Sites in Cappadocia
Byzantine churches, underground cities, and ancient fortresses carved from volcanic rock — Cappadocia is one of the world's most remarkable archaeological landscapes.
Göreme Open Air Museum
One of Turkey's most visited UNESCO sites, the Göreme Open Air Museum is a complex of rock-cut churches and monasteries adorned with extraordinary Byzantine frescoes. The Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise) contains some of the best-preserved examples in the world.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Descend up to 85 metres underground into this extraordinary subterranean city, which once sheltered up to 20,000 people with their livestock, food stores, churches, and wineries. One of 36 underground cities discovered in Cappadocia.
Uçhisar Castle
The highest natural rock formation in Cappadocia, honeycomb with hundreds of caves used as a fortress and later as dwellings. The summit offers the most panoramic view of the entire Cappadocia region.
Zelve Open Air Museum
Three valleys that were inhabited until 1952 when erosion made it unsafe. The abandoned cave village and rock-cut mosque offer a more intimate and less-visited alternative to Göreme. The surreal Three Mushrooms (Paşabağ) are nearby.
Kaymaklı Underground City
Arguably easier to explore than Derinkuyu, with four accessible floors open to visitors. The two underground cities were connected by a 9km tunnel. Kaymaklı is in the town centre, making it convenient to combine with a village walk.
Ihlara Valley
A 14km gorge formed by the Melendiz River, with over 100 cave churches carved into the steep canyon walls. The 4–6 hour full-valley hike is one of Turkey's finest, ending at Selime Monastery — the largest rock-cut church complex in Cappadocia.
Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
A small open-air landscape of fairy chimneys eroded into the shapes of animals. The Camel Rock is the most famous, but you can also spot dolphins, seals, and snakes. Free to visit, no ticket booth, no fences.
Paşabağ (Monks Valley)
Home to Cappadocia's iconic three-headed mushroom fairy chimneys and the hermit chapels carved inside them. The chapel of Saint Simeon, reached by a rock-cut staircase, is the highlight. Ticket shared with Zelve.
Rose Valley (Güllüdere)
Cappadocia's most colourful canyon — pink-rose rock walls, hidden Byzantine cave churches (Haçlı Kilise, Üç Haçlı Kilise), and the region's most celebrated sunset viewpoint. 2–5 hour hike options.
Visit These Sites With a Local Guide
Our guides bring these sites to life with deep archaeological and historical knowledge.