This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. You may have heard about this place. A destination filled with otherworldly landscapes. A place with stone castles, cave hotels, skies strewn with hot air balloons and countless women with beautiful ball gowns on, posing on rooftops. It’s Cappadocia. Overall, truly a place unlike anywhere else. Straightaway, you’ll feel it. Surely, you’ll feel like you were whisked into a fantasy land from a fictional novel. So, when you venture to this unique and magical place, here are some epic things to do while in Cappadocia. Although, first things first. Where is Cappadocia, you ask? I mean, you know it’s in Türkiye. But where exactly is, Cappadocia? Some even inquire if it’s a real place. So… contrary to popular assumption, Cappadocia is an entire region. It’s an “ancient” area adjacent to the mountains. It’s right smack dab in the middle of what is modern day Türkiye. Neveshir is a province in the Cappadocia region. Göreme is a town right in the center of the Neveshir province. There’s a lot to see and do in Göreme, so it’s a good place to consider basing yourself. There are just specific things you have to do when in certain destinations. Among the things that would factually quantify as a “must do” is going on a Hot Air Balloon excursion. Let’s get this out out of the way: this excursion is not inexpensive. However, the good news is, it’s worth every penny. Further, if you happen to be afraid of heights or not a fan (as I have historically not been), it’s likely you’ll still have a wonderful time doing this. You can find out everything you need to know about doing a hot air balloon excursion: here. Tip: very important – try to plan this as early on in your trip as possible. Flight cancellations are very common (it happened on our trip) and you don’t want to miss out on doing this! Welcome to Zelve Valley. These fascinating formations are called ‘Fairy Chimneys.’ I can honestly say, I’ve never seen formations like this anywhere else. Have you? Zelve Valley is uber pleasant to walk around in when the weather is tepid. I visited in the fall and it was perfect. Warm and sunny, yet, cool with a light breeze. Pigeon Valley is pretty cool. Because, how often do you see landscapes like this. Moreover, how often do you see Pigeon cave houses? Okay, so what’s with the name, you’re wondering? Pigeon Valley, Güvercinlik Vadisi in Turkish, is located between Göreme and Uchisar. It used to be a place for pigeon farming. The problem is, the land in this area is barren. It’s impossible to grow anything. Thus, pigeons were used as a food source and also as fertilizer. Up until the (19)80’s, residents of Cappadocia still inhabited these Pigeon homes! The houses are carved out of the natural volcanic tuff in the landscape. Our awesome tour guide took us inside a ‘pigeon house’ that is still in tact and furnished. It was super interesting looking in each of the different rooms. We sat out on its terrace and had Turkish coffee. What an interesting looking “neighborhood,” right? Wanna know one of the reasons for the many, many windows in the pigeon houses? It’s, of course, to invite the pigeons to fly on inside. I have to say, the Pigeon houses here are the most interesting suburb I’ve seen to date. If you love history, you will surely enjoy exploring and learning in Cappadocia. The Zelve open air museum is a delight. Basically, it’s an entire area that has been preserved. Now, the entire area is a museum that can be viewed inside and out. You’re very interesting in riding in a hot air balloon. But, is an actual hot air balloon excursion out of your budget for your Cappadocia trip? Or, perhaps, you have a debilitating fear of heights? Well, in any case, if there is something holding you back from booking an actual Hot Air Balloon ride, there’s an alternative. At the open air museum entrance, there is a virtual hot air balloon experience. It’s pretty interesting and very inexpensive. Worth a go if you’re curious or won’t be doing an actual balloon flight during your trip. Cost: VR Balloon experience – 25 Turkish Lira per person (or about $2.60 USD each). Finally, if you want to take photos in the balloon, it’s 5 Turkish Lira per person (or about $0.50 cents USD each). Tip: there is a market of shops at the entrance of the open air museum as well. Lots of vendors selling everything from purses to knick knacks and everything in between. Great place to get souvenirs or things you’re looking to bring back with you. The underground village of Kaymakli is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. It’s comprised of hundreds and hundreds of tunnels. Those who inhabit this region still use the tunnels for various purposes. Actually, there are an abundance of underground settlements in Cappadocia. It’s another very unique thing about the region. Basically, over the years, the city was subject to frequent raids. These “underground cities” were built to seek refuge in times of danger. Additionally, some of the underground cities in Cappadocia are large enough to accommodate 30,000 people! Tip: if you are claustrophobic in any way, you might run into some panicky moments at this attraction. Certainly, there are several very narrow tunnels and walkways, including low ceilings and entry points that require bending. Are you trying to decide what season to visit Cappadocia? Like many destinations in the region, it is advantageous to visit in Spring or Fall due to cooler weather, fewer crowds and reduced rates for stays and excursions. That being said, if you do visit in the summer, it’s peak season so you can expect large crowds and the highest prices of the year. Although it’s not as popular to visit in the winter, I know travelers who’ve went and loved it. Cappadocia gets quite cold and they do get snow in the winter. It makes for a very different experience and many believe it has its charm! Also don’t worry – weather permitting – the hot air balloons fly year ’round in Cappadocia. Have you been to Cappadocia? Is it on your bucketlist? Also, let me know if you have any questions in the comments! Check these out! Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Here are some Epic Things to do in Cappadocia
Where even is, Cappadocia?
The most popular Thing to do in Cappadocia – a Hot Air Balloon ride
Recreational Adventure Activity
See the Fairy Chimneys at Zelve-Pasabaglari
Archeological Site
Pigeon Valley
Attraction featuring scenic views, landscapes and ancient carved Pigeon houses
Zelve open Air Museum
An actual open air Museum
Virtual Hot Air Balloon Ride
Kaymakli Underground City
An ancient city, literally underground
Know before You go
Headed to Türkiye?
An Amazing Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul – the Opulent Stay you Need!
Charming Cave Hotel Cappadocia – a unique, unforgettable happy Place
Travel resources for YOU to plan an epic trip!
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