Cappadocia may be relatively small but packed with activities and attractions.
Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, history buff, photographer, or family traveler, there are plenty of things to do to fill your days.
Here are the best things to do in Cappadocia and some tips for special interests (like traveling with kids or as a couple).
Must-do activities in Cappadocia
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
The hot air balloon ride early at sunrise is the #1 iconic activity. It is always best to plan this on the first day of your stay in Cappadocia because in case it gets cancelled you have a spare day to try it.
Even if you don’t ride, wake up early to watch the balloons fill the sky.
Lovers Hill in Göreme or your hotel rooftop are popular viewing spots. It’s pure magic.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
Explore ancient rock-cut churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes.
This UNESCO site was a monastic complex. You’ll walk between cave chapels – don’t miss the Dark Church. The Dark Church requires an extra ticket worth ₺250 ($6.5) but has superb frescoes.
It’s like an outdoor museum of 1000-year-old Christian art.
Hike the Valleys
Cappadocia has gorgeous hiking trails through its unique valleys.
Favorites include, Red & Rose Valley (stunning colored rocks, especially beautiful at sunset); Love Valley (famous for its towering phallic-shaped fairy chimneys – yes, they look like giant stone “love” symbols, hence the name); Pigeon Valley (between Göreme and Uçhisar, filled with pigeon houses carved in cliffs); Ilhara Valley (a bit farther away, a green canyon with a river and churches in cliff walls).
Hiking is free, easy to do, and self-guided – follow the dirt paths. Wear good shoes and carry water.
Check out the free things to do in Cappadocia.
Uçhisar Castle Panorama
Uçhisar is a natural rock castle – a massive rock hill with tunnels – and the highest point in Cappadocia.
Climb to the top (requires a ticket) for a breathtaking 360° view of the region. It’s great at sunset. Even from the base, the view toward Göreme with Pigeon Valley in front is fantastic.
Visit Pasabag (Monks Valley)
This area has some of the best fairy chimney formations, including the famous mushroom-shaped chimneys with multiple “hats.” Wander among these bizarre rocks and snap photos – you’ll feel like you’re on another planet. It’s easily accessible by road near Zelve. Check out this tour, which includes a fun stop at Pasabag.
Devrent (Imagination) Valley
It is a fun stop on the Red Tour, where the rock shapes resemble animals and objects. See if you can spot the camel, the seal, the kissing ducks, etc.
It’s like a natural sculpture garden. Quick stop but very whimsical for photos.
Pottery Demonstration in Avanos
The town of Avanos by the Red River is known for its pottery tradition dating back to Hittite times.
Visit a pottery workshop to see a demonstration on the potter’s wheel (often, you can try your hand at it too). It’s surprisingly fun and messy!
Avanos pottery makes great souvenirs – beautiful hand-painted plates, vases, etc.
Sunset or Sunrise Viewpoints
Apart from Uçhisar, there are other great viewpoints – Göreme Sunset Point (a short hike up a hill on the edge of town), Red Valley sunset viewpoint (often included in tours – lovely cafe there to sip on while watching the sun dip), or even just your hotel terrace.
Sunsets turn the rock formations rosy pink, which is very romantic and photogenic.
Check out the best places to see the sunrise in Cappadocia.
Turkish Night Show
It is a touristy but entertaining dinner show where you’ll see traditional Turkish folk dances, including the famous whirling dervishes and belly dancing.
These are often held in caves or restaurants in Uçhisar or Avanos. It’s an evening of live music, unlimited local wine, and cultural dance – families usually enjoy it (though it runs late).
Try Local Cuisine
Don’t miss the local specialties: Testi Kebabı (pottery kebab) – a stew of meat and veggies cooked in a sealed clay pot, which is cracked open at your table!
Also Cappadocia produces some decent wines (Turasan winery in Ürgüp is well known – you can visit their tasting room).
And for quick bites, gözleme (Turkish stuffed flatbread pancakes) sold by ladies in the villages are delicious.
Those are the big ones – now some tailored suggestions:
Family-Friendly Activities (Visiting with Kids)
Cappadocia can be great for kids, with a sense of adventure at every turn. Here are a few ideas to keep younger travelers happy.
Short Valley Walks
Kids love exploring the fairy chimney valleys – it feels like a fantasy playground.
Try the Love Valley (the amusing rock shapes will get giggles) or Sword Valley near Göreme, which is short and fun with fairy chimneys you can walk right up to.
Bring snacks and make it a little adventure hike.
Horseback Riding
Cappadocia is nicknamed “Land of Beautiful Horses.” Consider a sunset horseback ride through the valleys (ranches in Göreme offer 2-hour rides).
Suitable for older kids/teens, it’s a memorable way to see the scenery. Helmets and gentle horses are provided.
Check out horse riding in Cappadocia.
ATV (Quad) Tours
Teenagers (and adventurous parents) will enjoy an ATV tour. You ride four-wheelers in convoy through dunes and valleys, usually at sunset.
Drivers must be 17+ (younger kids can ride a pillion with an adult).
It’s dusty, exhilarating fun – you’ll all come back looking like dirt sculptures but grinning ear to ear.
Underground City Adventure
Older kids (about six and up) find the underground cities super cool – like a real-life maze to explore.
Just prepare them for tight spaces. They’ll love hearing how people hid from “bad guys” long ago in these tunnels.
Güray Ceramic Museum in Avanos
If your children are into arts or pottery, this is an underground ceramic museum with an impressive pottery collection and demonstrations.
It’s engaging and offers a workshop where they can play with clay.
Balloon Watching
Kids under six can’t fly, but you can still make it special for them by having a “balloon morning.”
Wake them early, bundle up, and drive to a take-off site road (ask locals or your hotel where to go).
Watching dozens of giant balloons inflate and launch up close is thrilling for kids.
Some balloons land near roads where you can go and see the baskets and talk to a pilot after a flight.
Zelve Open-Air Park
Similar to the Göreme Open-Air Museum but more spread out and less crowded – kids can run around the former cave village ruins more freely.
There are caves they can enter and old dwellings to peek in. It feels like a big natural playground (with safety precautions).
Animal encounters
Apart from horses, you might see local farm animals. In Göreme, there’s an area with camels for tourist photos (note: short camel rides are offered, but research animal welfare if that concerns you).
Kids also enjoy the many friendly street cats and dogs around towns – they’re usually approachable and gentle.
Overall, Cappadocia offers a sense of wonder that kids pick up on – from cave hotels to hidden tunnels.
Plan for a slower pace, give them downtime (maybe at the hotel pool if available) and always carry water and hats for the sun.
Romantic or Couples’ Activities
Cappadocia is extremely popular for honeymooners and couples. It’s undeniably romantic – the scenery is surreal, the hotels are intimate, and there’s a dreaminess to those balloon-filled skies.
Here are some ideas for couples to amp up the romance.
Stay in a Suite with a View
Book one of the special cave suites with a private terrace or a jacuzzi tub. Many cave hotels have suites oriented for balloon views.
Waking up together at dawn to watch balloons from bed is unforgettable.
Check out all hotels in Cappadocia
Sunset at Red Valley
Head to Red Valley or the Rose Valley at sunset. Or better still, try both the valleys on a sunset hiking tour.
There is usually wine for sale at the view points. Share a glass of local wine as the sky turns orange and pink over the rose-colored rocks – incredibly romantic.
Private Balloon Ride
If budget allows, consider a private balloon or deluxe flight with fewer people. Some balloons can be booked just for two (with the pilot) – often used for proposals.
It’s pricey, but it is an amazing memory (and photo op) for couples. Even the standard shared flight will feel magical with your partner beside you if not private.
Couples’ Photo Shoot
Cappadocia is a photographer’s paradise. Many couples hire a local photographer for a sunrise photoshoot in their flowing dresses, etc.
There are even services to rent dramatic gowns.
If you want a photographer for a private photoshoot, that’s also possible – it’s a great keepsake.
Dinner in a Cave Restaurant
Enjoy a romantic dinner at one of Cappadocia’s cave restaurants or fine dining spots.
For example, Seten Restaurant in Göreme offers Cappadocian cuisine in a beautiful setting, and Lil’a at the Museum Hotel in Uçhisar is high-end and perfect for a special occasion.
Candlelit cave ambiance and local wine make a perfect date night.
Turkish Bath for Two
Visit a hammam (Turkish bath) for a relaxing couples’ spa experience.
In Cappadocia, some cave hotels have lovely spa baths. You can get scrubbed and massaged and come out rejuvenated.
Its ritual is both relaxing and a cultural experience to share.
Star-Gazing
The rural areas of Cappadocia have relatively little light pollution. On a clear night, drive out a bit or walk up a hill away from town lights and gaze at the stars together—the silence of the valleys at night and the blanket of stars above – so peaceful. (Bundle up if it’s cold! Perhaps bring a blanket from the hotel.)
Love Valley
Yes, it’s cheeky, but taking a stroll through Love Valley (with its famously suggestive rock formations) is a must for couples.
It makes for some humorous photos and a memory you’ll laugh about later.
Make a Wish at Uçhisar
Climb Uçhisar castle or go to Pigeon Valley and find a “wish tree” (branches adorned with evil eye beads or cloth). Many couples tie a token or make a wish for their future together while overlooking the landscape.
In short, Cappadocia’s mix of adventure and tranquility sets a perfect stage for romance. Many people get engaged or go on their honeymoon here, and for good reason!
