The Turkish region of Cappadocia, a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage, boasts one of the most dramatic sights in the world.
Visiting Cappadocia is such a change from visiting many other busy bustling sights all over Turkey. It is a great pleasure to wander in the vast open space filled with captivating natural attractions which have seen human history dated back in the Bronze Age.
While in Goreme Open Air Museum , the conical formations resulting from the volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago, just follow the path up to the top of one of the ridges where a spectacular view of the fairy chimneys awaits you. The natural cone formations contain caves and labyrinths. As early as the third century, those chimneys became a hiding place for early Christians who fled persecution from the Romans, and then later from raiding Muslims. In modern tourism, many caves have been turned into cave houses for tourist stays and the lunar-like setting of Goreme Valley has become popular for hot-air ballooning.
Many say the extremely unique landscape of Cappadocia resembles some scene in a Star Wars movie and yet you may be surprised to discover that no major commercial movies have been filmed there. It would be a perfect setting for movies such as Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter series.
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The best way to do this walk is from the citadel back to Goreme. This way is downhill and easier. Lots to photograph.
a great place to climb and enjoy the afternoon and watch the sunset..
This valley is extremely photogenic. Bring a camera and plenty of water as you are likely to spend more time here than you think. Fascinating rock formations and cave churches.
We stopped here on a tour bus, like everyone else in Turkey. This is not something you will see most places and it's really accessible here. Although it was crowded when we went in April, it still was pleasant: there is plenty to explore and if one "church" is too crowded, just find another one to look at in the…
First got together, the farming Ortahisar village must have been left off the tourist map. Known for its jagged castle that gives the town its name, Ortahisar is the epitome of the rural town where craggy-faced men lean listlessly against craggy houses and work storing citrus fruit in underground caves. The cobbled streets which wind around the gorge are lined by gorgeously worn stone-house ruins and the evening silence is only broken by out-of-sync cockerels and the odd whining dog. Change is in the air though.
A handful of off-beat and beautiful boutique hotels have started to pop up as visitors searching for the Cappadocia-of-old begin to discover Ortahisar’s beguiling, arcadian beauty.
The tip that the owner of the hotel where my friend and I stayed (Vineyard Cave Hotel) gave was – "If you go to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, go between 13-14:00 since that's when all the large tour groups eat lunch." It's good advice. My friend and I went around 11AM and there were loads of people there. It's a…
After visiting Hacibectas, our driver took the five of us to Avanos. First we had lunch at the Kooperative, a restaurant operated by a group of Turkish women. Great food. Then we spent a couple of hours at Chez Galip- pottery museum. We spent so much time there that it was too late to go to Hair Museum cave.
It is interesting to visit this site. Recommend to anyone who will be in Cappadocia. Here vera occupied churches in the past and caves where people lived.
This is a wonderful introduction to Cappadocia and well worth the hour or two that you might spend there. Don't miss the Dark Church if you do go.
Very busy with tour buses but well worth the adventure. You might save it for the end of your trip though as it does have the best preserved art work.