Overview
Cappadocia's landscape of soft volcanic rock has been eroded into cones, pillars and valleys. Over many centuries people carved houses, churches and underground cities into it. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Göreme, Ürgüp and Uçhisar are the main bases, with many cave hotels. Hot-air balloon flights at sunrise are popular when the weather allows.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October have mild weather and good conditions for walking and ballooning. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cold, sometimes with snow.
Highlights
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1
Göreme Open-Air Museum
Rock-cut churches with painted frescoes.
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2
Hot-air balloons
Sunrise flights over the valleys, depending on wind.
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3
Valley walks
Trails through the Rose, Red, Love and Pigeon valleys.
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4
Underground cities
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, multi-level shelters cut into the rock.
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5
Uçhisar Castle
A rock citadel with wide views.
Getting there
Nevşehir and Kayseri airports are about 40 minutes and about 1 hour from Göreme; shuttle buses meet flights. Long-distance buses run from Istanbul and Ankara.
Practical tips
- Opening & tickets
- Opening times, ticket rules and any visitor limits change, so check the official information before you go.
- Time needed
- Two to three days.
Official information: UNESCO: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
Map
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