3 Day itinerary Cappadocia, Turkey

As soon as we hear the word hot air balloons, the very first name that comes to our mind would be the most famous place Cappadocia in Turkey. Cappadocia is a region in Central Turkey known for its distinctive geological formations, underground cities, and rock-cut churches. Cappadocia is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a popular tourist destination and is famous for its hot air balloon ride, which offers breathtaking views of the landscape.

Since Cappadocia has many tourist spots and the next question that arises in our mind is: "How many days can we spend in this beautiful city of Göreme, Cappadocia, and what are the activities we can do during our stay??"

If you are wondering if 3 days in Cappadocia is enough, then you are on the right page. In this blog, I will give you a 3-day itinerary for your stay in Göreme, Cappadocia along with few tips.

I would say 3 full days is a perfect time to stay and enjoy the view and do some hiking along with some adventures if you love to.

Image: Hot Air Ballon take-off spot

Day 1

1. Get the best Sunrise view:

You can just start your day by going to see the sunrise in Cappadocia which is a sight to behold. As the sun slowly rises over the breathtaking landscape, it casts a warm, golden glow over the Rocky hills and valleys.

It is a truly magical moment, one that is sure to be etched in the memories of all who witness it.

Image: Sunrise view point from Lovers hill

Tips: Here are a few best places from where you can best the best sunrise view. Lovers hill, Uchisar castle, and Sunset hill. If you are staying in the region of Göreme, these viewpoints are at a walkable distance.

2. Visit any one of the underground cities:

The underground cities of Cappadocia are a series of ancient underground dwellings which were used as shelters for local inhabitants for several centuries. There are over 200 underground cities in Cappadocia, and most of them are connected through underground pathways.

But only two of the underground cities are open to the public which includes Derinkuyu, and Kayamakli, each with its unique features and history. These cities were equipped with living quarters, kitchens, chapels, and even stables, allowing the residents to live underground for extended periods.

Image: Kayamakli Underground City

The visit to underground cities is a must for anyone interested in history and culture, as well as those seeking a unique and visually stunning experience.

The entry of the underground cities has a fee and do check out the opening hours. It differs from one city to the other.

During our stay, we visited Kayamakli underground city which is the oldest underground city in Cappadocia. It is 20 m below the ground with eight levels deep, although only the first four can be accessed by visitors. It is easily accessed by both bus and car. It is not included in any of the tours.

Only Derinkuyu is included in green tours.

Image: Kayamakli Underground City

Entry fee: 100 Turkish Lira per person

Time required: 1-2 hrs

Distance: almost 9 km walk

3. Join some tours like horseback riding or sunset ATV tours:

You can ride a horse through the amazing valleys with fairy chimneys for a memorable experience. Cappadocia, also known as the "Land Of Horses", has all the necessary conditions for a quality and memorable ride with well-groomed, peaceful, and powerful horses, and amazing landscapes. It will be a 2-hour ride with a professional guide who will accompany you all the way showing you the trails with amazing rock formations and the most spectacular fairy chimneys.

Price: 25-60 Euros (prices vary depending on the time and group)

Transportation: Pick-up drop facilities provided

Guide: English

The ATV tours or quad safari during Sunset would be the best time to book your activity. It will be a 2-hour tour and a perfect way to explore the hidden gems that are only accessible by off-road vehicles. On this tour, you will be led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide who will ride you on a thrilling ride through the rugged terrain in Cappadocia. You will ride through the red rock valleys, past ancient churches and monasteries, and through the picturesque countryside. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop and take in the breathtaking views, capture stunning photos, and learn about the history and culture of the region.

Price: 30 euros – 45 euros (prices vary)

Transportation: round trip from the hotel available

Cancellation: free of charge(before 24 hrs)

Time required: 2 hours

Guide: English

Tips: Pre-book your tour of interest before you visit Cappadocia.

Day 2

1. Sunrise hot air balloon flight with Champagne:

Experience the Sunrise over the rocky valleys of Cappadocia from above on a hot-air balloon flight and end your experience with a champagne celebration. You can choose between a standard, comfort, or private flight. Start your experience early in the morning with pickup from your hotel followed by transportation to a location.

The balloon rises between 500 and 1000 meters above the ground. You fly smoothly above the valleys and spectacular geographical formations that you can only see from the sky.

Make sure you snap some photos of you on the balloon and dozens of others nearby that will be starting to go up in the air. At the end of the flight, there will be a light drink to celebrate.

We had pre-booked our flight beforehand from Anatolia balloons. It cost me 150 euros per person for the ride. Be ready to wake up at 4 am.

You can get the complete video of your flight at the cost of 30 euros if you want.

https://www.anatolianballoons.com/en you can book your ride here.

Tips: As suggested, kindly pre-book your ride before your visit and also check the cancellation and refund policy. Sometimes due to weather conditions, the balloon flight gets canceled.

Price: 150 Euros – 1000 Euros (depending upon the flight you choose).

Duration: 1.5-2 hours followed by a champagne toast, some rides with breakfast.

Transportation: round trip services provided by the companies.

Image: Hot Air Balloon Ride

2. Small group full-day guided Red tours or green tours:

The Red tour and Green tour are popular tourist routes that visit different landmarks and attractions in the region. The tours typically include visits to the Red valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, The Pigeon Valley, The Monks Valley, and many more. Both the red tour and green tour offer a chance to explore the unique history and culture of Cappadocia, and to see some of the region´s most famous landmarks and attractions.

The places visited in the Red tour during my visit can be seen in my upcoming blog. You can plan your tours accordingly.

Image: Imagination Valley from Red tour

The Red tour cost me 32 Euros per person. It was a whole day tour and our guide was very friendly. I prebooked the tour from

https://roadtripstour.com/

https://www.instagram.com/roadtripstourcappadocia/

We got the best tour guide. I have also mentioned his contact here for your reference. You can contact him directly for bookings. 

Name: Oguz, Contact No: +905060699639

Price: 30-50 Euros.

Lunch: Provided.

Transportation: Provided.

Entrance fee: Included in the fees (to most of the valleys).

Guide: English.

Duration: Full day from 10 am to 5.30 pm.

3. Plan your one-day stay at the Cave Hotel and enjoy the special Cave Hotel dinner:

Cave hotel stay is a unique and unforgettable experience. These hotels are carved into the natural rock formations and offer a truly authentic and rustic experience. The rooms are typically decorated in a traditional Turkish style and feature all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.

Image: Elite Cave Suites Rooms

While staying at a cave hotel, you have the opportunity to explore beautiful surroundings which are home to stunning landscapes, and ancient ruins. In the evening you can enjoy your meal at the hotel´s restaurant.

Overall, a cave hotel stay is a unique and memorable experience that is worth a try. Do not forget to at least have one meal at the cave hotel. The dining is in a typical Turkish way, and the food at these restaurants is authentic and tasty.

Image: Elite Cave Suites

We spent a night at the Elite Cave Suites and the hotel had amazing views. Breakfast was included. The hotel was just perfect for both Sunrise and Sunset.

https://www.instagram.com/elitecavesuites/?hl=en here is the Instagram link of the hotel.

Day 3

1. Get yourself a photoshoot:

Yes, you heard me right. A hot air balloon photoshoot would be one of the best things you can gift to yourself. Trust me, the view is just magical in the mornings with hundreds of hot air balloons rising in the air creating a beautiful background to carry memories with you forever.

If you want to know more about the details of the Hot Air Balloon Photo Shoot and also the rental dresses, you can check my next blog on the same.

Image: Photoshoot at Rose Valley

Price of rental dress: 40-65 Euros

Price of vintage elements: 50-100 Euros

Price for the photoshoot: 100-700 Euros (Varies for different packages)

Duration:  2-3 hrs

2. Try out the typical Turkish Hammam bath:

Hammam bath in Cappadocia is a traditional Turkish bath which is one of the activities you can do to relax. It is a steam bath that is typically heated by a wood or coal fire, and the steam is created by pouring water over the hot stones. Many people visit the Hammam baths as a part of a Spa day or as a way to unwind after a day of exploring the region´s stunning natural beauty.

Price: 35-45 Euros

Duration: 2 hours

3. Go out and watch the sunset:

Like the Sunrise, the Sunsets are also beautiful. There are specific sunset viewpoints that you can visit to capture the beautiful sunset in the region.

Tips: Here are a few best Sunset spots Red valley, sunset point, Uchisar castle, and Rose valley.

Image: Sunset hill view point

If you are staying in a cave hotel, the rooftop of these houses has views for both Sunrise and Sunset. So, you need not travel far places to catch one!!

Image: Roof top of Elite Cave Suites

So, if you are visiting Cappadocia, make sure to try some of the delicious and unique Ice creams. The ice cream makers perform their tricks, such as stretching and twirling the ice cream before handing it over to you.

Overall, Cappadocia is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and outdoor adventure. 3 days is a perfect time to explore Cappadocia.

FAQ´s

1. Since the hot air balloon ride is expensive, is it worth a try?

Ans: Absolutely, the Hot Air Balloon ride is worth a try. I know it is expensive, but trust me. It is one of the best things you can try in the region of Cappadocia, and is a one time experience. You can see hundreds of balloons flying below, above, and beside you. The view is just magical to see the sunrise from above the ground with balloons all around. The view from the top of the hot air balloon is just amazing.

2. What other activities can we do if we still have time?

Ans: There are other activities like a Turkish night show, a Jeep Safari Tour, a Whirling Dervish Dance Show, Hiking into the valleys, and many more. If you are taking a red tour, for example, it does not cover many places from the green and blue tour which you can cover when you have time.

Until the next blog:

"Keep Travelling, Keep Reading and Keep Following."