City: Cappadocia
Top Things to do in Cappadocia
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Cappadocia That You Shouldn't Miss
Lying in south central Turkey, the moonscaped region of Cappadocia, southeast of Ankara, is most famous for unique geological features called fairy chimneys. The large, cone-like formations were created over time by erosion of the relatively soft volcanic ash around them. Past cultures have dug into them to create dwellings, castles (like Uchisar) and even entire underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, used as hiding places by early Christians. Nearby Kayseri is the gateway to the area.
Restaurants in Cappadocia
1. Buyukakten Temenni YeraltI Evi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
2. Pasabag
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,013 reviews
Reviewed By msa23_2000 - Chino Hills, United States
This is brilliant. Spend about 45 minutes walk around and take great pictures. It was an unbelievable landscape. Beautiful and breathtaking.
3. Zemi Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By Marcotravelingaround
Great valley to hike. It takes around 4 kilometres to walk by the fairy chimneys and reach the beginning of Pigeon Valley.
4. Kaymakli Underground City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
Reviewed By hii67 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
It is known as one of the largest underground cities here in Cappadocia and said to have existed since the Hittite period. The early christians have found this place and created such cities to hide from the Romans and found sanctuary in those rock structures. The feeling is medieval and the rooms are functionally dug out to have areas for animals, kitchens, cooking area in the ground, rooms, ventilation shaft, water well etc. It can be claustrophobic for some especially when multiple tour groups converge and do feel how the walls can be easily dug out just using your finger. There are even roller doors to close off certain entrance during invasion and holes from ceilings and ground to spear the enemies if you spy hard enough. True demonstration of ingenuity of humanity and will to survive when under persecution and yet thriving under immense hostile environment . Hats off ! Highly recommended !!
5. OtantikShop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
6. Sunset Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By berenicer2014 - Istanbul, Turkey
This is one of the best points to see either a sunset, a sunrise and of course the hot air balloons every morning at 5 am. This point is in the upper part of the main city of Cappadocia (Göreme) and is a bit tiring to go all the way up by walking but the views from there are incredibly beautiful and it worth the big effort. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, specially sneakers, I saw many girls wearing flip flops or sandals and they were suffering, is really rocky and sandy up there, Cappadocia is a place to wear the most comfy shoes! The best part of the sunset point specially if you want to see the balloons and want to get away from the crowd and take amazing photos just don’t go on the same way all the tourists go to (where a little shop is) go to the opposite side, and try to find a spot to go down and sit there, literally u will be alone and with better views than anywhere else! And the balloons u will have them riiight in front of you specially when they get too low in the city.
7. Karanlik Kilise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
The Dark Church(karanlık kilise), Göreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia Cappadocia with its unique fairy chimneys, balloon flights, nature and caves, church built inside fairy chimneys, monasteries ...The dark church(karanlık kilise) in Göreme open-air museum, which is among the few churches in the world with its frescoes. The first written sources with Cappadocia in the ancient period are the cuneiform and luvi hygrolyph tablets written in Hitit language, the information given by the geographer and historian Strabo in his work Geography, written by 3 Christian clergymen who lived in the region in the AD 4th century.The first written information about the region comes from the expeditions of the Akkadians to Anatolia, the trade colonies of the Assyrians and the tabal kingdom, the late Hittite state.The region is ruled by the Medes, Persians, Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire. Until AD 7 century was conquered by Islamic armies.the main reason why Christianity spread throughout Anatolia and more Eastern countries in the Cappadocia region is known as the Cappadocia fathers ;Basileios the great, his brother Gregorios of Nyssa and Gregorios of Nazianzos have activities in the region.in the Cappadocia region; It is known that there are more than 400 large and small churches, monasteries and chapels carved into caves, inside fairy chimneys.The dark church(karanlık kilise) is within the borders of Göreme open air museum today, it is within the borders of the province of Nevsehir and only 15 km away from the city center.The dark church, built in the cross-in-square type, is named after the dark because it receives a very limited amount of light and air. Low light has prevented the church frescoes from being damaged by natural conditions.The history of the dark church dates from the end of the AD 10th century to the 11th century. the church's frescoes are decorated with frescoes of events recounted from the Old Testament and the Bible.Abraham, Jesus, Mary,the apostles, miracles… The scenes of the church are: Deesis, Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Birth, Adoration of the Three Magi, Baptism, Resurrection of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry to Jerusalem, The Last Supper, Betrayal, Jesus on the Cross, Christ's Descent to Hell, Women at the Empty Tomb, Apostles Appreciation and Appointment, Ascension of Christ, Prophet Abraham Featuring hospitality, Cremation scenes of the Three Hebrews, and depictions of saints. LAST SUPPER ,ΟΔΗΠΝΟΝϹ ΜΥϹΤΥΚΟϹ (mystical food) The Last Supper scene is located to the southeast of the church.around a rectangular table, Jesus and his apostles appear. While Jesus blesses with his right hand, he is holding a roll in his left hand.it was staged with the Hale cross on the head of Jesus.sitting to the right of the table(left of the picture), Jesus is depicted with long hair and a beard.Peter of the apostles sat on the other side of the table .Other apostles on the table are depicted to reflect their personalities. The halos on their heads are depicted in 2 different colors. While Jesus blesses with his right hand, he is holding a roll in his left hand.Judas seems to have extended his hand to the table, unlike the others.The contemplative and sad appearance of the apostles indicates that Jesus explained who betrayed him.In the middle of the table there are fish in the plate and wine pots(silver goblets), forks and knives on the table.The proof that the meal is in the evening is the torch inside the street lantern(candelabrum). High structures are visible to the right and left of the torch. the inscription ΟΔΗΠΝΟΝϹ ΜΥϹΤΥΚΟϹ (mystical food) in Greek is seen next to the torch at the top of the stage. The origin of the Eucharist event, a central social ritual of Christianity, is described. ANASTASIS (resurrection of Jesus) Anastasıs scene is located to southeast of the church. In the middle of the scene is Jesus. The cross in his left hand, the Adam's hand with his right hand. Hades with his hands and feet chained under his feet is seen. Eve is seen on the left of the scene, and Eve is seen behind Adam.Adam is seen as long, with white hair and a beard .jesus is holding him right hand and is pulling him. Eve is standing behind Adam in a praying position with her hands open and looking up. Eve's names are written just behind her right shoulder and Adam on him halo. There are 6 figures behind the Adam and Eve, with only their halos visible. On those figures, He Profete (prophets) is read. The prophets mentioned in the old testament. to the right of the stage appear the prophets David and Solomon. David has a white beard and hair, and has an imperial crown on his head. Solomon is pictured in front of David as a young man with brown hair and no beard.his hands are open, and one hand is directed to Jesus. Inside the black rocky area at the bottom of the stage Hades stretches. His hands and feet are chained. Christ's left foot is Hades on his arm, his right foot is on Hades' left leg. Jesus holding with his left hand It stabs the handle of the cross into Hades' head. Hades has white messy hair and gums. There is a white loincloth on it. The figure with its head raised towards Jesus fear is felt on his face. Hell's broken near the head of Hades There is a brown gate chain and key pieces.
8. Avanos Oren Yeri
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 493 reviews
Reviewed By mohsina327 - Muscat, Oman
Went to Avanos from Urgup as part of a day tour. Avanos is a beutiful little town (a big village) which is famous for pottery making for thousands of years. Turkey longest river, the red river, passes through the town. The river throws up red mud which is used for making pottery. Also ashes from nearby dormant volcanoes are also used for making pottery. I wish i had spent more time in Avanos. Besides buying some pottery, what i liked was the calmness of the place. The river gently flows through the town and there is a park besides the river and lots of chairs next to the river where one can just sit and enjoy the river. My ideal place for a turkish tea. More than pottery i liked the overall feel of the place. And yes, there are some really lovely restaurants where one can enjoy turkish food.
9. Saruhan Kervansaray
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Raintree_Thailand - Bangkok, Thailand
We attended the Whirling Dervish ceremony conducted in the Saruhan Caravanserai. What a fantastic structure and amazing ceremony! The Whirling Dervish ceremony was captivating and mesmerizing! Truly remarkable. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this while in Cappadocia!
10. Gaziemir Underground City
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