Cappadocia – Land of Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities

The journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia transports you to another world. While an 11-hour bus ride is possible, the one-hour flight offers breathtaking aerial views of this UNESCO-listed region’s lunar landscapes – worth the slightly higher price.

Göreme, Cappadocia’s heart, offers the unique experience of cave hotel stays carved into volcanic rock. Prices start around ₺100/night with breakfast (higher in peak season) compared to ₺60 for conventional hotels. These aren’t just accommodations but time capsules – some caves have been inhabited since early Christians sought refuge here from persecution.

Why Cappadocia Belongs on Your Bucket List

  • Otherworldly “fairy chimney” rock formations sculpted by millions of years of erosion
  • Ancient underground cities dating to the Hittites (18th century BCE), expanded by early Christians
  • Exquisite Byzantine frescoes in 600+ rock-cut churches
  • Magical sunrise hot air balloon rides – a tradition since the 1990s
  • Picturesque valleys perfect for hiking through canyons and ravines

3-Day Cappadocia Itinerary

Day 1: Open-Air Museum & Rose Valley

Begin at Göreme Open Air Museum (₺20 entry), a complex of Byzantine churches carved into soft volcanic rock. The extra ₺10 for Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church) rewards visitors with Turkey’s best-preserved biblical frescoes. Hold onto your ticket – it grants access to Tokalı Kilise outside the main complex.

Historical insight: These 9th-11th century frescoes survived remarkably intact thanks to Cappadocia’s dry climate and remote locations where early Christians worshipped in secret.

Afternoon hikes through Rose Valley reveal its namesake pink-hued rocks glowing at sunset. Wander among surreal formations to discover hidden chapels with fragmentary frescoes once used by hermits.

Cappadocia's fairy chimneys at golden hour
Cappadocia’s iconic fairy chimneys – nature’s sculptures formed by erosion of volcanic ash
Day 2: Underground City & Ihlara Valley

While I typically avoid tours, the Green Tour (₺100) is ideal for exploring:

  • Derinkuyu Underground City – Descend 85m through ancient ventilation shafts and wells in Cappadocia’s deepest subterranean complex
  • Ihlara Valley – Hike 14km through a lush canyon dotted with rock-cut Byzantine churches
  • Selime Monastery – This Star Wars filming location showcases monumental rock-carved architecture

Engineering marvel: Cities like Derinkuyu originated with the Hittites, later sheltering 20,000 Christians with livestock and food stores during persecutions.

Ancient tunnels in Derinkuyu underground city
Derinkuyu’s labyrinthine tunnels – ancient subterranean urban planning at its finest
Day 3: Love Valley & White Valley

Your final morning reveals Love Valley’s phallic rock formations blending into White Valley’s surreal landscapes. Sunrise transforms these geological wonders into a kaleidoscope of colors.

Science behind the scenery: Fairy chimneys form when erosion exposes harder basalt caps protecting softer volcanic tuff beneath – nature’s own sculpting masterpiece.

Package Tour Pros & Cons

Our 3-day tour’s 5:30 AM departure included Konya – spiritual home of Rumi’s Whirling Dervishes. The Mevlana Museum houses sacred relics, including a hair from Prophet Muhammad’s beard, attracting pilgrims much like Lourdes.

Konya's Mevlana Museum turquoise dome
Alanya – where Roman history meets Mediterranean beaches

Evening brought us to our cave hotel, followed by next-day explorations of rock formations and underground cities.

Tour drawbacks:

  • Missing Göreme Open Air Museum – verify itineraries carefully!
  • Limited time for photography at scenic viewpoints
  • Early starts and long transfers typical of group tours

Whether exploring independently or with a tour, Cappadocia’s alien landscapes promise memories that linger like the morning mist over its fairy chimneys.