Cappadocia, one of the popular destinations for domestic holidays, is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists every year. The region, whose history dates back to ancient times, is also home to fairy chimneys, which is a rare structure geographically. So, what are the activities to do in Cappadocia?
There are many places to visit and activities to experience in Cappadocia, which you can visit to evaluate your holiday for a few days or to spend more time exploring the region. You can plan a great holiday by choosing the ones that suit you among the activities that appeal to different tastes.
Balloon tour is one of the first activities that come to mind when Cappadocia is mentioned. Balloon tours, which have become one of the symbols of Cappadocia, have been continuing since the 1980s.
Balloons of different sizes are available for tours that are becoming more and more popular with each passing day. If you wish, you can choose balloons for 4 people with your small family. In addition, these balloons are ideal for organizations such as marriage proposals. There are also large balloons that can accommodate up to 40 people.
Tours vary in length but are usually limited to a maximum of 1.5 hours. Balloon tours, which usually start with the sunrise and offer a magnificent view, continue throughout the day.
While participating in the balloon tour, it is useful to consider that the weather can be cool even in summer, and to take a cardigan, even if it is thin.
If you are interested in extreme sports, Cappadocia is one of the best alternatives to paragliding. While you feel the excitement to your bones, you will also be fascinated by the beauty of the landscape.
There are various businesses that provide service for the paragliding tour, which starts at the parachute runway in the Cavuşin region. Although factors such as flight time and price may vary between businesses, they are the same on average.
For tours that cannot be performed in winter due to weather conditions, the wind speed must be maximum 30 km/h. In addition, flights are canceled in rainy weather. Before the flight, which lasts for 15-20 minutes, necessary information is given by the instructors.
Cappadocia sema shows are among the activities that attract the attention of thousands of tourists who visit Cappadocia every year. Special events are organized for these shows, which are an amazing experience. Whirling dervishes and the musicians accompanying them cause them to leave the environment for a while.
At the end of the performances, a presentation is made in which general information about Cappadocia is given. In addition, drinks such as sherbet and tea are usually served at these shows.
No photography is allowed during the show. However, after the end of the show, it is possible to take photos with the whirling dervishes.
If taking or taking pictures is your passion, you should definitely visit the hill known as the sunset point, where you can take the most beautiful photos in Cappadocia.
It is possible to watch Cappadocia from a bird’s eye view from the hill in Göreme. The combination of the colors in the sky with balloons and fairy chimneys during sunrise and sunset creates a magnificent visual feast.
Mapping Show is an event held in Zelve valley and offers the opportunity to watch an artistic show. It makes use of sound and light while giving information about the geographical and geological structure of the region. For this show, which you can attend for a different experience, you need to make a reservation in advance.
Even though Cappadocia Turkish nights are mostly events organized to introduce Turkish culture to foreign tourists, they also attract the attention of Turkish guests.
In the event, which usually starts at dinner, you can have your meal and watch the events on the other hand. However, if you don’t want to eat, there are also non-meal options available.
Turkish night lasts between 2-4 hours depending on the establishment you prefer. In this process, various shows reflecting Turkish culture are held. Folk dances, whirling dervishes and oriental dances are among the interesting shows.
Located on the transit route of the Silk Road, Cappadocia has hosted great civilizations such as Hittite, Phrygian and Assyrian. It still carries the effects of these civilizations and it is possible to see these traces in the fairy chimneys.
Volcanic mountains in the region, which was a sea millions of years ago, erupted and caused the seas in the region to dry up. The lava that emerged as a result of the explosions has been exposed to physical effects such as rain and wind over millions of years and has taken its present form.
Fairy chimneys, the foundations of which were laid in ancient times, are; It has become the symbol of Cappadocia. There are many fairy chimneys you can see in the region. You can only visit the surroundings of some and explore the interior of others. We recommend you to spare as much time as possible for fairy chimneys during your Cappadocia trip.
Cappadocia is one of the regions with rich vineyards. Wine production is also quite high in the region where grapes have been grown for hundreds of years.
While there are various boutique producers in Göreme, Kocabag wines in Yeşilyurt are very popular. You can visit the area where Kocabağ Wines, which continues its work by transferring its knowledge from generation to generation, and taste the wines.
In Cappadocia, there are professional farms used in the breeding of horses taking part in horse tours. Most of the horses come from these farms, and if you wish, it is possible to visit the farms directly and have breakfast here.
There are different breeds of horses on the farms and you usually have a choice. However, you can also see it directly with the businesses that organize horse tours. You can ride the horse yourself, or you can ask a trainer to accompany you.
Horse tours are among the most interesting activities in Cappadocia. Tours can be arranged in different valleys and it is useful to get route information from your preferred business beforehand.
Tours, which are usually held at sunrise and sunset, can last up to 2 hours. There are also tours organized for photography only.
In tours organized with 4X4 jeep vehicles, there are usually 4 people in the vehicle. However, this number may vary depending on the size of the vehicle and the business. Before the tour, you will be informed about the issues you need to pay attention to, and then you can start your tour by watching the magnificent view of Cappadocia.
Classic car tours are an activity that attracts the attention of foreign tourists, but domestic tourists may also want to participate in these tours. The purpose of the tour is to collect good memories by taking more photos.
Classic car tours can be carried out in different regions depending on the company you prefer. However, Kızıl Çukur Valley is among the most preferred regions. With the effect of the balloons in the sky, the tour can accompany your special moments such as a marriage proposal.
Cappadocia jeep safari tours are among the most interesting activities after the balloon tour. There are different businesses that provide service for tours, which are usually carried out in vehicles for 4-6 people. Most of the businesses pick you up from your hotel and drop you back to the place you want after the tour.
A route is drawn that includes regions such as Ortahisar Panorama, İbrahimpaşa Village and Görçeli Valley. Some businesses allow you to capture the moment by having professional photographers with you. Also, choose morning or evening tours according to your personal preference.
Even if you don’t do yoga regularly, you should definitely experience morning yoga in Cappadocia. Meeting the first rays of the sun with the yoga sessions held in different valleys can renew all your energy. Accompanying you with the balloons in the sky will give you a tremendous feeling. In addition, if you come across the Cappadox Festival, which coincides with the spring months, you can enjoy doing yoga with a more rude group.
Camels, which have become the symbol of Cappadocia for many years, attract the attention of tourists. You can not only take pictures with the camels you can see in the region, but you can also participate in camel tours.
Tours can be 30 minutes or 1-2 hours. If it will be your first experience, it is useful to start with short tours. You do not need a special outfit for the camel tour. You just need to dress to be able to move freely. There are trainers in the tours and they inform the participants before the tour. In addition, some businesses work with professional photographers and ensure that their customers have beautiful photos.
The history of Cappadocia dates back to much older times than the past of humanity. The fairy chimneys, which were formed about 10 million years ago as a result of the volcanic eruptions, have been a shelter for the people of the region for years.
We can say that many people built houses, workplaces, schools and places of worship inside fairy chimneys. In addition, the houses unique to Cappadocia have a great influence on the region’s current state.
The properties of volcanic stones were used in the houses where only stone materials were used. The stones were soft and easily fused with each other during construction. As a result of contact with air over time, solid structures have emerged. Some of these houses are actively used today, while others are opened to tourists.
Uçhisar castle is one of the landmarks of Cappadocia. The purpose of the construction of the building was to create areas for the people to take shelter in the Byzantine period. However, there are sections such as monasteries, cellars and churches in the building, which contributed greatly to the development of civilization.
There are also tombs on some floors of the castle, which can accommodate thousands of people. The castle, which is partially open to visitors, is open until 18.30 in the evening.
If you plan to coincide with the autumn months of your Cappadocia trip, you should definitely attend the Vintage Festival, which is held in the second week of September every year. There are various shows and treats at the festival organized by Ürgüp Municipality. Usually, artists participate in the festival and give concerts. Grapes and local products made from grapes are introduced, as well as entertaining activities such as a grape eating contest.
The history of Ortahisar castle, which takes its name from the region where it is located, dates back to the 11th century. The castle, which is considered to be the largest fairy chimney, is formed by the merging of two fairy chimneys.
The first settlement of the region was established in Kale and 9 families who migrated from Central Asia began to live. The castle, which has hosted many civilizations, draws attention with its scenery as well as its history. Although you have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the viewing area, you can be sure that it will be worth it. When you go up to the castle, you can have tea, coffee to relax and enjoy the view. You can also share your beautiful moments with your loved ones by taking lots of photos.
Göreme national park, which is approximately 10 km from the center, is among the favorite places of Cappadocia tours. It is useful to allocate as much time as possible for the Göreme open air museum in the park. There are many churches in the open air museum.
You can also see the natural beauties of volcanic structures in the park, which was included in the World Heritage List in the 80s.
Derinkuyu underground city is among the most mystical structures of the region. The purpose of building the building, which will make you feel like you are in the middle of a science fiction movie, is defense. It is thought that the history of the underground city, which was built to hide the people in possible wars and attacks, dates back to the 4th century BC.
Although it was built by the Hittites, it is thought that the first Christians who came to the region lived in the underground city, which was also used in the Byzantine period. It is possible to visit 8 floors of the underground city, not all of which are open to visitors. However, there are narrow tunnels that you have to pass through beforehand.
The underground city, which attracts a lot of attention with its mystical architecture, has different sections such as kitchen, wine cellar, living areas, education house. The air ducts, which can be built with the technology of the period, are astonishing.
Although Ihlara valley is located within the borders of Aksaray province, it is one of the regions where tourists visiting Cappadocia frequently travel. A magnificent natural beauty has emerged thanks to the erosion of the volcanic remains gushing from Hasan Mountain due to the Melendiz Stream. You have to use about 400 stairs to go down to the valley. Afterwards, a 14 km walking route welcomes you.
If you have time, you can complete the track in Ihlara Valley. If you don’t like walking or if your time is limited, you can visit the shops around the Melendiz stream and shop. In addition, the water of this region is thought to be healing against problems such as gynecological diseases and rheumatism.
The swinging bridge in Avanos is one of the places that can attract the attention of nature lovers. Especially in the spring and autumn months, you can see that a magnificent view welcomes you.
You can see geese and ducks in the river that passes under this pedestrian bridge. Gondola trips are also organized periodically.
Asmalı Konak, shot in the early 2000s, has a very important place in the promotion of Cappadocia. Although more than 20 years have passed, Asmalı Konak still attracts great attention and is visited by tourists visiting the region.
The mansion, which was built in the 80s and used actively for a long time, has been restored and opened to visitors today. In addition, some of the rooms used in the shooting of the series have been preserved in their original form. It is also free to take photos here.
Cappadocia art and history museum, one of the richest museums in the region, welcomes thousands of tourists every year. It will be interesting to see the dolls made and put together by Sibel Radiye Kül while visiting this mansion, which has a history of nearly 200 years. While accompanying this history full of rag dolls, you can also take pictures with dolls made from tragacanth.
The Wish Hill in Urgup is about 80 meters high. There is a tomb on the hill that dominates the view of Ürgüp. Since people wished in this tomb, its name remained as the hill of wishing.
There is also an observation terrace on the hill, which has traces of Byzantine and Seljuks. You have to go through a short tunnel to get to this terrace. When you reach the top of the view, it is possible to see not only Ürgüp but also Erciyes mountain.
Güvercinlik valley is one of the most popular regions of Cappadocia. The valley, named after the contribution of pigeon manure to the grape growing that started centuries ago, is extremely popular for grape growing and wine making. The valley, which has a 4 km track, has managed to attract the attention of local and foreign tourists.
Red valley is one of the places that especially attracts the attention of honeymooners. Oxidation of iron as a result of the collapses experienced caused the soil to acquire a reddish color. This color provides a magnificent view, especially during sunrise and sunset. For this reason, it is beneficial to go to the Kızılçukur viewing terrace at these times and to immortalize the moment with photographs. In addition, if you like hiking and you have the opportunity to spend a lot of time exploring Cappadocia, you can also consider trekking in this region.
