If you’re in search of a tremendous journey vacation spot that is stuffed with pure magnificence and historic significance, look no additional than Cappadocia! This unbelievable area in central Turkey is residence to a number of the most unusual landscapes on the planet.
With its hovering rock formations and fairy chimneys dotting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park, Cappadocia is a must-see for anybody visiting Turkey.
In this text, we’ll define a 2-day itinerary that can help you maximize your time and discover the very best of what this area has to supply. So pack your baggage and prepare for an journey!
Things To Do In Cappadocia In Two Days
Day 1
Hot Air Balloon Ride At Sunrise
If there may be one factor Cappadocia is thought for, it’s the epic sizzling air balloons throughout dawn. This is actually a once-in-a-lifetime expertise and one thing you received’t need to miss on any Cappadocia itinerary.
Watching the balloons slowly rise into the sky whereas the solar slowly emerges from the horizon is breathtaking. Along with the attractive colours and silence, it’s actually a surreal expertise.
From above, not solely do you get a number of the most wonderful views of the area, however you possibly can see the long-lasting fairy chimneys from a novel perspective.
But be sure to join your sizzling air balloon tour as quickly as you possibly can, since they’ll refill through the peak season and the balloons solely take off throughout optimum situations.
Goreme Open-Air Museum
After you might be achieved along with your sizzling air balloon journey, it’s time to see a number of the most well-known sights in Cappadocia. There is maybe nothing extra well-known within the Goreme Historical National Park than the Goreme Open-Air Museum.
It comprises quite a few cave homes, church buildings and monasteries from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Inside these cave homes and church buildings are a number of the most lovely and well-preserved frescoes, serving as prime examples of Byzantine artwork within the area.
The museum is a superb place to be taught concerning the historical past and tradition of Cappadocia. Though there’s a separate entrance price for the Dark Church, it’s positively definitely worth the worth. It is constructed inside a rock cave and has beautiful frescos & vaulted ceilings
Derinkuyu Underground City
No go to to Cappadocia is full with out visiting one in every of its underground cities, and there’s no higher one to go to than the Derinkuyu Underground City.
The metropolis is believed to have been constructed by the Hittites within the eighth century BC and was used as a shelter from pure disasters and battle. Derinkuyu is the biggest of the underground cities in Cappadocia, with 18 ranges which can be related by tunnels. It is assumed that the town might home as much as 20,000 individuals.
The metropolis remained hidden for hundreds of years till it was found within the Sixties. Nowadays, guests can discover the tunnels and rooms that stay and get a glimpse into the traditional life and tradition of the area!
Explore Goreme
The small village of Goreme is the middle of the Goreme Historical National Park. Not solely is that this village filled with distinctive fairy chimneys, however many of those rock formations have been used to create distinctive cave lodges and eating places. It is not any surprise that Goreme is likely one of the greatest locations to remain in Cappadocia!
Wandering by way of the streets of Goreme is like entering into a distinct world. Stroll across the streets and soak up all of the cultural variations. If you need to buy some souvenirs from Turkey, there are many boutique retailers the place you should purchase one thing from the area.
When the solar is about to set, be sure to head as much as Goreme Sunset Viewpoint, in any other case referred to as Lover’s Hill. This is likely one of the most accessible viewpoints within the area, and you’ve got unbelievable views of the area, particularly Uchisar Castle.
Try Testi Kebab
After the sundown, it’s time to discover some dinner. One of essentially the most distinctive dishes in Cappadocia is Testi Kebab, in any other case referred to as pottery kebab.
The dish is ready by marinating meat in a single day, normally lamb, after which cooking it in a sealed clay pot. Once the meat is cooked, it’s served with rice, bread, and yogurt.
You can discover this dish at many eating places in Goreme, however probably the most fashionable ones is Kapadokya Lezzet Sofrası.
Day 2
Red and Rose Valley Hike
If there may be one option to get pleasure from all of the cool rock formations and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, it’s by way of one of many hikes within the area. There is maybe no higher hike that showcases all the great thing about the realm than the Red Valley and Rose Valley Hike.
The hike takes you thru historic cave church buildings the place you’ll discover frescoes from the Byzantine Era. However, you’ll additionally discover loads of cave church buildings which were deserted and at the moment are in ruins. The hike takes round 3-4 hours, relying in your tempo.
Make positive you carry loads of water with you, as there are only a few locations to cease alongside the best way. Also, don’t overlook to put on sunscreen and a hat, because the solar will be fairly intense! It is essential to keep away from the noon warmth, particularly in case you are visiting in the summertime.
If you might be visiting this with kids, you would possibly want to hold them in sure elements of the hike.
Zelve Open-Air Museum
Zelve Open-Air Museum is likely one of the locations you could go to in Cappadocia. Unlike the Goreme Open-Air Museum, you received’t discover well-preserved frescoes right here. But as an alternative, Zelve Open-Air Museum was a valley inhabited because the Byzantine Era.
It was a settlement till 1952, when the Turkish authorities relocated the residents because of the depleting structural stability of a number of the cave formations there.
Nowadays, guests can nonetheless see each a part of a functioning settlement – from the properties to the church buildings to the mills and extra.
Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle is likely one of the hottest locations to go to in Cappadocia, and for good purpose. It is likely one of the highest factors within the area, and traditionally was used for protection. From the highest of the fort, you possibly can simply see any invaders coming from miles away.
Like many landmarks of the area, Uchisar Castle is comprised of smooth volcanic tuff rock, which was being carved out as increasingly individuals needed to dwell within the fort for cover. This has created many tunnels and rooms for vacationers to discover.
Time your go to to Uchisar Castle as a way to see the sundown. As one of many highest locations in Cappadocia, the sundown there may be arguably the very best within the area.
Enjoy Whirling Dervish Show
There is not any higher option to finish your 2 day Cappadocia itinerary than having fun with the attractive Whirling Dervish efficiency at evening.
The Whirling Dervishes are a gaggle of Turkish males who carry out a non secular ceremony known as Sema. The Sema is a type of dhikr, which is the remembrance of Allah.
During the efficiency, the dervishes will spin round in circles whereas sporting white robes and hats. They will typically go right into a state of trance, and it’s mentioned that they can attain a degree of spirituality that can’t be attained by way of every other means.
The greatest place to see the Whirling Dervishes is at Saruhan Caravanserai. Just be sure to get your reservation upfront and have your transport sorted out!
This concludes our 2 day Cappadocia itinerary! We hope you’ll get pleasure from your time in probably the most magical locations on the planet!
Guest Author: Sean is the co-founder of The Turkey Traveler, the #1 journey weblog on all issues Turkey associated. Offering insider suggestions, suggestions, and guides, The Turkey Traveler is your final useful resource that will help you plan a visit to Turkey.
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