All citiesCappadocia (Göreme) Things to do and walking itinerary
Türkiye Cappadocia travel guide
20 things to do in Cappadocia, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Cappadocia
- Göreme National Park — national park in Türkiye (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Zelve village — Byzantine-era settlement in Cappadocia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Nevşehir Museum — museum in Nevşehir District (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sarıhan Caravanserai — Caravanserai in Nevşehir, Türkiye (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Dark Church — cave church in Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Uçhisar Castle — Nevşehir, Kapadokya'da bulunan bir kale (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Castle of Ortahisar — castle in Türkiye (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Ürgüp Watch Tower — watch tower in Ürgüp District (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Church of Sts Helena and Constantin — 18th. century church in Cappadocia, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Nevşehir Castle — historic castle (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Karamanoğlu Mosque — Ürgüp'te cami (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Monastery of St Nicholas — monastery in Ürgüp District (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Basil Şapeli (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tokalı Church — cave church in Göreme, Nevşehir, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pantokrator Kilisesi (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Aynalı Kilise (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Güray Museum — museum in Capadocia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Çeç Tumulus — Nevşehir ilinin Avanos ilçesindeki bir tümülüs (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Göreme Open Air Museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St John the Baptist church (Çavuşin) (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Cappadocia walking itinerary
Starting point: Göreme. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 10.0 km · 13,460 steps · 2 h 14 min on the way): Göreme National Park → Aynalı Kilise → Dark Church → Pantokrator Kilisesi → Basil Şapeli
- Day 2 (≈ 9.9 km · 13,310 steps · 2 h 11 min on the way): Göreme Open Air Museum → Tokalı Church → Uçhisar Castle
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Cappadocia
- Paşabağı (Monks Valley) — Multi-capped fairy chimneys with hermit cells carved inside; one of the region's signature views. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Devrent Valley — Valley of rock formations that resemble animals, famously including a camel-shaped chimney. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Three Beauties — Three capped fairy chimneys near Ürgüp; a classic photo stop, especially at sunset. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Avanos Hair Museum — A potter's cave studio walled with thousands of locks of hair left by visitors; odd but unforgettable. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Kaymaklı Underground City — Multi-level underground city of tunnels, stables and storerooms; you stoop through narrow passages. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Derinkuyu Underground City — The region's deepest underground city, dropping eight levels; look out for its rolling stone doors. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Ihlara Valley — Long, shady walk along the Melendiz stream through a canyon dotted with frescoed rock churches. (visit ≈ 240 min)
- Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) — Village south of Ürgüp with old Greek mansions behind carved stone façades, rock churches and quiet lanes. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Özkonak Underground City — Underground city north of Avanos, calmer than Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, with rolling stone doors and speaking holes. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Güllüdere Valley — Pink-hued valley between Çavuşin and Kızılçukur hiding rock-cut churches; ideal for a hike. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- İbrahimpaşa Village — Small village near Ürgüp with rock-cut dwellings and a stone bridge, away from the tourist crowds. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Gomeda Valley — Little-known green valley near Mustafapaşa, with rock churches and dovecotes along a stream. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Açık Saray — Quiet site on the Gülşehir road, with palace-like façades and rooms carved into fairy chimneys. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Aydın Kırağı Hill — Hill right above Göreme for watching the balloons at sunrise and the valleys turn red at dusk. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Avanos Old Town — Riverside town on the Kızılırmak known for pottery, with old stone houses and a swaying footbridge. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Soğanlı Valley — A quiet two-armed valley far from the crowds, with frescoed rock-cut churches and dovecotes. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Selime Monastery — A monastery carved into a huge rock at the end of the Ihlara Valley, with a cathedral-sized church. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Where to stay in Cappadocia
- Göreme: The hub for cave hotels; the open-air museum and valleys are within walking distance.
- Uçhisar: Quieter, with views and more upscale hotels below the castle.
- Ürgüp: A larger town with restaurants and wine houses.
- Ortahisar: A local village feel, away from the crowds.
Getting from the airport to Cappadocia
- Nevşehir Cappadocia (NAV): Airport shuttle ≈ 45 min
- Kayseri Erkilet (ASR): Airport shuttle ≈ 1 h 15 min
Getting around
Buses and minibuses link the villages; walking the valleys is best. Ask your hotel for transfers to tours and balloon flights.
Classic places to eat
- Dibek: Pottery kebab and local dishes in an old stone house.
- Topdeck Cave Restaurant: A family-run cave restaurant with home-style Anatolian food.
- Seten: Cappadocian dishes in a stylish cave dining room.
- Fırın Express: Wood-oven pide and pottery kebab.
- Ziggy Cafe: A terrace spot in Ürgüp focused on meze.
- Ehlikeyf: Modern Turkish cooking on Ürgüp’s main square.
Romantic views
- Love Valley (Morning): The famous valley full of fairy chimneys.
- Uçhisar Castle (Sunset): Valley views from the highest point in the area.
- Red Valley (Sunset): The rocks turn red at sunset.
- Pigeon Valley (Morning): A walking trail between Göreme and Uçhisar.
Good to know before visiting Cappadocia
- Fine: Insulting the memory of Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities is banned; keep receipts and, for old carpets or objects, ask for a museum export certificate.
- Fine: Photographing military zones and facilities is prohibited; obey "military zone" signs.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and on public transport; lighting fires in forests in summer is fined.
- Warning: Carry your ID or passport; police may ask for it at checks.
- Warning: Shops and kiosks may not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is treated, but most people drink bottled or jug water.
- Tipping: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Türkiye, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Resmî e-Vize, Wikivoyage — Turkey · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Cappadocia travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Cappadocia?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 9 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Cappadocia?
- Highlights: Göreme National Park, Zelve village, Nevşehir Museum, Sarıhan Caravanserai and Dark Church. The map has 20 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Cappadocia?
- Göreme: The hub for cave hotels; the open-air museum and valleys are within walking distance. Other options: Uçhisar, Ürgüp and Ortahisar.
- How do you get from the airport to Cappadocia city centre?
- Nevşehir Cappadocia (NAV): Airport shuttle ≈ 45 min · Kayseri Erkilet (ASR): Airport shuttle ≈ 1 h 15 min
- How do you get around Cappadocia?
- Buses and minibuses link the villages; walking the valleys is best. Ask your hotel for transfers to tours and balloon flights.
- What is the emergency number in Cappadocia?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Cappadocia?
- A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
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