As if plucked straight from a fairytale, the stunning city of Cappadocia has been a tourist magnet for decades. It is located in the central Anatolian region. The world knows Cappadocia for its classic architecture, underground cities, and cave churches.
However, you can’t mention this city without mentioning the vibrant hot air balloons littering the sky at dawn. When visiting a city as old as time, one is mesmerized by the geological and cultural wonders in it.
Cappadocia has been one of the most iconic tourist destinations worldwide for a long time now. There is no shortage of picturesque sites to see and activities to try when visiting Cappadocia. This situation means that it might not be possible to see and do everything on your trip.
However, it has the most romantic spots in the mountains and hiking trails offering spectacular views of the city. You’ll definitely need to see those! Along with that, hot air balloon rides, and the best eateries make this place a wonderful tourist hotspot.
So, are you ready for the best travel guide to Cappadocia? Let’s start!
What To Do In Cappadocia?
The beautiful city of Cappadocia has more tourist attractions than one can visit. Not only that, this city has a variety of activities suitable for people with all sorts of interests. The only thing one can be sure of when visiting Cappadocia is you will not be disappointed. So, let’s see what the hype is all about!
Goreme Open Air Museum
The Goreme Open Air Museum consists of monastic complexes that have been carved out from large rocks. The UNESCO World Heritage Site list added this place in its list in 1984. Boasting a unique variety of churches and chapels, the Goreme Museum is easily accessible from all over the city.
The people of Cappadocia built most of its churches from the 10th to 12th century. They also decorated them on the inside with rock-cut benches and tables. Brightly colored paintings and murals line the insides of these churches giving the place a unique, classic vibe.
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over The Cappadocia Skyline
Almost all of us have seen the view of colorful hot air balloons dotting the sky at dawn, with golden sunlight filtering through rugged mountain peaks and a populated valley below. Many of you may not know that it’s a view of Cappadocia.
Once you get there, you’ll see several companies offering hot air balloon rides over the city. Each year, a whopping half a million people book these to enjoy a flight above the gorgeous landscape marked by the Goreme Town. While visiting Cappadocia, hot air ballooning is a must on your itinerary!
Hiking
The town of Cappadocia has numerous hiking trails. These trails snake through the mountains and offer stunning views of the city. The Red Valley Hike is the most popular in Cappadocia. A trail loop connects Meskendir and Rose Valley, which you can take and watch the sharp sandstones glow a deep red in the glow of the setting sun, giving it the name Red Valley.
The Red Valley hike is connected to a similar, more stunning trail of the Rose Valley. The hike, surrounded by jagged peaks, the hike leads you through an ancient church inside one of the caves. It takes you past yellow sandstone rock formations and incredible cave dwellings too. The peaks appear pink under the sunlight, especially at dusk, giving the area a mystical look.
For a relatively smoother trail, you can hike through the Love Valley that is just outside Goreme. At the end of this trail, you reach the Uchisar Castle, which offers spectacular area views.
Fairy Chimneys
The fairy chimneys formation dates back to 60 million years. They were formed due to volcanic eruptions associated with Mount Erciyes, Mount Hasan, and Mount Gulludag. Over time, wind, rain, and other climate factors caused them to be shaped in such a peculiar form.
Until scientists explained their formation, local tales thought them to be some magical structures. You’ll see most of these fairy chimneys in the Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For the best view of the fairy chimneys, you can visit one of the panoramic viewpoints. These offer stunning perspectives and also provide you with ample photography opportunities. Some of these worth visiting include Lovers Hill Viewpoint, Uchisar Castle Viewpoint, Ortahisar Castle Viewpoint, and the Urgup Wish Hill Viewpoint.
Eateries To Try When In Cappadocia
Due to a massive influx of tourists throughout the year, you can find it challenging to find authentic Turkish cuisine in the area. On your tour of the city, you’ll see Cappadocia has numerous options to choose from. However, some restaurants are better than others. This Cappadocia travel guide can help you decide which one to visit!
Dibek Restaurant
Dibek restaurant is known locally for its pottery kebabs, an authentic Turkish dish cooked with tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, and garlic. It is made in a clay pot and cooked for at least four hours. You can order these kebabs with chicken, beef, or even a vegetarian option of mushroom kebabs.
Top Deck Restaurant
Top Deck is a family-run business and one of the most famous eateries in the area. The owner, Mustafa, is an exceptional chef, offering mouth-watering meals. You’ll love the atmosphere because it is inside a cave that is transformed with traditional Ottoman-era decor.
Their deeper fried rolls are to die for. Why? Because they are made with locally sourced vegetables, feta cheese, and meats that they serve with a special kind of yogurt.
Conclusion – The Best Cappadocia Travel Guide
Tourists have loved Cappadocia for many decades now. The unique geologic landmarks combined with a rich history and stunning views make it a popular choice among globetrotters of all kinds.
It is impossible to fully appreciate the beauty of this region on a short trip. So, we have mentioned some of the must-visit places in the city in this Cappadocia travel guide. So grab your camera and get start!