Cappadocia was one of the most magical and surreal places I’ve ever been to. The iconic hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is what first put this destination on our radar, and seeing hundreds of balloons rise over the landscape at sunrise every morning was just as unforgettable as we had hoped it would be.

But what really made the trip special was how many incredible things there were to do beyond the hot air balloons. From hiking through lush, green valleys and exploring intricate underground cities to visiting historic sites carved into the rock, Cappadocia ended up being one of the most unique and exciting places we visited in Turkey.

In this guide, we’re sharing the best things to do in Cappadocia based on our own experience, including must-see attractions, scenic viewpoints, cultural experiences, and adventurous hikes. We’ll also include helpful travel tips and practical information to help you plan your trip.

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1) Ride A Hot Air Balloon At Sunrise

If you’re like me, the iconic sunrise hot air balloon ride is probably one of the reasons Cappadocia caught your attention in the first place. Floating over the Cappadocian landscape as the sun comes up is a true bucket list experience and one of the highlights of visiting Cappadocia.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous and apprehensive before the flight. I’m not usually scared of heights, but the thought of being so high up in a hot air balloon was a little intimidating. That being said, it ended up being one of the best things I have ever done! Once we took off, the nerves completely disappeared and the experience was so calm and peaceful.

There are many companies that offer hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, but we chose Royal Balloons for a few specific reasons. The main one is their strong safety record and experienced pilots. They are also consistently rated as one of the best balloon companies in Cappadocia and are regularly awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice for hot air balloon rides.

Another thing we really appreciated was the amount of space we had in the basket. We noticed some companies that packed people very tightly like sardines, and that was something we really wanted to avoid. We booked the “Queen Flight” which was their cheapest option and still had a good amount, but for the most spacious option, go with the “King Flight”.

The morning istself went just as smoothly as the booking process. We started the day at being picked up at 4am, then treated to a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant before heading to a field at 5:30 where the hot air balloons take off. The next hour we spent soaring over the Cappadocian landscape with the colorful sunrise in the background. The excursion concluded with a champagne toast and a medal ceremony.

The hot air balloon ride ended up being one of the highlights of my trip to Turkey and something I would absolutely recommend, even if you feel a bit unsure beforehand. If possible, book your flight for your first morning in Cappadocia. Flights can be canceled due to wind conditions, and having extra days gives you flexibility to rebook if needed.

Travel Tip: Royal Balloons books out far in advance because they are such a popular company, so make your reservations as soon as possible!

2) Photo Shoot At A Carpet Store

For a unique photo opportunity in Cappadocia, visit a carpet shop to take pictures amongst the colorful carpets.

While there are so many carpet shops to choose from in Cappadocia, I went with Galerie Ikman: a popular carpet shop known for their beautiful backdrop. I have recently read some negative reviews about the owner being rude to customer’s who paid for photo’s at this shop; however, my experience with all that was very friendly and pleasant.

One staff member took photos for us and changed the settings on my phone to get the best pictures. These were some of my favorite photos from my trip. The price can vary usually between 10 and 15 dollars to take pictures.

Travel Tip: To get a better rate and secure a time slot: contact them on Instagram before hand to schedule a time and negotiate a price.

3) Sip On Turkish Coffee

Trying a cup of authentic Turkish coffee is a must-do when visiting Cappadocia. Turkish coffee is made with very finely ground coffee beans mixed with water and sugar and brewed in a pot called a “Cezve”.

Turkish coffee has a very strong taste to it. Before brewing it, your server will ask you how sweet you would like it. The sugar is added to the coffee as it is brewed so you do not add any sugar or milk afterwards.

While there are so many great coffee spots to choose from in Cappadocia, I really loved Coffedocia which is centrally located in Goreme. This was actually the first place I tried Turkish coffee. The coffee was delicious and came with a sweet treat. The staff was also very friendly and helpful.

Fun Fact: One old tradition involving Turkish Coffee is that bride serves coffee to her future groom and his parent’s, but put’s salt in his coffee instead of sugar like in all the others. The groom is expected to finish the cup of coffee without a big reaction to show his devotion to his future wife.

Since many of Cappadocia’s highlights are located close together, we chose to explore them on the Red Tour, which focuses on the central sights around Göreme. Items 4–9 below were all part of our Red Tour and made for the perfect introduction to Cappadocia. Later in this guide, we also cover the Green Tour, which focuses more on nature, valleys, and underground cities outside of the main town.

4) Visit The Goreme Open Air Museum

The Goreme Open Air Museum is a historical settlement built during the Byzantine period and dates back to the 10th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site features churches and monasteries carved into rock and decorated with ancient religious paintings. It’s undoubtedly a must-see when visiting Cappadocia.

It showcases such an interesting point in history where many different groups of people have occupied over time. The views are amazing and you’ll get to explore churches with beautiful frescoes which are well preserved. Pictures are not allowed inside to preserve these paintings.

We spent over an hour exploring this beautiful site and learning about the rich history. There is a lot of uphill walking and some climbing so wear comfortable shoes.

You can visit the Goreme Open Air Museum on your own or with a tour group. I visited while I was on the “Red Tour” which . I would recommend going with a tour group as my guide was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot of interesting information about the open air museum.

If you are interested on visiting on your own, it is about a 25 minute walk from Goreme city center. The museum costs 300 lira which comes out to about 15 dollars.

If you would like to visit with a small group on the “Red Tour”, Click Here!

5) Explore Pasabag Valley (Monk’s Valley)

This breath-taking spot is filled withfairy chimneys other whimsical rock formations. Here, you can learn about the history of these beautiful rock formations which were carved out by water.

You can also explore the cave homes built into the rock formations which were occupied by monks in the Byzantine era.

The valley is pretty spread out so it never felt too crowded while we were there. You can get to this location by bus or visit with a tour group. An hour is a good amount of time to allocate to this beautiful spot.

6) Explore Devrent Valley

Devrent Valley aka Imagintation Valley is a cool spot to see different rock formations that resemble different animals and objects.

One of the most well known rock formations in the valley is one the resembles a camel. This is a cool sight to see in Cappadocia, but won’t take up a ton of your time.

I would recommend allowing around 30 minutes to visit and spot the different figures in the rock formations. If you are touring on your own, there is a parking lot with free parking.

7) Visit Uschicar Castle

Uschicar Castle is another must-visit while you’re in Cappadocia. This castle situated on a hill overlooking the city is the highest point in Cappadocia and has the most beautiful views from the top.

I would definitely recommend paying 15lira to climb the spiral staircase to the top for the amazing panoramic views.

The castle was previously used to defend the city from sudden attacks.

8) Visit A Pottery Studio In Avanos

In addition to the beautiful landscapes, the town of Avanos is well-known for it’s beautiful pottery. Avanos has several pottery workshops where you can watch local artists create traditional pottery.

When I visited with a tour, after watching the demonstration by the local artist, I was able to try my hand at making some pottery.

Afterwards, we strolled around the gallery where we could buy traditional pottery made by local artists. Many of those artists were on site working.

One of my favorite purchases from my trip to Cappadocia came from this gallery. I purchased a “Hittite” wine pithcer which is a traditional Turkish wine pitcher. This is definitely a steeper price than you might pay at a store, but the fact that it came from local artists makes it worth it.

9) Visit Love Valley

Love Valley has some of the most breathtaking panoramic views. This valley has clusters of fairy chimneys which were created over millions of years by volcanic eruptions.

Love Valley is the perfect spot for some photo opportunities. You’ll find different heart shaped and circular shaped bench set ups for you to take photos.

Around 30 minutes is a good amount of time to take in the beautiful view and take pictures at the photo points.

10) Watch The Hot Air Balloons At Sunrise

The only thing better than riding on a hot air balloon at sunrise is waking up early and viewing them from a terrace at sunrise. Watching the hot air balloons rise above fair chimneys in the horizon with colorful sky is another buckelist oppotunity you need to check off while in Cappadicia.

There are places you can watch the hot air balloons at sunrise, but my favorite was at the famous terrace at Sultan Cave And Suites. You are only allowed to access the terrace at sunrise if you are a guest at the hotel (although you can visit the terrace at other times of the day if you are dining at the restaurant).

The hotel sets out several different “sets” of breakfast foods where you can sit and take pictures. The food is not actually edible, just set up to look as if you are indulging in a fancy breakfast. While there are around 4-5 set props, there are other areas of the terrace where you can take photos.

The terrace can get pretty busy in the morning, but the hot air balloons soar above the horizon. I would recommend just enjoying the view for the first 20-30 minutes before you attempt to get a spot for photos. Also, once you take a few pictures at one of the sets, let others use and enjoy the sets.

Travel Tip: If you are interested staying in this hotel, make sure you book ahead of time as it fills up months in advance!

11) Hike Down Ilhara Valley

Visiting Ilhara Valley adds some much-needed greenery to your Cappadocia travels. This beautiful valley is a great way to spend a peaceful day away from the crowds, and there is a lot to explore, including cave churches and monasteries carved into the rock.

You’ll first arrive at the entrance of the valley overlooking the lush gorge before climbing down a series of steep steps, about 350 in total. Once you’re down, you can walk along a river that flows through the valley, with shaded paths and scenic views along the way.

About halfway through the route, you’ll come across a café right on the river. This is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of apple tea and take a break. The café has floating lounge areas where you can relax and take in the scenery.

This peaceful hike is a must-do when visiting Cappadocia. It isn’t overly strenuous and is a great way to slow down and enjoy some time in nature.

12) Explore Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu is a large underground city built beneath Cappadocia, made up of multiple levels of tunnels, rooms, and passageways carved deep into the ground. At one point, it was able to house up to 20,000 people, with living spaces, storage rooms, kitchens, and ventilation shafts all built underground.

There are eight levels open to visitors today, making it the deepest underground city you can visit in Cappadocia. As you walk through the tunnels, it becomes easier to understand how people were able to live here for long periods of time and how thoughtfully everything was designed.

If you are claustrophobic, this is not somewhere I would recommend visiting. Some of the passageways are very narrow with low ceilings, and you will need to bend down in several areas.

Travel Tip: If there is one place I would definitely recommend visiting with a tour group, it would be Derinkuyu. The layout can be confusing, and having a guide really helps explain how the city worked and why it was built this way.

13) Feed Pigeons At Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley is another beautiful valley in Cappadocia, known for its tall rock formations, cave dwellings, and sweeping views. From certain points, you can also see Uchisar Castle in the distance, which makes the views even better.

As the name suggests, Pigeon Valley is home to hundreds of pigeons. You can buy bird feed at a nearby stand and take photos as the pigeons gather around you, which is a fun experience and something a little different from the other valleys.

Historically, pigeons played an important role in Cappadocia. They were used as messengers, and their droppings were collected and used as fertilizer and even to help strengthen the walls of cave homes.

If you plan to visit Pigeon Valley on your own, be aware that there are stray dogs in the area. Recently, there have been reports of aggressive dogs along some of the hiking paths, so it’s best to stay on main viewpoints or visit with a tour group if you are unsure.

14) Take A Cooking Class at King’s Valley

Cappadocia had some of the best food with the freshest ingredients of any place I’ve visited. Taking a cooking class at King’s Valley is a great way to experience local Turkish cuisine in a more hands-on way.

The class takes place at a beautiful, remote farm outside of town, which makes it feel peaceful and very different from eating at a restaurant. It was a nice change of pace and gave us a better appreciation for the ingredients and flavors used in Turkish cooking.

The meal itself was one of my favorites in Cappadocia, with dishes like lentil soup, fresh salads, and stuffed zucchini and peppers. Everything was made with fresh ingredients, and there was plenty of food by the end of the experience.

To check out pricing and availability for this cooking class, Click Here!

15) Shop At Local Markets

Walking down the streets of Cappadocia, you’ll find a plethora of different shops with friendly shop owners. My favorite purchases from Cappadocia were a set of Turkish coffee cups, jewellery, and local pottery. One of the most popular items to buy from Cappadocia is a Turkish rug.

16) Watch The Sun Set At Sunset Point

Not only does Cappadocia have beautiful sunrises, but it also has some of the most amazing sunsets. Sunset point is one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset over the Cappadocian landscape.

Located about a 15 minute walk from Goreme city center, this spot is easy to get to, but does require walking up a few steep inclines. Once at the top, it’s totally worth the stunning view.

It does require a 3 lira entry fee per person, but it’s worth every penny. This is a nice spot to visit at any time of the day, but the views are particularly breathtaking at sunset. It’s also a popular spot to watch the balloons take off at sunrise.

17) Enjoy Turkish Cuisine

And finally, one of my favorite parts of Cappadocia was indulging in their cuisine. Every place I ate at had the most delicious food at the most amazing prices. The average cost of a meal for me which included fresh bread, a meal usually consisting of chicken or beef, and a glass of wine typically cost under 10 dollars.

While there are so many amazing restaurants in Cappadocia some of my favorites are:

• Topdeck Cave Restaurant
• Sultan Cave Suites
• Coffedocia
• La Vida A La Carte
• Inci Cave Restaurant

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Cappadocia

How many Days Should You Spend in Cappadocia?

I would recommend spending at least three full days in Cappadocia. This gives you enough time to do the hot air balloon ride, explore the main sights on the Red Tour, and spend a full day on the Green Tour visiting places like Ilhara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground City.

Is the hot air ballon ride in Cappadocia safe?

Yes, safety standards in Cappadocia are taken very seriously, and the pilots are highly experienced. We chose Royal Balloons because of their strong safety record and excellent reviews, and the entire experience felt calm and well organized from start to finish. Even though I felt a bit nervous beforehand, that feeling disappeared once we were in the air.

What happens if the hot air balloons are cancelled?

Hot air balloon flights can be canceled due to wind conditions, which does happen occasionally. This is why it’s best to book your flight for your first possible morning in Cappadocia. That way, you have additional days to reschedule if needed.

Do you need a tour guide in Cappadocia, or can you visit sites on your own?

You can explore Cappadocia on your own, but joining a tour made things much easier for us. The Red Tour is a great introduction to the area, and the Green Tour is ideal for visiting places that are farther away, like Ilhara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground City. Having a guide also helped us understand the history and significance of what we were seeing.

When is the best time of year to visit Cappadocia?

Spring and fall are ideal, especially April to June and September to October. The weather is more comfortable for walking and sightseeing, and balloon flights are more consistent. Summer can be very hot, and winter can be beautiful but cold, with occasional snow affecting travel plans.

We’d Like To Hear From You!

We hope this list of 17 things to do helps you make the most of your time in Cappadocia! It’s a beautiful city with so much history, delicious food, and wonderful people.

Have you been to Cappadocia? What were your favorite activities you did and are they on this list?