Cappadocia’s landscape is otherworldly, filled with fairy chimneys and rock-hewn churches. However, this captivating region contains much more than meets the eye – including hidden underground cities such as Kaymakli and Derinkuyu that may remain unseen to outsiders.
Exploring all of Cappadocia requires at least two days, to allow ample time for hiking, hot air balloon rides and taking in its breathtaking landscapes.
Love Valley
Love Valley is an enthralling travel destination that captures the hearts of visitors from around the world. Its majestic fairy chimney formations and vibrant sunset hues add an almost surreal charm that make this natural landscape truly captivating.
Cappadocia’s amazing rock formations have been created over 60 million years by nature and time. Their remarkable shapes were formed from volcanic eruptions before being worn away by wind and rain erosion – truly unique to this wonderful destination and worth visiting for themselves! A visit here should not be missed!
Though there are many trails in Goreme to choose from, Love Valley stands out among them for its easy accessibility and picturesque scenery. Perfect for couples and individuals alike.
Make plans to hike Love Valley from late March to May when temperatures are ideal – temperatures between 14-17C can make for excellent hiking conditions while providing stunning sights of Love Valley and beyond. Though you can go all year round as long as the climate remains mild.
One of the best ways to explore Love Valley is with a full-day tour from Goreme led by an expert guide. On this excursion you will visit Love Valley, White Valley and Pigeon Valley all within one day – making this tour an excellent way to see everything important at once!
Goreme Open-Air Museum
Goreme Open-Air Museum is one of Cappadocia’s highlights and must-visits for history enthusiasts. Arriving early is recommended as crowds can often build during peak summer months; also wearing comfortable shoes and packing plenty of water is highly advised. For an added value experience, why not consider taking a tour that includes both Goreme Open-Air Museum as well as Dervrent Valley Pasabag Zelve Avanocia pottery village as part of their itinerary?
Cappadocia first witnessed monastic activity in the 4th century when small anchorite communities following Basileios the Great’s teachings as Bishop of Kayseri began inhabiting rock-cut cells to worship Basileios the Great in silence. These communities eventually led to underground cities where monks could live and pray peacefully.
Goreme’s cave churches are world-famous for their well-preserved frescoes that depict Biblical scenes and events from various time periods. Of note is the 10th-century Old Chapel, with its barrel-vaulted chamber and magnificent restored frescoes; its younger sibling, built less than 100 years later (New Church), has similarly well preserved frescoes which instead illustrate narrative (rather than liturgical) cycles.
For a deeper appreciation of Goreme paintings and hermit life, visit with a knowledgeable guide. They can answer all your questions while giving a fuller picture of Cappadocia’s history.
Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle stands as one of Cappadocia’s most impressive castles, constructed from a rock spur. Although from the outside it may appear as an unruly collection of rocks, Uchisar’s interior houses homes, cellars, storage rooms as well as rock tombs and an enormous water cistern – one of its main draws.
This extraordinary medieval monument served both as military headquarters and an educational centre for clergyman, featuring numerous caves with frescoes dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries depicting topics like the Ascension, Mary, and Annunciation – it makes an excellent stop during your tour of Cappadocia!
Experienced travelers should not miss a visit to Cappadocia without exploring Love Valley, with its fairy chimneys in phallic shapes. Created over millions of years by volcanic activity, erosion and wind, its surreal landscape comes alive at sunset when its bright red, pink hued rocks come to life under its changing skies.
Hiking is an ideal way to explore Cappadocia’s breathtaking landscape, offering hikers stunning views in Pigeon, White, and Love Valleys – as well as climbing Uchisar Castle for spectacular panoramic vistas of this picturesque region. Additionally, for an exceptional cultural experience watch a Whirling Dervish performance – an ancient dance form which blends devotion, discipline, and inner peace into its performance hypnotic dance show!
Underground Cities
Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes not only boast stunning sights, but are home to over 36 underground cities carved from soft volcanic stone. Derinkuyu Underground City stands 280 ft deep and could accommodate 20,000 people! It contains mazes of tunnels and rooms used for storage, living, worship, storage space or ventilation – another factor which adds great intrigue.
Thought is that the original inhabitants of this region created caves as shelter against wild animals and harsh winter weather. Over time they expanded them further into hidden cities. When Roman persecutions in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE threatened early Christians who took refuge here; later on during Muslim raids between 8th and 10th centuries CE these tunnels provided locals with safety.
Discovering Cappadocia can be an extraordinary journey, from its distinctive rock formations at Love Valley and Goreme Open Air Museum’s rock-cut churches, to taking a hot air balloon ride over its unique landscape and enjoying postcard views from above via hot air balloon ride. Organised day tours are popular ways for visitors to experience this enthralling part of Turkey but independent traveler can also experience all this area has to offer.
