Goreme Panorama - Göreme’s panoramic viewpoint captivates visitors who wish to admire the splendor of Cappadocia, especially during sunrise and sunset. The most convenient way to take in the beauty of Cappadocia’s valleys, the unique fairy chimneys, and the colorful balloons in the sky is by visiting Göreme’s panoramic viewpoint. This spot, which offers an unparalleled view for those looking to unwind, tends to be quite crowded.

Uchisar Castle - UCHISAR is a troglodyte village located 4 km east of Göreme, renowned for its massive rock formation that once served as a fortification. This remarkable rock, the highest peak in the region, provides a stunning panoramic view of all of Cappadocia, with Mt. Erciyes visible in the distance. Many rooms in the castle are interconnected by stairs, tunnels, and passages. At the entrances of several rooms, there are millstone doors, similar to those in underground settlements, used to control access. Unfortunately, due to erosion, not all rooms are accessible. Most rooms on the castle’s north side are still used as pigeon houses (dovecotes) today. Farmers collect pigeon droppings from these houses, which serve as excellent natural fertilizer for orchards and vineyards.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - The Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, is a complex of rock-cut churches, chapels, monasteries, and other religious buildings dating back to the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries. Originally a Byzantine monastic settlement, the buildings were carved into the area’s natural rock formations. The frescoes and artwork inside the churches and chapels depict biblical scenes, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s religious life during the Byzantine era. The museum includes several sections, such as the Tokali Church, the Karanlik Church, the Elmali Church, and the Yilanli Church. Visitors can explore the museum and admire the impressive architecture and artwork preserved for centuries.

Pasabag - Pasabag Valley, also known as Monks Valley, is a distinctive valley in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, famous for its unusual rock formations shaped like cones, known as “fairy chimneys.” These formations resulted from volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years, with the soft volcanic rock eroding away to leave tall, slender columns topped with larger, mushroom-shaped caps. Pasabag Valley is a popular tourist spot in Cappadocia, celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can explore the valley and observe the unique rock formations up close. The valley also features several cave dwellings and chapels carved into the rock formations by early Christian monks.

Pigeon Valley - Pigeon Valley, or Guvercinlik Vadisi, is a scenic valley in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, named for the numerous pigeon houses carved into its rock formations, which were used to collect pigeon droppings for fertilizer. Pigeon Valley is a favored hiking destination in Cappadocia, offering stunning views of the unique rock formations and surrounding valleys. The hiking trail through the valley is relatively easy, taking about 2-3 hours to complete, with several scenic viewpoints along the way. Pigeon Valley is a must-visit for Cappadocia tourists, providing beautiful scenery, unique cultural heritage, and an enjoyable hiking experience.

Avanos - Avanos is a small town in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, renowned for its pottery and ceramics. Located on the banks of the Kizilirmak River, the town’s history dates back to the Hittite period and has been a significant center for pottery and ceramics for thousands of years. Today, Avanos hosts many pottery workshops and studios where visitors can watch artisans at work and purchase handmade pottery and ceramics.

Ortahisar - Ortahisar Weaving Education Center

Goreme - Lunch Break at Goreme Town (Extra)

Kaymakli Underground City - Kaymakli Underground City is an ancient subterranean city in Turkey’s Cappadocia region. One of the largest and best-preserved underground cities in the area, it dates back to the Hittite period around 2000 BC. Carved into soft volcanic rock, the city extends over eight levels, reaching depths of up to 85 meters. It served as a refuge for locals during times of conflict and invasion, providing shelter and protection. The city features ventilation shafts, kitchens, stables, storage rooms, and even a church. Ventilation shafts provided fresh air, while kitchens and storage rooms stored food and supplies.

Ihlara Valley - The valley was likely first inhabited in the 4th century AD by hermits and priests seeking solitude. The gorge’s natural defenses later attracted new Christian converts, some fleeing Roman persecution.

Belisirma - Belisirma is a fortunate village due to its location. The landscape around Belisirma is more forgiving, leading Cappadocians to build the village from the top to the bottom of the Ihlara Valley. This creates a scene filled with charming stone houses scattered along the valley slopes. Though the houses appear tiny from a distance, each connects to an extensive cave system carved into the natural volcanic tuff. The houses reach the valley’s bottom, where many restaurants are situated right by the water.

Selime Monastery - Selime Monastery is the largest religious building in Cappadocia, featuring a cathedral-sized church. Inside the cathedral, two rows of rock columns divide the space into three sections. The church’s size is impressive, and the columns and arches, cut directly from the tuff within the monastery, still show markings from various generations of occupants. Early rudimentary icons are more visible, while later detailed frescoes are barely discernible under years of soot from when the Turks used the room for cooking.

Fairy Chimneys - Fairy chimneys are unique rock formations in Turkey’s Cappadocia region. These tall, slender columns of volcanic tuff are topped with larger rocks that protect the columns from erosion. Formed over millions of years through erosion and volcanic activity, fairy chimneys come in various shapes and sizes, some reaching up to 40 meters tall. They have been a popular tourist attraction for centuries. Locals have carved these formations into homes, churches, and monasteries for centuries, providing shelter from harsh weather and refuge during conflicts. Many fairy chimneys in Cappadocia are now a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction.

Belisirma - Lunch Break at Belisirma Village (Extra)