Cappadocia
Travel guide
Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, is a unique and breathtaking destination that offers visitors a one-of-a-kind travel experience. From its surreal landscapes of towering rock formations and underground cities to its rich history and culture, Cappadocia has something to offer for everyone.
During my 8-day trip to Cappadocia, I was able to explore the region's stunning natural beauty, sample delicious local cuisine, and immerse myself in the fascinating history and traditions of this enchanting place. My absolute highlight of the trip was the hot air balloon ride at sunrise. In this article, I will share with you my top tips and recommendations for making the most of your own visit to Cappadocia.
In this guide you will find out more about:
- Travel route
- Best time to travel
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Food
- Budget
Travel Route
There are many ways to travel to Cappadocia. One can organize an individual trip, travel with a tour group or book a private tour guide. The advantage of booking a guided tour to Cappadocia is the high comfort, local guides and a perfectly coordinated itinerary. We decided to book a 8-day round trip with a tour group from Antalya to Cappadocia in November 2021 with Berge & Meer. Our travel group consisted of about 15 people. Our travel route:
- Day 1: Arrival in Antalya
- Day 2: 520km drive to Cappadocia
- Day 3: Hot air balloon ride
- Day 4: Göreme
- Day 5: The Red Valley
- Day 6: 520km drive back to Antalya
- Day 7: A day in Anatalya
- Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Arrival in Antalya
We landed late in the evening in Antalya and were picked up at the airport and brought to the hotel by a driver. We went to bed early, since we knew we would start our drive to Cappadocia early in the morning.
Day 2: 520km drive to Cappadocia
The next morning the group was picked up by our tour guide and bus driver and we started our round trip towards Cappadocia. The drive from Antalya to the Cappadocia region is about 520km. The bus ride is long, but the passing scenery on the journey via Konya to Cappadocia made the time pass quickly. In Konya we stopped and visited the impressive tomb mosque of Mevlana, the founder of the Mevlana order. This order with its dancing dervishes is the characteristic of the city of Konya. Then we continued by bus to Cappadocia, where we arrived at the hotel in the evening.
Day 3: Hot air balloon ride
Our first day in Cappadocia started with my highlight of the whole trip. We were picked up at the hotel at 4 in the morning and taken to the starting point by bus for about 20 minutes. Here, more than 200 hot air balloons were already waiting to rise into the air at sunrise. With about 15 people in a balloon we were already several hundred meters above the fascinating lunar landscape at sunrise. It was the most magical experience I have had so far. The tranquility and breathtaking scenery were incredible and an absolute bucket list moment for me.
We booked the hot air balloon ride directly through our tour guide for about 200€. If you are planning on going on an individual trip, there are also numerous local providers where you can book a hot air balloon ride. However, the balloon rides are very dependent on the weather. If the wind or rain is too strong, the balloons cannot take off. Since we visited Cappadocia in November, it was quite cold. Therefore, you should dress warmly in any case, depending on the season.
During the day we did a moderately difficult hike through the famous lunar landscape of Cappadocia. The valleys are unique and definitely worth a visit.
Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
Ürgüp, Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Famous lunar landscape of Cappadocia
Day 4: Göreme
On the next day we visited the open air museum of Göreme. This is characterized by the famous cave churches and well-preserved frescoes. In addition, there are numerous underground cities in the region that can be visited. In the afternoon we visited such a city. It was very impressive to see, but maybe less suitable for people with claustrophobia.
Day 5: The Red Valley
On our round trip we made a side trip to the Red Valley. Here we visited a carpet weaving workshop and a pottery workshop. It was interesting to get to know the Turkish handicraft. After the tour we could also buy carpets or pottery. I did not have the impression that the sellers were very pushy. However, they were of course happy that some of the group bought a souvenir to take home. We also walked around the Red Valley and admired the lunar landscapes there.
Day 6: 520km drive back to Antalya
On the 6th day we drove back to Antalya. On the long bus ride through beautiful landscapes on the old Silk Road, we also visited a caravanserai, which was once one of the most beautiful buildings of Seljuk architecture. A caravanserai was a walled inn along caravan routes. Travelers could stay here safely with their animals and trade goods.
Day 7: A day in Anatalya
We spent our last day of vacation in Antalya. Because of the popular harbor, the quaint old town and the Mediterranean climate, Antalya is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey and has become a popular anchorage for yachts of all types over many years. We enjoyed a visit to the waterfall, the shopping possibilities and walking around the great old town.
Day 8: Departure
On the last day we were taken back to the airport for our return flight. Some of the group extended their vacation and stayed at a fancy 5 star beach hotel.
Göreme
The Red Valley
Antalya port
Antalya
Best time to travel
The best time to travel to Cappadocia in Turkey is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) seasons. During these months, the weather is mild, and the landscapes are at their most stunning with colorful blooms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. Additionally, the crowds are generally smaller compared to the peak summer season, which means you can enjoy the region's attractions and activities with fewer crowds. However, if you don't mind the colder weather and want to experience the magical hot air balloon rides, winter months (December to February) can also be a great time to visit Cappadocia, as the snow-covered landscapes create a magical atmosphere.
We went to the Turkish region Cappadocia in November and were totally lucky with the weather. We had a week of bright sunshine and in Antalya you could even walk around with a t-shirt. In the mornings and evenings, it was quite fresh in the Cappadocia region. However, I can still highly recommend the travel time, because overall there were few tourists and we could see all the sights without large crowds.
Transportation
Since we had booked an organized trip, we had the advantage that we did not have to worry about anything on site. We were constantly taken from A to B by bus. Buses and cars are basically a common means of transportation for tourist groups in Turkey. The roads are very well developed. Alternatively, if you are thinking about organizing a trip to Cappadocia yourself, you can rent a car locally. There are several providers for this purpose.
Accommodation
In our complete package the accommodation in 4-star hotels was included. In Turkey, however, the standard is different than in European countries, such as Germany. Basically, the hotels were good. In particular, we liked our accommodation in Cappadocia. The rooms were comfortably furnished and the all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast and dinner left almost nothing to be desired.
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Food
Turkey has a rich culinary culture with a wide variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Turkish breakfast usually includes a variety of dishes such as bread, cheese, olives, eggs, jams, honey, and fresh vegetables. Menemen, a traditional Turkish breakfast dish made with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and spices, is a popular option.
Lahmacun is a popular Turkish street food that is essentially a thin crust pizza with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs. Pide, a Turkish flatbread with various toppings such as cheese, minced meat, vegetables, and spices. Kebabs, grilled meat skewers served with rice or bread, are also a popular lunch option in Turkey.
Meze is a popular way to start a dinner. It is a selection of small dishes that are shared as appetizers. Main courses can include grilled or baked fish, meat dishes such as lamb, beef or chicken, and stews like the famous Iskender kebab. Vegetarian options like stuffed peppers, eggplant dishes, and lentil soup are also commonly found in Turkish cuisine.
One of my favourite Turkish delights is Baklava, and Sutlac (rice pudding), which are traditional Turkish desserts. It's worth noting that Turkey has a rich and diverse culinary tradition, so the dishes and flavors can vary depending on the region and season.
Budget
The price for our organized trip was unbeatable. We would not have gotten away that cheaply with a self-organized trip. We paid about 520€ for flights, transportation, tour guide, accommodations and half board. We also booked lunch for about 80€ for all days and a demonstration of a Berbian dance. On site, there were additional costs for drinks and the hot air balloon ride (~ 200€). In total, our travel budget for the entire trip was about 850€.