Cappadocia FAQs – Start Here!

Are you visiting Cappadocia?

This is the place to start.

Below I answer all the most common questions I receive from visitors. If you have a question that is not listed, please ask it in the comments or email me using the contact form, and I will add it to the list (and give you an answer if I am able).

Each numbered question should be blue meaning that you can click it to see more detailed answers. Then within the answer you will probably find links as well. Sometimes they will be the same as the header link.

1. Can you recommend a Cappadocia hotel? And what about camping in Cappadocia?
2. Can you guide me to some good Cappadocia restaurants?

3. What are the Top 10 things to do in Cappadocia?

4. What are the Top 10 things to see in Cappadocia?

5. What can we do with kids in Cappadocia?

6. I have 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5) days in Cappadocia. How should I spend them?

7. Do I need a tour guide? If so, can you recommend one?

8. Should I do one of the packaged tours?

9. Can you help me with hot-air balloon rides?

10. Can I use public transportation in Cappadocia or should I rent a car or scooter?

11. What can I get for gifts/souvenirs in Cappadocia and where is the best place to buy them?

12. What is the weather like in Cappadocia?

13. What is the history of Cappadocia?

14. I like to get off the beaten path. Where can I go in Cappadocia?

15. Is Cappadocia a city?

16. What do I do in case of emergency in Cappadocia?

17. Can I use my cell phone when I visit Cappadocia?

18. Where was Star Wars filmed?

19. Where is Cappadocia in Turkey?

20. How do I get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?

21. Can you recommend some Turkey-related books to read while traveling?

22. I am interested in visiting a mosque while in Turkey. What do I need to know?

23. Can you recommend a travel agent or tour company for my time in Cappadocia/Turkey?

24. Do you have any photos to help me see what Cappadocia is like?

25. I have heard about the different valleys in Cappadocia. Do you have information on them?

26. I heard about the Cappadocian Fathers. Who were they?
27. I have heard about Turkish Baths (Hamams) but am not sure about going to one. What can I expect? Should I go?

1. Can you recommend a Cappadocia hotel? And what about camping in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia hotels are literally found under every rock. If it is your first time, I recommend staying in a cave hotel as it is one of those things you cannot do anywhere else. I have written about 5 hotels in Cappadocia here. I can personally recommend each of these as I (or my wife) have stayed in them. They cover a wide price range and geographic locations. If you mention CaptivatingCappadocia.com, you will get a 10% discount from Kismet Cave House (check the link for more details).
Regarding camping, at least 6 campgrounds serve campers in the Göreme – Çavuşin – Avanos area. They are each a little different and so you will need to click here to read about them and make your choice.
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2. Can you guide me to some good Cappadocia restaurants?
As I wrote above about hotels, ditto for Capadocia restaurants. Find a place in Göreme or Ürgüp from whence you cannot see a restaurant sign, and I will give you $5. I have written about 30 Cappadocia restaurants here and here and here. The lists include every price range and type of food as well as most of the towns of the region. One great bonus of Cappadocia is that you can burn calories hiking the valleys and then eat as much as you like.
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3. What are the Top 10 things to do in Cappadocia?
Here is the quick list:
1. Hot-air balloon ride
2. Horseback riding
3. Hike the valleys
4. Rent an ATV-Quad or motorcycle
5. Mountain biking
6. Guided tour/sightseeing
7. Get a shave with a strait razor (men only, of course)
8. Tea drinking
9. Climb to the top of a volcano or ski down it depending on the season
10. Rent a scooter and see the region

Bonus 11. Gondola and/or Jet Boat on the Red River in Avanos
Bonus 12. Turkish Night and/or Whirling Dervishes

To read about all of these in more detail, click here.
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4. What are the Top 10 things to see in Cappadocia?
1. Göreme Open Air Museum
2. Underground cities: Derinkuyu & Kaymaklı (or Gaziemir)
3. Towns: Each town in Cappadocia has its own unique character.

4. Pottery shops in Avanos – try your hand at throwing a pot and pick up some souvenirs.
5. Ürgüp wineries – Cappadocia wines are worth a taste
6. Valleys: Love, Imagination, Rose/Red, Pigeon are breathtaking. Do not miss the camel shaped rock.
7. Çavuşin St. John’s Church – the oldest in the region looks like a huge block of Swiss Cheese
8. Hısars: Huge rock towers provide captivating views in Ortahısar and Uçhısar.
9. Ihlara Valley & Selime Monastery: My favorite area in Cappadocia but one hour+ drive from Göreme.
10. Paşabağ and Zelve Open Air Museum: Best examples of fairy chimneys in one relatively small area.

To read about all of these in more detail, click here.
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5. What can we do with kids in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is a paradise for children of all ages (excluding infants who are happy anywhere as long as they are with their parents). I have put together a top 10 list. I would encourage giving your kids a chance to explore the valleys and have fun. Cappadocia is great because of its lack of fences. You can go anywhere, explore caves, climb, run, bike… paradise. As parents be prepared to be very nervous.
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6. I have 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5) days in Cappadocia. How should I spend them?
I have put together suggested itineraries for how to spend different numbers of days in the region. Click here and then pick the link that corresponds to the number of days you plan to stay.
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7. Do I need a tour guide? If so, can you recommend one?
The answer to this question totally depends on who is asking the question. However, for most of you I can give a general answer that will satisfy. Certain sites in Cappadocia are well marked and provide bountiful information (the Göreme Open Air Museum comes to mind) while other areas stand out for their lack of signage (e.g. underground cities) and still other areas do not need anything except directional pointers (think of the valleys). If you are a history buff and have the StrengthsFinder strength themes of Learning or Input, then you will definitely want a tour guide for most of Cappadocia. If you prefer to do your own thing and do not want to be constrained by a guide’s program, then go it alone as most of Cappadocia will give you enough information. But even for the latter group I would recommend a guide for your time in the underground city.

If you are looking for a guide, click here to see some I recommend.
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8. Should I do one of the packaged tours?
There are many packaged tours but the main day tours are the Green, Blue and Red tours. They each cost around 90TL, last from 9:30-6, and include van, guide, entry fees, and lunch. They are a good way to see a bunch of sites for a reasonable price. You can book them through your hotel or pretty much any local tour/travel agency.

Green Tour – Click here to read more details about this tour.
Göreme Panorama (view from above Göreme)
Underground City (Derinkuyu) – Note: Beware that you will be in cramped rooms and tunnels in which you have to crouch down for meters at a time.
Ihlara Valley
Belisirma Village – Note: When I did this tour we did not see this village.
Yaprakhısar Panorama – Note: On my tour this was not a stop but we saw it from the van.
Selime Monastery
Pigeon Valley (just a look, not a long hike)
Onyx Workshop (for shopping)

Red Tour
Red Valley Hiking
Çavuşin Old Village
Paşabağ Fair Chimneys
Avanos Pottery Demo (shopping)
Devrent (Imagination) Valley – see Camel Rock
Ürgüp Fairy Chimneys – also called the 3 Beauties – located outside of Ürgüp
Ortahısar Castle

Blue Tour
Ortahısar Castle
Ürgüp Fairy Chimneys
Mustafapaşa Old Greek Town
Soğanlı Valley (2km hike seeing rock churches)
Şahinefendi Monastery
Taşkinpaşa Monastery
Ürgüp Wine Tasting
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9. Can you help me with hot-air balloon rides?
This is probably the most popular activity in Cappadocia. I have put together a must-read balloon information page to help you make your decision. Click here to find the links. If you mention CaptivatingCappadocia.com, you will get a 10% discount from Royal Balloons, but that is explained on the linked pages.
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10. Can I use public transportation in Cappadocia or should I rent a car or scooter?
Public transportation in Cappadocia is dependable although it will never be accused of being rapid or frequent. The buses generally run every hour. Click here to see a guide for getting around the region using the buses.

This would be a good time to point out that Cappadocia is so spread out that you should consider transportation before coming. You can rent a car or scooter, take public transportation, use taxis, rent a van/driver/guide which may be best if you have a large group. Each of these have their pros and cons depending on your situation. To fully answer is beyond the scope of this post. All are available and your hotel should be able to help you with the decision. If you have a specific question about transportation, feel free to email me, and I will do my best to answer.
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11. What can I get for gifts/souvenirs in Cappadocia and where is the best place to buy them?
Like most tourist areas Cappadocia is not lacking for trinkets, gifts, and souvenirs. If you are going to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, you will find many of the same items, but for the treasure hunter precious gems do await you here. If this is important to you, schedule time to shop in Göreme and Ürgüp especially. Most of it is Chinese made rubbish, but you may be surprised at what you will find if you take the time.

I have made a list of less expensive gift ideas here and have given an idea for a unique item here. Besides these, the old faithfuls are the handmade pottery from Avanos, wine from Ürgüp, and handmade carpets available in every town.
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12. What is the weather like in Cappadocia?
As in most moderate climate areas, the weather is unpredictable. One winter snow will fall like fireworks on the fourth of July and the next winter will only see a few flurries. One spring will see daily rain and the next you will be wondering if you moved to the Sahara.

However, generally the temperature is wear-your-coat cold from mid-October to mid-April (people put away their coal stoves on May 1) with late December through mid-March being frigid.

Mid-April to mid-June and Sept/October are the “nicest” times of the year to visit.

July and August are about the only two months that the temperatures get hot enough to be uncomfortable. If you are looking for a bit more detail, click here.

This may help in general long-term planning, but the best advice is to check your favorite weather website a few days before leaving for your trip. Even with this do not be surprised if the weather is different from the forecast. On Tuesday of this week the prediction for Saturday was rain. Wednesday the forecast was for sun, and Thursday it said to expect clouds on Saturday. Only God knows what will actually happen.
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13. What is the history of Cappadocia?
The short answer is that the Hittites were here for a time (apparently they began the underground cities), then different ancient empires ruled the area, before the Romans moved in. Early Christianity came to the area in the first century and remained strong for centuries with the Cappadocian Fathers playing a significant role in the development of orthodox Christian theology. Much of what you see on your tours is the remains of the Christian civilizations. The Seljuks were here and then the Ottomans. One benefit of hiring a guide is that you will get a fuller description of the history of the area while looking at the different sites to which the history belonged.

One other historical act of note is the people swap that took place in the early 1920′s. The Greeks living in Turkey were sent to Greece and the Turks in Greece moved to Turkey. Some of the towns here are advertised as old Greek towns. This means that most/many of the inhabitants were Greek until 1923-24 and their buildings are all that remains to remind one of their former presence.

And for those of you interested in the unofficial/legendary history of Cappadocia, click to read tall tales about Çavuşin and Fairy Chimney soldiers.

For more reading check out Wikipedia.
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14. I like to get off the beaten path. Where can I go in Cappadocia?
Depending on how far you want to go, you have many options. The first and easiest is to hit one of the local valleys. With no fences to block your adventuresome spirit, you can head in any and every direction and not see another person for hours.
The next step would be to rent a car and head out any direction. Take side roads and stop at villages. See a hill/rock/cave and go for it.

Beyond this are the Volcano peak expeditions. Erciyes and Hasan Dağ are calling your name. This is a summer activity unless you are into ice climbing.
And lastly, rent a car, pack your camping gear and head to Aladağ (in Turkish dağ is mountain) a couple of hours away in Niğde province. This one is way off the beaten path and will give you a unique experience among Cappadocia visitors.
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15. Is Cappadocia a city?
I see this misunderstanding often. Cappadocia is a region that touches five central Turkish provinces: Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kirşehir, Aksaray, and Niğde. To read about 10 of the main towns in the central region, click here.
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16. What do I do in case of emergency in Cappadocia?
The main emergency phone numbers are:
155 Police – urban
156 Jandarma (Gendarmarie) – rural
112 Medical/Ambulance

Note that the person on the other end of the phone will most likely only speak Turkish so you will probably need a translator. In most cases you can just ask your hotel for help, and they will take care of whatever you need.

To read more about this, click here.
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17. Can I use my cell phone when I visit Cappadocia?
If you are staying less than 30 days, have an unlocked phone, and buy a Turkish sim card at any local Turkcell, Avea, or Vodaphone store, you are free to use your phone. If you are staying longer than 30 days, it becomes a bit more complicated but is still doable.
Click here, to read more about cell phone usage.
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18. Where in Cappadocia was Star Wars filmed?
Despite rumors to the contrary Star Wars was NOT filmed in Cappadocia. The internet is full of sites saying that Luke’s home in the original movie was and was not filmed here. If you watch the movie, the credits list Tunisia but not Turkey. The guides here say the rumors are false, the movie was not filmed here. The landscape does look similar to scenes in the movie and another rumor says that Lucas thought about filming here but was dissuaded by the Turkish government. I have no idea if that is true but it sounds good. Regardless, Cappadocia has much to offer its visitors even if Luke Skywalker never lived here.
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19. Where is Cappadocia in Turkey?
The short answer is that it sits in the center of Turkey (on most Turkey maps it is covered by the word TURKEY in the center of the map) touching 5 provinces (Nevşehir, Aksaray, Kırsehir, Kayseri and Niğde). The main tourist area, often referred to as central Cappadocia, including the towns of Göreme, Avanos, and Ürgüp, is located about 20 minutes from Nevşehir. By bus Cappadocia is about 10-12 hours from Istanbul (5 from Ankara) and no more than an hour by plane (plus the 1 hour shuttle from the Kayseri or Cappadocia (Nevşehir) airport.
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20. How do I get from Istanbul to Cappadocia?
You can fly, take a bus, or rent a car. I do not recommend the train as it takes too long and requires at least two switches. To get the details (companies, times, and prices) on the three options, click here.

If you do choose to fly into Kayseri, you will need to get a ride to central Cappadocia about an hour from the airport. You will need to reserve a shuttle ahead of time as they do not go regularly and will not let you book at the airport. Your hotel should be able to make an airport shuttle reservation. Read more about this here.
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21. Can you recommend some Turkey-related books to read while traveling?
Many people enjoy reading while traveling and with the advent of the Amazon Kindle
and other readers, it is easier than ever. If you want to read Turkey-related books, I have compiled a list that will please every taste. I review a different book each month and often do giveaways so be sure to check back at the beginning of each month if you are interested.
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22. I am interested in visiting a mosque while in Turkey. What do I need to know?
Many visitors do not realize that they are welcome to tour the mosques, many of which are hundreds of years old spanning two or three empires. You should be respectful so as not to offend those practicing Muslims who you may encounter. We have put together some guidelines to help you navigate the issues since most of the mosques do not provide any literature in English.
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23. Can you recommend a travel agent or tour company for my time in Cappadocia/Turkey?
We are compiling a list of companies we recommend. If a company is on our list, it means we know the owners personally, have used their services, and find them worthy of recommending. If you use one of these and are not pleased with your experience, please let us know, and we will do our best to make it right. Click here to see the list.
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24. Do you have any photos to help me see what Cappadocia is like?
Every week we post a photo of the week and we put photos on Flikr as well. Please browse these photos as they will give you a good idea of what to expect.
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25. I have heard about the different valleys in Cappadocia. Do you have information on them?
If you enjoy hiking or mountain biking, then you will find Cappadocia’s valleys to be paradise on earth. In central Cappadocia near Göreme lies Love Valley, Pigeon Valley, Rose/Red Valley, Monk’s Valley, and Imagination (Devrent) Valley. A bit further afield you will find Ihlara Valley and Soğanlı Valley. We have put together a page to highlight the valleys.
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26. I heard about the Cappadocian Fathers. Who were they?
St. Basil of Caesarea (Kayseri), aka Basil the Great, his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa, and their friend St. Gregory of Nazianzus make up the triumvirate that historians call the Cappadocian Fathers. They lived in Cappadocia during the 4th century and played a significant role in the development of the early doctrines of Christianity, especially the Trinity. We created a page to introduce you to each historical figure.
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27. I have heard about Turkish Baths (Hamams) but am not sure about going to one. What can I expect? Should I go?
The Turkish Bath or Hamam is a wonderful experience for most, once they get past the awkwardness of going to a public bath. You may find it easier to think about it more as a spa, which is what many of them have become to better serve the tourist population. They are clean and safe and you leave feeling clean as a whistle and totally relaxed. Expect to sit in a hot room with running water available, visit the sauna, and get a good rub down and a massage, if you like. They provide a towel and you can wear a bathing suit if you like. Some of the hamams are single sex and others are coed. If this matters to you, be sure to verify beforehand. We recommend going with friends as historically the baths were social times.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the US Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”