South (Green) Cappadocia Daily Tour

Cappadocia’s underground cities—vast multistory complexes carved into the region’s famous volcanic rock—are among the most impressive underground dwellings in the world. Kaymakli Underground City is one of the most visited, with eight floors reaching depths of 262 feet (80 meters) and a history dating back to the eighth century BC.   The Basics A guided walking tour of Kaymaklı takes visitors underground to explore the excavated ruins—including the remains of homes, kitchens, stables, storage rooms, and even a wine press—linked by tunnels and ventilation shafts. Four of the eight floors are open to the public.   Kaymakli is a popular stop on sightseeing tours of Cappadocia, often alongside attractions such as Uchisar Castle, Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), Avanos, or the Göreme Open Air Museum. You can also combine a visit to Kaymakli with a hike through the Soganli Valley or a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys.

Cappadocia’s Grand Canyon, the 328 ft (100 m) deep Ihlara Valley (Ihlara Vadisi) was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago.

Around 4,000 people lived in the valley and there were 80 churches carved into the cliff faces, 12 of which can be visited today. These days the valley is home to one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia with 26 bends along an 8 mile (14km) route that passes vineyards and pistacio trees.

The valley begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime Monastery in the village of Selime, but there are two other entrances depending on how far you are willing to hike. Around 2.8 miles (4 km) into the valley is the most popular entry point with 300 steps down to the valley floor. Or you can drive to the village of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. The best section for seeing churches is between Ihlara and Belisirma.

Uchisar Castle is the highest point in the region. The castle and its surrounds used to be the most populated area this settlement to survey the enemies. The top of the citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area.

Carved directly into the rocks of Cappadocia, Selime Monastery is one of the region’s most fascinating cultural attractions. Experts believe it took more than 200 years to shape the monastery, beginning in the eighth or ninth century. The structure, which could house some 5,000 people, included a cathedral-sized church with stone columns, camel stables, living quarters, a missionary school, water well and a huge kitchen with a chimney. There’s a bit of a climb to get up to the monastery structure, and visitors are free to climb inside many of the structures as well. The view from the top looks out over the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia’s wind-sculpted volcanic tufa has created an impressive series of valleys, dotted with towering “fairy chimneys” and dramatic rock formations. Taking its name from the pigeonholes carved into the tops of its fairy chimneys, Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi) is stunning, and visitors to Cappadocia shouldn’t miss it