Destination · Central Anatolia
Cappadocia, in the heart of Central Anatolia, is a landscape of fairy chimneys, painted cave churches and cities carved deep underground. Volcanic ash shaped it, wind and water sculpted it, and people have lived inside its rock for thousands of years.
Plan your Cappadocia tripAbout Cappadocia
Millions of years ago, the volcanoes of Erciyes, Hasan and Göllüdağ covered this plateau in soft tuff. Erosion carved it into cones, pillars and canyons, and people hollowed it into homes, dovecotes, churches and whole underground towns. Today you can walk a quiet valley at dawn, explore a Byzantine chapel, meet a potter in Avanos and sleep in a cave hotel, all in one day. A private tour lets you see the famous sights at the right moment and the quieter corners most visitors miss.
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Famous landmarks
These are the sights that define Cappadocia, most of them within a short drive of Göreme. Together they make a perfect first day in the region.
A monastic valley of rock-cut churches, chapels and refectories, painted with Byzantine frescoes mostly from the 10th to 12th centuries. It lies at the heart of Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. Do not miss the Dark Church, whose frescoes are among the best preserved in the region.
A towering rock honeycombed with old rooms and tunnels, Uçhisar Castle is the highest point around Göreme. Climb to the top for a 360-degree view over the valleys, Göreme and, on a clear day, the snowy peak of Mount Erciyes. Come at sunset, when the whole landscape turns gold.
Paşabağ is famous for its mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, several with two or three stone caps. Early Christian hermits lived inside them, which gave the valley its other name, Monks Valley. One chimney holds a small chapel dedicated to St Simeon the Stylite.
Also called Imagination Valley, Devrent has no churches or cave houses, only extraordinary pink rock shapes. Visitors spot a camel, a seal, Virgin Mary and many more figures. The camel rock is the most famous, and one of the most photographed spots in Cappadocia.
Love Valley is home to some of the tallest fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, slender pillars of rock rising high above green vineyards and orchards. Walk the trail along the valley floor, or watch it from the rim at sunrise, when the balloons drift low over the chimneys.
The rock here is streaked with red, pink and cream, and it glows at the end of the day, making Red Valley one of the best sunset viewpoints in Cappadocia. Trails wind down to hidden cave churches, quiet orchards and the neighbouring Rose Valley.
Underground cities & history
Cappadocia's history lies both above and below ground. These sites matter most to travellers interested in early Christianity, Byzantine history and the way people adapted their lives to the volcanic rock.
The deepest of Cappadocia's underground cities reaches about 85 metres below the surface, over many levels of rooms, stables, wineries, chapels and ventilation shafts. Thousands of people could shelter here in times of danger, behind huge rolling stone doors. It was rediscovered in 1963, when a resident knocked through a wall of his house.
Kaymaklı is the widest of the underground cities, a maze of low tunnels, kitchens, storerooms and living spaces spread over several levels open to visitors. Its narrow corridors give a vivid sense of daily life underground. Above it, the village still uses some of the old passages as cellars.
The old village climbs a cliff full of cave houses, abandoned after rockfalls in the 20th century, when families moved to the new village below. At the top stands the Church of St John the Baptist, one of the oldest churches in Cappadocia. It is quiet, atmospheric and very photogenic in the late afternoon.
Zelve is a whole town carved into three valleys, with houses, churches, a mosque and a mill cut into the rock. People lived here until 1952, when erosion made it too dangerous and they moved to a new village nearby. Walking its empty lanes is like stepping into the past.
Valleys & hiking
Cappadocia is best explored on foot. From short walks to a full-day hike, these valleys show the region at its most peaceful.
A deep canyon about 14 km long, carved by the Melendiz River and lined with poplars and willows. Dozens of rock-cut churches and hermitages hide in its walls, some with early frescoes. Walk the riverside path to Belisırma for lunch by the water, and combine it with the Selime Monastery nearby.
The cliffs are dotted with hundreds of dovecotes carved by villagers, who used pigeon droppings to fertilise their vineyards. An easy trail of about 4 km links Uçhisar and Göreme, with Uçhisar Castle in view most of the way. Ideal for photography and panoramic viewpoints.
Right next to Göreme but far quieter than the famous viewpoints, Zemi Valley winds through rock formations, greenery and small hidden churches. Paths can be narrow and unmarked in places, so it is best walked with a local guide who knows the route.
About an hour's drive south of Göreme, Soğanlı feels a world away from the busy centre. Its two valleys hide painted cave churches, dovecotes and a village where women still make the cloth dolls the valley is known for. A perfect choice for a less crowded side of Cappadocia.
Towns & local culture
Cappadocia's towns and villages keep its traditions alive, from stone mansions to pottery wheels. Each one adds a different flavour to your journey.
Until 1924 this was Sinasos, a prosperous Greek village, and its carved stone mansions, churches and a madrasa still tell that multicultural story. Today some of the finest old houses are boutique hotels. A rewarding stop for anyone interested in architecture and village life.
Ortahisar is a real working town crowned by a tall rock citadel. The cool caves in its rock are still used to store lemons, oranges and potatoes, a tradition unique to the area. Climb the citadel for the view, then wander lanes that see far fewer visitors than Göreme.
Avanos sits on the Kızılırmak, the longest river in Turkey, whose red clay has fed its potters since ancient times. Visit a family workshop, watch a master at the kick wheel and, if you like, try shaping a pot yourself. The riverside promenade is lovely in the evening.
Beyond the main circuit, Güzelyurt, once Gelveri, is a village of stone houses and cave dwellings above a green valley. It is linked with St Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the great fathers of the early church, whose church still stands here. An easy addition to a day in the Ihlara Valley.
Experiences
Every private Cappadocia tour can mix these experiences in any order, at your own pace.
On a calm morning more than a hundred balloons rise together over the valleys at sunrise, one of the great travel experiences in the world. Flights depend on the weather and on daily approval from the aviation authority, so they cannot be guaranteed for a specific date. Plan two or three mornings to be safe.
Walking is the best way to discover Cappadocia's hidden churches, orchards and viewpoints that no road reaches. Your guide chooses routes to suit your fitness, from gentle walks of an hour or two to full-day hikes across several valleys.
Sleep inside the rock, in rooms carved from the stone and restored with modern comforts. Many boutique cave hotels have terraces looking over the valleys, perfect for watching the balloons with your morning coffee.
Learn how Avanos potters have worked the red river clay for generations, and see local crafts made by hand. Hands-on pottery sessions can be arranged in advance for adults and children.
Try testi kebabı, the pottery kebab slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot and broken open at your table, along with mantı, hearty stews and homemade specialities. Cappadocia also has a long wine tradition, with local grapes such as Emir. Menus can be adapted to any diet.
Cappadocia's old name is often traced to Katpatuka, 'the land of beautiful horses'. Ride through the valleys at sunset, or choose another guided outdoor activity. We select each experience according to the season, safety and your preferences.
Beyond the classics
For travellers who want to go beyond the classic circuit, these are our favourite quieter corners. Add them according to how many days you have and whether you love history, hiking, photography or meeting local people.
Cave churches, dovecotes and doll-making villages, an hour from the crowds.
The carved stone mansions of old Sinasos and a fascinating multicultural past.
Early Christian heritage, village scenery and walks along a green canyon.
A peaceful walking route right next to Göreme, best with a local guide.
A dramatic rock citadel, citrus-storage caves and a real local atmosphere.
Meet the artisans and discover pottery traditions passed down for generations.
Trip length
We recommend at least three days in Cappadocia: enough for the main sights, an underground city, a valley walk and two chances at a balloon flight. With four or five days you can add the quieter valleys and villages.
See the main highlights, walk one valley and, if the weather allows, take a sunrise balloon flight.
Combine the major landmarks, an underground city, a guided valley walk and a village or craft experience.
Add Soğanlı, the Ihlara Valley, Mustafapaşa or Güzelyurt, with more time for hiking and local life.
Tailor-made for you
Whether you want a cultural journey, a hiking holiday, a photography trip or a mix of famous sights and hidden corners, your itinerary is built around you.
Let's plan your holiday
Tick the places and experiences you would like to include, tell us how many of you are travelling, how many days you have and your preferred dates. We will prepare a personal proposal and email it with a price.
Choose the places you would love to see, how many of you are travelling and for how long.
We write a private programme just for you and email it with a personal price.
Change anything you like. We refine the programme with you until it feels just right.
From history and faith to hidden villages and the coast, find the journey that suits you. Every one can include Cappadocia.
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Cappadocia is more than a collection of famous viewpoints. With the right itinerary, its extraordinary landscapes come together with ancient history, village life, regional cuisine and time outdoors. We design your private tour around your interests, your pace and your travel dates.
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