Holiday in Cappadocia

What makes Cappadocia special as a destination?

Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is a landscape like from another planet: bizarrely shaped fairy chimneys, conical tuff stone rocks, and gently rolling valleys in earth tones from pink to ochre to white stretch as far as the eye can see. Volcanic eruptions millions of years ago created this surreal topography, which wind and water have since shaped into a geological work of art. The absolute highlight is a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, when hundreds of colorful balloons float simultaneously over the fairy chimneys and the first light bathes the rock formations in warm gold — a sight unmatched anywhere in the world. The Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, houses rock-hewn Byzantine churches with astonishingly well-preserved frescoes from the 10th to the 13th century. The underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli reach up to eight stories deep and once provided refuge for thousands of Christians from persecution — complete with ventilation shafts, storage rooms, and churches. Today, travelers stay in stylishly converted cave hotels that combine modern comfort with millennia-old architecture. The Ihlara Valley offers a green hike through a 100-meter deep gorge with hidden rock churches. The best travel time is from April to June or September to October, when temperatures are pleasant and tourist crowds are manageable.