Cappadocia had been on my bucket list for so long that you can only imagine my excitement when I was finally able to tick it off last summer. It was a magical trip filled with spectacular experiences I’ll cherish forever. Once you set foot in Cappadocia, you will feel you’ve just entered a fiction movie set thanks to its lunar-like- landscape and rocky wonderland. The sunrise with the sky full of hot air balloons is a dream and it will for sure take your breath away. So be ready for an unforgettable journey!
How to get to Cappadocia
The easiest way to get to Cappadocia is to fly direct to Istanbul and get a connecting flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, the two airports of the region. Then, you can take a taxi to go to the main region, Goreme.
We traveled from Lebanon so we took a direct flight from Beirut to Adana and from Adana we took a personal driver to go to Goreme. The ride is about 3 and half hours. There are also buses available.
Top things to do in Cappadocia
1- Stay in a Cave Hotel
Cave hotels are usually made of stone or carved out of the landscape combined with a garden or a terrace where you can enjoy the hot air balloon sunrise. There are one of the main features of Cappadocia and that’s why you can find a wide selection of budgets while choosing your stay.
We stayed at the Sultan Cave Suites and at the Koza Cave Hotel both with a beautiful terrace and delicious breakfast. Be prepared for a jaw-drapping view!
Koza Cave Hotel has the highest rooftop and it only accommodates 10 rooms so the terrace is less crowded and you can enjoy more the sunrise.
You need to be a hotel guest so you can have access to the terrace during the sunrise.
Other nice hotels available:
-Kelebek Cave Hotel
-The Rupestral House
-Mithra Cave Hotel
-Local Cave House
-Henna Hotel
2- Hot Air Balloon Ride
This is a must-do activity in Cappadocia and an experience that will leave you in awe. I know it can be quite expensive since prices range from 130 – 200 Euros per person depending on the company and how many people are in the basket. But I can assure you than you won’t regret investing in this adventure. We booked with Turquaz Balloons.They pick you up from your Hotel at 4:30 AM and they will provide you with all the instructions for the ride. I was a bit anxious at the beginning but as we started to go up, I could only feel happiness while enjoying all the beauty around me. The ride duration is about 70 – 90 minutes and it will end with a glass of champagne celebration.
3- Uchisar Castle
Located in the highest point of the region it offers you one of the best panoramic views of Cappadocia.
4- Quad Bike Tour
We booked a sunset quad bike tour to enjoy different locations. We went to Love Valley, Cavusin old village, Rose valley and the sunset viewpoint where we enjoyed the golden hour.
5- Pasabag Valley – Fairy Chimneys
Pasabag, also known as Monks Valley, is one of the best spots to see the Cappadocia wonderful rock’s formations that were a result of volcanic eruptions that happened million of years ago.
6- Goreme Open Air Museum
It is one of the most popular attractions in the center of the valley. You will have access to all the cave houses, old churches, and paintings. There is an audio guide that will inform you about each site you visit. I especially fell in love with the paintings, they are indeed incredible. Open Air Museum has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984.
7- Red Valley
This valley is famous for its hike rail and it was my favorite spot to enjoy the sunset. We skipped the hiking and went directly by car to the sunset viewpoint. We found a cute place named Crazy Ali Panoramic Café were the views are astonishing and the apple tea is delicious.
8- Shopping
In Cappadocia, you will also find lots of street markets that sell souvenirs, crafts, ceramics, rugs and more. It is famous for its beautiful carpet shops and ceramic and pottery centers in Avanos where you can even book for workshops. Be ready to spend some money and take gorgeous stuff back home.
9- Food
Don’t leave Cappadocia without trying their delicious pottery kebab made of meat and vegetables and cooked in a clay pot. We especially enjoyed the Mozaik Restaurant and the Seten Restautant. For drinks, we went to Dusk by Koza – Cocktail Bar.
Best Months to Travel
May – June
September – October
It is a nice trip for the summer but it can get very crowded and prices can be higher.
I also advise you to stay for a minimum of 3 days to get the chance to view the sunrise and take the hot air balloon ride. Sometimes due to weather conditions, the hot air balloons are cancelled and you don’t want to miss that so it is better to book an extra day.
If you have any questions let me know!
sunsetdeamor.com 