20 Best Reasons to Visit Cappadocia: Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most iconic destinations and the most popular places in the world for its dreamy landscape, rock formations, and hot air balloons. Here is the list of 20 Best Reasons to Visit Cappadocia before you die.
Cappadocia, with its naturally shaped round and jagged rock, hill, valley, and chimney formations, and the mixture of different color tones, fascinates with its beauty that can only exist in a fairy tale. Cappadocia, the heart of Anatolia in Turkey; It covers regions in Nevşehir such as Göreme, Urgüp and Selime. Despite being a small region, Cappadocia is one of the tourism regions of Turkey. Especially history buffs show great interest here. Apart from that, most of those who come here; want to look around from a magnificent view, whether from the ground or from a thousand meters in the air. Here are 20 reasons to visit Cappadocia …
1. Witnessing a Magnificent View
Cappadocia’s scenery is one of the best reasons to come here. The best way to see the surreal view of this place is to be in the air. Hundreds of air balloons arrive in Cappadocia every morning before sunrise, and they each ride over and around the rock formations at dawn with dozens of passengers. In fact, Cappadocia is one of the most popular places in the world to ride a balloon.
2. Staying in Stone Houses
Cappadocia sometimes resembles a fairy tale. It resembles the old times of history with a moon view and sometimes special shops. Property owners in Cappadocia make the best use of the region’s natural resources by updating their cave houses from ancient times to the present. These stone houses have accommodation options suitable for every budget, from luxury accommodation to hostels.
3. Traditional Turkish Breakfast
“I don’t know what you think about eating. But breakfast must have something to do with happiness.” Cemal Süreyya said. Mixed breakfast menus, which are becoming widespread day by day in Cappadocia, are generally; It consists of a wide variety of options such as cheese, bread, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, jam, and honey. In addition, tea is served with it. Kebab is also frequently consumed in Cappadocia. The jug kebab is very famous here. It is also one of the wine capitals of Turkey, and vineyards are nestled in the region’s many valleys. Wine manufacturing here dates back thousands of years.
4. Cappadocia Baths
The calm scenery, unhurried pace, and warm weather of Cappadocia create a suitable base for exploring it. This place is also ideal for relaxation. People spend hours lying down on open-air terraces or in caves. If you want a true relaxation and purification experience, plan a hammam trip. Being a historical tradition in our culture, the hammam is also a favorite of foreign tourists coming to Cappadocia.
5. Absorbing the Culture
Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the main tourist attractions of the region. It has a system of more than 30 churches, many of which date back to the 9th and 11th centuries. Another popular region for those who want to witness the culture and history in Cappadocia is the underground cities of Cappadocia. For those who want to stay on the ground, it is also enjoyable to take a few hours of walks here. Here, the paths in Love Valley are one of the favorite areas.
6. Extraordinary Historical Timeline
The region played an important role in Christianity. It also hosts the largest open-air museum in Turkey. Here, visitors excitedly explore ancient cave churches and monasteries. While you’re here, don’t forget to see the numerous underground cities built hundreds of years ago to protect the locals from invaders.
7.Many Things to Do
Another reason to come to Cappadocia is that there are numerous things to do when you come here. Here it is a good option to explore the majestic landscape setting in a peaceful place. However, there are many activities such as horse rides, cycling, jazz and wine festivals, cooking classes, gondola rides, baths, ceramics courses. In addition to all the activities, there is also a “balloon ride” option that surpasses them all. Make sure to take time on the balloon trip to enjoy a unique view.
8.Taking a Balloon Ride
The world’s leading travel publications say that Cappadocia is one of the best balloon destinations in the world. In the early hours of the day, right after sunrise, you can witness an impressive view. Although it is more expensive, you can be included in private balloon rides; Otherwise, most companies take 6 to 15 people in a balloon.
9. Cave Churches
Historically, Cappadocia was one of the first places where Christianity was accepted. In addition to using rocks to build cave houses, the locals of the region also built churches that now serve as the Göreme Open Air Museum. Especially the exterior architecture of the cave churches from the 11th and 12th centuries is admirable. In addition, the decorations of the ceilings are perfect reflections of ancient art.
10. Underground Cities
One of the most unusual reasons to visit Cappadocia is not only the Fairy chimneys above the surface but also underground. Hundreds of ancient underground cities have been discovered here, and the largest is Derinkuyu, home to 20,000 people. The history of these underground cities, which includes many areas including schools, funeral parlors, houses, food storage areas, goes back a long way.
11 Views from the Region
A picture in Cappadocia is worth a thousand words. Where else in the world can you find the Fairy Chimneys here? When people are in the middle of this view; It also finds time to get rid of stress and anxiety. Instant escapes here will provide a better perspective.
12. Historical Treasure
Archaeological evidence dating back to 5500 BC; The “guest book” signed by the Hittites, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans continues until today. Most of these peoples dominated present-day Turkey. Christianity and Islam, the two major world religions, also found a significant part of their faith here in Cappadocia.
13. Yummy Meals
If you come to Cappadocia, you should take care not to gain weight. When you see Nevşehir cuisine, you may find it difficult to control yourself. Do not go back without eating the test kebab, Iskender, chicken shish, pita, ravioli, lahmacun and künefe.
14. Artistic and Cultural Uniqueness
Pottery art has existed in Cappadocia since the 200s BC. Here the clay is taken from the hills in the border regions and turned into beautiful molds by the craftsmen. Some of the cultural diversity in the region include; There are also rug weaving, folk dances, village weddings, and famous baths.
15. Fun for Kids
Cappadocia is great for a family vacation. If your kids want to climb, hike and explore, this is a good area for them. If parents can learn to loosen some boundaries on their children’s safety, letting their children play is a good option for them and their children alike.
16. Shopping
Many things are available for purchase here. Of course, this is a relative term, but if you understand bargaining, Cappadocia offers good shopping opportunities. In addition, visiting public transport, food, and souvenir shops can also allow you to witness incredible memories without straining your pocket.
17. Derinkuyu Underground City
Imagine accommodating 20,000 people, livestock, and food stores, for years in a place equivalent to a 4th-century bomb shelter. This underground city is the largest of many complexes in Cappadocia with its tunnels and living spaces. If you come here; You can see kitchens, wineries, bedrooms, and more were used in the past.
18. Ravioli
One of the favorite flavors of Turkish cuisine! It creates wonderful harmony with the filling of tiny doughs with minced meat and the sauce with yogurt and sumac on it. Manti is considered a specialty in Cappadocia.
19. Trekking
While hiking in the beautiful valleys of Cappadocia, it is difficult not to appreciate the splendor of nature and to have an idea of your place in the universe. This place hosts fantastic paths such as Honey Valley, Ihlara Valley, Pigeon Valley, Sword Valley, Zemi Valley, and Love Valley. Each of these has unique geological features.
20. Meeting Friendly People
People in Cappadocia are extremely warm, helpful, and friendly. You can see this in almost everyone you meet. Both personal and restaurant owners at the restaurants you visit, even people you stop to ask for directions… Each of them takes their time to chat and try to help you. The warmth and hospitality you will see in Cappadocia is something you will truly love!
