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Fairy Chimneys, Hot Air Balloons, and other Turkish Delights….Where is Cappadocia?

Where is Cappadocia? This magical place in Turkey is something everyone should experience with its amazing fairy chimneys.


Living in Ankara, Turkey, we were about a four hour drive to the famous area of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, or Kappadokya as the locals call it. It was one of our go-to places. When we tired of the hustle and bustle of the capital city, Cappadocia was the first place we thought to go. It’s quiet, there’s never a bad time to go, and we just love it, and we know you will too!

In this article, we’ll explain all about where Cappadocia is:

We also have articles on Best Time to Go to Cappadocia and What to do in Cappadocia, so bookmark them as well. Altogether they will help you really plan a fantastic trip to the most magical place on Earth.

The beautiful town of Goreme, the center of Capadocia, is a mix of white buildings with red roofs and volcanic pillars.
The beautiful town of Goreme is the hub for Cappadocia. This is where we always stay!

Why is Cappadocia Famous?

The rock formations of Cappadocia and some underground caves have played a large role in the history of the region, therefore gaining its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Since Neolithic times, many people have used the caves and rocks as homes.

They gained a lot of their fame in the 9th – 11th century when the Byzantines painted thousands of Christian frescoes on the walls and ceilings. This continued until the Seljuks conquered the area. Many of the frescoes have been eroded, marked over, and some de-faced. However, you can still find them all over the area in empty cave buildings.

A lone donkey stands outside a home carved into a cluster of cone-shaped volcanic towers in the Cappadocia area.
This rock-cut home looks quite inviting and comfortable.

Where is Cappadocia?

Where is Cappadocia? Most people think it is a city in Turkey…not the case. It’s an entire region, about 5,000 square kilometers. The region called Cappadocia or Kapadokya is located on the Anatolian side of Turkey, right in the middle.

There are no beaches close by, and the city that most of the activity centers around is Göreme. It’s about four hours driving time southeast of Ankara, a little less from the Mediterranean. Depending on where you are originating, though, flying might be your best best. You can easily fly within about an hour from anywhere in the country into Nevsehir or Kayseri.

We have also recorded a podcast on Cappadocia. You can listen to it here:

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Getting To and Around Cappadocia

Driving

Taking your own rental vehicle to Cappadocia is probably the best option since the region has so many sites spread out over a large area. Driving time from Ankara is about three and a half hours, from Istanbul it’s eight to nine hours and from Adana about four hours. Be aware, some routes have electronic tolls, so make sure to check with your rental agency before heading out.

The sky turns red as the sun sets on Tuz Golu, a huge salt lake in central Turkey on your drive to Cappadocia from the north.
Sunset at Tuz Golu (salt lake), the second largest lake in Turkey.

Best Type of Vehicle to Rent

We recommend an SUV with high clearance to get around on the unpaved roads that take you out to some of the more remote sites. Four-wheel-drive isn’t necessary but may be helpful if you’re driving in wet or snowy conditions. As usual, we suggest never driving after dark.

While we love getting around Turkey in our own rental car, that can get a little too expensive for some budgets. Buses are a much cheaper way to get around Turkey and are usually safe and comfortable. However taking the bus means you’ll have to figure out how to get around to all the places and things to do in the Cappadocia region.

Driving Distance and Times from Various Cities to Göreme

Kayseri (Airport)74 km (about one hour)
Nevsehir (Airport)41 km (about 45 minutes)
Adana280 km (a little over 4 hours on the toll road)
Konya235 km (3 hours)
Mersin273 km (a little over 3 hours on the toll road)
Ankara300 km (about 4 hours)
Istanbul729 km (between 8-9 hours)
A man and woman carrying water jugs walk along a road in Cappadoccia.
Off to fetch water or just out for a stroll.

Taking the Bus

To get to Goreme, the hub of the Cappadocia region, make your way to Aksaray and then transfer to a Goreme bus. Buses travel between Aksaray and Goreme every four hours and cost about 3 USD.

Flying

Flying from Istanbul is another option that saves time and costs about the same as driving. Flights leave regularly from both of Istanbul’s airports into Nevsehir. The flight takes about one and a half hours and costs around 100 USD. Be sure and book your shuttle bus ticket with Turkish Airlines to take you to and from the airport to Goreme.

Map of Cappadocia

Map of Cappadocia.
Go to our Google Map

What are the Fairy Chimneys Used For?

The limestone caves, very easy to carve into, were primarily places to live, houses and barns. In fact, if you go to Cappadocia, you will enter many. Some are now museums, some are shops or cafés, and I even saw one that is a police station (in Zelve).

Rock-cut house in ruins with missing walls and part of the ceiling.
A rock-cut house in ruins.

Wandering around the region, you will find these unique structures still utilized as homes, farms, storage areas, and even businesses. However, many of the older buildings, especially houses, have been abandoned as safety regulations have gotten stricter.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular uses of the cave buildings is for tourists as cave hotels. This is a must-do for anyone visiting the region and adds a little mystery and romance to your experience.

Cave houses in Ihlara Valley Turkey.
Cave houses in Ihlara Valley Turkey.

Where are the Best Places to Visit in Cappadocia?

  • Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Zelve Open Air Museum
  • Derinkuyu Underground City
  • Pigeon Valley
  • Uchisar
  • Urgup Market
  • Pancarlık Church

We always recommend making Goreme the base of operations for visiting the Cappadocia region. This gorgeous little village is close to most of the major sites and easily accessible. There are numerous lodging options for every budget and some great restaurants as well.

Dwellings carved into stone pillars glow in the late afternoon light.
Late afternoon sun lights up stone pillars and rock-cut homes.

Goreme Open Air Museum

Probably the most accessible and popular site in Cappadocia, the Goreme Open Air Museum has the best preserved rock hewn churches. Entrance cost here is about 10 USD which covers a few churches outside the main park. We recommend visiting early or later to avoid mid day crowds.

Cave houses in Ihlara Valley Turkey.
Cave houses in Ihlara Valley Turkey.

Zelve Open Air Museum

Still fairly close to Goreme, this abandoned village is one of the best spots to see the famous fairy chimney houses and churches. Entrance price is about 3 USD. Visits to Zelve should be combined with stops at Pasaba Valley and Devrent Valley.

Derinkuyu Underground City

One of the deepest and largest underground cities in Cappadocia. Derinkuyu served as a defensive sanctuary during armed invasions in the middle ages. Some of the passages can get a little close in but if you can handle it, this is a must see. Entrance price is about 7 USD.

A pigeon keeper tends his flock in Pigeon Valley Kapadokya.
A pigeon keeper tends his flock in Pigeon Valley Cappadocia.

Pigeon Valley

Located between Goreme and Uchisar villages, Pigeon Valley gets its name from the thousands of pigeon shelters carved in the cliffs and rocks. This is one of the easier hikes in the area through a beautiful valley. For other treks, talk to your hotel reception, they’re sure to have a trekking map.

Uchisar castle is visible on a distant hill as the sun sets in Uchisar, Turkey.
Sun setting in Uchisar, Turkey.

Uchisar

This is one of the first sites along the road from Aksaray as you enter the Cappadocia region. The impressive castle mountain really sparks the imagination and the markets situated in the shadows at the base are great fun as well.

Urgup Market

Urgup is one of our favorite towns in the area and we never miss the Saturday market. There are also some great restaurants in the town and a few reputable carpet dealers. Get to the market earlier in the day and then sip tea as you shop for carpets in the afternoon.

A gray donkey standing on the rim of Rose Valley, Kapadokya.
Standing by.

Pancarlik Church

This rock church isn’t necessarily any better than those in the Goreme Open Air Museum. But it is off the beaten track. The countryside here is beautiful and unspoiled by the mass tourism in other parts of Cappadocia. We love to get out on these small dirt roads and explore. That’s how we found Pancarlik Church!

Goreme is the largest city in Cappadocia and it shines at night with the minaret and rock formations illuminated.
Goreme shines at night.

Where to Stay

We’ve stayed in plenty of cave hotels, all with their own charm. Some are much more luxurious than others; there’s something for everyone. One that we seem to keep going back to again and again is the Kelebek Special Cave Hotel, especially during warm weather because it offers a pool to cool off at the end of a day of hiking.

Two women sitting beside a stone wall in Cappadocia, located in central Turkey.
Taking a break.

Conclusion

Cappadocia is a large area in central Turkey, sprawling between Aksaray in the west and Kayseri in the east. Mostly known for its fairy chimney rock formations, there are also a large number of significant archeological sites to explore. We recommend making the town of Goreme the base of operations for a visit to the area due to its central location and abundance of amenities.

Have you been to Cappadocia?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.