If you’re thinking of heading to Turkey and you’re looking for a magical Cappadocia itinerary for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, then look no further. In this itinerary, I cover some of the best things to do, extraordinary places to eat and some dreamy places to stay. Whether you’ve only got 2 days in Cappadocia or you’re able to stay for 3, 4, 5 or even longer, this guide should make things simple for you to hop on a plane and begin your magical adventures in Cappadocia.
The region of Cappadocia is situated in the centre of Turkey – approximately three and a half hours south of the capital city of Ankara. The largest city in Cappadocia is Nevşehir, however by far the most popular town to visit in Göreme as this is where the infamous hot air balloons flood the skies most mornings. Below you’ll find an interactive map of the exact location of Cappadocia.
Cappadocia is a magical place in central Turkey famous for its unique moonscape terrain, ancient cave dwellings, and colorful hot air balloons dotting the sky. While a single day might give you a taste of this magical place, we recommend spending at least two to three days to fully immerse yourself in its captivating beauty.
For those who want a more in-depth experience, a 4-day trip allows for a deeper exploration of the region’s hidden gems and cultural treasures. Here is the perfect 2-3 day Cappadocia itinerary to help you plan an unforgettable visit.
Day 1
Fly in a Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise
Start your first morning in Cappadocia with the iconic hot air balloon ride at dawn. Floating high above the fairy chimneys and rock formations as the sun peeks over the horizon is an unforgettable experience.
Many tours offer hotel pickup and drop off, so you can roll out of bed and into the basket! Just don’t forget your camera. This activity is highly weather dependent, so have a backup plan just in case.
Explore Göreme Open Air Museum
After your balloon ride, head to Göreme Open Air Museum, one of Cappadocia’s top attractions Wander through the valley peppered with rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries carved out by early Christians
Climb up into the chapels to see Byzantine frescoes and panoramic views Admission is 40 TL
Hike Through Pasabağ Valley
Work up an appetite with a moderate 3 km hike through Pasabağ Valley, also called Monk’s Valley. Admire the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys in hues of pink, green, and yellow as you stroll.
This area provides some of the most unique and photogenic landscapes in Cappadocia. Don’t forget to take lots of photos!
Feast on Turkish Cuisine
Recharge with a hearty Turkish meal at one of Göreme’s many restaurants. Try testi kebab, meat and vegetables cooked in a clay pot, for a local specialty. The pot is cracked open at your table with a fun presentation.
Alternatively, sample an array of meze small plates or indulge in Ottoman dishes like İskender kebab. Göreme is a foodie’s paradise.
Watch the Sunset with Drinks
Cap off your first day watching the sunset over Göreme from a rooftop bar like 360 Café. Sip cocktails or local wine as the fairy chimneys change color before your eyes. It’s the perfect way to unwind after an active day.
Day 2
See the Balloons at Sunrise
Rise early to watch the morning hot air balloon show from a lookout point like Sunrise Point or the Göreme viewpoint near Rose Valley. Watching them float by at daybreak is mesmerizing.
Tour the Underground City
Escape the mid-day sun by descending into Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the largest underground tunnel systems dug out by early Christians. Walk hunched over through narrow passages, church rooms, and living quarters.
Visit Love Valley
Get your camera ready for Love Valley, home to tall, phallic-shaped rock formations. Walk through the valley to get up close and personal with these oddly shaped fairy chimneys.
Climb high for spectacular views over the valley below. This is one of Cappadocia’s most famous and unique landscapes. Don’t miss it!
Relax at an Authentic Hammam
In the evening, pamper yourself at a traditional Turkish bath, or hammam. These bathhouses offer scrubs, soaks, and massages for the ultimate relaxation after a busy day.
Cappadocia has many to choose from. Opt for a high end spa experience or budget-friendly neighborhood hammam.
Day 3
Hike Red & Rose Valley
Spend your morning hiking through two of Cappadocia’s most beautiful valleys – Red Valley and Rose Valley. The 3-4 hour loop hike passes by rock-hewn churches and through a landscape tinted pink and red by mineral deposits in the rock.
Don’t forget your camera, as this hike provides endless photo ops. Visit early before it gets crowded.
Marvel at Esentepe Panorama
After your hike, stop at Esentepe for picture-perfect views over Goreme and across Cappadocia from above. Gaze out at the endless sea of fairy chimneys spreading across the valley below. This is one of the most stunning viewpoints in the region.
Try Making Pottery
In the afternoon, try your hand at pottery making in Avanos, Cappadocia’s pottery capital. This activity lets you channel your artistic side and make a unique souvenir.
No experience is necessary. Relax as a master teaches you on a pottery wheel.
Dinner with a Show
Treat yourself to an evening of entertainment and culinary delights. Many restaurants in Cappadocia offer dinner with a show, featuring Whirling Dervishes, folk dances, or musical performances. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in Turkish culture.
Day 4
Visit the Ihlara Valley
On your last day, take an early morning trip to Ihlara Valley, home to one of the largest canyon systems in Cappadocia. As you walk along the winding valley, you’ll discover rock-cut churches and dwellings hidden amongst the greenery.
For less crowds, take the footpath instead of the road through the gorge. Wear sturdy walking shoes.
Relax in an Ottoman Mansion
After your active morning, relax at a historic Ottoman mansion converted into a hotel. Many properties offer stunning architecture and views. Spend the afternoon sunbathing by the pool or getting a massage at the spa.
Try Turkish Night
Complete your trip to Cappadocia with Turkish Night – an evening of entertainment showcasing Turkey’s rich culture. Watch live music and traditional folk dances while feasting on a buffet of Turkish dishes. A fun and festive way to end your trip!
With its dreamy landscapes, cave dwellings, hiking trails, historic sites, and hot air balloons, Cappadocia has something for every traveler. This 2-3 day itinerary hits the top attractions while allowing time to soak in the atmosphere and magic of this incredible region.
Whether you follow this suggested route or create your own adventure, Cappadocia is sure to enchant you. Avoid the crowds in shoulder season for the most enjoyable visit. Let yourself get lost in the whimsical beauty and rich history that makes this corner of Turkey so unforgettable.
Cappadocia Itinerary: day 3
The two main tours in Cappadocia are the Red Tour and the Green Tour. However, most of what’s offered on the Red Tour can be reached fairly easily by yourself and most of those sites have already been included in this Cappadocia itinerary. However, the Green Tour is a full day out and you’ll get to explore much more of what’s on offer in the surrounding areas – most notably, the Ihlara Valley. The day will begin with collection from your hotel or hostel at approximately 9 am. You’ll then proceed to your first location, which is a viewpoint with fantastic views of Uçhisar Castle in the distance. Next up, you’ll head to Derinkuyu Underground City. You’ll get to wander through the tiny tunnels and venture into different chambers which were built as a way of protecting people during the war. Be warned that if you’re highly claustrophobic then you may want to skip this part. You’ll then head to the Ihlara Valley and embark on a short and easy hike before stopping for lunch on the river. It’s a truly idyllic part of the tour and arguably the best bit. Before returning back to Göreme, you’ll visit the Selime Monastery, the Onyx Jewellery Factory and Pigeon Valley.
Check prices: Green Tour
Legarto Restaurant is situated in Ürgüp and is undoubtedly one of the most romantic restaurants in Cappadocia. They’ve got a beautiful terrace which overlooks the authentic town of Ürgüp, as well as indoor seating inside the cave which has been decorated with chandeliers. Although it’s not the cheapest, the food here is outstanding – particularly the mezze!
Cappadocia Itinerary: day 1
As mentioned earlier on in this guide, before heading to Cappadocia you’ll almost certainly have come from somewhere else within Turkey beforehand. It’s common for people to fly into Cappadocia from Istanbul. There are heaps of flights a day from here, but I’d recommend getting into Cappadocia as early as you can to make the most of your time here.
If you haven’t already done so in another location in Turkey – or even if you have – it’s time to try some of the local ice creams. Although there isn’t usually a great deal of variety, the whole ordering process is an experience in itself. To become an ice cream man in Turkey you need to have a lot of character and energy. It’s a real performance. These stalls are dotted everywhere in Cappadocia. However, if you’re staying in Göreme (the most popular town in Cappadocia) then you’ll find one on the main high street close to the mosque.
The Red Valley and Rose Valley are two in Cappadocia with incredible landscapes. As their names suggest, the rock is red and pink and at times, it looks as though you’ve just stepped foot on mars. There are a few options when it comes to these valleys; hiking or driving to the viewpoint. Personally, I hiked here. There is a well-trodden trail that leads from the centre of Göreme and is approximately 10 kilometres. It also leads past Haçlı Church – a cave-style church which many people are interested in seeing. You’ll also find a sweet restaurant just outside of the church which is a great place to stop and have some lunch if you haven’t already done so in Göreme. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the viewpoint. It’s just 15 minutes drive and once you arrive, there are plenty of gift stalls and restaurants where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the unbelievable view over the Red and Rose Valleys. If you think you’d like to hike, but not 10 kilometres, then I’d suggest taking a taxi to the viewpoint and then walking back to Göreme. This would be almost half the distance and predominantly downhill for most of the way. If you take the trail to the right of the viewpoint, you’ll also pass Haçlı Church.
Read more: Cappadocia Red Valley hike
Once you’ve taken a rest after visiting the Red and Rose Valley, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about with Turkish carpet shops. The most well-known shop that’s being plastered all over social media is called Galerie Ikman. However, Sultan Carpets is also popular. Regardless of which one you choose, if you want to take any photos then you’ll need to pay a small fee. Granted, these photo areas are set up to look absolutely incredible and you’ll even get some drone shots taken for you. I checked out both stores and there is no denying they’re beautiful, but the whole photo thing wasn’t really for me and so unfortunately I did not take many great pictures. However, if you want to see what kind of photos can be achieved then check out Galerie Ickman on Instagram.
Watching the sunset at Lovers Hill is one of the nicest things to do to round off the day. The viewpoint is a 10-minute walk from the centre of Göreme and you’ll need to pay 5 Turkish Lira (approximately 20p) upon arrival.
At the viewpoint, you’ll find a couple of stalls selling some food and drink, but mostly just tonnes of people chilling and admiring the view. Oh, and a few dogs doing the same thing.
The Wooden Spoon Cave restaurant is one of the most charming places to eat in Cappadocia. It’s tucked away on one of the many cute side alleys that sprawl from the centre of Göreme and provides a real authentic cave-dining experience. Upon arrival, you’ll have the choice of sitting on some gorgeous Turkish cushions on the floor or at a table. The choice is yours, however, the floor feels like you’re getting a more immersive experience. The menu is diverse, however, I highly recommend trying the pottery kebabs. This is the traditional Anatolian dish where the meat and/or vegetables are cooked inside a clay pot. Once it’s ready to be served, the waiter or waitress will smash the pot and the contents will pour out onto your plate.
72 HOURS IN CAPPADOCIA
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