Detailed instructions: how to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from various cities. Some details of bus companies in Turkey

The second place to visit was the small town of Goreme in the center of Cappadocia. In order to get there, we bought bus tickets at the METRO sales office in some shopping center.

In general, you can buy tickets directly at the Asti bus station, there are sales counters for famous bus companies. The names of companies, as a rule, are written in huge letters on buses, so you can navigate by them. In Turkey, intercity bus service is very widespread and developed and it really deserves all praise, very convenient, comfortable buses and excellent service. Therefore, you can come to Goreme from anywhere in Turkey. Well, to get to Turkey you need to buy a plane ticket. We use the proven Aviasales resource; for convenience, you can use this form:

A ticket from Ankara to Goreme cost 40 liras, we bought two tickets, but since they gave us a 10% discount, it ended up being 36 liras for one person.
They didn’t take a separate seat for Camilla, they decided to carry her on their knees one at a time, although it was a 5-hour ride.

We got to the bus station on our own by metro. The bus station is impressive, large, three floors in my opinion, it works like a conveyor belt, buses depart every half hour in different directions. There are also plenty of people at the bus station, mostly the local population, sprinkled here and there with a few independent travelers. Inside the bus station it’s not very clean and there are little gypsies snooping around, begging for food and money, quite aggressively, so be careful with your things.

In order not to miss our bus, closer to the boarding time, we went out onto the platform and found it ourselves, did not wait for the announcement, they said it rather unclearly. The bus pleased:

There was a distance between our chairs, where we put our backpack, and we put Camilla on top and rode off comfortably.
There were special foot rests, which was very comfortable, the legs did not swell.
There was a small worker built into the back of each chair!!! a tablet computer on which you could watch movies, cartoons (all in Turkish), play toys, listen to music; personal headphones were provided for this. As soon as the bus started moving everything worked.

What is noteworthy is that in Turkish intercity buses, in addition to the driver, there is a mandatory presence of a steward. I'll tell you why. Before we had time to drive away, the steward began to go around all the passengers and offer ice cream!!! Honestly, we were blown away! 🙂
After some time, the steward again walked around the bus offering hot tea, water, sweets, collecting garbage, etc. All this, mind you, is free. We were amazed at the level of service and in general that this is possible on buses. Needless to say, the bus itself is modern, with air conditioning and so on.

Apart from us, there were no other foreigners on the bus.
We stopped several times along the way for snacks and other errands. One of the stops was near a salt lake, as we understood, salt is mined there.

After we arrived at the bus station in the city of Nevsehir, from which it is another 10 km to Goreme, we were transferred to a minibus and driven further. Even before you reach Goreme, it’s as if you’re on another planet, this is exactly the feeling and impression that arises. The landscapes are simply extraordinary, bizarre, cosmic!

Meanwhile, the bus brings us to the final stop, which is also a bus station under open air. You can't tell by looking at it, but that's exactly how it is. By the way, this place is located in the very center of Goreme.

Having immediately asked people how to get to our hotel, which had been booked in advance, we slowly walked in that direction...

Other articles about our trip to Turkey:

Services we use on our independent travels:

Search and purchase of air tickets
Aviasales is number 1 for us among all search engines, we only use it because it is convenient and reliable, without any pitfalls.
One Two Trip! - an amazingly convenient search engine in which you can find and purchase not only air tickets, but also railway tickets. In addition, it is also easy to book a hotel or hotel there. By clicking on our link you will receive an additional 500 rubles discount on the purchase of an air ticket!

Search and book accommodation

- a world-famous search engine where you can find and book accommodation from guesthouses to luxury villas. Have used it many times and highly recommend it.
Hotellook is a service for searching and booking accommodation from the creators of Aviasales.
Airbnb - booking and renting apartments, rooms, houses local residents. Tested on ourselves, everything is honest, we recommend. When booking using our link, you will receive a bonus of RUB 2,100, which you can use to pay for your accommodation. To do this, you will need to create your AirBnB account.

Car rental
- an excellent alternative to traveling on intercity buses and trains across Russia. Prices are often lower public transport, and comfort is significantly higher.

Service aggregator for car rentals from local rental companies. You choose a car as if at a local rental, but through the service, booking by bank card, from which only 15% of the cost is charged. The guarantor is MyRentacar. You can choose not only the car class, but also a specific car, down to the body color and radio type. But most importantly, the prices on this service are the same as if you went to your local rental company yourself!

Goreme is a small but most popular tourist village in Cappadocia. Despite the fact that there are more big cities(Kayseri and Nevsehir) with an airport, markets, museums and bustling bars, Goreme is tourist center region. 95% of tourists rent a hotel here, buy excursions, take walks through the valleys and forays to various attractions from here.

Why do people mostly travel to Goreme (Türkiye), and not to other places in Cappadocia?

Firstly, the village is very advantageously located: it is located in the very center of the Goreme National Park. This is a huge open air museum that is included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. National Park famous for the fact that many centuries ago it was the largest Christian center with big amount rock churches, monasteries and individual cells of monks. In addition, many beautiful valleys with unique “lunar landscapes” are also located in this park and begin right near Goreme. This is very convenient for independent walks and walking tours.

Secondly, Goreme (Türkiye) is equipped especially for tourists. Here great amount hotels and restaurants, souvenir shops and excursion bureaus, there are many rental offices for bicycles and ATVs. There is also a playground near Goreme. Local residents live off tourism and try to make vacationers feel comfortable and cozy.

Third, Goreme (or rather its center) is more tidy and clean compared to neighboring resort “cities”. But on the outskirts here it has been preserved colorful atmosphere Turkish village: women pick seeds from pumpkins, chickens run around, and tractors stand along the road.

Sights of Goreme and the surrounding area

(Türkiye)– the most famous attraction of Cappadocia. Read more about it in a separate article from our author’s guide.
Valleys near Goreme. Near the village there are many valleys where you can walk, take beautiful pictures, and if you’re lucky, watch turtles and lizards. Detailed description valleys with photographs can be found by looking at, and ready-made walking routes for walks see .
Observation deck. It is clearly visible from almost everywhere. Towers over a small one. It offers a wonderful view of Goreme (also called the “Göreme panorama”), the Görkünder valley and the surrounding area.
UFO Museum. It is no coincidence that a small museum was opened here in 2005, because Cappadocia is one of the top five places where increased UFO activity is observed. Here are clippings from newspapers and magazines in 8 languages with descriptions of various paranormal phenomena and interviews with people abducted by aliens. But the most interesting thing in the exhibition is an installation depicting a scene of four aliens studying an inhabitant of the Earth. Museum opening hours: 09.00-19.00. Finding the UFO Museum in Goreme is not difficult: it is located 200-300 m to the left of the road to the Open Air Museum.

Where to stay in Goreme: hotels, pensions, hostels, campsites

Goreme (Türkiye) has the largest number of different hotels, boarding houses and hostels. There are so many of them that even in high season it is not necessary to book in advance (unless, of course, you are tied to a specific hotel). You can always find something on your own upon arrival.

The types of housing in Goreme are different: there are cave hotels, completely or partially carved into the rock, there are real Sultan's stone palaces, there are family hotels, there are simple hostels, and there are comfortable campsites.

Checkout time is usually 09.00 (before the arrival of morning buses). If you have already left, but you have free time and if you want to take a walk somewhere else before the bus leaves, you can leave your things at the reception.

Where to eat in Goreme: restaurants, cafes, bars...

There are a lot of different establishments in Goreme where you can eat or drink a cup of coffee, have a light snack or relax with a glass of Cappadocian wine. There are restaurants, cafes, pide places (that is, pizzerias), bars... There are places where vegetarians can dine, and places where they serve halal (food without pork). There are restaurants with Turkish cuisine, and there are European (French, Italian, Austrian) or generally international (American, Indian, Chinese, Korean). It’s just that there is no Russian and Ukrainian cuisine in Goreme in Turkey yet, but I think it’s a matter of time!

We talked about the five best places to eat in Goreme (three restaurants and a couple of cafes) in the material (see rating). Here we will list a few more food establishments that are also among the top ten.

Cappadocian Cuisine– family restaurant with traditional Turkish cuisine. The hospitable hostess Khatizhda greets you at the door in national clothes, sometimes with a cigar or a cup of coffee. She knows how to say “Hello” and “Come see us” in many languages and accurately, at first glance, determines how to address you specifically. All the waiters in the restaurant speak excellent English. The menu is extensive: here you can order individual dishes to suit your taste, as well as a set lunch, which includes soup (for example, chorba), a main meat dish (testi kebab or something else), rice, salad and tea. The service is fast, but so that guests don’t get bored while waiting for their order, they are given a free “compliment from the restaurant” - a basket of warm bread with ayran sauce with herbs (it’s so “tasty” to break off small pieces from the flatbread and dip them in the sauce), sometimes tea or small puddings if you come with children. You can eat inside the restaurant or on the street. You can bring your own wine. Portions are average. Prices are moderate. Address: Uzundere Cad., 5/B.

Firin Express- a cafe with no frills in its interior, but this is where you can try the best Turkish pizza in the city - pide. It is served straight from the oven, hot and juicy. There are many variations of pide on the menu, but the most popular is with cheese and spinach. They also bake etli ekmek - a thin and narrow long pizza with minced meat. The kitchen is located right in the hall, and you can watch how your order is prepared (and, if desired, film it on video). In a huge oven, meat and vegetable dishes are stewed, as well as everything that is rolled in egg. In addition, here you can order lentil or tomato soup, rice with vegetables, tuna salad, and of course, dough kebab. It is possible to purchase pizza to take away (everything will be perfectly packaged for you). Address: Cami Caddesi, 4-5.

Red red wine house– a cozy wine bar in Goreme (Turkey) with delicious homemade wines, as well as alcoholic drinks from local wineries. It's a good place to relax with friends, smoke a hookah and watch the fire in the fireplace. There is wi-fi. Light Turkish music creates a pleasant atmosphere. The bar is open all year round in memory of the fact that Carlos Santana, an American guitar virtuoso and winner of numerous Grammy awards, once visited here (because of this, Red wine is sometimes called Santana Bar). If you're hungry, you can order food from the restaurant next door, owned by the bar owner's son. The only negative is probably that you can only order house wine by the glass (on tap). If you want to try wine from local wineries, you need to purchase a whole bottle. Address: Muze Caddesi, 9.

Excursions and entertainment in Goreme (Türkiye): safaris, hammams, hot air balloons…

There are a huge number of tour agencies and private guides in Goreme. All of them offer, as a rule, a standard set, the most popular of which are tours. The only downside is that they are carried out mainly on English language. If you want to have a Russian-speaking guide, then you can book some excursions online in advance, while still at home, for example, on the website.

Among the entertainment in Goreme (see also) the leading ones are ATV safaris, shows, walking tours, hammams and excursions to wineries.

Souvenir and grocery stores

While vacationing in Goreme (Turkey), you can choose and buy various souvenirs (see) both for yourself and as a gift to friends and family. They are sold in small souvenir shops, as well as at malls observation platforms near the city. Please note that Goreme does not have its own production, so ceramics are brought here from Avanos, wines from Uchisar or Urgup, and carpets from Kayseri or Avanos (in these cities, of course, they will be cheaper). But in Goreme there are gallery shops where you will be offered original items self made.

We recommend paying attention to Art By Emre - this is a small shop with jewelry, accessories, postcards, and handbags that the owner Emre makes himself (besides, he speaks excellent English and loves to chat with tourists). The best carpet store in Goreme (Turkey) is Sultan Carpet (Address: Muze caddesi, 32). And you will find beautiful ceramics at Hattuşa Handmade Ceramics (Address: Muze caddesi, 42/4).

Two grocery stores are located to the left of the road at the very exit from Goreme towards Cavusin. One is a small private store, the other is a Dias chain store. The Dias store sells for regular price everyday food and hygiene products. Bank cards are accepted for payment.

Useful places for tourists: information kiosk, bank, post office

Information kiosk, located at the Goreme bus station (Türkiye), is open during the arrival time of most intercity buses. It belongs to the Goreme Tourism Society and is essentially an association of restaurant and hotel owners, main task which is, of course, advertising of their establishments (which is why the staff does not have any significant information). But here they can give you free card surroundings and change money (although the rate will be much lower than at the bank).

Withdraw money in the city it is possible at ATMs located at the bus station (otogar) and around it. Exchange currency It’s best to go to the post office or Deniz Bank (note that it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays). These days you can change money at travel agencies or at your hotel. Advice! It is best to change currency somewhere other than Cappadocia, because the exchange rate here is much worse than, say, on the Mediterranean Sea or in Ankara.

At the post office In Goreme you can buy souvenir cards for friends and stamps to send them. In addition, there is a telephone and currency exchange service. There are always a lot of tourists at the post office - everyone wants to send postcards.

How to get to Goreme (Türkiye)

Goreme is the tourist center of the region, and we described in detail how to get here from different cities in Turkey, as well as from Russia or Ukraine.
First we select hotel on Booking. They have an excellent base of offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel can often be found for 20% cheaper through

If you are planning your trip to Istanbul, or have already found yourself here, a trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia can add bright, unforgettable impressions. This historical area is not only distinguished by amazing landscapes, but also provides an opportunity to touch history Christian Church in its first centuries.

Cappadocia amazes with its unique nature, mysterious underground cities and caves, cliffs and valleys, and it is here that the valuable memory of Christian culture and history is kept.

We will tell you how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia and what is worth seeing here in our article.

Cappadocia is an amazing place

The center of Cappadocia is Göreme, you can get there from the city of Nevşehir in 20 minutes, from the city of Kayseri to Göreme in 1 hour. The flight duration is 1 hour 25 minutes. Consider travel times to Goreme and flight times when planning your route.

You can fly to Cappadocia with the following airlines:

Turkish Airlines
Anadolu Jet
Pegasus Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines flies from Ataturk Airport

Turkish Airlines operates flights to Cappadocia only from.

Flight cost on the Istanbul-Kayseri route from Ataturk Airport
in the spring of 2019 is from 120 liras to 350 liras, Istanbul-Nevsehir from 120 liras to 200 liras. The price is highly dependent on a number of factors and can change every day.

Flights from Ataturk Airport to Kayseri Airport (Kayseri havalimanı) operate throughout the day, while flights to Nevsehir are more infrequent - only once or twice a day. Turkish Airlines has good service, and drinks and a sandwich are also included in the price of their ticket.

After April 6, 2019 all flights Turkish Airlines move to, which is further from the historical center of the city than Ataturk. Take this into account when planning your trip.

Anadolu Jet

Anadolu Jet planes fly to Kayseri from Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Departs from Istanbul to Cappadocia only from and lands only at Kayseri Airport. The approximate cost of a round trip ticket in the spring of 2019 is 150-170 liras. Anadolu Jet is owned by Turkish Airlines, so they often combine flights, but Anadolu Jet is a low-cost airline.

Pegasus Airlines

You can fly with Pegasus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Pegasus aircraft fly to Cappadocia from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. For spring 2019, the approximate ticket price is 170 -200 liras. Pegasus is a low-cost airline and you can buy drinks and snacks on board for little money. Selecting seats and additional options is available for a fee.

Choose a departure time that is convenient for you, a favorable ticket price and which city it will be more convenient for you to fly to in order to get to Goreme without any problems. From Goreme you can take a local taxi or pre-book one.

Buses are a very popular, convenient and comfortable way to travel throughout Turkey.

You can get from Istanbul to Cappadocia by bus both at night and during the day.

Buses Nevşehir Seyahat

Buses carry passengers to the city of Nevsehir

A trip with this company is quite comfortable; the seat backs have built-in TVs (dubbed films can be found). The bus arrives in Nevsehir.

For spring 2019, the cost of a one-way ticket is 80 liras. Departure times from Istanbul are 20:30 and 20:45, the journey takes 12 hours. Return departure from Nevsehir to Istanbul at 20:00. IN summer time, given the increase in tourist flow, departure times and prices may vary.

You can buy a ticket online at http://nevsehirlilerseyahat.com.tr/. Go to the website and hover your mouse over the top tab with the inscription online işlemler and select the inscription Bilet satın al. Next, in the window that appears on the right, you can select the Russian interface language and begin the process of searching for tickets.

Buses Metroturizm

You can take the Metro bus to Kayseri or Nevsehir

Buses depart from Istanbul to Kayseri several times a day: 00:25, 10:30, 14:30, 18:00, 19:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00. The price of a one-way ticket on the Istanbul-Kayseri route is 90 liras, and a return ticket is 80 liras.

From Istanbul to Nevsehir depart at 8:00 and 22:00, ticket price is 90 liras, at reverse direction 80 lira.

To buy a ticket online, go to the website https://www.metroturizm.com.tr and select the interface language in the upper right corner (there is no Russian, there is English). Then we move on to searching for flights and making a choice.

Buses Kamil Koç

Comfortable Kamil Koç buses

Kamil Koch is big company, which operates throughout Turkey and provides a very high level of service.

Departure from Istanbul to Nevsehir three times a day at 5:00, 20:00, 22:30, ticket price 85 liras. IN reverse side The ticket price is also 85 liras.
Bus departures from Istanbul to Kayseri occur at 00:15, 10:00, 11:30, 15:00, 18:00, 20:30. The ticket price is 90 liras, the return ticket costs the same.

You can purchase a ticket on the website, but unfortunately, the interface is only in Turkish. Therefore, you will either have to be patient or enlist someone’s help.

From Istanbul to Cappadocia by car

You can get from Istanbul to Cappadocia by car

For those who are used to traveling independently in a rented car, you can find options on the websites (Rent a car/araç kiralama). But in fact, it’s easier to get there without incident by bus, and then it’s more profitable to rent a car in Cappadocia itself. In Cappadocia you can also rent other types of transport - ATVs, bicycles and mopeds.

Don’t forget to check the availability of insurance, document any damage to the car body (using photos or videos) and point this out to the lessor.

The cost of gasoline in Turkey in the spring of 2019 is 6.5 liras per liter, diesel fuel 6.3/liter. Just in case, take or purchase a paper map - not everywhere in mountainous areas will a navigator work. You will also need cash - this will save you from problems with gas stations and small shops.

Why do we advise you to organize your trip to Cappadocia on your own? Still ready-made tour or excursion, as a rule, include those trips and visits that it is better to do without. They include trips to buy baklava, carpets, souvenirs or other things that are uninteresting to most travelers. After all, it’s much more pleasant to slowly choose delicious baklava, sweets or Turkish delight at a local market, having first tried whatever your heart desires. At independent walk You are the master of your time and desires, so you can change your route at any time.

It is worth noting that as of 2019 it is not possible to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia using TCDD (Turkish national) trains. railways). This is due to the fact that the Haydarpasa railway station in Istanbul has not been operating for a long time. At the moment the station is .

Thus, the best ways independent travel From Istanbul to Cappadocia is a plane flight or a bus ride.

Best time to travel to Cappadocia

Cappadocia is beautiful at any time of the year. A transport network operates here year-round, museum complexes and underground cities, travel available on hot-air balloon(V winter period However, due to windy weather, flights are sometimes postponed to the next day). To understand the beauty of this place, just relax on one of the cozy terraces, admiring the rocky landscapes, eating a local delicacy - meat in a pot and washing it down with beer.

Please note that by Turkish standards, Cappadocia has enough cool climate. Gusty winds often blow here, and it is chilly in the caves and dungeon cities, so make sure you have warm seasonal clothes in your wardrobe. Even in the summer, it is advisable to stock up on a warm, cozy sweater that will protect you from the chill of the night.

In summer, outdoor swimming pools are extremely popular in Cappadocia. There is no need to worry about extreme heat. And the lion's share of attractions are located underground, where you definitely won't feel hot. The highest temperatures are recorded in August every year. During the day, the air warms up to an average of 28⁰C, and at night – up to 17⁰C. Therefore, during the day, an excursion through the cool caves and dungeons will be a great way to spend your time, and at night, you can enjoy walking around Cappadocia. During this period, the area is illuminated with a soft electric light coming from the caves. The impressions are fabulous!

The autumn symbols of Cappadocia are balloons and sparkling, aromatic wine. The air temperature is very comfortable, the rainy season is rare. In the first two autumn months it is still quite warm. The average daily temperature settled at 24⁰C. That is, in order not to freeze, it is enough to wear a thick shirt with sleeves or a thin sweater. The November temperature is already less comfortable - about 10⁰С. Therefore, a traveler cannot do without a light jacket, especially if he plans to evening walks. Despite the coolness, there is no need to worry about prolonged rains in the fall in Cappadocia - all precipitation occurs mainly in the spring. Autumn is the time of ripening of the famous Cappadocian wine. Be sure to take a tour of the vineyards to see with your own eyes the process of harvesting a rich harvest.

Cappadocia in spring

Cappadocia in spring

During the spring months, Cappadocia is surrounded by flowers and greenery. This traditional time for various music festivals.

In addition to music, in the spring you can catch a unique hot air balloon festival. As a rule, it is scheduled for May. At this event, you can not only admire the huge balloons soaring into the sky, but also enjoy local culinary delights and masterpieces of modern art on display. For lovers of sports entertainment, attending extreme sports competitions is perfect. Music lovers will enjoy concerts and musical performances, mostly held under the vaults of caves.

Spring is the time of the traditional pilgrimage to Cappadocia for Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who comes here every year, without exception, and holds an Easter service in one of the local Orthodox shrines. The exact dates of the saint’s arrival can be found on special religious sites on the Internet.

Cappadocia in winter

Cappadocia in winter

Winter Cappadocia offers mesmerizing landscapes of rocky peaks covered with snow caps and melodiously howling winds. It's nice that in winter time there are not many tourists here. For lovers extreme species sports in Kayseri opens its doors modern ski resort. Such infrastructure is quite new for the area, and prices at this resort are affordable.

Winter city

You need to understand that the lion's share of hotels in Cappadocia are located inside caves. Of course, most hotels are equipped with central heating, but some of them may simply have air conditioners or heaters instead of the usual pipes. This most often happens in guest houses, so if you have chosen this accommodation option, check all the information in advance.

The winter season is as rich in entertainment as any other time of the year. However, traveling in a hot air balloon is not possible every day due to the vagaries of the weather. For this reason, if you are definitely planning to take a hot air balloon flight, order this service immediately upon arrival in Cappadocia, so that you can reschedule the flight, if necessary, to another day.

Be sure to take warm clothes with you; in Cappadocia, snow literally knee-deep is not uncommon. But it happens that there is no snow cover at all, with the exception of the tops of the rocks.

Cases have been recorded when the thermometer dropped to -20⁰C. But this doesn't happen so often. Basically, even in the middle of winter, the temperature during the day stays at around +2⁰С, and at night at around -2⁰С.

Where to stay in Cappadocia?

The tourism infrastructure in Cappadocia is also developed, as in other resort areas of Turkey. Here you can find both elite brand hotels and budget but cozy hostels.

Goreme, famous for its extensive national park and huge open-air museum complex, is considered the center of Cappadocia. Travelers, for the most part, live in this locality. But there are other towns nearby, such as Kayseri and Nevsehir, which, by the way, are not considered tourist.

Goreme

Goreme

If you come to Cappadocia for the first time, you should choose Goreme as a place to stay. From here you can comfortably reach any of the local attractions. In addition to the park and museum indicated above, it is worth going to the Zelve museum complex, the Dark Church and ancient castle Uchisar. Each of them can be easily reached on foot. Goreme is attractive because Mountain peaks tourists are greeted right outside the hotel doors. Almost every hotel has outdoor terraces that offer magnificent views of the rocky landscapes.

Travelers can not only breathe in the fresh mountain air, but also see the stunning sight of hot air balloons soaring high in the sky. The largest number of them can be seen if you force yourself to wake up at sunrise.

For lovers of everything unusual, you can rent a room in a “cave” hotel, equipped with all the benefits of civilization. There are many hotels in Goreme with outdoor swimming pools, popular in swimming season(from late spring to early autumn).

Yurgup

Yurgup

Yurgup is famous for a fairly large number of attractions, including the Catalkaya Valley with beautiful mushroom-shaped rocks and Temmeni Hill, located right in the middle of the city. Inside the latter there are many large and small caves, which today are often used for domestic purposes: they are used for garages, warehouses and other utility rooms. Also in Ugrup, which is also often called Ugrup, you can find magnificent ancient tombs, ancient and modern mosques, inactive Orthodox churches, as well as a modest monument in honor of grape pickers. This monument, by the way, resembles our famous “Worker and Collective Farm Woman”.

Uchisar ( Uçhisar)

Uchisar

The symbol of Uchisar is a rock-fortress stretching 60 meters high. This attraction is also called Uchisar Castle. Carved dovecotes have been preserved in the local rocks, in which birds can still be found. There is also a modest church without frescoes, but it is not functioning today. The famous Ukhhisar houses, which today have been given the status of museums, have also been preserved in the rocks.

Çavuşin

Çavuşin

This is a modest village located 30 minutes on foot from Goreme. Here you can find a majestic rock with houses inside. Of course, most of the former local residents have long since left the mountainous area due to landslides. For this reason, travelers are advised not to get close to hard-to-reach areas. There are plenty of safe paths for tourists here. For example, one of the routes leads to the Church of John the Baptist with frescoes preserved in fair condition.

Derinkuyu

Derinkuyu

This is an ancient dungeon city, consisting of several tiers. It is always cold here, so tourists cannot do without warm clothes.

The underground city has been perfectly preserved to this day. In Derinkuyu you can find literally everything: residential buildings, schools, wine cellars, workshops, barns, ventilation shafts and much, much more. It is known that the city was built by Christians who were fleeing persecution and created excellent living conditions for themselves inside the rocks.

The underground city is truly amazing! The corridors are wide and there are signs everywhere. Once upon a time, from here through a long tunnel you could get to another dungeon city, Kaymakli. Today the tunnel has been mothballed due to the threat of collapses, but the Kaymakli gate is still open to guests.

What to see in Cappadocia

Even an ordinary walk in an unknown direction will give you a lot of impressions. Cappadocia is a true miracle of nature with countless mountains, volcanoes, valleys, and caves. Those who want to immerse themselves in the life of ancient Christians should definitely visit the local underground cities.

Museum Pass Cappadocia

In Cappadocia you can also purchase a museum card - Museum Pass Cappadocia, which gives the right to visit the following attractions:

Ihlara Valley
Underground city of Derinkuyu (Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri)
Ozkonak Underground City (Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri)
Kaymakli Underground City (Kaymaklı Yeraltı Şehri)
Goreme Open Air Museum (Göreme Açıkhava Müzesi)
Nevşehir Museum (Nevşehir Müzesi)
Hadzhibektaş Museum (Hacıbektaş Müzesi)
Dark Church (Göreme Karanlık Kilise)
Cavusin Church (Çavuşin Örenyeri)
Zelve Monastery Complex (Zelve-Paşabağlar Örenyeri)

The cost of the Cappadocia Museum Card is 110 liras. It is valid for 3 days after purchase.

TOP 3 best attractions in Cappadocia

Goreme National Park

1.National park area Goreme. Here on a vast area of 300 sq.m. you will find the famous Valley of Love, and many churches decorated with intricate frescoes, and monasteries, and underground houses. Finding yourself in this open-air museum complex is like finding yourself on another planet. You need to know that there is not just one Valley of Love here, but two. The first is directly in Goreme, the second is closer to Uchisar. The latter is very often depicted on postcards.

Balloons - business card Cappadocia

2.Travel in a hot air balloon. Huge baskets under the dome soar into the sky as the sun rises. It is very interesting to even watch how preparations for the flight are going on. If ballooning itself is ruinous for your budget, you can simply visit one of the observation decks in the morning. Believe me, the picture of balloons floating against the background of dawn will leave a lasting impression!

Valley of Love (Aşk vadisi)

3. The Valley of Love (postcard) is also called the Dove Valley. You can walk here from Goreme. The entire journey there and back will be no more than 12 km. From the second name you can understand that there are a lot of dovecotes here, which were once built right in the rocks. Another attraction of this area is the well-known “mushrooms” made of tuff.

Red Valley (Kızıl vadi)

You can also visit the Meskendir Valley, as well as the Red and Rose Valley. These places are known for their reddish mountains and many ancient churches.

Churches and temples of Cappadocia

Tokali Kilise Church

There are a lot of church shrines in Cappadocia. Services are held only twice a year - on Christmas and Easter, but are open to tourists all year round. Keep in mind that churches with frescoes usually have an entrance fee.

Tokali Kilise is the largest church in Goreme, located outside open museum Goreme Open Air Museum, you can visit it with a museum ticket. Built in the 10th century, frescoes with scenes from the life of Jesus and other saints have survived to this day.

Dark Church (Karanlik kilise)

The Dark Church is a magnificent masterpiece ancient architecture, which is worth watching even for those who are far from religion.
Church with apples, to which a short but very narrow tunnel leads underground.
Church of St. Barbarians. It is interesting because on its walls there are ancient frescoes that have come down to us from the era of the fight against iconoclasm.
Snake Church, the main decoration of which is fresco paintings from the 11th century. One of them has an image of St. Onufriy, therefore the second name of the church is in his honor.
Chapel of St. Basil (11th century). Attracts with the picture of the battle of St. George with a serpent, painted in ocher and perfectly preserved.

Museums of Cappadocia

Museum of Ceramics (Güray seramik)

Main museum complex Cappadocia - Goreme, part of the Goreme National Park. The church relics described above are located in this open-air museum. It is noteworthy that this attraction is included in the UNESCO heritage list.

The museum complex is very popular among tourists, so in order not to stand in line for entrance tickets, it is better to come here half an hour before opening, which always happens at 8 am.

Each attraction of Cappadocia is unique in its own way, for example, the Museum of Ceramics, located in the city of Avanos, is located in natural and man-made caves, 15 meters deep below ground level. total area The museum area is about 500 square meters.

If a lucky chance brought you to the beautiful and mysterious Cappadocia, be sure to:

Rent a scooter and feel like an explorer of the local valleys: the beauty and quaintness of the local landscapes will captivate you at first sight. You can talk a lot about them, but it’s better to see them once!
Sign up for sightseeing tour, leading from Goreme to the dungeon city of Derenkuyu through the Ihlara canyon. These attractions are quite far from each other, and an informative story from a local guide will be very useful and interesting to any traveler.
Feel like a balloonist and go on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Believe me, the chance to see the beauty of Cappadocia from a bird's eye view and take unique photographs is worth any money!
Stroll through the ancient streets of Goreme, visit souvenir shops and, if possible, be sure to purchase one of the luxurious handmade carpets.

It’s nice to spend an evening in Cappadocia with a glass of wine and beautiful view to the mountains

Study in detail the ancient frescoes that adorn the walls of the temple shrines dug in the middle of the rocks in great abundance. The largest number of these objects of ancient culture are concentrated in the so-called open-air museum.
Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of the city underground, explore the local labyrinths of rooms and passages to feel for yourself how the first Christians survived here many centuries ago, escaping Arab persecution and seeking protection within these walls.
In the evening, join the ranks of gourmets and be sure to visit one of the local establishments Catering only to taste an unsurpassed traditional dish - meat with vegetables baked in a clay pot (Testi Kebabi).
At least for one night, become a guest of a cozy hotel located right in the cave. Despite the apparent outward savagery, inside such mini-hotels you can find all the benefits of civilization.
Take at least a couple of hours to travel to Avanos, which is rightly called the city of potters. Local handmade ceramics will leave a lasting impression on your memory!
At the end of the day, be sure to rush to Uchisar to admire the sunset from the famous mountain fortress. Believe me, the pictures that open before the eyes of travelers from this point are simply breathtaking!

Prices in Cappadocia for the 2019 season

You can find unusual hotels in Cappadocia

In nearby areas and in Goreme itself you can find accommodation from 40 liras/day, but here you need to take into account that in the spring-summer season the prices will be higher. Therefore, count on at least 150-200 liras/day in the summer. Of course, in Cappadocia big variety hotels - these are cave hotels, hotels on mountain slopes and simply luxurious stone apartments. Plan your accommodation in advance, because already in April it is difficult to find rooms for the summer. But as an option, you can consider hostels or apartments.

In the tourist center of Cappadocia, Goreme, you can find many budget establishments: the price of a hearty lunch will be approximately 25-30 liras, dinner with a glass of wine in a cafe will cost you 50 liras.

Among the inexpensive and interesting cafes you can visit:

Omurca Art Cave Cafe

The cafe is partially located in a cave, and the owner of the establishment, named Harun, will serve you and prepare delicious food. You can have a hearty meal in a homely atmosphere for little money right here.

The owner of the cafe willingly communicates with tourists and tries to create a comfortable and hospitable environment.

We especially recommend this establishment to cat lovers, because the owner of the cafe has more than 6 of them. They are in charge here, but they behave well and do not disturb the guests. Soup 3 lira, portion of kofte (Turkish fried cutlet) 20 lira. You can have a hearty meal with homemade wine for 60 liras for two.

This cafe is a fairly well-known and popular place in Cappadocia; in the evening, as a rule, there are always guests here, so get ready for leisurely service (after all, the owner of the establishment receives and prepares guests).

Cafe on the map:

Inci Cafe Restaurant

Inci Cafe Restaurant, located in a cave, with an unusual authentic atmosphere, delicious home cooking and homemade wine. Lentil soup - 3 liras, snacks 10-30 liras.

Cafe on the map:

Pumpkin Goreme Restaurant and Art Gallery

Pumpkin restaurant

It is one of the popular restaurants in Goreme and is famous for its lanterns and lanterns carved from pumpkins. For dinner, you are not offered dishes from the menu, but a set of dishes (different every day), consisting of an appetizer, main course, dessert and drinks. The cost of the set is 60 liras per person. The atmosphere of the establishment is very friendly, friendly service and delicious food.

Cafe on the map:

If we talk about options for a delicious dinner with a stunning view, then you can visit premium restaurants, such as The Plum Restaurant or Seki Restaurant. Dinner with a glass of local wine at Seki Restaurant will cost an average of 160-170 liras per person. The restaurant's veranda offers views of the Goreme National Park, and from the restaurant you can go directly into one of the caves. This establishment is quite famous and is considered one of the best in Cappadocia.

Magnificent views from the hilltops

Prices for one of the main entertainments - flights to balloons, may vary. In the absence of a tourist peak, you can try to negotiate for 100 euros. But on this moment, the minimum price for a balloon flight has increased and is 150 euros. This is the price for the 2019 season. The flight lasts 60, 75 or 90 minutes, it all depends on the service provider and the entertainment conditions.

Cappadocian views are impressively beautiful

There are, of course, companies that position their services as luxury and ask for about 500-650 liras per person. The basket accommodates from 20 to 24 people, the flight lasts 1 hour. Follow the safety recommendations when flying in hot air balloons, be sure to wear your seat belt.

Cappadocia is enough quiet place However, walking alone on dark evenings is not recommended.

Since Cappadocia is a mountainous area, it is not recommended to go rock climbing without preparation and in places not intended for this; it is dangerous, given that there is a possibility of landslides. Be careful when walking - a motorcycle or ATV may suddenly appear around a bend.

One of the main tips regarding independent trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia - payment in local money, i.e. lira. Do not forget that when paying in euros and dollars, the exchange rate will always be unfavorable for you. To avoid unpleasant conflicts and misunderstandings, change the required amount of money in advance at the Istanbul exchange office.

Here are described ways to independently get to Cappadocia from various cities in Turkey, and also tells how to get there from Russia, Ukraine or Belarus.

We must understand that Most travelers who travel to Cappadocia get to, which is the tourist center of this region. Therefore, the article discusses how to get to this point on your own. settlement in Cappadocia.

There are no direct flights directly to Cappadocia itself, so from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk or any other city you must first buy a ticket to Turkey, namely to Ankara, Istanbul or Antalya (see). It is more convenient to fly to Ankara, because it is closest to travel from there.

Via Ankara. If you are going to Turkey to visit only Cappadocia, then the ideal option is to take a ticket to Ankara. Firstly, from Ankara the fastest way to get to Cappadocia (), secondly, Ankara often sells enough cheap tickets. For such a trip, I recommend having at least one week in reserve.
Via Istanbul. The second good option is to take a plane ticket to Istanbul and from there get to Cappadocia. This is also often done. It takes longer to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Goreme), but the advantage is that you can immediately see both Istanbul and Cappadocia. For this, it is ideal to have two weeks in reserve: a week for Cappadocia and a week for Istanbul.
Via Antalya. The downside is that, as a rule, the ticket will cost a little more. The advantage is that you can combine beach holiday and a visit to wonderful Cappadocia. It’s also ideal to have two weeks in reserve.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Ankara

By bus. The bus station in Ankara is called AŞTİ. This is a large bus terminal that generates a huge number of flights to all corners of Turkey. Get there from the city to the bus station The easiest way is by metro - you need to go to the metro station of the same name ASTI (AŞTİ). Get there from Ankara Esenboğa Airport The easiest way to get to the bus station is by Havaş buses. These buses go from the airport to the bus station every half hour during the day and once every hour at night.
(see or.

Option 1. It is ideal to buy a direct bus ticket from Ankara to. There are 8-9 such buses per day. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours.

Option 2. With a transfer in Nevşehir. There are approximately 10 buses a day from Ankara to Nevsehir. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours. In Nevsehir you need to change to a minibus to Goreme (minibuses run frequently). Travel time: 15-20 minutes.

Option 3. With a transfer in Kayseri. Departures every half hour, travel time to Kayseri: about 5 hours. In Kayseri we change to a bus to Goreme. There are about 14 flights per day. Travel time: about 1 hour.

By train. Not the best convenient way: it takes longer, but is somewhat cheaper than by bus. Get there from the city to railway station in Ankara (Ankara Gar) The easiest way is by metro - the station is 700 meters from the Ulus metro station. From the metro to the station you need to walk along Cumhuriyet Cd. From Ankara Esenboğa Airport to the train station The easiest way to get there is by Havaş buses. They go from the airport to the ASTI bus station (AŞTİ). We need to get to the stop “May 19 Stadium” (19 Mayis Stadyumu), then walk to the railway station for about 1 km.

When you arrive in Kayseri, you will need to go from the train station to the bus station to continue your journey by bus. To do this, you need to go to the station square, from which Kocasinan Street goes to the right. Without crossing the street, take the city bus to the bus station (Kayseri Otogarı). At the bus station, buy a ticket to the local bus. In about an hour you will be there (see).

By plane I don’t recommend getting from Ankara to Cappadocia. In an amicable way, you will have to fly first to either Kayseri or Nevsehir, and then go by bus. However, there are no direct flights from Ankara to Nevsehir or Ankara to Kayseri; all flights are via Istanbul. This method is unwise because it is expensive and time-consuming.
Transfer(see) from Ankara airport to a hotel in Goreme you can order more at home via the Internet on the websites or. Advantages: convenient, especially for travelers with children and those arriving at night. Flaw: high cost, but can be quite economical if you are traveling with a group.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Istanbul

The most convenient way to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul is to fly. An acceptable way is to go by bus, and the most difficult option is by train. All these options are described in detail below.

By plane. The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by plane - quickly and not as expensive as it might seem. There are two cities in Cappadocia where you can buy a ticket from Istanbul: Kayseri and Nevsehir.

Flights search on sites www.aviasales.ru or www.skyscanner.ru.

From Nevsehir you can get to by minibus in 15-20 minutes (there are many minibuses), and from Kayseri by commuter bus– in about an hour (there are also many buses).

By bus. In Istanbul we need Bayrampaşa Otogar bus station, also called Esenler Otogar bus station. This is a huge bus station with three hundred bus platforms. From the city You can get to it by metro - you need to get off at Otogar station. From Ataturk Airport(Istanbul's first airport) the most convenient way to get to the bus station is also by metro. The metro station located at the airport is called Havalimanı. From Sabiha Gokcen Airport(Istanbul's second airport) you will have to make transfers, and this is not very convenient. First we take the Havataş bus to Taksim Square (minimum 1.5 hours). Then take the metro from Taksim station to Yenikapı metro station. This is the M2 metro line. Now we go to the M1 metro line and go to the Otogar metro station. Allow at least 3 hours for the entire journey. You can also order a transfer in advance(see) from the airport to the bus station via the Internet on websites or.

Option 1. Direct bus services from Istanbul to Goreme operate 3-4 times a day. The most convenient ones are those that go at night and arrive in Goreme in the morning. Travel time: about 10-12 hours.

Option 2. A good option is to go with a transfer in Nevsehir. Travel time too. In Nevsehir you will need to change to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
Option 3. Another working option is to take a bus to Kayseri. There are about 40 flights per day. Travel time: 11-12 hours. In Kayseri we change to a bus to Goreme. There are about 14 flights per day. Travel time: 1 hour.

By train. Travel by train very difficult, it’s better to go by bus or fly by plane. The train option is suitable only for those who appreciate transport adventures. The most acceptable way- take the high-speed train (YHT) Istanbul-Ankara, and then travel from Ankara to Cappadocia by bus.

Attention! I’ll warn you right away: it’s best to order a transfer from Istanbul airports to the train station (see) via the Internet, while you’re still at home, because getting there on your own is very difficult and takes a long time. The transfer can be ordered on the websites or. In fact, the biggest challenge is not getting from Istanbul to Cappadocia using the train, but getting from Istanbul Airport to the station from which the train departs. The second difficulty is getting from the Ankara railway station to the bus station in Ankara.

Step 1. First of all, we get from Istanbul airport to the city center to the Eminönü ferry terminal, which is located near the Sirkeci railway station.

Step 2. Now you need to get to Pendik station. This commuter station is now temporarily used for high-speed trains. It is located 25 km from the city center. We get there in the following way. We take the ferry from the Eminönü ferry terminal. We take a ferry to Kadıköy. Travel time: about 20 minutes. Ferries run frequently. Then we take the metro from Kadıköy station to Pendik station. This is about 40 more minutes. Pendik railway station is 2 km from Pendik metro station. You can walk this distance in 20 minutes or take a taxi. In total, it will take at least 2 hours to get from the Eminönü ferry terminal to Pendik station.

Step 4. In Ankara, you need to get from the railway station (Ankara Gar) to the ASTI bus station (AŞTİ). You need to do this yourself. From the station we go along Cumhuriyet Cd. to Ulus metro station. This is approximately 700 meters. Then we take the metro to the ASTI metro station.

Step 5. Now it would be nice to immediately take a bus from Ankara to Goreme. There are about 8-9 such buses a day. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours. You can also take a bus to Nevsehir. There are also many buses to Nevsehir - about 10 per day. The travel time is about the same. Then you need to transfer to the Nevsehir-Göreme minibus (the journey takes 15–20 minutes). Another option is to drive from Ankara to Kayseri (5 hours), and then take a bus to Goreme (1 hour journey).

How to get there from the Mediterranean resorts

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Antalya

By bus. The bus station in Antalya is located a few kilometers from the city. From the city center it can be reached by the Antray light rail. You need to get off at the Otogar stop. Also, any minibus that says Otogar or Terminal goes to the bus station. From the airport to the bus station every half hour to hour the bus is coming Havaş or 24-hour city bus No. 600. If you are several people or have a lot of luggage, then it is profitable and convenient to order a transfer in advance (see or.

From Antalya to Cappadocia The most convenient way is to go by direct bus. There are about 7-8 direct flights per day. Travel time: 8-10 hours. You can save on hotel costs if you take a night bus from Antalya between 20.00-22.00. The bus will arrive in Goreme early in the morning.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Side

By bus. There are few direct flights anywhere directly from Side. Tickets must be purchased from neighboring city Manavgat, which is located 4 km from Side. It’s very easy to get to Manavgat from Side by minibus in about 10 minutes. They run frequently. From Manavgat there are about 7-8 direct flights immediately to. Pay attention to those that go into the night and arrive early in the morning. Travel time: about 7-9 hours depending on the bus route.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Alanya

By bus. The bus station is located 2 km from the city center. The easiest way to get there is by bus number 2.

Option 1. There is only one direct bus from Alanya. He comes not very conveniently, late at night. Travel time: 8 hours.

Option 2. From Alanya you can buy a ticket not in Goreme, but to the neighboring regional city of Nevşehir - there are three such flights per day. Travel time: 10 hours. This option is also good because there is a convenient night bus to Nevsehir, which arrives in the first half of the day. From Nevsehir you can get to Goreme by local minibuses. Travel time: 15-20 minutes. Minibuses run frequently.

Option 3. From Alanya you must first take a bus to the bus station in the city of Manavgat (55 km). There are many buses going through Manavgat in various directions; there are 7-8 direct flights directly to Goreme. Travel time: 7-9 hours. There are convenient night flights.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Kemer

By bus. The bus station in Kemer is located outside the city, and it is not very convenient. To get to it from the center, you need to look for minibuses that say Otogar.

Option 1. There is one direct and very convenient overnight flight from Kemer. Night bus allows you to save on hotel costs and also saves one extra day of vacation. Travel time: 10 hours.

Option 2. From Kemer you can also go to Goreme with a transfer in Manavgat. There are many more direct buses from Manavgat to Goreme. First we take a bus from Kemer to Manavgat (2.5-3 hours), then transfer to a direct bus to Goreme (7-9 hours). There are about 7-8 direct flights per day from Manavgat to Goreme.

How to get there from the resorts of the Aegean Sea

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Izmir

By bus. The bus station in Izmir is located far from the city center (11 km). You can get there by minibus with an Otogar sign. But the best thing to do is to buy a ticket not at the bus station, but at one of the bus company offices in the city center. Then you will be taken from the carrier company office to the bus station free bus. There are a lot of such bus offices near the Basmane railway station, which is located next to the Basmane metro station. You can also order a transfer in advance(see) to the bus station via the Internet on websites or.

Option 1. It is best to immediately buy a ticket for a direct bus. There are about 4-5 such buses per day. Travel time: 12-13 hours. There are convenient night buses that allow you to arrive in Goreme in the morning and save on hotel costs.

Option 2. A good option is to go with a transfer in Nevsehir. First, we buy a ticket from Izmir to Nevsehir (about 10 flights per day). Travel time: about 12 hours. From Nevsehir we take a minibus to Goreme (there are many minibuses). Travel time: 15-20 minutes.

By plane. Be sure to pay attention to air travel, because very often a flight from Izmir to Cappadocia costs about the same as a bus fare. The most convenient way to get to the airport in Izmir is by metro: you need to go to the Havalani/Airport metro station.

From Izmir you need to buy a plane ticket to the city of Kayseri. Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes. The best way to find tickets is on websites Pegasus or Turkish Airlines. At Kayseri airport we take a minibus to the bus station marked Otogar. There are about 14 buses leaving from the bus station to Goreme every day. Travel time: approximately 1 hour. You can also order a transfer in advance to the bus station via the Internet on websites or.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Marmaris

By bus. The small bus station in Marmaris is located on the outskirts of the city. You can get from the central square of the city (the square with a fountain and a clock) by bus that goes along the Siteler–Otogar route.

There are two direct flights from Marmaris at once. Travel time: 13-15 hours. One of the buses is convenient - it goes at night and arrives in Goreme early in the morning.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Bodrum

By bus. The bus station in Bodrum is located in the city center next to the Migros supermarket.

Option 1. There are no direct flights from Bodrum. A good option is to go with a transfer in Nevsehir. There are two buses a day from Bodrum to Nevsehir. Travel time: about 13 hours. In Nevsehir you need to change to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.

Option 2. You can also buy a ticket to Kayseri. Travel time: 13-14 hours. In Kayseri at the bus station you need to change to a local bus to Goreme (about 14 routes). Travel time: 1 hour.

How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Fethiye

By bus. The bus station in Fethiye is located at the intersection of Inönü Blvd. and Ölüdeniz streets. The station is not visible from the street; it is hidden from view by the popular Carrefour shopping center among tourists. To get to the bus station, you need to go around shopping mall on right.

Option 1. Buy a ticket for a direct flight from Fethiye. There are 3 such flights per day. Travel time: about 13 hours.

Option 2. You can go with a transfer in Nevsehir. Travel time: 13 hours. In Nevsehir you will need to change to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.

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Goreme this is a small town that is rightfully considered a tourist center Cappadocia. Despite the fact that the administrative center of the district is a city Nevsehir, a major stopover for tourists to access major attractions Cappadocia is this small town with an unusual landscape. The bus stop is located on the main square. On opposite sides of the square there are many restaurants, cafes, ATMs and several car, bicycle and ATV rental offices. Travel agencies that offer day trips are also located around this main square.

Brief History of Goreme

The valley in which the picturesque town is located Goreme, like dozens of neighboring valleys were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions Erciyes, Gyulludag And Khasandag. For many millions of years, they filled this space with ash and hot lava, which solidified in the most bizarre combinations and forms. Then . People also had a hand in this transformation, living here for hundreds of thousands of years and adapting a significant part of the stone formations for housing and outbuildings. Throughout its long history, the town has had five different names. Her oldest name is believed to be Corama, The Byzantines called it Matiana, Armenians are Christians - Makan(Macan), the Turks – Avcılar, and only then it was renamed Goreme.

Sights of Goreme

Near Goreme and the immediate vicinity there are about 400 churches, mostly small, rarely with two or four pillars, rarely with three apses. The most famous and well-preserved churches are Tokaly, Charykly, Karanlyk, Elmaly, Yilanly, Sakly and the dilapidated El Nazar.

The ensemble of churches that we see in the vicinity of the town appeared approximately after 850. The frescoes that decorate them can be dated back to the second half of the 11th century. The mural style, inspired by works clearly of Byzantine origin, is characterized by extraordinary simplicity. The architectural decor is delightfully combined with paintings done by professional artists thanks to the widespread patronage of the arts at that time. Many inscriptions (sometimes accompanied by portraits) introduce us to the names of artists and donors. According to historical and iconographic studies, donors were usually noble and wealthy members of the rural community, united in unions whose purpose was to finance works of art. Due to the moisture resistance of tuff and the constant climate inside the building, not subject to fluctuations in the external environment, the colors here have retained their brightness after many centuries. Biblical and Gospel stories are accompanied by inscriptions written in Greek, but in Cyrillic.

Sunrise - Tree decorations are beads from the evil eye

Goreme National Park

In addition to historical attractions, there are a lot of natural attractions around the city. Goreme, is the center of the “National Historical and Natural Park” of the same name, which occupies an area of 300 km². At the bottom of the article there is a map where you can see the location national park. On the map, the territory of the national park is indicated in green. , Pigeon Valley, Meskendir, Red and Rose valleys, all of them are included within the national park. National Park and cave settlements Cappadocia included in .

Night Goreme – Cappadocia Türkiye

What to do in Goreme?

Goreme, This the best place to get started with . Hiking in the vicinity of the city are the most preferred type of pastime by tourists. If you are afraid of long walking along the valleys adjacent to the town, then you can rent a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV and ride through the valleys. If you love horses and horseback riding, in the area around the city you can also horse rides.

Walk through the valleys of Goreme on ATVs

How to get to Goreme?

All bus companies that go to this direction ( KamilKoc, Syukha, Metro/ Kamil Koç, Süha, Metro), or passing through Goreme, or come to Nevsehir and from there they transfer passengers to shuttle buses to Goreme, or . Bus schedule at the bus station Nevsehir you can find from this link. How to get to Cappadocia is described in more detail in this article.

Goreme – bus stop

Where to live, where to stay?

The city has a large variety of hotels to suit every taste and budget - both simple guesthouses in the rocks and expensive stylish mini-hotels. You can see the location of some hotels by clicking on the link below. How to choose and you can read by going to

	Hotels in the city Yurgup
Hotels in the city Uchisar	Hotels in the city Ortahisar
Hotels in the city Nevsehir	Hotels in the city Avanos

Photos of Goreme

Spring clouds
Rock Hotel
Cappadocian horse
Rock cone
Goreme - view from afar

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