Cappadocia is one of those places that is on everyone’s bucket list. I know it was on mine. What is different about this particular bucket list item though, is that it actually lives up to expectations. This has to be one of the most unique and magical parts of the world, and it is a shame that more people cannot get to Cappadocia to experience it. I have created this Complete Guide to Cappadocia to help people to do just that!
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Table of Contents
- About Cappadocia
- Where is Cappadocia
- Do you need a Visa?
- How to get to Cappadocia
- How expensive is Cappadocia?
- Cappadocia Weather – Best time to visit
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons
- Things to do in Cappadocia
- Cappadocia Tours
- Where to Eat
- Cappadocia Hotels – Where to stay
- Summary
About Cappadocia
Cappadocia is an incredible part of the world, known for its lunar landscapes, amazing rock formations, and homes built into the rock faces. Located on the plateau in Central Turkey, it sees floods of visitors every year as its popularity continues to grow.
Cappadocia is a district that is part of Anatolia. It is made up of many towns, the most well known and popular of which is Goreme. Most of the main sights can be seen in and around Goreme, with Hiking the valley and visiting the Open Air Museum the most popular with visitors.
Further afield, tours take daily groups to visit the incredible Underground Cities. These beautiful and amazing tunnel systems descend up to a dozen levels below ground, and once housed in excess of 5000 people in each.
Cappadocia, meaning “land of Beautiful Horses” is one of the most amazing places on Earth, where you can see and witness first hand just how incredible nature can be. It is unmissable, and is no wonder that tens of thousands come to see it for themselves every single year.
Guide to Cappadocia little known fact – No one lives in Goreme. It is like a ski resort – Locals don’t live there, they only work there! Sure, there are some that live on the very outskirts, but if you take notice, there are no homes in the city itself. It is all hotels, restaurants and shops.
Where is Cappadocia
Many people mistakenly think that Cappadocia is a town, where as in reality it is a district, located in East-Central Anatolia. On the map you will find it in the very center of the country of Turkey.
When visiting Cappadocia, most people tend to stay around the main town of Goreme, and fly in and out via the main airports located at Nevsehir and Kayseri.
Do you need a Visa?
Cappadocia is located in the country of Turkey. So, in order to visit you will need to have permission to enter Turkey. This means that you will either need a Visa, or be from a country that is exempt from the need for having a Visa.
If you do not know, then it is easy to find out. Simply utilize the handy tool below to check your Visa Requirements for Turkey.
If you require a Visa, then simply click through and IVisa will step you through the process of obtaining your Visa and any other documentation required for you to enter Turkey.
Guide to Cappadocia Tip – If you DO NOT require a Visa, don’t make the mistake of simply making plans and forgetting about it. Especially if your trip is a few months away. ALWAYS check and double check your Visa Requirements as your trip gets closer, as Visa Requirements can change, and often do.
How to get to Cappadocia
Getting to Cappadocia is easy. Even though it is in the very center of Turkey, and seems a long way from anything, it is a very popular area and there are many options. Also, prices can be very competitive, so if you are on a budget, there may not be the need to sleep overnight in a bus, as you may find a flight that is around the same price.
Here are the options for how to get to Cappadocia.
FLY
This is the fastest and most direct way to get to Cappadocia. Daily flights with Turkish Airlines fly from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and even Antalya to the two main Cappadocia airports at Nevsehir and Keyseri. Naturally, there are more flights in the Summer than in the Winter.
If you choose to fly, then you will have to arrange a transfer from the airport to your accommodation, depending upon what town you are staying in. Nevsehir airport is the closest airport to the main centers such as Goreme, but is still 40 minutes away. The best way is to organize a transfer, and this can be done easily by booking online with a company such as Helios Transfer. I booked with them on my most recent visit and they were awesome. The shuttle is shared with other passengers, so the price stays down, and they drop you right to the door of your hotel. Our driver even carried our luggage in for us!
Check them out at THIS LINK.
BUS
The other way to get to Cappadocia is by Bus. Bus is a very convenient, cheap and popular way to travel around Turkey, and therefore one of the best ways to get to Cappadocia. It is also convenient, as the bus will drop you right in the middle of Goreme, and therefore not far from your accommodation. (If you are staying in Goreme). This also saves having to organize a transfer from the airport.
A bus trip from Istanbul will take about 10 hours. Most of them will leave around midnight, give or take an hour or two, so they arrive in the early morning in Cappadocia. This is a popular option for many, as it saves on a nights accommodation. From other town such as Antalya, that is a bit closer, you will have options to travel during the day as well.
Also, buses OUT of Goreme leave from outside the Bus Office on the main street, making it easy to get to, and once again saving on transfers.
For more information on catching the bus in Turkey, check out THIS article for links and tips.
Are you planning on renting a car or driving when you are overseas? Then make sure you are fully covered by having your International Driver’s Permit. Find out more, or pick one up easily at THIS LINK.
How expensive is Cappadocia?
This is an important question, especially if you are traveling on a budget, and is one of the reasons that I decided to write this Guide to Cappadocia.
Cappadocia is an enigma in the budget travel world.
Why?
Because there are so many things to do that are FREE, but everything ELSE is expensive.
Make sense?
I didn’t think so. So let me explain.
Cappadocia is a region where the main things to do and see are landscapes, panoramas and amazing geography. Now, in Turkey, like most countries in the world, it is free to throw on a good pair of walking shoes and go out to look at these things. You MAY have to pay an entry fee at times, but it is minimal. Hiking and exploring, in general, will cost you nothing.
And in Cappadocia, there is SO MUCH to see. So really, you could spend a week in Cappadocia, on your feet all day, seeing amazing, mind blowing things, and not spend a cent!
Until you have to eat. Or do a tour. Or generally live.
A quick walk down the street in Goreme will show you that you will have your work cut out to try and keep the budget down. Prices in most restaurants are generally triple what a budget traveler will expect to pay in, say, Istanbul. 120 TL for a Kebab that you can get for 25 TL in another city is not rare to see in Goreme.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are “cheaper” places to eat, and I will list a few of them further on in this article.
As for other expenses.
Accommodation – This is not generally expensive, in reality. If you want a good cave hotel, you may have to pay a little more, but that is to be expected. You CAN find cheaper, more budget places though. You just have to shop around. Check out the accommodation I have listed further along in this article for some ideas.
Tours – You will find that if you are going to do a tour, for example, the popular Red, Green and Blue Tours, that they will be generally the same price wherever you book them. Your hotel MAY give a discount, but you will have to check it out. In my experience it is more expensive going that way, and you are better to book through a good, reliable source such as THIS.
But tours are pretty expensive. Last I was in Cappadocia, one of the Red, Green or Blue Tours were about 45 Euro each. And that is bound to fluctuate, usually in an upward direction.
Balloons are the other thing that will empty pockets VERY fast. If you are going to do a Balloon flight, shop around and find someone reputable. There are some companies that may offer cheaper flights, but when it comes to Balloons, go for safety. Please! Do not save a few dollars just because you can. Accidents happen, and when it comes to Balloons, they don’t usually turn out good. My suggestion is a good company such as THIS to make sure that you are well looked after.
I will talk a little more about Balloons a little further on in my Guide to Cappadocia.
So to wrap up, Cappadocia CAN be very expensive. But you CAN also do it on a “budget”. Here are my Guide to Cappadocia top tips for experiencing Cappadocia on a budget.
- Catch the bus – it will save on transfers, as well as a nights accommodation.
- Do a lot of hiking and exploring – It costs nothing to hoof it to a viewpoint, rather than be taken there in a minivan.
- Forgo the Cave Hotel – You can stay in some really nice budget accommodation that is NOT a cave. Trust me, you will see plenty of caves while you are there. You don’t need to pay to sleep in one.
- Watch the balloons instead of flying in one – The best photos of the balloons are from the ground anyway. Leave the balloon flight to those with bulging pockets – unless you really, really want a balloon flight, and it fits the budget.
- Skip the main street restaurants – Check out my tips on where to eat, but basically, don’t pay a fortune just because it’s “handy”.
There are ways to enjoy Cappadocia on a budget. Don’t try and follow all those Instagrammers who seem to live the high life. Trust me – very few of them actually do!
Cappadocia Weather – Best time to visit
The weather in Cappadocia can get extreme. In other words, very hot in Summer, and freezing in the Winter. So the best thing is to avoid both of these times if possible.
The best time to visit Cappadocia is in the Spring (March – May) and before Winter hits (September – October). These are the times that the weather and temperatures are not at the extremes, and prices are at shoulder/low season rates.
On my last visit to Cappadocia, it was late November into early December. Even then, it was cold at night, but actually rather pleasant out and about during the day, especially for hiking.
Winter in Cappadocia can be very cold. There IS an upside to Winter though, and that is the landscape can turn into an absolute fairy tale when it has a dusting of snow. Throw in the rock formations and balloons, and a Winter in Cappadocia will give you views that you will not see anywhere else in the world!
Summer, on the other hand, should probably just be totally avoided. 45 degree temperatures are common, and hiking is just NOT enjoyable. Even on the tours, the air conditioning in the buses cannot handle the heat, and sitting with 15 other smelly tourists is not exactly my idea of fun. Especially for 45 Euros.
Guide to Cappadocia tip – Head to Cappadocia in the Spring or Fall/Autumn. You will get the best prices on accommodation and be able to go out and do many things for free without the need of a tour.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons
The Hot Air Balloons of Cappadocia are what many people come here for. Let’s face it. Going up in a Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia is on the bucket list of many visitors. And with good reason. It looks spectacular.
There are balloon companies everywhere in Cappadocia, in particular around the Goreme area where most of the Balloons take off from. Both the flights themselves, and getting up at the crack of day to watch them is a part of life when you visit Cappadocia. You just HAVE to do it.
Balloon Flights
Flights can be booked really easily in Cappadocia, in particular around the Goreme area. There are tour agencies on every corner, and there will be pamphlets, brochures and posters at your hotel. You will not have to look far to find a flight to book.
My advice is to shop around first. Do your homework. If you can, do it before you even arrive. If you find a good deal with a cheaper price than elsewhere, look at it, but STILL do your homework. Check the reviews and talk to them first.
The reason for this is because there are hundreds of balloon flights every day. Once you have stood and watched them, you will notice that some are a lot safer than others. They take off in a better spot, away from other balloons. Landings are cleaner. They fly high and away from others. All these things should be taken into account when you book. If you can, ask for a safety record, but I doubt you will be given the truth if it is not good!
In the end, try and stick with a reputable company. If you are struggling, then try THIS LINK. Getyourguide only ever deal with companies that THEY have done their homework on, and you know you will be better off.
Another note about flights. Some balloons fly high so you can see the dawn and get a great view of the landscape. There are others that seem to want to take you on a rollercoaster ride across the rooftops, dodging outcrops and rooftop bars, missing them by inches and coming very close to disaster. Now, while this may be great for daredevils, if you don’t want this to happen in YOUR balloon, make sure to ask when you book. Once you are in the balloon, you can’t turn back.
Guide to Cappadocia tip – Book your balloon as soon as you arrive. For the very first day that you can. Flights are cancelled regularly, and when they are they might not fly for a few days. Then, the price keeps going up and up for each day it is cancelled, due to demand. You don’t want to have a perfect flying day on your first day and miss it, only to have them cancelled every day thereafter.
Where to watch balloons
Whether you fly in a balloon or not, on the other mornings you will be wanting to get to a view point to watch them. The sight of them soaring overhead is incredible, and in my opinion the best photos are taken from the ground.
So, where to see them.
The first place I suggest is your hotel! If you are staying in a hotel with a rooftop bar, restaurant or even just an actual viewing point, then you are set. The hotel we stayed in last time was the best viewing point we have been to, and it was free!
Second, if you are in Goreme, simply go up to the viewing point in town. This is the highest point in town, and you can easily spot it by the big Turkish Flag that flies from it. The view point is worth visiting anyway, but at dawn for the balloons it is incredible. Cost of entry is only 5TL.
Things to do in Cappadocia
Besides balloons, there is so much more to do in Cappadocia. People come here for the amazingly diverse landscapes after all. This is one of the most incredible places in the world, and you will want to see as much of it as possible in the time that you have.
So whether you are in Cappadocia on a budget, or on a full blown vacation, the Guide to Cappadocia has you covered with this list of things to do!
- Take a flight in a balloon! (Bet you didn’t see that one coming)
- Visit the Open Air Museum – One of the top attractions in Goreme, this museum is the remains of many churches that were carved into the rock. Adorned with fresco paintings, and only a short walk from town, it is an unmissable thing to do in Cappadocia.
- Hike the Rose Valley and Red Valley – One of my favorite hikes from Goreme is right outside of town, and takes you down some beautiful canyons. You can turn the hike into a loop by heading right through he canyon and out past the Open Air Museum.
- Take part in Turkish Night – You will have to book this through your hotel or tour agency, but you don’t want to miss it. Free flowing wine, Turkish dancers and traditional food will all make it worthwhile.
- Hike up Love Valley to Uchisar Castle – Just a short walk out of town you can find Love Valley, aptly named because the shapes of the rocks look like a man’s Genitalia. Follow the valley to the town of Uchisar and visit the famous Uchisar Castle.
- Do yet another hike up Pigeon Valley – Also taking you toward Uchisar, Pigeon Valley was once the home to thousands of pigeons bred by the local populace for fertilizer. The valley is one of the most popular hikes in Cappadocia.
- Do an ATV Tour – Hire an ATV and go places that are out of reach for most on foot.
- Explore the Valleys on Horseback – Go horseback riding and explore some of the most famous valleys of Cappadocia.
- Do a tour – I will cover this in the next section, but doing a tour in Cappadocia is a must!
- Hire a car to explore – Cappadocia is huge. There are so many places to visit, that if you want to avoid tours and DIY it, then getting a car is the way to go!
There is a lot to do in Cappadocia. Much of it is right in around Goreme, so hiking and walking will fill up your days. If you want to explore further afield, consider a tour, or even an ATV or Horseback outing.
Guide to Cappadocia Tip – Come in the off peak season and bring your hiking boots. Why be restricted to tours and standing on viewpoints, when you can get right down into those canyons and explore! There are so many hidden churches, caves and nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered!
Cappadocia Tours
This would not be a good Guide to Cappadocia if we didn’t talk about tours! Tours are almost the lifeblood of any Cappadocia trip. Many of the bigger attractions are outside of the town of Goreme, and a tour can be the best way to see them.
So here are the Guide to Cappadocia best recommended tours.
- Goreme Sunrise Balloon Official Flight – Take flight for Sunrise in a Hot Air Balloon.
- Sunset ATV Tour – Take an ATV tour of the best of the Goreme Valleys, followed by sunset at Rose Valley.
- Full Day Cappadocia Red Plus Tour – Take the most popular tour of North Cappadocia, including entry to explore the Open Air Museum.
- Green Tour in the Ihlara Valley – Visit the incredible Underground City, followed by a hike along Ihlara Valley with the Green Tour.
- Full Day Private Cappadocia Tour – This incredible day comes with private guide, and takes you to all the main Cappadocia highlights from the Red and Green Tours.
- Sunset Horse Riding Tour – Cappadocia got its name from “Land of Beautiful Horses” so what better way to explore the incredible landscape than on horseback?
- Turkish Night in a Cave Restaurant – Enjoy a night of Turkish dance, culture, history and cuisine along with unlimited drinks!
Guide to Cappadocia tip – For a full review of the amazing Green Tour, check out THIS article.
Where to Eat
Finding where to eat in Cappadocia can be hard, especially staying in Goreme, which is really geared toward tourists. This is, of course, if you are on a budget. If money is no object, then you can eat anywhere. In this case, there are some wonderful restaurants along the main street that are more than willing to let you overpay! The food even looks ok.
For the rest of us, I have managed to find a few places, with the help of locals and also searching around for ourselves. These places have good prices, (at least a lot lower than the others) and offer good food along with it.
Nazar Borek and Cafe – This place was so good that we went back several times. They serve the best Gozleme that we have tasted in Turkey, and the atmosphere is amazing. The owner is funny, telling jokes along with his friendly chef, and even breaks out the instruments to play music at times! Located in a large rock outcrop on the outskirts of Goreme, you will LOVE Nazar Borek and Cafe. Click HERE for a location.
M&M Cafe – A little closer into town M&M Cafe has good coffee, nice Gozleme and Sandwiches for a really good price. Click HERE for a Google Maps location.
Goreme Kadin Kooperatifi – This is a little gem in Goreme that is tucked away and not many other than locals know about it. In fact, it was a local that told us about it because he eats there every day. Basically it is like home cooked meals, whipped up by a women Cooperative. For a set price, you get soup, bread, a main course and salad. It often changes, but no matter what, the food is good, filling and a great price! Click HERE for a Google Maps location.
Guide to Cappadocia Tip – Get to Goreme Kadin Kooperatif early. They are not open really late (about 6pm) and will close if they run out of food!
Cappadocia Hotels – Where to stay
There are many places to stay in Cappadocia. Being such a large area, that means that you have several towns to choose from.
Basically, this Guide to Cappadocia is aimed at those that have not been to Cappadocia before. I think that if you have been before, you probably wouldn’t be looking at a Guide anyway!
As such, I recommend first time, and especially budget Travelers to stay in Goreme. Even though some accommodation or food MIGHT be cheaper elsewhere, you can do all the free hiking and best balloon watching from Goreme.
So, here are the Guide to Cappadocia choices of places to stay in Goreme.
Luxury
Divan Cave House Goreme
Divan Cave House gives a really great Cave Experience. It features wonderful breakfast, really great location, and a terrace with an awesome view of the Dawn Balloon flights.
Cappadocia Cave Suites
Located high on the hill overlooking Goreme, this hotel has real cave rooms, giving the full Cappadocia experience. Close to the restaurants and main street, while also being right near sunset point as well.
Mid Range
Bedrock Cave Hotel
The Bedrock Cave Hotel is where I stayed on my last trip to Cappadocia. Located just in front of the Cappadocia Cave Suites, it is a homely hotel with very friendly staff, nice breakfast, and possibly the best views in town for watching the balloons!
Ascension Cave Suites
Boutique Style Hotel in a really good location with great views. Guests enjoy the hotel as it is always clean, very comfortable and has a good breakfast. Did I mention the views?
Budget
Terra Vista Hotel
The Terra Vista is in a really good location with great views. Staff are polite, kind and extremely accommodating. Excellent for budget travelers , offering a lot of extras such as airport transfers for a good price. There is even a rooftop hot tub!
Kamelya Cave Hostel
Great location with main street, restaurants and buses right around the corner. Staff are excellent, and the breakfast superb, with the menu changing every day. The Shared rooms are spacious, and the dining room is located on the roof with excellent views.
Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK.
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Summary
That’s it for my Complete Guide to Cappadocia. I hope that I have covered everything, if not, drop me a line and ask me a question.
Cappadocia is a wonderful place to visit, and I believe that every traveler should experience it at least once. It is unique, and definitely a worthy bucket list location!
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