Cappadocia is located in Turkey and is one of the most famous tourist regions in the World. Cappadocia is the region that was eroded by rain and wind for millions of years by the soft layers formed by lava and ashes which were sprayed by Erciyes Mountain, Hasandagı and Gulludag 60 million years ago. This place is geographically located in the middle of Turkey. It is one of the most visited places annually in the world. Transportation and accommodation facilities are quite wide in here. And of course, it is surely recommended that Cappadocia tours and fantastic Cappadocia hot air balloon.
The Cappadocia region is a place where nature and history are integrated. While the geographical events constitute the fairy chimneys, in the historical process, people have also carved houses, churches, and monasteries in these fairy chimneys and carried the traces of thousands of years of civilizations by decorating them with frescoes. The written history of Cappadocia, where human settlements date back to the Palaeolithic period, begins with the Hittites. Cappadocia is one of the important crossroads of the Silk Road and has built trade colonies throughout history and established a commercial and social bridge between the countries.
Cappadocia has considered one of the few beauties all over the world as well as in Turkey is a place that can be done four seasons resort. Who can say no to the Cappadocia hot air balloon tours, where you can watch the morning sunrise in the sky, the fairy chimneys, the miracle of nature, and the underground cities that witness history? You can spend the most romantic and special days you have ever experienced in your Cappadocia holiday where the most delicious wines of Anatolia are produced. You are always welcomed to Cappadocia at the first opportunity if you want to travel with your family, friends or alone, for both you can enjoy personally or with any Cappadocia tours. Feel free to discover new places and at the same time to relax. When you take a closer look at Cappadocia, you encounter amazing facts that you have never heard before.
History
Cappadocia means the Land of Beautiful Horses in the Persian language. This beautiful country has geography, unlike any other place you have seen before in the world. That is why it receives hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
There are 429 registered buildings and 64 protected areas belonging to 10 different civilizations in the region. In addition to the marvelous fairy chimneys, 600 monasteries of Christian monks carved into the rocks, underground cities and ballooning in Cappadocia with stunning ballooning are among the main attractions of the region.
The region of Cappadocia is the place where nature and history are perfectly combined in the world. While the geographical events were creating the fairy chimneys, in the historical process, people also carved houses, churches into these fairy chimneys and carried these traces of thousands of years old civilizations by decorating them with frescoes. There are amazing natural beauties to enjoy your Cappadocia holiday. As a totally different experience, Cappadocia hot air balloon gives you a chance to see all these places from the sky.
Strabon, one of the writers of Antiquity during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, stated in his book ‘Geographika’ (Anatolia XII, XIII, XIV) the boundaries of the Cappadocia Region as a wide region extending to the Taurus Mountains in the south, Aksaray in the west, Malatya in the east and East Black Sea in the north.
Today’s Cappadocia Region is the area occupied by Nevsehir, Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri, and Kirsehir. The narrower rocky Cappadocia Region consists of Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos, Goreme, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ihlara, and its surroundings. This region is very easy to arrive. Especially foreign country tourists visit with high demand. You can quickly find cheap flight tickets or Cappadocia tours desk can help you any time. Especially Turkish Airlines has good opportunities to buy cheap flight tickets. All around the world you can check and plan your Turkey Holiday. You can also check Pegasus Airlines as an alternative to Turkish Airlines.
Traditional Cappadocia houses, caves and pigeon houses carved into the rocks express the authenticity of the region. These houses were built on the slopes in the 19th century either from rocks or cut stone. All these marvellous views can be seen by Cappadocia hot air balloon tours.
Places to visit
Today, the region has great importance in terms of tourism. Avanos, Urgup, Goreme, Akvadi, Uchisar and Ortahisar Castles, El Nazar Church, Aynalı Church, Guvercinlik Valley, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Ozkonak Underground Cities, Ihlara Valley, Selime Village, Cavusin, Gulludere Valley, Pasabag-Zelve. Traditional Cappadocian houses carved into the rocks and pigeon houses express the authenticity of the region.
Culture and Entertainment
Cappadocia is almost like an open-air museum. Among the souvenirs found in many parts of this town; cloth dolls, handcrafted lace and embroidery, marble figurines, mines and stones brought from different regions, models of fairy chimneys carved by Erciyes stones, various household items made of copper, hand-knitted woollen beanie, gloves and colourful socks, Avanos Yahyalı has carpets, rugs and saddlebags, and manuscripts produced in Nigde Bor and Taspınar.
Cappadocia balloon tours that have become the symbol of Cappadocia will be one of the most enjoyable parts of your trip. To see the beauty of Cappadocia from above, add the Cappadocia balloon tour to your route. You can admire Cappadocia by taking off from the plains of Goreme and offering you an unforgettable experience with a magnificent view of your Cappadocia holiday.
Museum of Natural History is one of the best parts of your Cappadocia tours. There are lots of natural historical parts to feel an amazing atmosphere. You can easily buy Natural History Museum tickets online or when you arrive there.
All roads in the Cappadocia region are paved and you can rent an SUV, motorbike or bicycle in the area. Moreover, you can join safaris by renting horses or donkeys. Just show your Natural History Museum tickets and start to enjoy your trip.
Turkey Visa and Cheap Flight Tickets
Turkish tourist visa applications (Turkey visa), as a rule, the country’s foreign permanent resident foreign representations that are received from the Republic of Turkey. However, some citizens of the country can apply for tourist visas electronically (e-visa) without actually going to the foreign office which is called Turkish Visa Online. A document indicating the income status, a document supporting the return, hotel reservation and invitation is requested from the foreigner applying for a Visa Turkey.
The first step of an affordable trip is a cheap flight ticket. Using air ticket search engines provides a quick and easy solution and helps you find the cheapest flights. For example, making Momondo, Skiing and Google Flights alternatives will serve your journey to Turkey. Especially for Turkey, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines can offer the most appropriate and cheap tickets as local airline companies.
Eating and drinking
What makes Cappadocia’s rich taste options exceptional is the mysterious atmosphere of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs carved into fairy chimneys. Cappadocia has a rich cuisine. Meals bearing the original flavors of each region of Turkey will attract your places of interest. The bars and restaurants carved into fairy chimneys resembling the surreal décor of an ancient movie. Especially, Lila Restaurant by Museum Hotel Cappadocia, Pumpkin Cappadocia, Topdeck Cave, Seki Restaurant and Cave Hotel Cappadocia restaurants are very popular. But when you go to Cappadocia, what you have to do is to taste the wines from local grapes. You will taste delicious wines in the bars and restaurants of fairy chimneys carved into the rocks and you will be surprised by the richness of the atmosphere.
Cappadocia tours also offer you the opportunity to taste the most famous dish of the region, Testi Kebab and Pottery Beans. You can also taste the molasses that add congenial lives. The famous Cappadocian wines spread from ear to ear. You can taste the snail stew with bulgur and the famous dried beans of the region. Restaurants in Cappadocia is surely easy to reach.
Accommodation
The dominant position of Cappadocia within the boundaries of Nevsehir province is to host historical places, fertile soils create rich food culture and geographic structure allows many nature activities to be done. The first question that comes to mind for those who choose the region for their holiday is “Where to stay in Cappadocia?” The first option is generally Hotels in Cappadocia to stay.
Of course, there are lots of elite, quality, mystic, cozy hotels in Cappadocia. For example; Museum Hotel Cappadocia, Cave Hotel Cappadocia, Phocas Cave Hotel Cappadocia, and Cappadocia Cave Suites are very popular places to stay. All these and others have very quality services to make you happy in your Cappadocia holiday. Almost all these Hotels have restaurants as well such as Museum Hotel Cappadocia and Cave Hotel Cappadocia. You can also check all these pieces of information from online personally and from your Cappadocia Tours Guide if you take a tour. Hotels in Cappadocia are always ready to serve you happily.
Shopping
At the top of the list here are hand-woven carpets and rugs with motifs specific to the region, especially Yoruk motifs. This is followed by local figurines and sculptures made of Pottery & Tile & Onyx and Tuff or plaster respectively. Don’t forget to buy double roasted pumpkin seeds and the famous wines of the region.
Sightseeing in Cappadocia
1. Goreme
Gulludere Valley
Located between Cavusin and Goreme, Gulludere Valley is a region with many churches, monasteries, and ruins. Gulludere, which is in demand as a trekking track where the Fairy Chimneys (Peribacaları) formations can be best viewed, is an area of approximately 4 kilometers and can only be got by foot. The Three Crusaders Church and the Ayvali Church should be seen here.
Pigeon Valley
Guvercinlik Valley, which is a 4100-meter mountain hiking valley extending from Uchisar to Goreme in Cappadocia, where the pigeons are dense, takes its name from the pigeons fed in the nests, which are carved in the valleys. A nice place to watch pigeons and enjoy the view.
Zemi Valley
Located on the Urgup-Nevsehir Road and east of Uchisar in the north-south direction Zemi Valley. The 5600-meter valley between the beginning of the valley and Goreme is one of the most important trails suitable for hiking. The Cistern Church, the Hidden Church, Gorkundere Church, and El Nazar Church are also worth visiting.
Love Valley
Also known as the Bagdere Valley, it is 4900 meters long, starting from Orencik on Goreme-Uchisar road and ending on Goreme-Avanos road. The valley, where the balloon tours are subject to weather conditions, is also quite suitable for walking among the places to visit in Cappadocia.
Sunset point
Goreme is one of the most special areas of Cappadocia to watch the sunset. Cappadocia takes a red image at sunset. Go here to end the day with a beautiful view.
2. Uchisar
Uchisar, the highest point of Cappadocia, is located 5 km from the city center. Situated on the hill where the most beautiful panoramic view of the entire Cappadocia region is made, the town is also known as the gate of Cappadocia. Uchisar is the preferred accommodation center for high-income visitors of the Cappadocia region. Stroll through the historic streets, climb the castle, souvenir shops.
Uchisar Castle
The location of Cappadocia allows panoramic views of all the places to be seen from the summit of Uchisar Castle, Kızılcukur, Ortahisar, Urgup, Ibrahimpasa, Mustafapasa, and Gomede Valleys and Goreme, Avanos, Cavusin, Nevsehir, Cat, and Erciyes Mountain. This is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset. Uchisar Castle is surely one of the exciting points for your Cappadocia Holiday or Cappadocia Tour.
Kocabag Winery
Kocabag Winery, a family company engaged in viticulture and wine production in Yesilyurt Village of Uchisar, is a wine brand that is identified with Cappadocia. In 1972, the family turned the rock mass in the garden of the village house into a cellar, and since 1986 the family started to market it with their own labels. Located within the first 5 companies in Turkey Kocabag, making scrumptious wine grape varieties in the Cappadocia region is quite favorable in terms of viticulture.
3. Avanos
Pasabag, which is very close to Zelve on the Goreme-Avanos road and known as Pasabag Valley of Priests, is one of the most important places to visit in Cappadocia. Avanos is a valley where interesting examples of hat fairy chimney formations can be seen. As the name suggests, the valley and its environs, which are used by monks as retreats, are surrounded by shops selling souvenirs.
Devrent Valley
The Devrent Valley, also known as the Hayal Valley or the Haunted Valley, is located in Avanos. One end of the valley, which has a U-shaped structure, leads to Dervent and the other end to Kızılcukur. The remaining section is called Zelve and Pasabagi. Fairy chimneys in the valley, which is only 10 minutes away from Goreme, form silhouettes that can be likened to many animal and human shapes. Famous for its fairy chimney, where the famous camel figure appeared, see the fairy chimney of the Virgin Mary, which looks like a nun with open hands in this must-see region of Cappadocia.
Cavusin village
Located on the Goreme-Avanos road, 2 km from Goreme, Cavusin is one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia. The oldest structure of the village, a region inhabited by Christian dervishes and communities, is the 5th century Baptist Church of John the Baptist. Kizilcukur and Gulludere Valleys, where there are 12 churches, start at the Cavusin border of Avanos. The Crusader Church near Gulludere has also been used as a defense against Muslim Arab raids. One of the best places to stay is Phocas Cave Hotel. You can also check all other accommodation alternatives with Hotels in Cappadocia option.
Guray Museum
Guray Museum, the world’s first and only underground ceramic museum, introduces the rich cultural heritage of the region to visitors from many parts of the world. Tourists who come to the museum exhibiting the development of traditional pottery and ceramic art in the historical process, experience all the stages of ceramic and pottery production and experience making pottery themselves. Cappadocia’s largest production and sales workshop, the structure is also in accordance with the architecture of the two-storey rock-carved underground city style.
4. Urgup
There are two important tombs from the Ottoman Empire period on the Temenni Hill, where there is a monumental tomb built by Vecihi Pasha in 1288 for Kılıcaslan. The dome in the middle of the hill was previously used as the Urgup Tahsinaga Public Library. It is possible to see all of Urgup and Erciyes Mountain from the hill.
Cappadocia Art and History Museum
Cappadocia’s history, reflecting the cultural and architectural features and collected from around the world and Turkey, more than 200 museums’ doll is exhibited, divided into thematic sections handmade dolls are offered to domestic and interest of foreign visitors with costumes and performed original arrangements. Museum of Natural History is a very exciting and amazing place to see in your Cappadocia Holiday. We recommend you to buy your Natural History Museum tickets. This part will be one of the best parts of your Cappadocia tour as many tourists are very curious about Museum of Natural History.
Sobesos Ancient City
Sobesos Antique City, located south of Sahinefendi village of Urgup, is located in the region called Orencik. The structures, which are thought to belong to the middle of the 4th century and the 5th century, are remarkable with Sevastika, Meander and Cross motifs.
Turasan Wine House
Turasan has been engaged in winemaking in Cappadocia for 3 generations and is one of the best wine-growing traditions founded in 1943. Growing grapes in their own vineyards, the plant has its own cellar, the top floor tasting center where an entire rock block is carved in Uchisar. Turasan’s white and red wines are produced from Kalecikkarası, Okuzgozu, Bogazkere, Emir, Narince, and Dimrit which are the highest quality local wine grapes of Anatolia.
5. Ortahisar
Ortahisar is more known as the cold storage of Turkey. Ortahisar, which continues the unspoiled local village life of Cappadocia, consists of tuff rock and rock-carved houses in the center of the village. In Ortahisar, where Christians leave examples of monastic life before leaving the region, do not leave without seeing Tavsanlı, Harim, Sarıca, Cambazlı, Balkan Creek Churches and Hallac Dere Monastery. The village, where the first and only Ethnography Museum of the region reflects the life of Cappadocia, is 1 km away from Urgup-Nevsehir road.
Ortahisar Castle
The castle, thought to have been built during the Byzantine period, is located between Goreme and Urgup. There are corridors, rooms, and tunnels connected to each other in the castle which is built for both shelter and strategic purposes. The top of Ortahisar Castle, which can be reached by climbing to the top, is an interesting viewing area and a point of taking pictures.
6. Zelve
5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Pasabagi, Zelve is one of the most important places to visit in Cappadocia. Located on the steep and northern slopes of Aktepe, consisting of three valleys, pointed and wide-bodied fairy chimneys are the densest region. Especially in the 9th and 13th centuries, Zelve is one of the most important settlements and religious centers of Christians. The most important structures in the valley are the Balıklı, Uzumlu and Geyikli Churches that were built before the iconoclastic period.
7. Mustafapasa
Mustafapasa Town of Urgup District, where there are close to 30 churches and chapels until the population change in 1924 was a region where Christians live intensively. The Christians who settled in Mustafapasa left many places of worship and mansions with the local cut stone workmanship. Mustafapasa, which was named Sinasos in ancient times, stands out with the churches of St. George, St. Vasilios, St. Stefanos, Church of Constantine and Helena and St. Basil’s Chapel.
Gomeda Valley
Located on the Urgup-Mustafapasa road near the Valley of Uzengi, it lies to the west of Mustafapasa Town. The valley, which is less known than other valleys of Cappadocia and is relatively less in the formation of fairy chimneys, but is rich in vegetation, has a flora resembling Ihlara Valley in terms of geomorphology. On the slopes of the church, monastery and pigeon houses in the area carved into the rocks of St. Basil’s Church, St. Nicola Monastery and other churches in the valley can be visited.
8. İbrahimpasa
Muskara, the birthplace of Grand Vizier Damat Ibrahim Pasha, is the Ottoman pasha that laid the foundations of today’s Nevsehir City with its own development plan. The most important structure in the village where bridges, inns, baths, madrasahs, and mosques were built is the Damat Ibrahim Pasha Complex. Damat Ibrahim Pasha Complex, built by Ibrahim Pasha in Nevsehir between 1726-1727, is a collection of mosques, madrasas, bookshelves, medical school, imaret, and bath. Kursunlu Mosque is a structure known as Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, which is located in a courtyard surrounded by a high and thick wall. The western gate, which is still used today, has two arched mosques and complexes and tulip architecture.
9. Ihlara Valley
The first settlement in the Ihlara Valley, formerly known as Peristremma, is known to have started in the 4th century. There is a Canyon which is 14 kilometers long and 100-200 meters deep is creating a unique geological feature of the region, frescoed churches carved into the rocks, preserved as a unique treasure on earth has reached today. The valley, which is one of the first places that come to mind when you say Cappadocia, is located in Ihlara Town, Guzelyurt District of Aksaray and northeast of Hasan Mountain. 40 km from Aksaray and 7 kilometers from Guzelyurt, this natural wonder is the most special gift for Cappadocia visitors. This place is very natural and one the best place to see in your Cappadocia Holiday.
10. Underground Cities
There are underground cities such as Ozkonak, Ozluce, and Tatlarin, which are the largest in Cappadocia, carved into the rocks except for Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu.
Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymakli The underground city is an 8-storey city with a capacity of 5000 people and 4 floors which are 20 meters under the ground. The city, which was known to have been built by Hittites with its history back to 3000 BC, was enlarged by continuing the carving process in Roman and Byzantine periods. In this gigantic underground city carved into tuff rocks, there are rooms and lounges connected with corridors, wine storages, water cellars, kitchens and food stores, ventilation chimneys, water wells, churches and large sliding stones that close the door from inside to prevent any danger.
Mazı Underground City
Located 18 km from Urgup and 10 km east of Kaymaklı Underground City, Mazı Underground City is famous for its numerous Roman and Byzantine rock tombs. The city, which was called Mataza in ancient times, has four different entrances. One of the most magnificent parts of the city, which is thought to have been built for long periods of time, is the church, which is accessed through short corridors. The church has a secret chimney that provides passage to the other parts of the apse which is designed vertically unlike Kaymaklı. Since most of the passages have been closed, it is not known how much the city spans, but it is thought to be as wide and deep as Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı.
Gaziemir Underground City (Guzelyurt)
Gaziemir Underground City and Caravanserai has located 14 km from Guzelyurt and 55 km from Nevsehir and located in Gaziemir Village, hosts both at the same time, unlike the other underground city and caravanserai of Cappadocia. The passage, which was built with the Hittite-style stone thrusting technique at the entrance, is considered the second example of its kind after Bogazkale. The underground caravanserai, which has been used throughout history during the Byzantine and Seljuk periods, consists of a square in the middle and rooms opened around it. In the underground city where there are two churches, a winemaking workshop and a large number of wine cubes, food stores, hearths, animal shelters, and living spaces draw attention. Rooms have been home to people for hundreds of years. Due to the volcanic structure of the region, the rooms can be easily carved and formed by carved stone rock cliffs.
9 UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT CAPPADOCIA –
1. French Traveler’s Unbelievable Travelogue
In the 1800s, a French traveler Paul Lucas returned to France after visiting Cappadocia, where he published a travelogue about the fairy chimneys and underground cities in there. Nobody believes the French traveler in those years. What he sees and tells in travelogue is believed to be fictitious. But after years, it turns out how right the French traveler is. You can now see Paul Lucas’s travel notes on France’s bestseller list.
2. Cappadocia is not a city but a region
One of the most common mistakes about Cappadocia is the geography of Landscape. Everyone thinks that Cappadocia is in Nevsehir. In fact, the region called Cappadocia covers exactly 5 cities. Cappadocia, which is located in the borders of Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri, Aksaray, and Kırsehir, is located in the very center of Anatolia.
3. There are many underground cities in Cappadocia
Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu underground cities are the most frequently visited spots for tourists coming to Cappadocia. There are many other underground cities in Cappadocia. These underground cities, known to have existed since the 4th century BC, are among the most special and interesting structures of Cappadocia. These buildings, which were built by the people living in Cappadocia to escape and protect themselves from the Byzantine, Arab and Roman attacks, are now one of the tourist spots.
4. More than 900 films and documentaries shot in Cappadocia
The unique landscape in Cappadocia is not overlooked by film and TV series producers. In there, where hundreds of thousands of tourists flock every year, films and series began to be shot in 1940 and this interest continues to increase every year. It is known that around 900 films, series, and documentaries have been shot in this place starting from 1940 to today.
5. Around 600 churches in Cappadocia
There are around 600 churches carved from the soft rock of Cappadocia. These churches, known to have survived from the Middle Ages, have enough paintings and graffiti to illuminate the hidden pages of history. It is believed that these paintings were made by the villagers who feared the devil. Those who go to there will be in the most comprehensive history course of their lives. Thousands of people all around the world visit these Churches every year. Turkish Airlines has lots of different options to visit these nice places easily with cheap flight tickets options. You can effectively plan your Turkey holiday with a search for cheap flight tickets for your journey and search hotels in here for your accommodation. Or directly you can arrange your Turkey holidays with a Cappadocia Tour organization.
6. The word Cappadocia is a Persian word
One of the issues we all wonder is where the name Cappadocia comes from. The word Cappadocia is actually a Persian word. The word Katpa Tuka, which means ”The Land of Beautiful Horses” in Persian, entered the Turkish language as Kapadokya.
7. Cappadocia is on the UNESCO list
Did you know that the Goreme Open Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This area, which has been protected by UNESCO since 1985, is one of the rarest regions in the world. Goreme Open Air Museum It is known that Anatolian geography hosted the monastery life from the 4th century to the 13th century.
In the Goreme Open Air Museum, which witnesses the most special and mystical periods of history, you can see geometrical ornaments from the early years of Christianity and the works depicting the life of Jesus.
With these all options, you can directly apply for a Turkish visa. You can also apply your Turkish visa online which called e-visa Turkey. When you decide to visit Cappadocia in Turkey, Turkish visa wouldn’t be an issue for you. You are able to get your Turkish visa quickly. Because there is an online option too as Turkish visa online. Whit e-visa Turkey at least you can start your Cappadocia Holiday process.
8. There are countless activities you can do in Cappadocia.
One of the first activities of tourists going to Cappadocia is the balloon tour. Apart from the balloon tour , there are also many interesting and enjoyable activities. The safari tour and the gondola tour come first. If you are a speed fan, we recommend you to take the speedboat at Kızılırmak. You can wander the bumpy roads with 4X4 vehicles and experience unforgettable memories throughout your life. You can easily cross the difficult roads with your safari and enjoy the view without getting tired.
9. Enjoying Music in Old Caves
Don’t be surprised if you hear classical music tunes rising from the caves. The Cappadocia Music Festival, held in Cappadocia, attracts hundreds of tourists every year. You can enjoy your music while sipping your delicious wine in the authentic geography of place.
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