cappadocia
cappadocia has a way of blurring your sense of time and space. centuries of volcanic eruptions, wind, and rain have carved out a landscape so bizarre and beautiful that it genuinely feels like walking across an otherworldly terrain or a distant planet.
here, days are easily filled with going for hikes around giant rock towers, watching hundreds of hot air balloons at dawn, and relaxing with local wine and food in the nearby towns. the underground city in derinkuyu and the green hike through ıhlara valley are also major highlights.
hiking the valleys
cappadocia's unique volcanic landscape paved the way for some of the most remarkable and mysterious developments in human history. over millions of years, erupting volcanoes covered the region in thick ash, which solidified into a soft stone called tuff.
as rain and wind slowly eroded this soft stone over centuries, weird and beautiful rock shapes called "fairy chimneys" emerged across the valleys. because the rock was so easy to carve, local people realised they could build their dwellings directly into the landscape.
the rock citadel of uçhisar, the highest point in central cappadocia, is a prime example of this unity between human architecture and nature. hiking up to and around this volcanic fortress offers a panoramic perspective of the entire landscape below, looking down onto fairy chimneys and ancient cave dwellings carved directly into the white cliffs.
descending from the heights brings you into the heart of the region at göreme valley. walking through the valley feels like uncovering a hidden world as it is a unique experience to see how people organise their life around the rock structures. the nearby hills offer the perfect spots for watching the hot air balloons fill the sky in early morning.
the red valley is definitely my favorite part of the hiking trip. the hike here follows trails surrounded by giant, layered rock towers and sharp ridges that are naturally stained in deep pink and red tones. the golden hour is unmatched here as the fading sunlight makes the whole canyon look completely cinematic.
ürgüp, located near the red valley, is a charming little town with great architecture and amazing wine bars and restaurants. the way the entire town blends into the landscape makes it feel like a desert oasis.
finally, avanos is another must-see spot, with kızılırmak flowing through the middle of town, giving people, birds, and ducks a nice place to relax along its banks. here, the dry, dusty valleys meet a softer landscape shaped by the river's red clay, which has sustained a local pottery tradition since the hittite period.
underground city
the mysteries of cappadocia are not limited to the surface. deep beneath the volcanic crust lies a massive, labyrinth-like underground city that takes the region's history to an entirely different dimension.
descending into this massive underground city is an incredible experience in derinkuyu as narrow, low-ceilinged tunnels go down tens of meters into the earth. it was a fully functional subterranean city, built to shield thousands of early christians from persecution. the city was complete with ventilation shafts, stables, cellars, and massive circular stone doors used to seal out danger.
right beside this underground city stands the historic st. george church. the stone structure acts as an above-ground counterpart to the hidden world below.
ıhlara valley
further southwest of the larger cappadocia reigon, ıhlara valley offers a dramatic shift in landscape. hiking down into this green canyon carved out by the melendiz river feels like discovering a secret, thriving oasis hidden right within the arid anatolian steppes.
during the early byzantine era, this secluded place became a vital christian sanctuary. as you walk along the riverbanks, you find dozens of cave churches carved directly into the canyon walls. inside, the dim rock-cut chambers still hold stunning, centuries-old frescoes, preserving a quiet, sacred world that has remained protected by the cliffs for generations.
venues
beyond its history and landscape, cappadocia also offers a great food scene that blends historical atmosphere with rich local flavors. In ürgüp, you can step back in time at barbarian Medieval Tavern and enjoy slow-cooked meat with medieval-inspired cutlery and platters.
felis in uçhisar is a fantastic spot, offering great food alongside amazing views of the Pigeon Valley. and, meral sultan in avanos is a perfect stop to try traditional, authentic regional dishes by the river.