You all would have heard of Cappadocia or its hot air balloon rides that are famous worldwide. However, there’s are several things to do in Cappadocia that isn’t taking a hot air balloon ride. The unique landscape of this place is perfect for indulging in various adventure activities from horse riding to hiking. These activities allow you to explore the beauty of this region in the best way possible and also make your holiday in this Land of Beautiful Horses a memorable one. This Turkish destination is for all the adventurers and romantics at heart because visiting this place would be the highlight of your year. So, are you ready to delve into the adventurous side of this mystical destination?
Best Things to Do in Cappadocia: Indulge in Adventures Against Fairytale Sceneries
When you think of Cappadocia, the one thing that always comes to mind is its breathtaking scenery, adorned with fairy chimneys, gorgeous valleys, and ancient ruins. Imagine what it’ll feel like delving into adventures against such mesmerizing landscapes and scenic views. It’ll truly be a memorable and amazing experience, so don’t miss out on these fun things to do in Cappadocia.
- Experience Horse Riding at Sunset
- Indulge in Hiking at Ihlara Valley
- Watch the Fairy Chimneys at Pasabag Valley
- Climb Atop the Uchisar Castle
- Visit a Hammam for a Traditional Bath
- Shop at the Colorful Street Markets
- Enjoy a Day at the Pink Salt Lake Tuz
- Go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Stay at the Most Luxurious Sultan Cave Suites
- Watch the Mesmerizing Sunset at Rose Valley
- Take up Exquisite Wine Tours
- Go on a Day Trip to Mustafapasa Village
1. Experience Horse Riding at Sunset: The Land of Beautiful Horses
Cappadocia translates to “The Land of Beautiful Horses” and rightfully so. This region is popular for its Cappadocian horses that are absolutely beautiful and indulging in horse riding during sunset is an activity you can’t miss out on. Since this region’s landscape is unique and undulating, it makes riding on a horse even more fun. So, trudge in the gorgeous Cappadocia Valleys and watch the sky change colors as the sun sets. It’s a truly fulfilling activity that would acquaint you with this destination’s marvelous scenery. You can know all about it in our Cappadocia travel guide.
Best time for horse riding in Cappadocia: March to June
Places for Cappadocia horse riding: Red and Rose Valley, Sword Valley, Goreme, Cavusin Village
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2. Indulge in Hiking at Ihlara Valley: One of the Top Things to Do in Cappadocia
Experience a serene and peaceful environment in this charming valley with a gorge that was created thousands of years ago by the Melendiz River. Hiking on the 14 km stretch with several churches on the way is one of the many attractions that makes this activity worthwhile. You must explore the Kokar Kilise, Agacalti Kilise, and other such churches adorned by frescoes, unique architecture, and much more. Ihlara Valley is one of the famous hiking excursions in Cappadocia that is ideal for adventure enthusiasts.
Best time for hiking at Ihlara Valley, Cappadocia: April to May and September to October
Ihlara Valley timings: 9 A.M onwards
Other hiking places in Cappadocia: Red and Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, Zemi Valley
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
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3. Watch the Fairy Chimneys at Love Valley: Experience a Fairytale-Like Vacation
Cappadocia is nothing less than a paradise for tourists because of its oh-so beautiful attractions, one of which is the fairy chimneys. These fairy chimneys in Cappadocia come under the UNESCO World Heritage Site as their formation is the result of years of erosion of volcanic rock. These attractions are available in several places in this region, but the ones in Love Valley are absolutely gorgeous because of the combination of scenic views and breathtaking landscape. Taking a trip to this valley and witnessing these beauties up-close is one of the many free things to do in Cappadocia, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Best time to visit Love Valley, Cappadocia: April to June and September to October
Love Valley timings: Open 24 hours
Other places with fairy chimneys in Cappadocia: Pasabag Valley, Zelve Valley, Devrent Valley, Red Valley, and Pigeon Valley
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4. Climb Atop the Uchisar Castle: Soak in the Panoramic Views
Uchisar Castle is one of the best places to visit in Turkey because it offers a 360-degree view of the entire region as you climb up around 100 stairs to the top. You can set your sights on the fairy chimneys, Pigeon Valley, Mt. Erciyes, and many other gorgeous tourist attractions. Visiting this castle is also an adventure on its own as you’ll have to hike via the Love Valley, Uchisar, or Goreme town to reach here. Since you’re there, why not watch a mesmerizing sunset as well? This UNESCO World Heritage Site was used by the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for defense purposes, and you’ll come across several tunnels, caves, and passages inside worth exploring.
Best time to visit Uchisar Castle, Cappadocia: April to June and September to October
Uchisar Castle timings: 7:30 A.M to 8 P.M
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5. Visit a Hammam for a Traditional Bath: Relax with these Spa Treatments
Hammams were earlier created near mosques to ensure the purity of rituals, but they soon turned into recreational places where you can enjoy a rejuvenating spa experience. There are traditional and modern hammams in this region, and we urge you to try both for a more enriching time. There are several amenities available in these spas, from designated areas for men and women along with a general area to the freedom to choose between wearing a red cloth inside or a swimsuit. There’s also a dry spa that you can try here. All in all, you’re in for a relaxing time at this place, so add this to your list of unique things to do in Cappadocia.
Best hammam in Cappadocia: The Ürgüp Hamam, Allaaddin Hammam and Spa, The Elis Hamam of Goreme
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6. Shop at the Colorful Street Markets: Take Home the Turkish Essence
Shopping in Turkey is a satisfying experience, one that can only be experienced by indulging in that activity. The colorful and vibrant markets of Cappadocia offer a variety of items to buy and all these things, from carpets and rugs to handicrafts capture the essence of this country. Walking around the streets lined with markets is nothing less than a fairytale experience, right out of a Disney Movie. You can also try some delicious street food while on this expedition to immerse yourself in this activity because it’s quite easily one of the most famous things to do in Turkey.
Best time for shopping in Cappadocia: April to June and September to October
Famous markets in Cappadocia: Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar, Nevsehir, Urgup, Uchisar Castle
What to buy from Cappadocia: Handicrafts, rugs and carpets, pottery, dry fruits, spices, etc.
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7. Enjoy a Day at the Pink Salt Lake Tuz: A Color Changing Lake in Cappadocia
If you’re planning a honeymoon in Turkey, you must visit Lake Tuz, which is one of the largest Salt Lakes in the world and the second largest lake in Turkey. The highlight of this lake is its color changing property as the seasons change. In summers, the brightness of this lake makes it visible from space and during other seasons, it takes on a pink hue. The gorgeous view of this lake is perfect for couples to spend some romantic time. This special environmental protection area is the source of 50% of the country’s salt needs and you’ll also find breeding colonies of flamingos here. In addition, you might even come across white-fronted geese and lesser kestrels. So, don’t miss out on this adventure when vacationing in Cappadocia.
Best time to visit Lake Tuz, Cappadocia: April to June and September to October
Lake Tuz timings: Open 24 hours
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8. Go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride: One of the Famous Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey
Regardless of the places you visit in Cappadocia, you can’t run away from the most popular activity in this region, a hot air balloon ride. You’ll constantly find these colorful balloons flying high up in the air, enhancing the beauty of the Cappadocian skies. The best place for indulging in this adventure is at the Goreme Valley, where tourists flock in huge numbers to enjoy this fun activity. So, soar high up in the air at an altitude of around 3000 ft. and watch a mesmerizing sunrise with your loved ones. You can click several aesthetic pictures from the top, since it’s one of the most instagrammable places in Cappadocia.
Best time for hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia: April to November; there’s a hot air balloon festival from July to August
Top places for Cappadocia hot air balloon ride: Goreme Valley, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar
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9. Stay at the Most Luxurious Sultan Cave Suites
Perched on top of the picturesque Goreme village, Sultan Cave Suites will promise you an exotic cave hotel experience with mesmerizing sights and top-notch hospitality. Since Cappadocia is famous for the mysterious caves dating to the 18th & 19th centuries, they have been converted into resorts and hotels in contemporary times. With an array of plush interior suites and rooms, Sultan Cave Suites will awe-inspire you with the amazing rooms sprawling all around the caves carved out of stones. Indulge yourself in the plentitude of activities offered by the hotel like hot air ballooning, Turkish cooking classes, horse riding etc. Devor a wholesome Turkish meal in Seten Anatolian, Goreme, one of the best restaurants in Turkey.
Location: Aydınlı Mah, Cappadocia Nevşehir TR, Çakmaklı Sk. No:40, 50180, Türkiye
Activities to do: Hot Air Balloon ride, Horse Back riding, King Valley tour with breakfast, green tours, Dervish Show, ATV tour, Jeep Safari, Cooking Class, Hiking
Exclusive Features:
- Restaurant
- Turking Cooking Class
- Spa & Massage Center
- Swimming Pool
- Rooftop Bar
10. Watch the Mesmerizing Sunset at Rose Valley
Visiting Rose Valley is one of the top things to do in Cappadocia to get lured by the extravagant beauty of the rock formations, magnificent cave dwellings and lush green vineyards. With a multitude of gentle slopes, sharp ridges, and rugged cliffs, the Valley is an ideal spot to watch a mesmerizing sunset with scattered pink hues along with your beloved one to delight your senses. You will fall in love with this place after gazing at the soul-stirring sight which will result in recurrent visits. If you are a nature lover with a keen interest in photography, you won’t be disappointed by visiting this place since you can capture some surreal moments to be treasured for a lifetime.
Best Time to visit Rose Valley, Cappadocio: Evening before Sunset
Rose Valley, Cappadocio Timings: Open for 24 hours
Ideal Duration to Spend in Rose Valley, Cappadocio: 1-2 hours
11. Take up Exquisite Wine Tours
While in Cappadocia, take up a wine tour to the local wineries and vineyards to discover the history and traditional practice of wine-making process in this hidden gem of Turkey. Wine tasting should be added to the list of things to do in Turkey for an enriching cultural experience. After hiking up the rugged mountain ranges, watching a beautiful sunset over the Rose Valley Mountains and sipping a bottle of wine will let you live into the moment for an idyllic vacation. Apart from that, you can also visit some other wineries in Urgup, Uchisar, Avanos, and Goreme along with some other restaurants and premium wine shops. Moreover, while walking along the vineyards, you can gaze at nature’s supremacy of this place all at once.
Best Time for Wine tours in Cappadocia: April, May & Mid-September to Mid-November
Top Places for Wine tours in Cappadocia: Turasan Winery, Kocabag Winery, Seki Restaurant, Yoresel Sarap Evi, Goreme
12. Go on a Day Trip to Mustafapasa Village
Formerly known as Sinasos, Mustafapasa is an old heritage village that has preserved the deep-rooted culture and traditions of Balkan and Anatolia. Being inhabited by 1300 people, Mustafapasa is the home to numerous stone buildings with ornamental engravings, architectural wonders like the churches and mosques. Best known for the historic art & craft culture including pottery making, tile-making, doll making, and stonemasonry, this heritage village attracts millions of visitors from different parts of the world. If you want to bring in some memories of Mustafapasa, you can visit Chez Ismail, the exclusive souvenir boutique shop, to buy some of the best souvenirs to decorate your home, which can be added to the list of things to do in Cappadocia.
Location: Urgup District, Nevsehir Province, Cappadocia, Turkey
Ideal Duration to Spend in Mustafapasa Village, Cappadocio: 3-4 hours
Top Attractions: Chez Ismail, Mehmet Sakirpasa Madrasa, St. Nicholas Monastery, Constantine Helena Church, Saint Basil’s Church, St. Basil’s Chapel, Cappadocia Museum of Art & History
There are plenty of reasons as to why you should plan your next trip to Cappadocia as is clear from our blog. The things to do in Cappadocia offer a gala time to the tourists with their fun and exciting element. You can also indulge in unique and offbeat activities, like enjoying a traditional spa treatment. It’s the perfect destination to bask in the golden sunset hours and to feel the first rays of sunshine. Cappadocia is truly an unrivalled destination that is ideal for families, honeymooners, couples, friends, and people from all walks of life. So, book our Turkey tour packages to experience all this on your own.
FAQs
Cappadocia has several activities lined up for you apart from hot air balloons, such as horse riding, enjoying at a hammam, hiking in the picturesque valleys, and much more. These thrilling things to do here are equally fun as a hot air balloon ride.
If you’re planning on indulging in a hot air balloon ride, then morning is the best time to do so because the weather conditions are favorable during that time. This activity isn’t available during sunset.
Balloon rides range between 45 minutes to 3 hours. You’ll get to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise, witness a panoramic view of the region, and soak in the scenic beauty.
Since Cappadocia is ideal for couples and honeymooners, you must indulge in these romantic activities, such as going on a hot air balloon ride, horse riding in the mesmerizing valleys, visit Lake Tuz for a breathtaking view of the pink salt lake, and much more.
You must indulge in hiking at Ihlara Valley, stay at the cave hotels, explore Goreme Open Air Museum, ride in the hot air balloon, and much more. These activities are perfect for kids.
The best part about Cappadocia is that you can do several activities here for free. From hiking in the valleys and exploring the Uchisar Castle to watching the hot air balloons and venturing into the underground cities.
You must buy rugs, carpets, handicrafts, pottery, spices, dry fruits, and other such famous things from the markets in Cappadocia. These are famous in Turkey and are must-buy items.
The best time to visit Cappadocia is from April to June or September to October. The weather’s pleasant during this time and is perfect for most of the activities, including hot air balloon ride.
2-3 days are ideal enough for Cappadocia to cover the major highlights of the city including Goreme Open-Air Museum, fairy chimneys, take up hot air ballooning rides and immerse yourself in its ethereal beauty. You can also extend your trip accordingly based on your preferences.
Cappadocia is mainly famous for the unique and intricate rock formations and hot air ballooning rides that will offer you an opportunity to marvel at the majestic landscapes. Being enriched with a myriad of natural splendors including the scenic volcanoes known as Cappadocia fairies or ‘Cotton Castles’, Cappadocia attracts millions of visitors from across the world.
