Cappadocia is one of Turkey's most iconic destinations, with instantly recognizable landscapes and outstanding historical sites just begging to be explored.
There’s so much to do here that you may struggle with where to start – delving into the region’s rich cultural heritage or taking in the beautiful and distinctive views on a hike amidst the fairy chimneys? Start planning your trip now with our round-up of the nine best experiences in Cappadocia.
Göreme’s fairy chimneys look amazing from ground level, but they’re incredible from above: taking a hot-air balloon ride amongst them is a unique experience that offers a whole new perspective on Cappadocia.
Pilots expertly guide balloons between rocky outcrops and head up to magnificent heights, allowing passengers great views of the surreal landscape framed against the sunrise – it's a trip that manages to be both thrilling and serene.
Planning tip: Due to high demand, most balloon companies offer two trips per day. It’s much better to get a spot on the earlier one, even though this will mean getting up at about 4:30am. That early start means that you’ll be able to see the sunrise from your balloon, and also reduces the risk of cancellation – weather conditions later in the morning often mean trips can't go ahead. You can also book your trip before leaving home, as the popular companies fill up quickly during high season.
Cappadocia was an early adopter of Christianity but its followers were often subject to persecution, which meant that their places of worship had to be concealed. The fairy chimneys around Göreme were perfect places to hide a church – they could be hollowed out and Christians could worship inside undetected.
Over the centuries, these rock churches were expanded, and during the Byzantine era, the monks decorated them with astonishingly beautiful frescoes. Cave churches can be seen all over Cappadocia, but there’s a particular concentration in Göreme, where you can see many examples in the Open-Air Museum. The highlight is the Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise), in which the frescoes are simply stunning.
Detour: The churches at Göreme are remarkable, but they’re no secret, and the Open-Air Museum gets pretty busy. For a similar experience without the crowds, head to the St Jean Kilisesi in Gülşehir, 25km (15.5 miles) northwest of Göreme. The frescoes here are stunningly clear and you’ll be able to admire the depictions of the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the Book of Revelation without having to jostle for space.
Cappadocia’s landscapes are ideal hiking country and there’s no better place to take a walk among the fairy chimneys than Love Valley. This route from north of Göreme up to Uçhisar is particularly iconic thanks to the unique
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In the summers, yachts moor just off the Bodrum peninsula while their owners come ashore for long, sybaritic lunches. Guests at the hotels dotting this stretch of the Turkish Riviera recline on chaises positioned on floating piers in the Aegean. At night everyone heads to the clubs to dance, drawn in by vocalists’ siren songs that waft onto the streets.
Cappadocia’s rugged moonscape valleys are one of Türkiye’s most iconic vistas and it’s thanks in no small part to the hundreds of multi-coloured balloons, which fill the region’s skies every year. Each July, the town of Ürgüp hosts the iconic Balloon Festival, which sees the air teaming with more than 150 balloons from all over the world.
Four Seasons is already famous for its over-the-top private jet itineraries that have travelers with deep pockets flying between world-famous landmarks, cosmopolitan cities and adventures in national parks, safari camps and everything in between.
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