You can create an opportunity for a weekend trip to Cappadocia, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of life to enjoy pleasant moments. With its geography, fairy chimneys, natural beauty, and entertaining activities, Cappadocia allows you to rejuvenate and return to your daily life. So, what should you pay attention to when planning a weekend getaway to Cappadocia?
Weekend Cappadocia Tour Plans
Tours to Cappadocia are organized from almost every city in Turkey. These tours typically include transportation, accommodation, and excursion fees.
You can choose between tours that offer transportation by bus or plane, depending on the distance from your city and your preferences. Tours with bus transportation are usually more budget-friendly and depart from the city on Friday evenings, returning on Sunday nights. If you are looking for an all-inclusive weekend Cappadocia tour, this option might be suitable for you.
If you prefer to plan your trip independently, you can start by purchasing bus or plane tickets. You can use either the Cappadocia or Kayseri airport for reaching Cappadocia.
Since you’ll be exploring Cappadocia during a limited time like a weekend, you might consider renting a car at the airport. There are several car rental companies available, and if you make a reservation in advance, you won’t have to deal with it upon arrival, and you may also get better rates.
If you prefer not to drive during your vacation or if you don’t have a driver’s license, you can consider renting a chauffeured car. For those who don’t want to rent a car, reaching Cappadocia from the airport is also easily achievable.
The hotel areas are approximately 40-50 km away from the airport. If you have more than 4 people in your group, you can book a private VIP transfer for yourself. For 1-2 people, it would be more reasonable to consider shared transfer options.
Thanks to Cappadocia airport transfer companies, you can easily and comfortably reach your hotel. You can also request the vehicle to pick you up from your hotel for the return journey. This way, you will save time in terms of transportation after your Weekend Cappadocia tour.
Hotels in Cappadocia are generally located in the regions of Göreme, Urgup, and Avanos. Since it is a highly touristy area, the hotels have developed themselves and are of very high quality.
Especially during the summer season, considering that you may have difficulty finding available rooms, it’s advisable to make reservations in advance. Through widely used reservation websites, you can see alternatives that fit your budget and expectations. Also, if you plan your Cappadocia weekend tour in advance, you may benefit from early booking opportunities.
Considering the limited time you’ll spend in Cappadocia, it’s beneficial to plan your itinerary carefully. You can wake up early in the morning and have your breakfast either at the hotel or visit authentic breakfast places in the region.
You might consider joining the early morning hot air balloon tours. During the tour, you can take beautiful photos and capture memories for the future.
Later on, you can explore the region with a guided tour, such as the red, green, or blue tours, among the options for weekend tours in Cappadocia. There are also many beautiful places you can visit with your own vehicle.
- Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the oldest museums in the region. If you have a museum card, you can enter for free, and it’s listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. The museum contains numerous churches.
- Çavuşin Village, located very close to the open-air museum, is a village with a history dating back many years. It can be a great option to take a break and buy souvenirs.
- Monks Valley is an area where monks once chose caves to retreat from the crowds. You can explore the caves often featured in photos. Additionally, camels can be found in this area. You can take a few photos or join a camel tour.
- You can visit the museum in Zelve, one of the ancient settlements in the region. After exploring churches and monasteries, you can take a break and taste local observations made in Zelve.
- One of the most intriguing places in Urgup is the location where Asmalı Konak, a famous Turkish TV series, was filmed. You can take photos in the building where some parts of the set are still standing in their original form.
- Ortahisar castle is a must-see during a weekend trip to Cappadocia, especially in the morning or evening. The structure, formed by the convergence of two fairy chimneys, offers a romantic setting to watch balloon tours and enjoy the view.
- After seeing Pigeon valley, you can climb to Uchisar castle. However, keep in mind that the stairs to the castle can be tiring, and consider bringing something light to wear as it can be cooler at the top.
In Avanos, you can visit pottery workshops. Here, you can watch the making of pottery and even participate in the process if you wish. Additionally, Avanos is an ideal place for wine tasting.
While exploring the must-see places in Cappadocia, you can also set aside time for enjoyable activities during the weekend Cappadocia tour.
- Balloon tours are synonymous with Cappadocia and one of the most captivating activities in the region. Especially if you schedule the tour around sunrise, you can witness Cappadocia from a bird’s-eye view, experiencing a magnificent moment. It’s also perfect for capturing memorable photographs.
- ATV tours are another popular activity in Cappadocia. For tourists with limited time in Cappadocia, there are options for 4-hour tours, but you can also enjoy shorter 1-hour tours.
- Camel tours offer a glimpse into the historical trade routes of the region, providing a unique experience for your weekend trip to Cappadocia. You can take some time for short camel tours to feel like you’re journeying through the dusty pages of history.
- Cappadocia is known for its hamams (Turkish baths). If you are experiencing muscle aches or want to indulge in a professional massage, you can visit the hamams in Göreme, Avanos, and Ürgüp.
- Whirling Dervish performances are an activity that both foreign and local tourists find intriguing. You can experience a mystical atmosphere during the approximately 1-hour performance.
- To make the most of your evening during your weekend getaway to Cappadocia tour, you can attend a Turkish night. These usually include dinner, and you can enjoy entertaining performances while savoring your meal.
