Avanos, is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, located 18 km north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is situated within the historic and touristic region of Cappadocia. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 35,145 of which 12,288 live in the town of Avanos.
The district covers an area of 994 km2 and the average elevation is 920 m with the highest point being Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at 1,756 m.
The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia.
The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery, it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used.
View of the city center of Avanos. It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river.
Visit his cave gallery and watch the master at work. And maybe buy some of his ceramics. With some bargaining, you can get 50% discount on the items for sale in the shop.
On one of the longest rivers in Turkey, if not the longest. Nice strong along the river with some decent outdoor restaurants along the way. Bazaar 54 for shopping has a very good selection of carpets from all regions of Turkey and low-pressure sales with a very good overview of the government-funded weaver training by knowledgable people with good English.
Nowhere near as charming as other places in the area.
We originally were reserved to stay at the Double Tree hotel here but changed our minds and stayed at the Aydinli Cave Hotel in Goreme. We are glad we changed hotels but were also glad that our private tour included Avanos. It was interesting to see the craftsmen working at their trade and the jewelry stores we visited.
Our tour guide Selcuk, took us to a pottery center in Avanos, they showed us the technique and then I volunteered to make a vase, which I thought it was simple and easy, they gave me special pants to wear and they told me to sit down and repeat the moves that i have seen..
It is a nice little town that you can have turkish type of breakfast near the river and walk in the neighbourhood of pottery workshops. Every pottery workshop owner is willing to show you how to make it and they let you to try it. It takes you couple of hours to see everything.
A nice village like feel to it but quite developed and has lots of modern houses and shopping places
didnt stay there for too long, just drove by on a quad bike with my husband, stopped at the hair museum and some pottery shops. it looks like a very nice place to stay at maybe, has several shops and restaurants and more modern than Goreme with a nice little river spiting the town and would be a nice walk…
There are many pottery place, which is Hittite's culture and still goes on.
Amazing to see how older civilizations lived. Hard for us to imagine. Well worth the time to visit. Very easy to visit and walk.