Discover the Magic of Cappadocia: Best Activities, Sights & Food
Before our visit, all we knew about Cappadocia was its famous hot air balloons, but Cappadocia, Türkiye has so much more to offer. It is a destination straight out of a fairy tale. With its unique rock formations, iconic hot air balloons, and vibrant culture, this region offers a blend of adventure, history, and unique charm. Here’s our pick of 13 things to do in Cappadocia to make your visit extra special.
Cappadocia is a large region but you will find most of the activities as well as hotels and restaurants in and around the main town of Göreme.
How many days in Cappadocia
We would recommend at least 3 nights in Cappadocia enough to see the main sights and to factor in possible balloon cancelations if the weather is windy. Out of our 4 nights the balloons only flew 2 mornings. We’ve even heard some people didn’t get balloons for the whole time.
How to get to Cappadocia
The easiest and fastest is by plane. There are 2 main airports servicing Cappadocia region the closest being Nevsehir(NAV) and another in Kayseri (ASR) both have daily direct flights from Istanbul. From both Airports there are many shuttle bus companies that will take you directly to your hotel we used Helios Transfer, for your return trip your hotel can also arrange a shuttle for you if you need.
Whats the best time of year
Best time to visit Cappadocia is spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is a lot milder. It’s also possible to visit in winter with the chance to see it covered in snow. Peak summer months are not ideal as the heat is unbearable and too hot to be exploring.
Getting around
The best way to get around Cappadocia is by rental car, a lot of the best sights are spaced out and the only real way is by car. We hired ours from the local team at Sunset Rent A Car in Goreme.
Best things to do Cappadocia
1. Witness a Red Valley Sunset
One of the most dramatic sunset spots in Cappadocia, as the sun set the whole valley it’s cover in stunning pink hues. Enjoy a drink and snacks at one of the small bars along the clifftop and soak in the breathtaking views.
2. Stay at a Cappadocia Cave Hotel
Stay at a Cave Hotel. We stayed at Koza Cave Hotel, a family run boutique hotel with a photogenic rooftop terrace perfect for watching hot air balloons at sunrise. The unique ambiance of cave hotels adds a special touch to your trip. Koza Cave not only had the best sunrise terrace but also one of the best breakfast we had while in Türkiye, if you’ve never had a Turkish breakfast you’re in for a treat at Koza Cave!
3. Sunrise at a Rooftop Terrace
One of the most iconic things to do in Cappadocia. Personally, we feel booking a hotel with a rooftop terrace is a must. Waking up at sunrise and heading straight up to watch the balloons rise in the morning sun with a cup of coffee is an iconic Cappadocia experience that you shouldn’t miss.
Tip: Book at least 3 nights if possible, as sometimes the balloons don’t fly due to weather.
4. Watch Hot Air Balloons Launch
Even if you’re not taking a hot air balloon ride. It’s a surreal experience heading to the launch sites at before sunrise to be surrounded by hundreds of hot air balloons taking off. Rose Valley and Love Valley are two popular spots to witness this magical sight. The Balloons start setting up about 30 mins before sunrise and taking off just before the sun is up.
5. Visit a Carpet Shop
To capture one of the iconic Cappadocia photos, visit the Ikman Carpet Shop or Sultan Carpets. You can pay to get your photo surrounded by hundreds of Turkish rugs in these traditional carpet shops. We chose Ikman because it was less busy, in our opinion, more photogenic, even though the owner is a bit more reserved and serious. In terms of pricing they are both very similar, if you don’t have anyone to take pictures of you then I would recommend Sultan as they have photographers on site.
6. Explore Göreme Open Air Museum
One of our favourite archaeological sites in Cappadocia, Göreme Open Air Museum is a must visit. The complex is filled with ancient cave churches featuring incredibly well preserved colourful frescoes. Tip: Arrive here at opening time (8am) to beat the crowds and the heat if visiting in summer.
7. Discover Pasabag and Zelve Open Air Museums
We were blown away by these stunning open air museums filled with ancient cave dwellings and churches. Zelve and Pasabag both offer a glimpse into the region’s rich history and unique landscape.
8. Experience a Traditional Cave House
Visit Uçhisar valley to pop into one of the preserved cave houses turned into a museum and café. Enjoy a cup of Turkish tea and experience what it was like to live in a traditional cave house, you can find the one we visited here. Nearby you will also find Uchisar Castle where you can walk up to the top viewpoint overlooking the region. While in Uçhisar head to Cafe Çiko’nun Yeri for tea with amazing views over the Valley.
9. Take a Pottery Class
Try your hand at a local pottery class and create your own unique souvenir. Cappadocia is famous for its pottery, and this hands on activity is both fun and culturally enriching. We visited the friendly team at Avanos Pottery Workshop .
10. Hike Pigeon Valley
Hike through Pigeon Valley, named for its numerous pigeon houses carved into the rocks. This scenic valley offers stunning views and is perfect for a leisurely hike and unique photo op feeding the pigeons.
11. Enjoy Goreme Sunset Spot
In the centre of Goreme, follow the roads up to the large Turkish flag for one of the best sunsets overlooking the city. The viewpoint is free to enter and also has a small bar and kiosks selling drinks and food. you can find it on google maps here.
12. Catch Live Music On A Rooftop Bar
Spend an evening enjoying live music on a rooftop bar in Cappadocia. We loved the atmosphere at Artemis Cave Suites‘ rooftop bar with its live music, where you can relax and take in the city lights and iconic views with a few drinks. In the summer months Koza Cave also has an amazing small rooftop bar with DJ.
13. Try Pottery Kebab
Don’t miss out on Testi Kebab (pottery kebab), one of the region’s most famous dishes. Tender lamb, beef and vegetables are slow cooked for five hours inside a clay pot over hot coals then served over rice, resulting in a rich flavourful tender stew. We had ours at family run restaurant Salki Konak in Uçhisar.
Best things to do in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Cappadocia, with its surreal landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a destination that offers a memorable holiday. From watching the sunrise with hot air balloons to exploring ancient cave houses, there’s something unique around every corner. Make sure to include these 13 activities in Cappadocia to your itinerary for an unforgettable trip in Türkiye.
