Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Cappadocia is famous for its otherworldly landscapes and rock-carved structures. While fairy chimneys may be the iconic Cappadocia image, the area includes much more: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia – the region between the cities of Nevşehir, Ürgüp and Avanos, the sites of Karain, Karlık, Yeşilöz, Soğanlı and the subterranean cities of Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu.
Cappadocia’s cultural heritage is equally compelling: the first human settlement in the region dates from the Paleolithic era, and Cappadocia was also an important stop along the Silk Road.
Every season in Cappadocia has its unique charms, but if you’ve dreamed about visiting Cappadocia in the summer, keep reading…
A summer holiday in Cappadocia embraces history and nature
During the summer, Cappadocia offers a range of sights and activities that will appeal to any visitor. Cappadocia’s attractions are primarily concentrated in Avanos, Çavuşin, Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar and Ortahisar. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer during a Cappadocia summer getaway.
Majestic hot air balloons!
Whether you take a hot air balloon ride or simply gaze at them from your window, a visit to Cappadocia isn’t complete without some sort of balloon engagement. It is truly an extraordinary experience to watch dozens of these enormous, colorful spheres floating above the Cappadocian landscape as the sun rises.
Cappadocia is one of the world’s most renowned areas for ballooning, for good reason. Balloon rides usually take place early in the morning but, depending on the weather and the season, sunset excursions may be available. There are several hot air balloon companies in Cappadocia.
In Göreme, the best location to observe the balloon launches is at Lovers Hill (Aşıklar Tepesi).
Trekking in the valleys!
Cappadocia has numerous valleys: Dervent, Güllüdere, Kızılçukur, Gomeda and Güvercinlik are among the most picturesque, while Love Valley is well known for its evocative rock formations. If you can spend a little more time on the road, we suggest visiting Ihlara Valley in Aksaray. Ihlara Valley features one of Türkiye’s most beautiful trekking routes. With plenty of green, the valleys also offer a respite from the scorching Cappadocia summer heat.
Spellbound in an underground city!
There are more than 30 rock-carved underground cities in Cappadocia, and some are believed to date from the Hittite Era. Created to shelter the area’s population from various invaders, these underground cities were an extraordinary security measure. The deepest, Derinkuyu, could accommodate up to 20,000 inhabitants. These underground cities featured rooms, wine cellars, cistern areas, food warehouses, stables and places of worship, as well as passageways and ventilation between each level – literally, they were entire cities, carved into subterranean tufa stone.
Among the most visited underground cities are Tatlarin, Derinkuyu, Özkonak, Mazı and Kaymaklı.
See historical places!
The villages, towns and valleys of Cappadocia are home to many historical sites. Among these are the rock-carved citadels in Ortahisar and Uçhisar, as well as a number of churches, including the Three Crosses Church and Ayvalı Church in Güllüdere Valley, and the Cistern Church, Saklı Church, El Nazar Church and Görkündere Church in Zemi Valley. In the village of Çavuşin, the Byzantine-era cave basilica of St. John the Baptist is worth a visit, as is the 12th-century Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) in Kayseri, and the 13th-century Seljuk Alaeddin Cami in Niğde.
Discover Cappadocia through its open-air museums!
The Göreme Open-Air Museum is an excellent introduction to Cappadocia’s cultural riches: this spectacular site features a number of Byzantine Era rock-cut churches, many with their colorful frescoes intact. The Zelve Open-Air Museum comprises three valleys that house rock-cut churches, a mosque and an old mill. In Avanos, the Güray Museum focuses on ancient and modern ceramics, while the Hair Museum is an unusual destination set in the Chez Galip pottery workshop. There are also museums in Ürgüp and in Ortahisar.
Join Cappadocia safari tours!
Although safari tours via ATVs and jeeps are popular in Cappadocia, a more leisurely way to view the landscape is atop a horse. There are various ranches in the area, such as Cemal Ranch, set at the entrance to Rose Valley, and horse-riding tours are available. Viewing the sunset on horseback is a particularly lovely Cappadocia experience.
Take lots of photos!
Cappadocia’s dramatic landscape, picturesque villages and rock-cut structures make it a photographer’s paradise. An even more exciting photo opportunity is from the basket of a hot air balloon.
A more contemporary photo opportunity is Asmalı Konak, in Ürgüp. This mansion was the location for one of Türkiye’s most popular TV series, “Asmalı Konak”.
For more information on the best locations and times for Cappadocia photography, click here.
Camp in the valleys!
Watch the sunset and wake up to a view of fairy chimneys… visitors can camp in the valleys of Cappadocia. The most popular areas for camping are Love Valley, Güvercinlik Valley and Kızılçukur Valley – known for its sunset view – as well as the Dervent, Paşabağ, Güllüdere, Zemi and Kılıçlar valleys. There are also campsites on the hills leading into Göreme.
Let us remind you that there is a legendary sunset view in Kızılçukur Valley.
If you’re new to camping, check out our blog on camping essentials.
Try a pottery workshop!
Avanos, on the banks of the Kızılırmak River, has been a prominent pottery center since at least the Hittite Era, thanks to the rich red clay from the river. The village features numerous shops, galleries and ateliers; aspiring potters and artists can take workshops and classes with master craftspeople.
If you want to learn more about Cappadocia’s pottery traditions, we recommend a visit to the Güray Museum in Avanos.
Attend a festival!
Summer delivers: June in Cappadocia brings the Aksalur Cherry Festival and the Göreme Javelin Games; the Kozaklı Hot Spring Festival takes place in July, and the Kaymak Festival in August. Also in August are the International Culture and Art Activities in the memory of Hacı Bektaş Veli, the 13th-century Muslim saint, philosopher and Sayyid.
In September, Cappadocia is at its liveliest, hosting the International Avanos Tourism and Handicrafts Festival, the Cappadocia Cycling Festival, and the Ürgüp Vineyard Festival.
Due to the pandemic, many of the region’s festivals and events have been rescheduled; if you plan to attend a specific event, we suggest that you confirm the dates.
Stories knock at your door!
You can easily download images, and share on your social media accounts via your smartphone. Just press and hold the story, and save or share the image you have selected via the menu that appears.
