What to do in Cappadocia?

• Walk through the valleys of Cappadocia – a  walk through the unique volcanic landscape. Visiting the most interesting valleys, rock temples and ancient dwellings.
• A visit to the hamam –  relaxing spa treatments in the best centuries-old Turkish traditions. Renews the body and improves overall health.
• Night show “Turkish Night” – a  bright performance with dances and rituals, takes place in a stone restaurant. Snacks, fruits, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the program price.
• ATV safari is the  best opportunity to explore all the valleys of Cappadocia. A chance to visit many places that you can’t visit on a walking tour. Driving pastime among stone statues.
• A hot air balloon flight is an opportunity to see the unique volcanic valleys from a bird’s eye view and fulfill a childhood dream.
• Sunset wine tasting –  watching a pink sunset on a hill with a beautiful panorama of the magical valleys of Cappadocia. The best Cappadocian wine in unlimited quantities, cheeses and fruits are included in the tour program.
• Excursion to Christian churches – a walk through the unique holy places of the era of early Christianity.
• Excursion to Mount Nemrut — 3-day excursion to the unique ancient cities. Ancient relics, royal tombs, 10-meter statues, sacred cities, the birthplace of Abraham, unique birds and much more.
• Excursion to the city of Konya –  the most ancient city on Earth. Worth a visit while in Cappadocia. You will see: Caravan – shed, Mevlana museum, tile museum, madrasah, mosque and Ala Ad – Dina hill.
• Dervish shows are unique religious dances of Sufi monks dressed in white dresses. The whirling dervish ceremony includes music, dance and prayer. Fascinating atmosphere and acquaintance with the ancient Ottoman culture.
• Tour to the Salt Lake – a unique pink lake, one of the largest salt lakes in the world. Pink flamingos live on the lake. The tour includes a visit to the Caravan – a shed and underground cities.

Monasteries and churches in Cappadocia

In the Goreme Reserve – there is the largest number of churches and monasteries of early Christianity – the Maiden Monastery, the Church of St. Basil, St. Barbara, Apple, St. Catherine, Jesus Almighty, the Maltese Crusaders, the Church with Sandals and the Dark Church.

Selime Monastery  is the highest rock monastery in Cappadocia. Located in the Ihlara Valley. It belongs to the Byzantine period of the 8th century AD. There are several churches, residential and utility rooms, and decorated with columns and frescoes. A visit to the monastery is included in the program of the Green Tour.

Keshlik Monastery –  located near the village of Mustafapasa. Founded in the 7th-8th century AD. The monastery has many rooms that are well preserved. You can get to the monastery during the Blue Tour.

St. John’s Church in Gulsehir is a beautiful two-story early Christian church. The walls and ceiling are replete with vivid images of saints. The frescoes date back to 1212 and depict scenes from holy scriptures.

The Church of St. John the Baptist in Cavusin is one of the oldest churches in Cappadocia, dating back to the 5th century. It has excellent acoustics, and in some places you can see the remains of frescoes and carvings.

The Church of St. Constantine and Helena is  an ancient Greek church located in the village of Sinassos. It was erected in 1729. In Cappadocia, this is the only church in which Orthodox services are officially allowed. It has an incredibly beautiful facade and massive columns.

Church and monastery of St. Nicholas – a rock church, built in the VIII – IX centuries. In it you can see icons brought from Greece and ancient frescoes. And rising to the dovecote above the church, you can see the panorama of Cappadocia.

Panzharlik Church –  also called the Beetroot Church. So named because of the bright burgundy color. The ceiling of the church surprises with rich red-green paintings and frescoes.

Hallak Monastery Complex is  a courtyard complex with a spacious cave church and large halls. The building dates from the 11th century. One of them is carved with a unique figure of a man, the only one in Cappadocia.

Hot air balloons in Cappadocia

Hot air balloons are  the main reason to visit Cappadocia. Flights are carried out early in the morning, until the vertical air currents begin. Balloon flights are strictly regulated by the state and in case of inappropriate weather conditions, flights are canceled. Early in the morning, depending on the weather, decisions are made to take off the balloon or cancel it.

Balloons in Cappadocia take to the skies all year round from 06:00 to 08:00 in the morning, depending on the time of year and the hour of dawn.

The duration of the hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia is 1 hour. The time varies depending on the wind parameters.

The usual tour includes:  breakfast before the flight (buffet with snacks), hot drinks (tea, coffee), personal certificate for a flight in a hot air balloon, a glass of champagne, transfer from the hotel and back, a hot air balloon flight in a group of other tourists.

In Cappadocia, there are group flights in a balloon and individual ones.

You can book an individual flight and fly together, book a seat in the basket and fly with other tourists, or rent a balloon for a corporate group. For an additional fee, basket decoration, a personalized poster with an inscription, a birthday cake and decorations can be arranged.

Cappadocia balloon basket size:  3 people, 12 people, 16 people, 20 people, 24 people and 32 people.

The usual occupancy of a balloon basket in Cappadocia during a group tour is 20 people.

Hot air balloon proposal in Cappadocia –  private tour with basket capacity up to 3 people. Having discussed the details with the company in advance, they will prepare a basket decoration with flowers, a poster with an inscription, a birthday cake and champagne for you.

Cappadocia airports. How to get to Cappadocia?

Kayseri Airport (Kayseri Erkilet Havalimanı / Airport (ASR)) is  a small airport located near the city of Kayseri.    

From Kayseri Erkilet Airport to Göreme National Park – 74 km, 1 hour 5 minutes by car.

There are several ways that you can get to Goreme from Kayseri Airport:

1. Shuttle bus Havaş (Kayseri Havalimanı – Kayseri Şehirlerarası Otobüs Terminali (BYZ Avm Otoparkı)) from the airport to the Kayseri bus station is a large and comfortable bus with a specially equipped luggage niche. The bus leaves 25 minutes after the plane lands. They run from 03:30 to 22:30. The fare is 14 lire. Travel time is about 30 minutes.

City bus No. 100, No. 101, No. 102, No. 270 (Kayseri Otobüs Terminali – Göreme Otogarı) – from Kayseri bus station to Göreme bus station, runs 7 times a day (07:00, 09:30, 11:00, 14:00S 18:00, 19:00, 21:00). The fare is 26 lira, a ticket can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or via the Internet. Travel time is about 1 hour.

You can take a taxi from Goreme bus station to the hotel.

2. Taxi is a  fast and convenient mode of transport, but noticeably expensive. The fare to Goreme is about 50 €. Travel time – 1 hour.
3. Private transfer and shuttle from Kayseri Airport to Goreme – pre-booked airport transfer. Safe and secure. Eliminates the tedious search for transport and difficulties with the language barrier. You will be met at the airport and taken to your car, which will take you to your hotel. The driver will be informed in advance which hotel and address you need.

On a pre-booked transfer, it is convenient to get to any hotel in Avanos, Goreme, Urgup, Ortahisar, Cavusin or Uchisar. No transfers and no hassle.

Shuttle bus – a small bus Mercedes Benz Vito, capacity – up to 18 people. From Kayseri Airport to your hotel. The opportunity to significantly save on travel, as this is a group transfer. Travel time varies depending on the occupancy of the bus (1.5 – 2 hours). We’ll have to wait for other passengers from other flights.

Private transfer –  comfortable cars Mercedes Benz Vito and Mercedes Sprinter. At the airport you will be met by a person with a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to the vehicle and help you load your luggage. For an additional fee, the car can be replaced with any other brand. You will reach the center of Goreme in 1 hour.

Nevsehir Airport (Nevşehir Kapadokya Havalimanı / Airport ( NAV)) is  a small airport located near the cities of Gulsehir and Nevsehir.

From Nevsehir Airport (Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport) to the Göreme National Park – 39 km, 40 minutes by car.

There are several ways to get to Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Cavusin, Uchisar or Ortahisar from Nevsehir Airport:

1. Taxi is  a convenient and expensive way to get to your hotel. Travel time – 40 minutes. The cost is approximately 40 €.
2. Buses of the IPEK TOUR company from the airport to the city center of Nevsehir –  Travel time – 30 min. Then take a bus or taxi to the city you need.
3. Shuttle bus –  a small bus Mercedes Benz Vito, capacity – up to 18 people. From Nevsehir airport to your hotel. Economical and reliable way to get to the hotel. Travel time varies depending on the occupancy of the bus (1 – 1.5 hours). The waiting time for other passengers from other flights can be up to 1 hour.
4. Private transfer –  comfortable cars Mercedes Sprinter and Mercedes Benz Vito. You will be met at the airport on an individual basis and taken to the car, which will already be waiting for you in the parking lot. The driver will help load your luggage and you will be on your way. You can also change the make of the car to any other. Travel time to the center of Goreme is 1 hour.

Private transfer and shuttle from Nevsehir airport –  pre-booked transfer. This is the most convenient and fastest way to get to your hotel. Eliminates the difficulties with the language barrier and the tedious search for transport.

You will already be expected at the airport, and upon arrival you will be taken to your car, on which you will comfortably get to your hotel. The driver will be informed in advance which address you need and which hotel.