Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cappadocia region and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a unique region and offers the most amazing and unique attractions.
The historical region is situated on the Anatolian side of Turkey. Contrary to popular belief, it’s an entire region and not a city. Though Cappadocia was formed around thousands years ago, it is believed that Hittites were the first people to inhabit Cappadocia. Assyrians, Phrygians, and Persians also lived here. It also became a province of the Roman Empire. And it was during the Roman era that early Christians started residing in the region, as they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. A few decades later, tourism started to grow, and soon it became a popular tourist destination.
The fairy chimneys, formed as a result of a geological process, are probably the most famous structures. These magical formations have been used by humans throughout history. Many of these chimneys are now turned into museums, shops, or hotels. When you wander around the region, you will find these structures almost everywhere.
The top places you should visit in Cappadocia include Goreme town and Zelve Open Air Museums, Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities, Red and Rose Valleys, and Ortahisar Castle.
Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Both cities were built centuries ago and had storage rooms, kitchens, ventilation systems, and more. The idea behind building them was protection from invaders. Thousands of people lived in these cities in secrecy. Both cities have several levels and tunnels.
The Goreme Open-Air Museum is situated close to the town center and it’s one of the most visited places in the region. Visitors can take an audio tour which will guide them through the churches and cave houses. You will learn about the history and facts of the region. The Zelve Open Air Museum also has churches and cave dwellings. It’s among the last abandoned monastic structures in the region. Though both museums are amazing, the Zelve museum can offer a better touring experience as it receives fewer visitors.
You can visit and explore Cappadocia on your own or book a tour package and take a guided tour. All kinds of tour packages are available; you can go for a green tour, a red tour, a day tour, or longer tours.