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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We took ourselves on walk in this valley one afternoon and ended upwatching the sunset which was amazing. There seemed some well marked trails but we go lost for a while. We are geting worried but then ended up at the cafe near a rock church I Well away from the coach tours. You feel like you are in a…
A marvelous piece of history located in an out of this world scenery.
One cannot say what's more exciting: the troglodyte housings ones being as old as 3000 years, the first millenia christian churches or the overall geological features of the region.
Another one of those "you have to see it to believe it" sites. Pictures can never do it justice.
The price of admission does not include an additional 8 Tl into the Dark Chapel, but pay the money. The frescos are in amazing condition and the detail is stunning.
Be prepared to take about 100 pictures.
A word of caution…
I was told by a few of my coworkers that I should check out an underground city in Cappadocia, so this is where my family and I decided to go. It was a huge disappointment. The drive from Goreme was boring (nothing to see along the way), and the wait in line was long.
Climbing to the top was the first thing we did upon our arrival in Uchisar. The view is amazing. I stayed away from the edge due to my fear of heights, but I wouldn't miss climbing up there for anything.
We stopped by the picnic and viewing area and look over the pigeon valley just before sunset. It is such a fascinating landscape of Cappadocia. Awe inspiring to see the landscape and the surrounding areas of Cappadocia.
Amazing,if you go with a guide,ask him to take you to the canyon,and there are no directions. It was an amazing valley,very green when I went.
There are more spectacular valleys, but this one is so easy to get to, and in the end, if you choose to climb to the top of Uçhisar, WHICH YOU SHOULD, the view is profound.
From Goreme otogar, walk west down the big looking street with the canal in the middle.
The fairy-chimneys (as they are called in Turkey) are beautiful. Such a beautiful place.
If you have more than two days in the Cappadocia region, I recommend stopping at Derinkuyu. We didn't use a guide for our entire tour due to the cost, but for a short time we were accompanied by a museum worker with excellent English who gave some great insights into what the different areas were used for.