Trip and Wellness

9 Best Things to Do and See in Cappadocia, Turkey

Balloons at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is likened to the historical jewel of Turkey, with countless centuries-old caves hiding mysterious towns, pink rocks in Goreme National Park, etc. In recent years Cappadocia tourism has been increasingly popular: the image of the sky full of colorful hot air balloons, sitting on a kilim carpet watching the sunset from above, has become extremely familiar. It is the ideal destination to explore this beautiful land of Turkey, and here are some great experiences when you travel to Cappadocia.

Taste the famous kebab at Dibek Restaurant

Referring to Turkish cuisine, one of the first dishes that comes to mind is the familiar doner kebab. Having set foot in the home of kebabs, how can you miss Dibek Restaurant in the center of Goreme town?

Doner Kebab, Turkey
Source: gettyimages

Here you’ll discover the best traditional home-cooked food in the region, like Sac Tava (stir-fried beef) and aside (a traditional Goreme village dessert). And there is no doubt that the kebab consisting of pork and chicken cooked in a clay pot, served with rice and salad, is a must-try dish when traveling to Cappadocia.

Visit Goreme National Park

Goreme National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site will take you on a journey to discover the other world on Earth. From the sanctuary with its spiky stone pillars to the cave village or the 4th-century underground city, there is evidence of post-Iconoclastic Byzantine art. This Cappadocia tourist destination will surely leave you with many impressions.

Love valley in Goreme National Park, Cappadocia, Turkey
Source: istockphoto

Buy a kilim rug

The most notable difference between kilim rugs and traditional rugs is that kilim is made by interweaving different colored yarns to create a flat rug, so they have intricate designs but vibrant colors. This can be a suitable Turkish travel gift to buy as a souvenir for relatives or friends or to commemorate your trip to discover Cappadocia.

Traditional Turkish Kilimanjaros rugs hanging in a market stall
Source: istockphoto

Visit La Maison du Kilim, which has the best collection of kilim rugs.

Watch the sunset on a hot air balloon

It is easy to see pictures of the colorful hot air balloon sky in Cappadocia or check in with a beautiful sunset background, like pictures from famous travel bloggers. Flying a hot air balloon is one of those traveling to Cappadocia experiences that any traveler must try in a lifetime.

Watch the sunset on a hot air balloon
Source: istockphoto

Schedule your trip at sunrise or sunset to immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery and take advantage of the check-in. Remember to prepare the most outstanding clothes to make the photo more impressive. Rest assured, because the staff is experienced hot air balloon experts committed to bringing you the safest and most enjoyable experience.

Explore the inside of the Cappadocia caves

Not only famous for hot air balloon rides to see the sunrise and sunset, but traveling to Cappadocia is also known for its mysterious but ravishing caves.

Ancient cave houses and rock formations near Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
Source: istockphoto

Throughout Turkey’s popular destination, especially Goreme National Park, you’ll find ancient houses carved into the rock face – believed to have been inhabited by communities until 1952. Many houses have been restored into high-class cave hotels that you can book immediately to experience if possible.

Watch the sunset from Uchisar Castle.

Uchisar Castle’s stone creates a majestic sight as it rises to 60 meters high. Once used as a hideout by villagers when enemy troops visited, it has the most vantage point in the area and is now a popular traveling to Cappadocia spot.

Ancient Goreme town and castle of Uchisar at night
Source: istockphoto

Trekking enthusiasts can go on an adventurous hike to conquer Uchisar, but the reward is the breathtaking views from above that are worth the effort. Come here in the late afternoon to enjoy the equally beautiful Cappadocia sunset while experiencing hot air ballooning

Explore Pasabag Fairy Chimneys

Traveling to Cappadocia, Pasabag is one of the best places to see the famous fairy chimneys of this land of countless wonders. The beautiful rock formations with small cones on top caused by years of erosion will surprise you.

Pasabag in Cappadocia, Turkey
Source: gettyimages

On the way to Zelve, another valley with fairy chimneys rising out of the ground, remember to admire and capture images of the two- and three-peaked cliffs as you glide through this legendary area.

Immerse yourself in the Valley of Roses

Rose Valley is a vast rocky valley stretching seemingly endlessly, creating the perfect photographic background. Tips from Trip & Wellness when traveling to Cappadocia is to zoom in to see both the rock-carved churches and the numerous trails leading to small villages.

Sunset over Rose and Red Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey
Source: gettyimages

At the top, you’ll be surprised to find a small cafe, seemingly lost in the middle of nowhere, powered entirely by solar energy. There’s nothing better than cooling off with a cold drink and perfect Turkish food.

Adventure in the underground city of Derinkuyu

With more than eight floors of carved stone, the underground city of Derinkuyu, once home to 20,000 residents, is now a destination you should take advantage of when traveling to Cappadocia. This underground city with intricate architecture is said to have been the perfect shelter for its inhabitants from invaders.

Derinkuyu cave underground city, Cappadocia
Source: istockphoto

You can tour the churches, meeting rooms, and archives supporting this long-lost civilization’s operation to understand Cappadocia’s history and culture better.