9 Essentials: what to see in Cappadocia (Türkiye) in 1 or 2 days

La Cappadocia region It is one of the main destinations in any tourism trip to Türkiye, and for many tourists it is the first place they want to visit after Istanbul.

The combination that occurs in this region between a unique landscape in the world and excavated rock churches for centuries they still conserve their Fresh, makes Cappadocia a first-rate tourist destination.

It is not surprising that certain areas of Cappadocia were registered on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco as early as 1985.

What we now know as Cappadocia It is an area that extends between the cities of Aksaray and Kayseri, but most of the most visited places are concentrated in the triangle formed by Nevsehir, Avanos and Ürgüp and its immediate surroundings.

Curiosities history of Cappadocia

From any point of Cappadocia the silhouette of the Erciyes volcano (3.916 m.), the highest mountain in Asia Minor, a volcano currently dormant but which is the origin of this tortured and beautiful landscape.

During its periods of activity, its ashes covered the entire region with a thick blanket tens of meters thick.

Thousands of years of erosion have created unusual shapes in the stone, which generates a capricious and surprising landscape, and exploring this region is, at times, like entering a dreamlike space.

Cappadocia It has been inhabited since time immemorial, and has been a transit point for different caravan routes and a refuge for some of the first Christians who sought solitude.

And when they could not find caves in which to protect themselves, they dug them into the soft rock, so that habitations and hermitages began to be carved into the precipices and stone cones.

Later they undertook larger and more complex structures, and the churches of these Christian communities are one of the artistic treasures of all of Turkey.

This form of architecture has survived until a few decades ago.

How to visit and what to see in Cappadocia

You should know that you have to pay an entrance fee to visit several essential places in Cappadocia, and to speed up the process and save a little on the price, the most convenient thing is to purchase the Museum Pass Cappadocia, a pass valid for three days from the time it is first used.

Zelve in Cappadocia

One of the best places to appreciate this type of construction es Selve, a set of three small valleys where you can wander for a few hours exploring the different rooms that appear carved into the rocks.

There are some churches, although they are not especially decorated. However, here you can enter those labyrinths that formed a monastic retreat centuries ago and which later served as homes. The kitchens are different because the walls are covered in black from the fires. Sometimes it is difficult to reach certain rooms, so it is better not to risk it.

When this place was inhabited, they would have wooden ladders and ropes to make the passage to those rooms that are now difficult to access easier and safer.

If you want to explore the place in depth. Don't forget appropriate footwear and a flashlight.

Three or four kilometers away is Peribacalar Vadisi, which is given the tourist name of Valley of Magic Chimneys, a set of spectacular rock formations eroded in a capricious way.

Goreme Open Museum in Cappadocia

El most spectacular place in Cappadocia is the call Goreme Open Museum.

It is a valley in which, in addition to the characteristic landscape of the area, there is the highest concentration of rock-cut churches, many of them with beautiful frescoes.

If you visit in summer, it is advisable to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds of tourist groups.

These churches and hermitages They are the memory of the presence of important Christian communities between the 4th and 14th centuries.

Same as in the rest of Cappadocia, are carved into the rock but perfectly imitate the architectural solutions of those built according to traditional methods.

For example, there are rock pillars that appear to support roofs that are actually part of the mountain.

But what adds great artistic and historical importance to these churches is their profuse decoration; The ceilings, walls and pillars are often covered in Fresh that reflect the spiritual world of the time.

Best Goreme Churches in Cappadocia

Unfortunately, many of the images are damaged by the passage of time and vandalism and therefore, the best preserved paintings They are the most difficult to access churches.

A minimum journey in the Goreme Valley must include the St. Basil's churches, the Apple, Santa Barbara and the snake.

The best of all is the call Karanlik, dark church, with spectacular frescoes.

In these churches you see scenes —the wedding of Canaan, adoration of the Magi, fishing in the sea of ​​Galilee, judas kiss, crucifixion of Jesus Christ—, and biblical characters—angels, archangels, apostles, prophets, martyrs, many of them with their right hands raised, blessing in the traditional Byzantine style—that make up an image of the world.

This set of churches forms the core of the area considered Heritage.

Cities of Cappadocia

Although normally travel to Cappadocia thinking about the scenery and the rock churches, cities and towns of the area also have their importance.

In addition to tourist services, in many of them there are samples of traditional architecture of great interest, as well as Turkish baths, markets and craft workshops.

Uchisar in Cappadocia

Uchisar It extends around two impressive rocky pits completely pierced by rooms. Many of the nearby rock formations have also been used to excavate homes.

In the surroundings of the town you can take walks through interesting places, such as the so-called Pigeon Valley.

Many Uchisar accommodations They are medium-high priced, so those looking for cheaper prices. They prefer to settle in Goreme, where there are cheaper establishments and from where you can walk to the rock churches.

Urgup in Cappadocia

The city of Ürgüp preserves a good amount of Greek influenced buildings.

To reach the oldest part from the main square, you go under a stone arch and wander through some narrow streets, and then you can climb to the top of the hill for a good view of the surroundings.

Ürgüp It's a good place to take a turkish bath In a traditional environment, the Tarihi Sehir Hamami It is located right in the square.

Avanos in Cappadocia

If you can, it is advisable visit Avanos on Friday, the market day.

In any case, it is worth a visit to the old neighborhood, the ceramic workshops and that small atmosphere. traditional city which seems to have already been lost in other towns in Cappadocia.

Underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu in Cappadocia

In addition to central Cappadocia, there are several very interesting, slightly out-of-the-way places that are well worth a visit.

In this region archaeologists have identified more than 30 underground cities, of which four are open to the public.

Kaymakli y Derinkuyu They are the best known and are the reflection of a curious way of life.

Of course, during times of peace its inhabitants lived like everyone else on the surface, but when danger came they hid in these extraordinary underground shelters where they could stay for up to several months.

From the entrance you descend through tunnels and stairs to rooms that are on different levels, so they are like inverted cities that are up to seven stories deep.

In many rooms their functions are perfectly distinguished (kitchens, wineries, stables...)

The ventilation system of these underground cities works perfectly.

Ilhara Valley in Cappadocia

Another place not to be missed is Ilhara, a gorge excavated by the Melendiz River about 15 km. of length.

It is a very pleasant walk with the addition that on the vertical walls of the canyon several cave churches with frescoes on the interior walls.

Its quality and state of conservation are not like those of Goreme, but the solitude (except in summer) and the beauty of the place are worth it.

El full tour is done between Ilhara and Selime villages, which can be reached by bus from Aksaray; In both there are pensions and restaurants.

How to get around Cappadocia: options

For tour Cappadocia, if you do not travel in a organized circuit, the most comfortable is rent a car or taxi by the hour or sign up for organized excursions.

In the latter case, you must ensure that time will not be wasted on shopping stops in stores that will then pay a commission to the guide.

From June to September public transport It is very common among the main tourist attractions, and rarer the rest of the year.

If you have time, Cappadocia It's a good place to do good walks or do bike tours.

Where to sleep in Cappadocia

En Goreme are the cheapest accommodation, but also excellent luxury optionsor whose rooms are located in caves.

En Ürgüp There are hotels with character located in traditional mansions. and in Uchisar or hotels with rooms in ancient caves.

Balloon tour over Cappadocia

One of the most spectacular, although high-priced, experiences that can be done in Cappadocia, is a sunrise balloon tour, an experience that is very worthwhile.

It is a special way to contemplate this unique landscape, with the peace of mind that the wind conditions in the area are so good that the flight is completely safe.

No two trips are the same, and both the departure and the itinerary depend on the conditions of the day.

For climatic reasons the flight season It runs only from March to November.

Currently there are many companies that offer these services, whose flights last around an hour and a half.