In the heart of Anatolia, is a hidden place of beauty – Cappadocia. It is a destination painted with history, and of course the flying air balloons. Yes, they are a real thing in Cappadocia. You’ve probably thought those pictures from your Windows wallpaper or screensaver were artificial. No, they are real, and they are fantastic. Not everyone has heard about this Turkish tourist gem, even though 2 million people visit it every year. If your agency does not offer it, we urge you to seek it. Here are our reasons.
How Cappadocia came to be?
It is a similar story like Santorini but little different. Cappadocia is located between three inactive volcanos. Over the years, the rocky structure there was formed from the volcano dust together with strong winds and rain. The structure is unique, like no other in the world. That’s why it allures tourist to love Cappadocia even more, not to mention the air balloon rides and underground cities.
What about ancient time and history records?
Well, in Roman time, Christians looked for refuge in this place. They used the cave and rocky structures as good hiding spots and shelter. Today, historians found many underground cities and old churches. If you want to experience that in full, maybe a local guide can show you some of that important history. Plus, in those cavy structures, luxury hotels are built. So, if you want to experience a good time, food and accommodation with a bit of history then we highly recommend booking it there. It is not so expensive compared to other luxury places in the world, but still, if you want an experience of a lifetime, then it is a must-do in Cappadocia.
One thing that everybody notices is the natural decoration that no human hand or mind can create. The decorations look like mushrooms, and you can find them everywhere.
Most famous cities in Cappodicia are Nevshehir, Urgup, Avanos and Goreme. However, the main attraction for tourist are the three underground cities – Derinkuju, Ozkonak and Kaimakly. In every city, you can notice a mix of traditional and native people riding horses and modernism from tourists with expensive cars and clothes. If you want to experience traditional Turkish life, we recommend visiting mosques, Turkish imams (spas).
What to do in Cappadocia?
We recommend visiting the city Goreme because it has a beautiful open museum. These museums are all about churches hidden behind tall rocky structures. Inside you can notice the most beautiful and oldest frescoes from Christianity.
Next city you should visit is Urgup. THere you can find good restaurants, great shops for clothes and a lot of cultures. Plus, the nightlife there is the best in all Cappadocia. If you want to party hard till dawn, Urgup will satisfy your needs and much more.
Now we get to the part you’ve already heard about – the flying balloons. Every morning, when you get out of your hotel and stare at the sky, you can see hundreds of aircraft in the air. So the best time to ride early morning, to see the beautiful sunset. If you want to experience that, the usual ride lasts about 45 minutes. Many packages include breakfast and other activities. If you are in Cappadocia, and even with your fear of heights, we do encourage you to try this unique experience. Trust us, and if you miss the chance, the moment you leave Cappadocia, you will be full of regret.
Moreover, if you really, really don’t want to get on the balloon, another excellent way to experience Cappadocia would be riding a horse around the area or riding a bicycle. To get the Red Valley, to see the sunset from the ground you will need to be there at least 2 hours before the sunset. There is a restaurant where you can get refreshments and snacks while you wait.
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Nextravel Tips:
Clothes: Summers are really hot because after all, you are in the deserts. The best time to visit Cappadocia is in spring because the weather is perfect for all activities.
Hotels: Like every hotel in Turkey, they offer a great experience. Every hotel there is a cave hotel. Their prices are reasonable, cheaper than any other great travel attraction in Europe.
Food: Trying traditional Turkish tea is a must. Plus, eating Turkish baklava and kebabs is a crime if you don’t try them while in Turkey. After all, kebabs come from Turkey!
Nightlife: As we mentioned before, the best nightlife is in Urgup. Party, food and other hedonistic pleasures can be all found there.
