Cappadocia Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Cappadocia
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cappadocia is on the travel bucket list of millions worldwide. There are many great reasons for this. The climate in this part of Turkey is ideal. There is so much culture and history to explore that everyone will find something that appeals to them.
Add to that the incredible landscapes that are more than striking, and it is easy to see why Cappadocia is likely on your list of places you would like to travel to. As you start to plan your trip to Cappadocia, there are many things to consider. Continue reading to learn more about where to stay, what to do, and what to plan for as you pack your bags for Cappadocia.
Top Attractions in Cappadocia
Being centrally located in Turkey, there is so much to do in Cappadocia that you can easily fill up your itinerary for any time you have to spend in the region. There are certain attractions that you simply must see when you are in the area. What follows is a summary of three main attractions in Cappadocia that should be on your travel itinerary.
Pigeon Valley
Located only a ten-minute drive away from the center of Cappadocia, you will quickly discover why Pigeon Valley is the most well known valley in the entire region. If you take virtually any tour in Cappadocia, you are almost guaranteed to end up here at some point. It is definitely worth the trip.
When you are in the Pigeon Valley, you will want to go the very top if you possibly can. It is there that you will be able to look down at the landscape below. It looks just like the moon. You will be able to stand there for hours and never grow tired of the scenery that you see. This is the result of centuries of erosion, and the results are simply spectacular.
One special part of the Pigeon Valley is the Evil Eye Tree. You will not want to miss this unique piece of nature. You may not find it in all of the tour books, but it is there. Be on the lookout for it, and you will not be disappointed once you can spot it.
Selime Monastery
Also known as the Kaledibi Monastery, The Selime Monastery is cut entirely out of rock. This makes it a church the size of cathedral, with the entire structure being made of stone. It is quite the sight to see. Even if you are not a spiritual person, you cannot help but be in awe of this particular monastery.
Monks actually carved the Selime Monastery out of rocks back in the 13th century. It has survived the ages. You can still walk through the living quarters that were built for the monks. There is also a kitchen and even a stable built for the many animals that lived on site. You can freely explore both of these.
While the fresco decorated walls have pretty much been weathered and destroyed, there are still enough of them left that you can easily envision what the entire structure looked like. If you go to the top of the monastery, you can look out over the Ihlara Valley. This is a canyon that is 15km long and 150m deep. You will absolutely love what you see there.
The Derinkuyu Underground Village
If you spend any time in Cappadocia, you will discover that people historically built entire villages underground. There are many reasons for this, but the reality is that some of them still remain for you to explore. One such site is the Derinkuyu Underground Village.
This is a place that you have to visit in order to truly appreciate. The Derinkuyu Underground Village is located roughly five entire levels below the ground that you walk on in Cappadocia. It was built to house more than 20,000 people, so you can imagine how impressive this is.
While you might feel a bit troubled at the lack of light around you, this is a site that you will want to see unless you suffer from extreme bouts of claustrophobia. Many visitors to Cappadocia rank this as the number one site to visit in the entire region.
The Experience Flying into Cappadocia Airport
When traveling to Cappadocia, it is best to fly into either Kayseri or Neveshir. Both of these cities will have flights arriving from Istanbul on a regular basis. Unless you can get a really good deal to Kayseri, you should opt for a flight into the Neveshir airport. This is because it will only take you about 40 minutes by car to get from the airport to the paradise that awaits you in Cappadocia.
Keep in mind that air travel throughout much of Turkey is seasonal. While you will be able to get flights throughout the year, you will only find daily flights during the summer. You can fly into Neveshir from either Istanbul, Antalya, or Izmir.
If you are traveling from outside Turkey, your best bet is to catch an international flight into Istanbul. You can then connect to a short flight directly into Neveshir. There is a convenient shuttle service located at the airport that will take you to the city center of Cappadocia. Flying into Kayseri is always an option, but keep in mind that the transfer is a bit more expensive and will take you nearly two hours.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Cappadocia
Unless you have months to spend in the country of Turkey, Cappadocia is a place that you will likely want to fly into. This is because Turkey has such a vast amount of land that it can take days to travel by car from one region to another. As you plan your trip to the area, you will want to follow these tips to fly there cheaply.
1. Get a connecting flight
Flying non-stop into a smaller tier destination such as Cappadocia is almost always cost prohibitive. Instead, focus on getting the best fare possible into Istanbul. You will then collect your bags, clear customs and immigration, and make your way over to a connecting flight to your final destination.
2. Plan your trip early
Airlines want to make sure that they fill seats as much as possible. Because of this, they will tend to offer great fares to those who plan ahead. Book your trip early, and you will likely find some great prices. This will give you even more money in your budget to enjoy the trip with.
3. Use the Internet
Put the Internet to work for you. There are many sites out there offering discount airfare to destinations such as Cappadocia. Go to multiple sites and compare different dates to see what gets you the best deal in the end.
These are just three of the many ways to fly cheaply to Cappadocia. This is such a special area of the country that you do not want to let the cost get in the way of you enjoying it. Following this advice will help you to find some great deals that will get you to Cappadocia so you can begin to experience many of the great attractions that make it so famous on a global scale.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
Goreme
Take one look at a map, and you will notice just how vast Cappadocia actually is. It is a tremendously large area, so knowing where to stay is important. If you want to stay in the center of it all, Goreme is where it’s happening. There are some spectacular views to be had from there, along with a host of activities to keep you busy for the entire trip.
Uchisar
If you are looking for a luxury hotel to stay during your time in Cappadocia, you will want to consider Uchisar. This area is located just 5KM out of Goreme. From here, you will be able to see the fairy chimney landscape. The area is also the highest point in all of Cappadocia.
Cavusin
One other popular area of note to stay while in Cappadocia is Cavusin. This is where you will want to be if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet holiday. It is a remote area of the region but provides great access to hiking and hot air ballooning activities.
Popular Hotels in Those Area
There are some great hotels in the area to consider. Here are three of the more popular and unique ones that you should add to your research as you plan your trip.
- Sultan Cave Suites – Located in Goreme, you will find that this is probably the most scenic hotel in the region. It is photographed more than any other hotel you find, and for a good reason. The uniqueness of the building is reason enough to stay here.
- Museum Hotel – If you like to watch the sunrise, you will love the Museum Hotel. It is the perfect place to enjoy the majesty that comes each morning you are in Cappadocia. This hotel is located in Uchisar.
- Cappadocia Fairy Tale Suites – This is a unique hotel located in Cavusin. It is only one kilometer away from the Zelve Open Air Museum. You will find that many of the rooms are adjacent to a lush garden and contain a terrace.
Check online to get the best rates at these hotels. Look through the available amenities to ensure that you get what you want. This is how you will maximize the enjoyment you get out of visiting Cappadocia.
Popular Air BnB Places in Those Areas
If you want to experience Cappadocia and feel free to explore the region just like the locals, then you might want to consider ditching the hotel options all together. Instead, consider one of the following Air BnB options.
- Goreme – If you are a single or couple without children, Goreme has a great studio apartment offered through Air BnB. It is located right in the center of the city and has air conditioning as a bonus. You can also sit outside on the terrace to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region.
- Uchisar – A unique Air BnB option is the Fairy Chimney House. You will get an entire house to yourself. This is a traditional house located in a scenic part of the region. It has 3 beds and 1 bath for your comfort. You can also sit outside on the porch to enjoy the sunset or sunrise.
- Cavusin – To enjoy the quiet and peaceful nature of Cavusin, you will want to consider the Anitya Dublex Stone House. Offered through Air BnB, this is a great way for the entire family to enjoy the holiday, while always have the comforts of home awaiting you.
Top 3 Things to Do in Cappadocia
While there are many things to do while you are in Cappadocia, you might find that you have limited time. If that is the case, you have to pick and choose to some extent. Here are three activities that you will want to make sure you add to your itinerary if all possible.
1. Explore the Underground Cities
It is amazing to consider that there are entire cities formed underneath your feet. That is exactly what you find in Cappadocia. Many of these are still in surprisingly great shape and are available for you to tour. Keep in mind that quite a bit of bending down is required, particularly if you are on the tall side.
2. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum
You will find more than 30 different churches and chapels carved from rock at this outdoor museum. It is so idyllic and unique that is has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That alone should put it on top of your travel itinerary.
3. Ride in a hot air balloon
If you want to see Cappadocia in all of its splendor, you will need to get up bright and early. It will be well worth it as you soar over the valley in a hot air balloon.
Final Thoughts
Cappadocia is a special place in Turkey. You can’t help but appreciate the history that comes at you from everywhere when you visit this location. This will not be your normal vacation, which is what makes it all the more appealing in the end. Pack your bags and get ready to enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
