Discover Cappadocia: Things To Do in Cappadocia
A trip to Cappadocia is a dream. Its outstanding landscape with towering fairy chimneys, romantic sky with hot air balloons, warm Cappadocian sun, and hundreds of rock-cut churches offer visitors the adventure of a lifetime. With so many options, you might be wondering what the top things to do in Cappadocia are. Let’s discover some!
Must-Do Things in Cappadocia
There are plenty of things to do in Cappadocia, Turkey, from taking a hot air balloon ride to watching traditional pottery-making. Below, you can find the most prominent ones–don’t forget to take notes, because Cappadocia is home to many wonders.
Experience a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
Let’s start our list with a more popular yet must-do thing: hot air balloons. Soaring over the tall rock formations and hills of red and pink hues, balloons offer visitors dramatic views of Cappadocia. Watching the sun-kissed Cappadocian hills mid-air, surrounded by a myriad of balloons and excited visitors, a balloon ride is one of the unique things to do in Cappadocia. Don’t forget to bring your camera and snap lots of gorgeous pictures–they will bless your social media feed and fascinate your friends.
The price of a hot air balloon ride varies greatly, from one operator to another operator. For the best deal and experience, consider Rock Valley Travel’s hot air balloon tours.
Explore the Underground Cities
If you think Cappadocia only offers aerial magnificence, get ready to be amazed. Because the Cappadocian underground is as spectacular, and curious, as its landscape.
The underground cities of Cappadocia are quite famous for their relatively sophisticated living spaces and intriguing history. These structures have been used by the local population for centuries, offering them shelter from foreign invaders and persecutions. Although it’s thought that they were first built by Hittites or Phrygians, these underground cities were mostly used by early Christians to escape Roman and Arab persecution.
These underground cities are perfectly suitable as long-term shelters, equipped with food storage, ventilation, water supply, and even communal spaces that ensured the inhabitants preserved their usual way of life.
Exploring underground cities involves lots of walking. But witnessing human endurance against hardships and what the ancient people were capable of is a truly unique experience. You may consider various Cappadocia tours with trips to these old settlements to make the most of it.
Stay in a Cave Hotel
Visiting Cappadocian underground cities is stunning. Staying in one? This is the experience. There are many cave hotels in Cappadocia offering a comfy, and highly authentic, sleep. Mostly run by local families, these hotels are great for anyone wishing to bask in the local culture.
These cave hotels have all the facilities that conventional hotels offer. Besides, they are usually situated close to the major highlights, making them strategic bases for visitors who wish to stay near the Cappadocian heartland.
All in all, staying in a cave hotel is by far one of the best things to do in Cappadocia and you shouldn’t miss it!
Hike Through Unique Valleys
If hiking is your thing, Cappadocia offers you an unmatched experience. Stunning landscape of this fairy-chimney land is home to a plentitude of valleys, each with its unique features and mysteries. Rock-cut churches and sun-kissed natural formations offer an unforgettable trip.
The most famous of Cappadocian valleys is Love Valley (Aşk Vadisi). Famous for its towering fairy chimneys and hot-air balloon rides, this valley provides visitors with truly romantic scenes. Rose Valley with its pink-hued and Red Valley (Kızılçukur Vadisi) with red rock formations are also must-see. Zelve Valley, once served as a monastery settlement, is also perfect for a hike.
Although each of these valleys deserves a visit, the most popular highlight of Cappadocia is Ihlara Valley. A deep canyon with a river flowing through it, Ihlara Valley is home to over one hundred cave churches with stunning frescoes. The lush greenery all around Ihlara makes it stand out among other valleys in the area.
Although hiking through valleys is a great experience and recommended to all kinds of travelers, it might be best suited to those interested in nature walks. Cappadocian weather can be sweltering in summer, and you must be prepared to walk long distances. Don’t forget to bring a few bottles of water, wear comfy shoes, and dress properly for a hike under the Cappadocian sun. If all ready, enjoy your hike!
