The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Cappadocia

Probably one of the most fascinating beauties that nature offers to people is the Cappadocia Region. Cappadocia is home to the world's rarest natural wonders.

Cappadocia is a natural region that emerged 60 million years ago with a natural phenomenon that is unique in the world; the soft layers formed by the lava and ashes erupted by Erciyes, Hasandağı and Güllüdağwere eroded by rain and wind for millions of years. Nature has created a work of art here and carved the soil with great care.

The name Cappadocia comes from the Persians. The Persians called this region "Katpatukya" which means "Land of Beautiful Horses". The formation of the extraordinary nature here dates back 60 million years ago. This natural adventure, which is still going on, started 60 million years ago with the rise of the Taurus Mountains and then the volcanoes started to operate. The erupting lava and ashes accumulated on the plateau form a soft tuff layer. The tuff layer is covered with a layer of lava in places and the basalt structure cracks and separates. The rains leak through the cracks and start to erode the soft tuff, and when the wind also contributes to the formations, the cones we call "Fairy Chimneys" with hats are formed from hard basalt rock.

Cappadocia is home to dozens of underground cities dating back 9-10 thousand years, the most popular of which are Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu. The underground cities contain churches, schools, cellars, cellars, stables, kitchens, wells, bedrooms, etc. Some of these cities are connected by tunnels to protect them from enemies. The underground cities are like labyrinths and today they have a good lighting system and signposts to help you move in the right direction. Since the tunnels can get quite narrow when you walk inside, if you have claustorophobia or if you have a problem with stooping, I recommend you to visit only the first floor. You should definitely witness this art of nature and humankind. The region has a very high tourism potential.

Listed in 1985 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Cappadocia hosts many local and foreign tourists all year round. Moreover, you do not need to wait for the summer season to come to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is beautiful in every season, summer and winter. You can even make a more comfortable trip in spring and winter.

Transportation to Cappadocia is quite easy. You can easily reach it both by road and by air. You have many different options for accommodation in Cappadocia Region. There are many boutique hotels in Cappadocia that will surprise you, from a nice boutique and small hotel, to cave hotels with a great atmosphere, to facilities carved into the rocks. They are open all year round. My suggestion is to stay in cave hotels carved into the rocks. Where else in the world are there rooms with such a mystical and authentic atmosphere? Moreover, these rooms carved into the rocks have a cool climate in summer and a warm climate in winter. When you open your eyes in the morning, you feel so vigorous that you feel refreshed overnight. 

The price options of Cappadocia hotelsare generally affordable and organized for all budgets. It may vary not according to the season, but according to the quality and type of the facility you stay in.

Dating back to the Paleolithic Period, Cappadocia was one of the most important centers of Christianity during the Hittite period. During the Roman Period, the cave houses carved into the rocks became one of the biggest shelters for Christians. The region, which was then called Cappadocia, is today located in an area that includes Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri and Kırşehir. And these lands have been home to many different civilizations in the past centuries.

The origin of Cappadocia as a name goes back to ancient times. The word Cappadocia has come to the present day by changing from the Persian word Katpatuka, which means "Land of Beautiful Horses".

Today, there are many must-see tourist attractions in the Cappadocia Region such as Uchisar, Goreme, Urgup, Avanos, Ihlara Valley. Therefore, you should plan a trip for at least 4-5 days. 

First of all, you should definitely visit Göreme Open Air Museum. Avanos, famous for its handicrafts, jugs and testi kebab, should be on the other days of your trip plan. When you go to Avanos, do not forget to taste the famous test kebabs. You should definitely see the towns such as Derinkuyu and Acıgöl with their underground cities and different natural beauties. There are almost 200 underground cities in Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu towns.

Ihlara Valley, located on the Nevsehir- Aksaray Road, is a place with magnificent natural beauties. In the valley, there are also decorations dating back to the 13th century. This is the second largest canyon in the world. There are many churches and monasteries in the valley. It is also known as one of the places where Christianity spread to Anatolia. After visiting this beautiful and long valley, I think you should take a break in the nearby restaurants and taste the trout.

If you visit towns like Ortahisar and Uchisar, don't forget to visit their famous castles. You can also witness the magnificent view.

Ortahisar Castle is surrounded by a town, you climb up the stairs and the view from the top of the castle is mesmerizing, just like we said in Uchisar. Mount Erciyes greets you completely in front of you. This was the visible part of Ortahisar. And what about the restaurants carved underground, where lamb is roasted and shows are held?

Uchisar, 10km from Goreme city center, looks like the natural castle of the region together with Ortahisar. Starting from the Hittite period, the castle was used by Byzantine and Arabs for protection. It is worth going up to the top of Uchisar hill and greet the fascinating view that spreads over a huge area. In the valley known as Güvercinlik Valley, pigeon nests carved into the rocks create a very interesting image. There are also rock churches in the valley.

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Click for Uchisar Hotels.
Goreme; It is a town where the settlement continues in fairy chimneys. Tomb rooms from the Christian era appear on the rocks in this town. Orta Mahalle Church, Yusuf Koç Church, Karşı Leg Chapel, Durmuş Kadir Church and Virgin Mary Church are among the places we recommend you to visit on your way to Göreme Open Air Museum. In the museum, you can see churches, burial chambers, cellars and cellars. Since some of the churches are under restoration and protection works, it would be normal not to see them all open.
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Ürgüp

Ürgüp, located about 20 kilometers from the center of Nevşehir, captivates with both its natural beauty and its rich cultural and historical values, making it one of the most enchanting places often envisioned when thinking of Turkey.

Ürgüp is a gift of nature to humanity, notable for its geological formations, mystical atmosphere, and mesmerizing ambiance. Those who visit the region fall in love and find it hard to leave, as a short visit of just a day or two is not enough to fully appreciate all that Ürgüp has to offer. With its homes and hotels carved into rocks, and its unique atmosphere, Ürgüp is truly spellbinding.

The history of human settlement in Ürgüp is ancient, dating back to the earliest periods of Anatolian civilization. The known earliest settlement around Ürgüp, anciently known as Tomissos, is located on the eastern slopes of Avla Mountain by the Damsa River. Rock tombs from the Roman period are also significant historical sites in the area. During the Byzantine Era, Ürgüp served as a religious center, acting as the episcopal center for the surrounding settlements and valleys filled with churches and monasteries.

In 2002, a new settlement center was discovered in Ürgüp's Şahinefendi neighborhood, and archaeological digs began. These excavations unearthed a bath and a church with mosaics on its floor, and mummified remains were found inside. In the 11th century, Ürgüp was a strategic fort along the roads leading to important Seljuk cities of Konya and Niğde. From this era, the Altıkapılı and Temenni Hill Tombs in the city center are noteworthy. The Altıkapılı Tomb, named for its six-sided structure with arched windows and an open top, belongs to a mother and daughter. Temenni Hill contains two tombs, although it is not known whom they belong to.

Ürgüp was also a significant town during the Ottoman Period. Şemsettin Sami, in his book "Kamus-ul Alam" written between 1888 and 1900, noted that Ürgüp had 70 mosques, 5 churches, and 11 libraries at that time. However, its importance declined in the 18th century when the Grand Vizier of Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha moved the judiciary office to Muşkara (now Nevşehir). To placate the disheartened people of Ürgüp, the Grand Vizier ordered a water supply network to be installed using künkler, pipes made of baked clay.

Known as the region where wine was first produced, Cappadocia and Ürgüp remain among the highest tourism potential areas in Turkey. Every year, tourists from all over the world and from within the country flock to the region, drawn by its historical and cultural richness.

Places to visit in Urgup 

When you come to Urgup, you can walk the streets and feel the different atmosphere of the region. You can visit the historical and touristic places in the vicinity. You can see Taşkınpaşa Complex located in Taşkınpaşa Village. The work has survived since the 14th century. 

You can see the Kadı Castle, which is about 100 meters high in the region. There is also a road leading to Damsa Stream through secret passages under the castle. 

You can go to Temenni Hill in Ürgüp, famous for its tombs and mausoleums. You can go to the historical Greek Bath in Ürgüp. You can see the nearby Pancarlık, Üzengi and Keşlik Valleys. They will impress you with their natural beauty and different atmospheres.

Where to Eat in Urgup

Aravan House for local food; tandoori meat, dried beans, stuffed leaves are among our favorites. don't go without a reservation!

Ziggy's Shoppe & Café: The ideal place to relax and sip a cocktail while wandering the streets of Urgup. Rather than a full dinner, it offers small snacks to its customers. The fettucine with bacon of the café, which combines known flavors with local flavors, is worth a try. With its architecture rising like a staircase, it offers its guests a magnificent view at sunset.

Ehlikeyf: Serving in the center of Ürgüp, Ehlikeyf is one of the best restaurants where you can try the local testi kebab. Tura meatballs and coriander chicken rolls are among the flavors that should not be skipped.

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Avanos

Avanos on the banks of Kızılırmak is the greenest district of the region. The Kızılırmak gives life to the district, where the natural features and historical ruins of the region are less visible. This is the place where ceramic workshops are located, where the soil is shaped into coarse utensils and the most beautiful pottery is made.

In addition to sightseeing in Cappadocia, you can also experience many different activities. The most beautiful of these is a mesmerizing and unforgettable balloon tour that you can take in the early morning hours and that puts the whole of Cappadocia under your feet. I highly, highly recommend you to try it. It will be an unforgettable experience for the rest of your life. You can also visit the underground cellars in Cappadocia and see the preserved lemons and citrus fruits.

You can hang your camera around your neck, wear comfortable shoes and go on a nice discovery tour in the region where you are staying. One of the best ways to explore the region is on foot. You can also visit the bazaars and historic mosques and churches. There are also many options for those who want to shop. First of all, you can buy Avanos jugs. If you want, you can also experience jug making on site. You can buy local souvenirs, figures symbolizing the Cappadocia Region or souvenirs such as jewelry and ornaments.

One of the most famous products of Cappadocia is its world-famous wines. The wines are made with delicious grapes grown in the region. Sipping wine with your lover on the balcony of your hotel against the view can be a romantic experience, especially if it is winter and the crackle of the fireplace accompanies you. You can also buy wine for yourself and your loved ones and continue the pleasure at home.
You should definitely see a place like Cappadocia, where nature and history work like a painting, before you die. While nature erodes and forms fairy chimneys, people have not been idle and have carved and built houses and churches on the rocks in this geography throughout history. It is really fascinating. 

Some Suggestions for you to see:

-Paşabağ and Priests Valley.

-Ihlara Valley, the second largest canyon in the world

-Derinkuyu underground city proving human perseverance

-Red Valley view and observation terraces at sunset

-Güvercinlik valley, famous for its vineyards, and ATV safari, and sightseeing tours with horses.

What - Where to Eat in Cappadocia?

- Kadıneli Restaurant in Uchisar. This restaurant is run only by housewives with the support of the municipality, you should eat everything you can eat. The best ravioli in the region is here, lots of yogurt and sauce...and really well cooked...and don't forget to try the dessert! ASIDE dessert is super delicious.…

- Pumpkin is a tiny, very boutique restaurant with great red meat dishes. It is located in Goreme. Their tenderloin and their own wines are successful. One of the highest rated restaurants in the region on almost all review sites. You can also go to Dibek Restaurant, an authentic restaurant in Goreme, Goreme region.

- You should also try Seyyahhan Restaurant in Çavuşin... The taste of test kebab and hummus with pastrami is like nowhere else.

- I also recommend you to go to @argosincappadocia in Uchisar. It is recommended to spend time in the hotel's own restaurant Seki Restaurant for dinner or in the cafe for a coffee at noon! Especially the veal cheek is delicious, must try. 

- The view of Uchisar is spectacular, it is the best spot to watch the morning balloon view. I highly recommend you to try the Cappadocian cuisine of MillLocal restaurant. It is so assertive that the best flavor of the region can be tried.

- Don't leave without eating cherry leaf rolls and groom's bundle at Şıra restaurant in Uçhisar. I also recommend you to taste the local dishes at Kadıneli Restaurant, opened by the municipality in Uchisar and run by women entrepreneurs, and to eat "köftür dessert" there.

- Dinner at Ziggy's cafe restaurant in Urgup is also among the delicious stops.

- Leaf rolls are legendary at Old Greek House in Mustafapasa. There are various dishes like this. I recommend you to try them. Also, the jug kebab at Gül Konak in Mustafapaşa is delicious!

- There is also a restaurant called Aravan House in Ayvalı village. If you are in the neighborhood, we recommend you to go.

- You can buy freshly roasted fresh pumpkin seeds from Beyzade nuts shop in Ortahisar

- In Zelve valley, no one has ever taken a pancake and not liked it.

Where to Stay in Cappadocia? Of course in Kaya Hotels, but in the special ones!

Here are Cappadocia Hotels - https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/nevsehir-hotels

Did you know that the best earthen darbukas in Turkey are made in Cappadocia and that one of the world's two handmade 'udu' masters lives in Avanos?

Archaeological studies conducted in Anatolia indicate that the shaping of the earth by human beings began in the Neolithic Age. According to the findings, Anatolia had a very advanced ceramic culture. Unfortunately, very little of this rich culture has survived to this day, and the last examples are still alive thanks to a small number of artisans in the Avanos district of Nevşehir. The fertile soil of Cappadocia gives life not only to magnificent wine grapes, but also to the world's finest darbuka and udu, as well as earthenware pottery. The darbuka, which has its origins in antiquity, is widely used in Arabic classical and folk music, especially in North Africa, but can be considered the 'national instrument' of Turkey. For more than 30 years, Avanos pottery master Mehmet Körükçü, who has been giving sound to the clay clay of the Kızılırmağ River, has become the name sought by rhythm masters around the world.

He is one of the two people in the world who make the instrument called udu, which was inspired by the sound of earthen jars used to carry water in Nigeria and spread rapidly to other countries, by hand and from mud. "I send musical instruments to many countries, especially Belgium, Germany, Norway, Holland, France and the U.S. This musical instrument is made using molds. I make it by hand and with care, without using molds, with the clay I get from the Kızılırmak soil. They say that the sound is more beautiful in the ouds I make," he says. You can watch the following video to hear the sounds of Cappadocia soil with Mehmet Usta's instruments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrpL93iRWTY

This is the best time to visit Cappadocia, one of the places that those who have been there once want to see again. The current period and the fall months are among the easiest and most enjoyable times to visit the region. You can plan a nice trip to Cappadocia as soon as possible. If you are going for the first time, get ready now, the region will fascinate you.