Cappadocia, a historical region in central Turkey, is perhaps one of the country's most famous destinations! It is in fact known for its famous 'fairy chimneys' and the classic and timeless image of hot air balloons at dawn! It is a unique place to visit at least once in a lifetime!
Here are all our tips for planning a trip to Cappadocia: where it is, when to go and what to see!
Travel information: useful info
Capital: Kayseri (or Caesarea of Cappadocia)
Languages: Turkish
Local currency: Turkish lira (TL) / Exchange rate: €1.00 = 9.93 TL
Climate: steppe-type. Almost no rainfall, with an average of 226 mm per year. Average annual temperature 17°, with cold winters, with possible snowfall, and warm summers. Best period from May to October
Time zone: GMT+3 (+1h from Italy during summer; + 2h during winter)
Vaccinations: no vaccination required
Entry requirements: valid passport. Visa not necessary for Italian citizens for stays of less than 90 days for tourist purposes. Health insurance strongly recommended
Distance from Italy: 2,009 km (3 hour flight)
Security info: visit the Turkey section on the Farnesina website
Where it is located
Cappadocia is a historical geographical region of Turkey. It is located in the heart of Anatolia and partly comprises the provinces of Kayseri (also known as Caesarea of Cappadocia), Aksaray, Niğde and Nevşehir. It extends northwards from the Antitaurus Mountains and is bordered to the east by the Euphrates River.
How to get there
From Italy: there are no direct flights. One must make a stopover in Istanbul and then fly to Nevşehir (with Turkish Airlines and Anadolu Jet) or Kayseri (with Pegasus Airlines). Total duration 7 h (including stopover), roundtrip costs from €260.00 - Compare flights
From Istanbul: recommended to fly to Nevşehir or Kayseri (from €80.00 return, flight time approx. 2 hrs). The land journey takes 10/12 hours and only makes sense if you want to make intermediate stops (e.g. Ankara).
Book a private transfer from the airport to the hotel: Regardless of whether you are arriving in Nevşehir or Kayseri, we recommend that you book a convenient private transfer from/to the airport in advance, allowing you to easily reach the hotel of your stay
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Precipitation (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | -1 / 3° | 9 days / 42 mm |
February | 1 / 6° | 7 days / 40 mm |
March | 5 / 10° | 9 days / 41 mm |
April | 10 / 16° | 8 days / 32 mm |
May | 14 / 21° | 10 days / 44 mm |
June | 18 / 25° | 8 days / 29 mm |
July | 21 / 28° | 2 days / 5 mm |
August | 22 / 29° | 2 days / 7 mm |
September | 18 / 25° | 3 days / 10 mm |
October | 13 / 19° | 5 days / 21 mm |
November | 6 / 12° | 4 days / 19 mm |
December | 1 / 6° | 8 days / 40 mm |
Climate: steppe-type, with cold winters and relatively warm summers. The daily temperature range is high, with cool evenings even in summer. Precipitation is low, mainly concentrated in the winter period
Best period: May to October. During the day warmer temperatures, almost no precipitation. In winter, temperatures drop considerably
Period to avoid: winter, due to cold temperatures. January is the coldest month, with lows below 0 °C. Season with highest precipitation
Main cities
Kayseri: or Caesarea of Cappadocia. It is the largest city, served by an airport with numerous daily flights from Istanbul. Numerous tours, some lasting several days, to discover Cappadocia also depart from here
Göreme: from a tourist point of view, it is the most famous city, as it is located among the rock formations called fairy chimneys. It offers hotels with beautiful views of the surroundings and within walking distance of the main attractions
Nevşehir: served by the airport, it is closer to Göreme than Kayseri. Numerous day tours also depart from here, transport included, some of which include a sunrise hot-air balloon flight
10 things to see: places of interest in Cappadocia
Goreme Open-Air Museum
Underground city of Kaymakl?
Underground city of Derinkuyu
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Goreme National Park and Fairy Chimneys: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incredible place is home to Cappadocia's real attraction, the Fairy Chimneys, the peculiar rock formations that make the landscape unique
Goreme Open-Air Museum: About 1 km from Goreme (which can also be reached on foot), this place, once a Byzantine settlement, is full of churches, monasteries and chapels carved entirely out of rock
Hot air balloon ride over the Fairy Chimneys: an experience not to be missed, one of the most popular activities for tourists. The hot air balloon flight will give you a splendid view of all the Fairy Chimneys
Underground city of Kaymaklı: one of the most famous in Cappadocia, a set of tunnels that run underground, amidst stories and mysteries. Not recommended for those suffering from claustrophobia. Guided tour recommended
Underground city of Derinkuyu: the largest underground city in Cappadocia, and one of the most visited. Dating back to the 7th century B.C., it spreads over no less than eight levels of tunnels, reaching a depth of 85 m. Not recommended for those suffering from claustrophobia
Sunset View Point: probably the most famous viewpoint in Cappadocia. Close to Goreme, from here you can admire the most beautiful sunset in the area, with a splendid view of the town and its surroundings
Red and Rose Valley: the two valleys surrounding the town of Goreme. Expanses of rock formations that take on the colours of the sky at sunset. They can be visited either on horseback, thanks to the many ranches in the area, or on a quad bike safari
Uchisar Castle: located in the town of Uchisar, 5 km from Goreme. It is a natural rock formation of volcanic origin, from which a defensive stronghold was carved. From its summit the view is spectacular
Ihlara Valley: a valley about 16 km long, stretching from Ihlara to Selime. It is a paradise for trekkers, with many paths between rock faces and along the Melendiz River
Love Valley: perhaps the most unique and original valley in Cappadocia. Its rock formations up to 40 m high, in fact, have a peculiar phallic shape. Inside there are several trekking trails to explore the whole area.
The main routes in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a region that really has a lot to offer and allows you to create different itineraries according to your needs! For example, there are numerous trekking routes, ideal for those who love walking, or you can enjoy unique experiences.
Withlittle time available, one can think of concentrating the visit in just a certain area, for example Goreme and its surroundings, while with a week at one's disposal, one can think of a complete itinerary that touches on several points and places, even different ones.
Here are some examples of itineraries for discovering Cappadocia, including day trips.
Cappadocia by day: day trip from Nevşehir, transport included, with a visit to the Göreme open-air museum, the underground city of Kaymakli, Uçhisar Castle and the Devrent Valley
Northern Cappadocia: a voyage of discovery to the north of the region, including a visit to the Fairy Chimneys near Paşabağı, the Zelve Open Air Museum, the underground city of Özkonak and trekking near Çavuşin
Southern Cappadocia: a journey of discovery through the south of the region, including a visit to Göreme, the Tokali Church, the towns of Mustafapaşa and Ürgüp, the Church of Saint Barbara and trekking to the Soğanlı Valley
Grand Tour of Cappadocia: 6 days to discover all the sights of the region. Arrival in Kayseri, Ürgüp, Devrent Valley and Göreme Museum, Kaymakli and Mustafapasa, Avanos and Rose Valley. Unmissable hot air balloon flight
What to do in Cappadocia: excursions and tours
How much does a holiday in Cappadocia cost? Prices, offers and tips
To get to Cappadocia, the best option is to fly from Istanbul. There are numerous daily flights at very affordable prices. We recommend that you avoid travelling by land, as the bus takes at least 12 h, while a hire car is not entirely recommended!
Cappadocia is not an expensive destination, on the contrary. The cost of living is relatively low, as are entrances to attractions. You can also find great deals on hotels and accommodation, and of course there is no shortage of luxury accommodation with incredible views! What will probably affect your budget the most are excursions and experiences, such as a hot-air balloon flight or a sunset quad bike safari.
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €15.00 per room - see offers
Cheap flights: to Nevsehir from €260.00 - look at the offers
Flight + hotel: 7 days from €360.00 per person - look at the offers
