Route Cappadocia- Cappadocia Valleys and Trekking routes
Müze
The Goreme Open-Air Museum is one of the most important places to see in Cappadocia. It’s is a monastery complex that consists of churches, cemeteries, chapels, dining halls, and a wine cellar. You can easily see this in two hours.
50 locals recommend
Göreme Açık Hava Müzesi
The Goreme Open-Air Museum is one of the most important places to see in Cappadocia. It’s is a monastery complex that consists of churches, cemeteries, chapels, dining halls, and a wine cellar. You can easily see this in two hours.
At the Zelve Open-Air Museum, you’ll be able to see two communities that have different beliefs show tolerance and understanding toward each other as there was a church and mosque built right next to each other. Zelve is also a great place to see in Cappadocia as it has the loveliest fairy chimneys in the region. You can go for a hike here or visit one of the different safari program.
21 locals recommend
Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi
At the Zelve Open-Air Museum, you’ll be able to see two communities that have different beliefs show tolerance and understanding toward each other as there was a church and mosque built right next to each other. Zelve is also a great place to see in Cappadocia as it has the loveliest fairy chimneys in the region. You can go for a hike here or visit one of the different safari program.
You’ve never been to a museum like this before. We know this, because it was even ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as being one of the world’s most bizarre museums. This makes it an absolutely must place to see in Cappadocia. The Avanos Hair Museum is actually part of Chez Galip‘s pottery studio located in the pottery market.
The story of the Hair Museum, which includes more than 16,000 locks of hair from women, is quite romantic. Mr. Galip had asked his girlfriend – who was leaving to go back to her country – to leave something to remember her by. So she cut off a lock of her hair and stuck it on the wall. As visitors came to see Galip’s shop, he would tell them the story behind the lock of fair, and the female customers were so moved that they started leaving their own locks of love and affixed them to the walls. Mr. Galip holds a drawing twice in one year, so when people leave their hair, they also leave their contact information. If their name is drawn, then they get an all-expenses-paid trip to Cappadocia for a week.
You’re not allowed to take photos in the museum. The reason for this is that a couple of people entered the museum on the pretense of taking photos, but really went in to take pictures. Instead, they got contact information and started harassing those people. The people who were contacted then opened a lawsuit against Mr. Galip, so he banned taking photos in the area. The museum is open for seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm
Chez Galip Hair Museum
110. SokakYou’ve never been to a museum like this before. We know this, because it was even ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as being one of the world’s most bizarre museums. This makes it an absolutely must place to see in Cappadocia. The Avanos Hair Museum is actually part of Chez Galip‘s pottery studio located in the pottery market.
The story of the Hair Museum, which includes more than 16,000 locks of hair from women, is quite romantic. Mr. Galip had asked his girlfriend – who was leaving to go back to her country – to leave something to remember her by. So she cut off a lock of her hair and stuck it on the wall. As visitors came to see Galip’s shop, he would tell them the story behind the lock of fair, and the female customers were so moved that they started leaving their own locks of love and affixed them to the walls. Mr. Galip holds a drawing twice in one year, so when people leave their hair, they also leave their contact information. If their name is drawn, then they get an all-expenses-paid trip to Cappadocia for a week.
You’re not allowed to take photos in the museum. The reason for this is that a couple of people entered the museum on the pretense of taking photos, but really went in to take pictures. Instead, they got contact information and started harassing those people. The people who were contacted then opened a lawsuit against Mr. Galip, so he banned taking photos in the area. The museum is open for seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm
Paşabağlari Ören Yeri Giris
Şehir Turu
CAPPADOCIA
With its fascinating geological structures, as well as its settlements carved into the rocks, its churches, pigeonries and its still enigmatic underground cities, Cappadocia is one of those rare places on earth that are both natural and cultural centres. Cappadocia, included in the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List in 1985 as the 'Göreme National Park and Cappadocia,' is one of the most original examples of harmony between nature and human settlements. In his 17 volume work, Geographica, (Anatolia XII, XIII, XIV) Strabo, who lived under the Roman Emperor Augustus, described Cappadocia as a vast region extending to the Taurus Mountains in the south, Aksaray in the west, Malatya in the east and the Eastern Black Sea shores in the north.
The present day region of Cappadocia consists of the provinces of Nevşehir (Nyssa), Aksaray (Kolonoeia), Niğde (Nakida), Kayseri (Kaisareia) and Kırşehir (Thermae). The rocky region of Cappadocia, which covers a smaller area, consists of Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp, Derinkuyu, Soğanlı, Ihlara and surroundings. The Central Anatolian volcanic region, which includes Cappadocia, covers an area of 25,000 square kilometres. Approximately 12 million years ago, the area consisted of land as it does today. There were lakes covering large areas and the climate was hot and rainy. Erciyes (3916 m), one of the highest and youngest volcanoes of the area, Hasandağ (3268 m) and Göllüdağ (2142 m) were among the most active volcanoes of this period. The activity of these volcanoes, as well as many other volcanoes in this area, began in the Upper Miocene Era (12 millionyears ago) and continued until the Holocene Era (the present day The erosion of the masses of tuff by the wind and by flood waters descending from valley slopes has resulted in fascinating structures known as 'fairy chimneys.' The courses created on the steep slopes by flood waters caused hard rocks to crack and break away. As the highly erodible material in the lower layers was deeply carved, the slope fell back and the conical shapes emerged which were protected from erosion because of the hat-like structures above them. The body is of tuff, tuffit or volcano ash, while the hat is made of hard rocks such as lahar or ignimbrite. The material of which the hat is formed is therefore more resistant than the mixtures of rock forming the body. This is the first condition for the formation of a fairy chimney. Depending on the resistance of the rock forming the hat, the fairy chimneys can stand for a long or short time. The fairy chimneys formed by erosion in the Cappadocia area are of numerous shapes and are called by such names as capped, conic, mushroom-shaped, columnar and pointed.
35 locals recommend
Cappadocia
CAPPADOCIA
With its fascinating geological structures, as well as its settlements carved into the rocks, its churches, pigeonries and its still enigmatic underground cities, Cappadocia is one of those rare places on earth that are both natural and cultural centres. Cappadocia, included in the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List in 1985 as the 'Göreme National Park and Cappadocia,' is one of the most original examples of harmony between nature and human settlements. In his 17 volume work, Geographica, (Anatolia XII, XIII, XIV) Strabo, who lived under the Roman Emperor Augustus, described Cappadocia as a vast region extending to the Taurus Mountains in the south, Aksaray in the west, Malatya in the east and the Eastern Black Sea shores in the north.
The present day region of Cappadocia consists of the provinces of Nevşehir (Nyssa), Aksaray (Kolonoeia), Niğde (Nakida), Kayseri (Kaisareia) and Kırşehir (Thermae). The rocky region of Cappadocia, which covers a smaller area, consists of Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp, Derinkuyu, Soğanlı, Ihlara and surroundings. The Central Anatolian volcanic region, which includes Cappadocia, covers an area of 25,000 square kilometres. Approximately 12 million years ago, the area consisted of land as it does today. There were lakes covering large areas and the climate was hot and rainy. Erciyes (3916 m), one of the highest and youngest volcanoes of the area, Hasandağ (3268 m) and Göllüdağ (2142 m) were among the most active volcanoes of this period. The activity of these volcanoes, as well as many other volcanoes in this area, began in the Upper Miocene Era (12 millionyears ago) and continued until the Holocene Era (the present day The erosion of the masses of tuff by the wind and by flood waters descending from valley slopes has resulted in fascinating structures known as 'fairy chimneys.' The courses created on the steep slopes by flood waters caused hard rocks to crack and break away. As the highly erodible material in the lower layers was deeply carved, the slope fell back and the conical shapes emerged which were protected from erosion because of the hat-like structures above them. The body is of tuff, tuffit or volcano ash, while the hat is made of hard rocks such as lahar or ignimbrite. The material of which the hat is formed is therefore more resistant than the mixtures of rock forming the body. This is the first condition for the formation of a fairy chimney. Depending on the resistance of the rock forming the hat, the fairy chimneys can stand for a long or short time. The fairy chimneys formed by erosion in the Cappadocia area are of numerous shapes and are called by such names as capped, conic, mushroom-shaped, columnar and pointed.
ÇAVUŞİN VILLAGE
One of the oldest settlements in the area, Çavuşin is situated 5km from Avanos, on the Avanos-Göreme road.
The Church of St. John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th century, making it the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, This has eroded away however. Christian missionaries and communities once lived in the old Çavuşin valley, now in ruins. This barrel vaulted Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) church, with one nave and three apses, is situated on the Avanos
Göreme road. Its narthex is collapsed. The church was built around 964/965AD. The Church of St John the Baptist is located at the entrance of the village by the graveyard.
It is situated high up on a cliff. It is dated to different times by different scholars and researchers; second half of 6th C or pre-iconoclastic 7th C by Epstein (1975), second half of 10th C by Jerphanion (1936) and early 9th C by Hild-Restle (1981). It is a basilica with three naves. The naves are connected to each other with three arcades. Both the northern and middle naves end with an apse. To the west along the three naves is the entrance. The middle nave is wider than the side ones and it has a flat ceiling. The middle and southern naves do not have frescoes. And with the northern one are some paintings; not in a very good state but still displaying some stylistic features.
7 locals recommend
Çavuşin
ÇAVUŞİN VILLAGE
One of the oldest settlements in the area, Çavuşin is situated 5km from Avanos, on the Avanos-Göreme road.
The Church of St. John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th century, making it the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, This has eroded away however. Christian missionaries and communities once lived in the old Çavuşin valley, now in ruins. This barrel vaulted Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) church, with one nave and three apses, is situated on the Avanos
Göreme road. Its narthex is collapsed. The church was built around 964/965AD. The Church of St John the Baptist is located at the entrance of the village by the graveyard.
It is situated high up on a cliff. It is dated to different times by different scholars and researchers; second half of 6th C or pre-iconoclastic 7th C by Epstein (1975), second half of 10th C by Jerphanion (1936) and early 9th C by Hild-Restle (1981). It is a basilica with three naves. The naves are connected to each other with three arcades. Both the northern and middle naves end with an apse. To the west along the three naves is the entrance. The middle nave is wider than the side ones and it has a flat ceiling. The middle and southern naves do not have frescoes. And with the northern one are some paintings; not in a very good state but still displaying some stylistic features.
AVANOS
Avanos, set on the banks of Kızılırmak, (Halys River) is a touristic town of Nevşehir Province with 12.000 population. The main economic activity in the town is pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. "Even the blind knows the way to Avanos from the pot-sherds along the way" (Seyrani) is an old expression revealing how old the pottery-making is in Avanos.
Having the remnants of the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans, Avanos has an importance in Cappadocia withs its 4000 years of history.
The name of the town was Evenez during the Ottoman Period and changed as Avanos by the time. Kızılırmak River divides the town east to west. It is not known when the rock dwellings in Zelve were first inhabited but it was an important settlement and religious area between the th and 13th centuries. Besides monasteries and churches, houses, a tunnel connecting two of the valleys, a mill, a mosque and several dove-cotes still exist in Zelve.
Paşabağları site, also called as 'Monks Valley' has very striking natural rock formations very striking natural rock formations. Devrent valley, located between Zelve Open Air Museum and Ürgüp is a good walking destination with the lunar landscape. The valley has many animal shaped rocks created by nature; among them 'the camel rock' became the symbol of the valley. Some of the other places to visit in Avanos are: Dere Yamanlı Church (5th century) Çeç Tumulus, Alaeddin Mosque (1202) Saruhan Caravanserai (1249), Yeraltı Çukur Mosque, (18th century), Hacı Nuri Bey Mansion, Suspension Bridge and the old town of the north bank of Kızılırmak. The old traditional stone houses of Avanos were built in vault form with volcanic tuff stone.
33 locals recommend
Avanos
AVANOS
Avanos, set on the banks of Kızılırmak, (Halys River) is a touristic town of Nevşehir Province with 12.000 population. The main economic activity in the town is pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. "Even the blind knows the way to Avanos from the pot-sherds along the way" (Seyrani) is an old expression revealing how old the pottery-making is in Avanos.
Having the remnants of the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans, Avanos has an importance in Cappadocia withs its 4000 years of history.
The name of the town was Evenez during the Ottoman Period and changed as Avanos by the time. Kızılırmak River divides the town east to west. It is not known when the rock dwellings in Zelve were first inhabited but it was an important settlement and religious area between the th and 13th centuries. Besides monasteries and churches, houses, a tunnel connecting two of the valleys, a mill, a mosque and several dove-cotes still exist in Zelve.
Paşabağları site, also called as 'Monks Valley' has very striking natural rock formations very striking natural rock formations. Devrent valley, located between Zelve Open Air Museum and Ürgüp is a good walking destination with the lunar landscape. The valley has many animal shaped rocks created by nature; among them 'the camel rock' became the symbol of the valley. Some of the other places to visit in Avanos are: Dere Yamanlı Church (5th century) Çeç Tumulus, Alaeddin Mosque (1202) Saruhan Caravanserai (1249), Yeraltı Çukur Mosque, (18th century), Hacı Nuri Bey Mansion, Suspension Bridge and the old town of the north bank of Kızılırmak. The old traditional stone houses of Avanos were built in vault form with volcanic tuff stone.
Sightseeing
Uçhisar Castle is the highest fairy chimney, and you’ll be able to see everything in Göreme Valley and its fairy chimneys from inside the castle. You can come here to watch the sun rise or set, which is highly recommended. In terms of watching the sunset, this is in our top three spots in all of Cappadocia. However, you won’t be able to use your museum card to get in.
30 locals recommend
Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle is the highest fairy chimney, and you’ll be able to see everything in Göreme Valley and its fairy chimneys from inside the castle. You can come here to watch the sun rise or set, which is highly recommended. In terms of watching the sunset, this is in our top three spots in all of Cappadocia. However, you won’t be able to use your museum card to get in.
Paşabağ is one of the best places to see in Cappadocia for people who enjoy seeing sites that are tied to local legends. In one of the fairy chimneys, there was a chapel built called St. Simeon Church. Simeon had lived as a hermit near Aleppo during the 5th century. People heard that he could perform miracles, so they came to him. But he was uncomfortable with all the attention, so he decided to live on top of a column, and he only would go down occasionally to get food and drink.
30 locals recommend
Fairy Chimneys
Zelve YoluPaşabağ is one of the best places to see in Cappadocia for people who enjoy seeing sites that are tied to local legends. In one of the fairy chimneys, there was a chapel built called St. Simeon Church. Simeon had lived as a hermit near Aleppo during the 5th century. People heard that he could perform miracles, so they came to him. But he was uncomfortable with all the attention, so he decided to live on top of a column, and he only would go down occasionally to get food and drink.
The Valley of Love has the best panorama view of any valley in Cappadocia – it’s also place where people go to propose. You won’t be able to cut through the valley to get there, so you’ll have to use alternative roads. You can probably see this if you take a safari of a valley close by, but if you want to come yourself, then we have the following directions for you: Once you’re on the Aşk Vadisi (Love Valley) Göreme – Uçhisar road, you’ll turn at Bağlıtepe and head toward Özler Art Center. After that, you’ll turn right at the intersection and continue toward Bağlıdere. Park the car when the road gets really bad as you’ll just have to walk from there. The valley is about 4.5-5 kilometers, so it takes about 1 hour on average.
26 locals recommend
Love Valley
The Valley of Love has the best panorama view of any valley in Cappadocia – it’s also place where people go to propose. You won’t be able to cut through the valley to get there, so you’ll have to use alternative roads. You can probably see this if you take a safari of a valley close by, but if you want to come yourself, then we have the following directions for you: Once you’re on the Aşk Vadisi (Love Valley) Göreme – Uçhisar road, you’ll turn at Bağlıtepe and head toward Özler Art Center. After that, you’ll turn right at the intersection and continue toward Bağlıdere. Park the car when the road gets really bad as you’ll just have to walk from there. The valley is about 4.5-5 kilometers, so it takes about 1 hour on average.
“Güvercin” means pigeon in Turkish, and the name comes from the pigeons that live in the rocks that were carved by people. Outdoor activities in this valley include trekking, cycling, running, and yoga. The only way to get into the valley is by walking, compared to other valleys in the area.
15 locals recommend
Pigeon Valley
No:50 Adnan Menderes Cd.“Güvercin” means pigeon in Turkish, and the name comes from the pigeons that live in the rocks that were carved by people. Outdoor activities in this valley include trekking, cycling, running, and yoga. The only way to get into the valley is by walking, compared to other valleys in the area.
Devrent Valley is also known as Hayal Vadisi in Turkish, which means Dream Valley. All the valleys in Cappadocia have their own distinguishing characteristics, and this valley is known for its fairy chimneys that resemble animals. The most prominent resembles a camel, which you can see in the picture. Whoever is in charge put fencing around the area to protect it from tourists.
Villagers bring real camels to this area. You can pay to get your picture taken. Devrent Valley is located 10-15 minutes from Avanos, so you’ll need to either use your own car if you have one or take a taxi to get there. Just keep in mind that no public transport goes all the way out to Devrent Valley, unfortunately.
7 locals recommend
Devrent Vadisi
Ürgüp YoluDevrent Valley is also known as Hayal Vadisi in Turkish, which means Dream Valley. All the valleys in Cappadocia have their own distinguishing characteristics, and this valley is known for its fairy chimneys that resemble animals. The most prominent resembles a camel, which you can see in the picture. Whoever is in charge put fencing around the area to protect it from tourists.
Villagers bring real camels to this area. You can pay to get your picture taken. Devrent Valley is located 10-15 minutes from Avanos, so you’ll need to either use your own car if you have one or take a taxi to get there. Just keep in mind that no public transport goes all the way out to Devrent Valley, unfortunately.
The Three Beauties are three fairy chimneys that have become a symbol of the region, making it an essential place to see in Cappadocia. They are set as the backdrop for many tourists taking pictures here. There is even a legend surrounding the Three Beauties: Once upon a time, the king of Cappadocia had a daughter who fell in love with a shepherd in the area. The king did not want his daughter to marry the shepherd, but she did anyway. She had a child with the shepherd, but the king refused to forgive her. He then sent troops to kill the family. The princess pleaded with Allah to save them, and he turned all three of them into stone. It’s believed that the one on the right is the shepherd, the one in the middle is the child, and the princess is on the left. You can see the Three Beauties from many different angles, but you’ll have to go up towards Ürgüp from Kızılçukur Valley to be able to see it. You can take pictures from an observation deck on the road.
13 locals recommend
Three Beauties
Nevşehir Ürgüp YoluThe Three Beauties are three fairy chimneys that have become a symbol of the region, making it an essential place to see in Cappadocia. They are set as the backdrop for many tourists taking pictures here. There is even a legend surrounding the Three Beauties: Once upon a time, the king of Cappadocia had a daughter who fell in love with a shepherd in the area. The king did not want his daughter to marry the shepherd, but she did anyway. She had a child with the shepherd, but the king refused to forgive her. He then sent troops to kill the family. The princess pleaded with Allah to save them, and he turned all three of them into stone. It’s believed that the one on the right is the shepherd, the one in the middle is the child, and the princess is on the left. You can see the Three Beauties from many different angles, but you’ll have to go up towards Ürgüp from Kızılçukur Valley to be able to see it. You can take pictures from an observation deck on the road.
Even though the Gomeda Valley might not be a popular place to see in Cappadocia compared to other destinations on this list, it still has its own unique features it brings to the table. The Gomeda Valley is famous for its pigeonholes that resemble a multi-story apartment building. During the Roman Empire, Gomeda had 600 houses, two churches, two cemeteries, and an underground city. To get here, you can enter through the Cumhuriyet Square in Mustafapaşa, which is part of Ürgüp. Mustafapaşa is also a lovely place in itself in case you’re curious. Another way to get to the Gomeda Valley is through Ayvali Village.
7 locals recommend
Gomeda Vadisi
Even though the Gomeda Valley might not be a popular place to see in Cappadocia compared to other destinations on this list, it still has its own unique features it brings to the table. The Gomeda Valley is famous for its pigeonholes that resemble a multi-story apartment building. During the Roman Empire, Gomeda had 600 houses, two churches, two cemeteries, and an underground city. To get here, you can enter through the Cumhuriyet Square in Mustafapaşa, which is part of Ürgüp. Mustafapaşa is also a lovely place in itself in case you’re curious. Another way to get to the Gomeda Valley is through Ayvali Village.
Ortahisar Castle is the largest fairy chimney in all of Cappadocia. The Hittites first started forming this fairy chimney to use as protection, and it was later used as a fortification for the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. From the castle, you’ll be able to have a bird’s eye view of Ürgüp, Avanos, and Göreme. You can’t use your museum card to get in.
8 locals recommend
Ortahisar Castle
Resul Bey SokakOrtahisar Castle is the largest fairy chimney in all of Cappadocia. The Hittites first started forming this fairy chimney to use as protection, and it was later used as a fortification for the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. From the castle, you’ll be able to have a bird’s eye view of Ürgüp, Avanos, and Göreme. You can’t use your museum card to get in.
Derinkuyu Underground City is massive. It has eight floors, and it has a missionary school, a confessional, and a christening pool. The sheer size of it makes it another great place to see in Cappadocia. Under Derinkuyu, there were another 400-500 underground cities with more than 600 doors found. Some of these doors are still being used today as store things. You can get in for free with a museum card. There are guides here, but they’re not local guides.
23 locals recommend
Derinkuyu Underground City
Niğde CaddesiDerinkuyu Underground City is massive. It has eight floors, and it has a missionary school, a confessional, and a christening pool. The sheer size of it makes it another great place to see in Cappadocia. Under Derinkuyu, there were another 400-500 underground cities with more than 600 doors found. Some of these doors are still being used today as store things. You can get in for free with a museum card. There are guides here, but they’re not local guides.
The Kaymaklı Underground City has eight stories, but only four of them are open to visitors. You can also get in for free with a museum card. You can read the post from With Middle Earth Travel for a guide of the underground city.
17 locals recommend
Kaymakli Underground City
The Kaymaklı Underground City has eight stories, but only four of them are open to visitors. You can also get in for free with a museum card. You can read the post from With Middle Earth Travel for a guide of the underground city.
RivendellCappadocia
Cappadocia Our other hotel and cafe bar we have
Deep Cave House
Our other cave hotel in Cappadocia
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Surreal landscapes dotted with bizarre rock formations affectionately known as fairy chimneys, troglodyte caves, hundreds of rock churches, frescoed monasteries, 7 storey underground cities and natural citadels. Cappadocia is totally, TOTALLY unique. Cappadocia is also one of the worlds oldest inhabited places, recent evidence traces human presence back some 10'000 years. The region has great historical and religious significance. Fleeing p