Start your day early by catching the beautiful sunrise over the rock formations of Cappadocia. Settle in at a scenic viewpoint and watch as the sun illuminates the surreal landscape, casting beautiful hues over the valleys and fairy chimneys.
Explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is famous for its rock-cut churches, frescoes, and monasteries. It provides a unique insight into the early Christian church and Byzantine art in Cappadocia.
Visit the highest point in Cappadocia, Uchisar Castle, and enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the valleys, mountains and fairy chimneys. This fortress was carved into the natural rock formation and has been used as a defense and observation point throughout history.
Take a romantic walk in Love Valley, an incredible formation of naturally occurring, phallic-shaped rock formations that are a unique sight to behold. Get ready to witness some of nature's most amazing "sculptures" & unique landscapes in the world.
Rise early for an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia. You'll soar above the fairy chimneys and the stunning valleys while taking in the stunning views of the unique landscape.
Visit Zelve Open Air Museum, which was once a thriving Armenian village and later abandoned in the 1950s to become a museum. Known for the fascinating remains of rock-cut dwellings, monasteries, and churches of a civilization that once rocked Cappadocia.
Take a stroll in Pigeon Valley and bask in a peaceful environment. Observe the indigenous pigeons and dove lofts, which were carved out of the rocks for their eggs and feces used in fertilizing the soil.
End your day by exploring Pasabag, also known as Monk Valley. It's a remarkable site by Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, earth pillars that stretch as high as 40 meters (130 feet) and the church of St. Simeon, where the saint lived in solitude in a self-carved cell.
Most of the attractions are within a 20-minute drive from each other, so renting a car or hiring a tour guide/driver is recommended to maximize your time. Public buses also run frequently around Cappadocia and are cheap and easy to use but may take longer.
Transportation cost: Car rental (150-200 TL per day), tour guide/driver (500-700 TL per day)
If you have more time, there are many other unique and exciting things to see and do in Cappadocia. You can go for a hike in the Red Valley, visit the underground city of Kaymakli, explore the Devrent Valley or take a pottery workshop. If you have less time, eliminate Love Valley or Pigeon Valley and then spread the rest of the itinerary out over three days.
Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) is the main airport for Cappadocia and is located approximately 70 km (43 mi) east of the region. Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV), on the other hand, is around 30 km (18 mi) west of Cappadocia. Fares between Kayseri Erkilet Airport and Goreme (the most popular town in the region) cost about 150-200 TL by taxi.