Cappadocia, Turkey, is one of the most Instagrammed places in the world, and it’s no surprise why. From hundreds of hot-air balloons to its breathtaking sunrises and unique landscape, this place is like a dream come true.
I recommend that everyone travel here at least once in their life. If you ever get the opportunity to go, this guide will show you how to plan your trip. These are the best tips and hotspots I discovered when I visited Cappadocia for a day.
Arriving in Cappadocia
I landed at Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport at 6 p.m. from Istanbul. There are only two airports in the region, which is quite small, with only small aircraft arriving and departing from this destination — so make sure to pack very light. Even small suitcases are not allowed unless you can shell out an extra $200, so bring a heavy-duty backpack or duffel bag you can carry on the plane.
Once landed, many taxis wait at the airport for tourists. Make sure to go with a driver willing to charge you by the meter during your ride, as it is normally more cost-efficient than a set fare.
After arriving in central Cappadocia, it’s best to enjoy a local authentic meal in town. There is a town called Ürgüp with a selection of local restaurants and shops. The people are so friendly, and the food is so good. If you want a taste of the local life, this is the best location.
Lodging
I suggest staying at a cave hotel — a hotel built into the rocky mountains in Cappadocia. This experience is unique to the destination and is something you don’t want to miss. These hotels and suites are also very affordable and much less expensive than hotels in other parts of Turkey. Higher-end suites are under $200CAD a night!
Cave hotels are also great as most people don’t need more than a night in Cappadocia as the hot air balloon journey starts in the wee hours of the morning. Your pockets won’t feel the burden of not being able to spend a whole night in the room.
I stayed at the Sur Cave Suites, and it was magical. The suite was built into Cappadocia caves, and the interior made you feel as if you were inside a cave. The rooms were spacious and elegant, with cute kittens roaming around the garden outside.
Hot Air Balloon
After your stay in a cave hotel, it’s time to embark on Cappadocia’s main attraction: the hot-air balloons. Famous all around the globe for its picturesque landscapes and sunrises, this activity is a must-do.
The tours normally begin at 5 a.m. for sunrise, so be prepared to wake up at around 4 a.m., depending on your proximity to the take-off site. Your touring agency will pick you up in a shuttle and drop you off where the balloons are.
Once you arrive, the crew will buckle passengers into the hot-air balloons, which are then lifted into the sky. This is where you will want to pull out your cameras. The sunrise view from these balloons is incredible as they float at around 3,000 to 5,000 ft in the air. From that height, you will see other hot-air balloons, fairy chimneys (the unique rock formations), and, of course, the sunrise.
People often say the price for these tours is steep (ranging from $200-300 CAD per person). Remember that you are saving on food, hotel, and transportation, which are quite low here as the economy is built around the hot-air balloons.
When the tour is completed, you will likely want to catch up on your sleep, so I recommend taking a short nap in the room before checking out. Afterwards, you can check out some great spots to grab breakfast.
Göreme
In an area called Göreme, not too far from the balloons, is a small town with lots of shops and restaurants. There are even many gift shops and fresh fruit smoothie bars. I ate authentic kebabs here at the Gurme Kebab restaurant.
Another great place is the Terrace restaurant, which has nice views of the surrounding rocky hills.
A 10 to 15-minute walk from here is a ranch that does horse riding tours. If you have some time before your flight or plan to extend your trip longer than a day, I recommend trying this. The horse tours let you go through different terrains in Cappadocia and view the fairy chimneys up close.
These fairy chimneys used to be home to people thousands of years ago. The natural erosion of the rocks made it a great shelter from the heat, sand, and storms, providing a cozy place to live for many Turks. These tours are also a great opportunity to get amazing pictures of the rock formations.
After all this was done, I got on my plane back to Istanbul. Cappadocia is 10/10 of a location that you should add to your travel bucket list!