I’ve had the privilege of travelling to many countries in my humbly short life, but Cappadocia had a special way of hitting differently. No picture could do justice to the overwhelming depth of its valleys – you simply have to experience them.
I was lucky enough to visit it on a ten-day trip last May, and the memories I made still live rent-free in my mind and heart. This is just a snippet of what this beautiful place offers, but I hope it’s enough for you to get inspired for your next trip – or at least daydream for a little while.
By Giulia Daniele
1. Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
The Göreme Open-Air Museum represents the beauty of Cappadocia at its finest and is the perfect starting point for your Türkiye itinerary.
First believed to be a Byzantine monastic settlement and then a pilgrimage site, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sight to behold. The valley is famous for its unique rock formations made by volcanic tuff. These have been moulded by wind and rain over the centuries and are known today as ‘fairy chimneys’ because of their unusual look. And because only a magic wand could have shaped them this way!
The rock-cut monasteries house impressive frescoes depicting Biblical figures. Make sure to visit the Dark Church, the Chapel of St Barbara and Rahibeler Monastery.
2. Explore Kaymakli Underground City
Kaymakli Underground City is unlike anything you’ve ever seen – or at least it was for me! Carved eight levels deep into the earth, this maze of tunnels and rooms served as the shelter for Christian inhabitants first escaping Mongolian incursions and later Ottoman.
There are almost 100 tunnels running underneath Cappadocia that are still used as storage areas, stables and cellars. They’re not too steep and narrow, so if you’re worried about feeling claustrophobic, this is the best underground city option.
3. Fly away on a hot air balloon
Cappadocia’s iconic hot air balloons are possibly the main reason why this area is so popular. And rightly so! I’ve seen countless pictures of the valleys at dawn before visiting, but they will never do justice to the overwhelming in-person feeling. It’s simply magnificent.
Many Turkish companies organise these excursions, so you’re free to choose whichever you prefer. Each basket can accommodate between 16-20 people, and the flight takes between 45 minutes and an hour. We actually decided not to fly (my mum doesn’t deal well with heights) and instead visited the site on a Jeep safari – which was equally fun! They picked us up from the hotel and sped through bumpy off-road paths, blaring reggaetón tunes all the way. Bear in mind, this was all happening at 4 in the morning!
We arrived just as the balloons were about to take off and followed them around the valley. It was something I’ll never forget.
4. Walk on salt at Tuz Golü Lake
Tuz Golü Lake is Türkiye’s second-largest lake and one of the world’s biggest hypersaline. It’s fed by two major streams but has no outlet. There’s a salt layer of different densities that continues for over 1,000 metres, making it possible to always have it at hand. The three mines operating in the lake produce 63% of the salt that is consumed across the country.
You can walk miles and miles again, rubbing your feet against the salty bottom and reflecting yourself in the perfectly transparent water. It’s a beautiful, freeing feeling.
5. Try the delicious Kadayıf
If you, like me, are all about food when travelling, Kadayıf is what you need to try! This traditional Middle Eastern dessert is made by pouring liquid wheat dough onto a rotating hot plate and adding sugar to it. This is then baked or fried.
It can have walnuts, almonds or pistachios, and none of them makes it less delicious. You’ll definitely want to come back for more!
Ready to book your trip to Cappadocia? Experience gravity-defying landscapes and the depth of human history.
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