hot air balloons above the clouds, the whole experience can be surreal. Let’s take a look at the top things to do in Cappadocia.
Top Attractions in Cappadocia
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
Cappadocia’s’ signature hot air balloon ride has become one of the most popular bucket-list items across the world. If you’re visiting Turkey, you must plan a trip to Cappadocia to witness this magic.
You will be floating high up in the air while watching the stunning views of cave dwellings, volcanic rock formations, and hilltops, immersed in the golden hues of sunrise. With hundreds of colorful balloons filling up the sky and enveloping you- you will be immersed in the beauty of those moments forever.
Start with a toast of sparkling champagne, and a delicious pre-flight breakfast. You will then be taken for the spectacular ride up about 1000 feet meters up above.
Sunset ATV Tour
Wondering what to do in Cappadocia? Book yourself a complete ATV tour and ride through the beautiful valleys. You will not only get in touch with nature and wildness but will also enjoy an incredible sight-seeing experience
Have your own quad bike and you can ride it through the Rose Valley. Also, opt for a one hour ride and choose a different route according to your preference. It is a safe yet exhilarating activity that has a feeling of its own when you’re in Cappadocia. All equipment is given along with a safety briefing by your tour guide.
We think a quad safari is one of the best things to do in Cappadocia.
Goreme: Horseback Riding
Cappadocia is also known as the ‘land of beautiful horses’ so how can you miss the fun chance to ride a horse in these gorgeous plains and valleys with fairy chimneys.
This region is home to one of the most well-groomed, gorgeous, and tamed horses and the tour provides all the essentials for a peaceful and fun horse ride. You can quietly trot along the trails and absorb the landscapes of the area or gallop on the tracks, feeling the wind in your hair.
A 2-hour tour will give you ample time to visit the most attractive spots such as the rock formations, fairy chimneys, apricot orchards, and vineyards. You can even visit the famous Hallacdere Monastery- a major tourist spot in Cappadocia.
Goreme: Open Air Museum & Underground City
A rock settlement area filled with natural wonder, the Goreme Open Air Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. This site has scores of monasteries and its’ very own churches. In fact, this place is famous for its rock-cut churches and their colorful wall-paintings that date back to the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries.
This open-air museum is extremely close to Goreme, the most popular town in the region.
Some of these historical and prominent churches include St. Barbara Church, Apple (Elmali) Church, Snake (Yilanli) Church, Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise), Carikli (Sandals) Church, and Buckle (Tokali) Church.
You will also come across the amazing rock-hewn architecture plus the fresco technique. Why is this place so special? It also happens to be the first site where the first travelers to Cappadocia ever arrived to.
You will also have an audio tour to guide you through the fascinating churches, ancient paintings, and centuries-old cave houses.
The packages offered will also take you to the Underground City of Kaymakli or Ozkonak. A must-see in the area is the Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the center of Cappadocia.
We also recommend you to visit the Avanos for lunch. And don’t miss out on the pottery shops and fun pottery and ceramic guides. You can then go to Pasabag, followed by the Devrent Valley. The Devrent Valley is also known as the Imagination Valley because of its’ fascinating rock formation shaped like animals.
Salt Lake Tour at Sunset
If you’re looking for a magical and serene day, you must visit the salt lake in Goreme. This is the second-largest salt lake in Turkey, sweeping over an area of 1500 square kilometers.
The perfect time to visit the salt lake is a few hours before sunrise. When the sun begins to set, you will witness jaw-dropping, mesmerizing, vibrant hues of orange and pink reflecting off the dazzling waters.
You can also take your time to relax on the shores and explore the salt rocks, and even take a dip in the refreshing lake. This place has ethereal vibes that are soothing and perfect for a long walk and a romantic evening.
It is also an excellent spot for photos and is one Insta-worthy location in Cappadocia.
Goreme Jeep Safari
This is another thrilling and fun way to enjoy Cappadocia and marvel at its beauty. You can take the jeep safari and visit the Pigeon Valley known as Guvercinlik Vadisi in Turkish. This valley is marked by white-painted cave dwellings that attract birds. This place has a lot of rich historical significance.
On the jeeps, you can also appreciate the gorgeous Ortahisar Valley, with its’ picture-perfect stone houses, narrow, dwindling streets, castle-shaped rocks, and magnificent churches. Plus, the residents of this valley are known to welcoming and friendly people. You will feel a true connection to Turkeys’ culture on this tour.
On the safari, there are some different places you must visit. The Red Valley, Love Valley, Mustafa Pisa Village, and the Stirrup Stream are simply spectacular points. The fairytale landscape of this whole region is what dreams are made of.
Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant
If you’re thinking of what to do in Cappadocia, you can’t miss out on a fabulous Turkish night in its’ famous cave-setting restaurant. This is the perfect way to celebrate Cappadocia, its culture, tradition, and atmosphere.
You can spend the night feasting, dancing, and watching cultural shows, folk dances, and performances. Plus, there will be super fun belly dances that you can also get up and sway to. You should not miss the traditional Ecviyinh fire dance with knives, and the energy-filled drum show.
The ambiance of cave restaurants is one of the best experiences that Cappadocia and Turkey can offer you.
Mount Erciyesm Ski Tour
One of the best spots in Cappadocia is Mount Erciyesm. This inactive volcano is like a winters’ paradise, perfect for skiing, hot air balloon riding, and simply relaxing. The famous fairy chimney view from here is simply breathtaking.
This is the highest volcano in Cappadocia, and also the most famous. 2000 years ago, it gave its’ last smoke. You can enjoy the adventure of skiing on Mount Erciyes. The place also has ski-teachers to help you learn and practice for half an hour. After this, you will get around 3 hours of skiing here.
Then you can end the day by visiting the thermal springs in Nevşehir’s Kozakli, which is an hour away.
Final Words
These were our recommendations for the best things to do in Cappadocia. If you plan on staying in this dreamy region, we advise you to choose one of the 5 main areas here: Goreme, Uchisar, Çavuşin, Ürgüp or Ortahisar.
You will found the most authentic villages and towns dripping with culture, quiet and peaceful settlements, and even the most active night-life oriented places.
You can easily find the most budget-friendly hotels and the most luxurious cave suites in this magical region. We recommend you to stay in cave style hotels to get a real feel of your trip to Cappadocia.
A few that you should check out are Argos, Sultan Cave Suites, Ayidinili Cave Hotel, and Carus Cappadocia.
If you are planning a trip to Turkey, you should visit Cappadocia for at least two to three days to fully cover all the activities. This region is an ideal destination for honeymoons and also for a fun getaway with your friends or family.
This place is a breath of fresh air for tourists. With the colorful hot air balloons dotting the sky, the long, winding trails for hiking, the gorgeous valleys, and all the opportunities for adventure, Cappadocia will welcome you for an unforgettable stay.
