Cappadocia isn’t a single town – it’s a region with several charming towns and villages, each offering a slightly different vibe.
If you want to stay in this area, you’ve got great options. Whether you want to sleep in a cozy cave room, wake up to hot air balloons floating by, or relax in a quiet village with beautiful views, Cappadocia has it all.
Cappadocia has many towns to base yourself in—like the popular Göreme, the peaceful Uçhisar, the local feel of Ürgüp, the riverside charm of Avanos, and the hidden gem of Ortahisar.
In this article you’ll also learn about different types of places to stay, from unique cave hotels and boutique stone homes to budget hostels and luxurious resorts.
Best Towns to Stay
Not sure which town to stay in while visiting Cappadocia? Let’s explore the most popular areas and what makes each one special.
Göreme
This is the most popular base for travelers. Göreme sits in the heart of the main valley, so you’re literally surrounded by fairy chimneys and can often see hot air balloons overhead at sunrise from your hotel terrace.
The town has a backpacker-meets-boutique feel – plenty of cave hotels, hostels, restaurants, and tour agencies.
It’s very convenient: you can walk to Göreme Open-Air Museum, Love Valley viewpoint, etc.
In the evenings, the town is lively with cafes and even a couple of low-key bars.
If you like to be in the middle of the action with lots of other travelers and easy tour access, Göreme is perfect.
There’s a wide range of accommodation from budget to upscale.
Cave hotels here often have beautiful rooftop terraces set up for balloon watching (those Instagram-famous breakfast setups are often in Göreme hotels).
Uçhisar
Just a few kilometers from Göreme, Uçhisar is a quieter village known for the towering Uçhisar Castle (the highest point in Cappadocia).
Staying in Uçhisar is more tranquil and romantic/upscale.
Many luxury and boutique cave hotels are in Uçhisar, taking advantage of the panoramic views – you’ll see stretches of valley and Göreme town in the distance.
It’s ideal if you want a peaceful retreat, perhaps a honeymoon spot.
You can still reach Göreme easily by taxi or even a short hike through Pigeon Valley.
At night, Uçhisar is very calm – not much in terms of nightlife, but you can enjoy stargazing and the twinkling lights of Goreme below.
The sunrise view from Uçhisar hotels is phenomenal (balloons often float near the castle).
If you are chasing luxury, places like Museum Hotel, Argos in Cappadocia, etc., are splurge-worthy cave hotels with pools and fine dining.
Ürgüp
A bit further east, Ürgüp is a larger town that offers a mix of authenticity and tourist facilities.
It has a local vibe with modern touches – banks, supermarkets, as well as restaurants and wine houses.
Ürgüp is famous for its wine production; you can even stay at a winery hotel here.
Accommodation in Ürgüp ranges from stylish cave hotels to more standard hotels.
It’s a good base if you have your own car, as parking and driving in/out is easier than Göreme’s narrow lanes.
Ürgüp’s nightlife is low-key but there are local cafes and a couple of bars where you might catch live Turkish music.
A benefit of Ürgüp: you can explore nearby attractions like Mustafapaşa village or Ürgüp’s own cave sites easily. It’s a 15-20 min drive to Göreme.
If you prefer a slightly bigger town feel and perhaps to mingle more with Turkish locals, Ürgüp is a solid choice.
Avanos
Located by the Red River (Kızılırmak) to the north, Avanos is known for its pottery artisanship – lots of pottery workshops and a pretty riverfront with cafes.
Avanos has fewer cave hotels, but a couple of lovely boutique ones exist, often converted old Greek mansions.
Staying here gives a different atmosphere: morning walks by the river, maybe trying your hand at pottery. It’s a more laid-back, residential town feeling.
There’s a local market, and you’ll find good eateries (try the testi kebab at a restaurant by the river).
The downside is it’s approximately 20 minutes drive from the main Göreme area, so you’ll be shuttling a bit for the typical sights.
But it’s great if you want to avoid the busier tourist hubs and enjoy a more authentic town life.
Also, Avanos hotels can be a bit cheaper for similar quality since it’s slightly off the main tourist circuit.
Ortahisar
This small town is somewhat centrally located between Ürgüp and Uçhisar.
It has its own striking rock Ortahisar Castle in the middle (like a mini Uçhisar Castle).
Ortahisar is up-and-coming with some charming cave and stone hotels, often family-run.
Staying in Ortahisar gives you a village atmosphere – very quaint and not many tourists at night.
You’ll likely get to know your hotel owner well. There are a few restaurants and small shops.
It’s a nice place if you want authenticity and don’t mind a short drive (10 minutes) to Göreme for tours.
Plus, you can boast about staying in one of Cappadocia’s lesser-known gems.
Waking up in Ortahisar, you might see locals going about daily life, and you can walk to the castle and have it nearly to yourself at times.
Types of Accommodations
Cappadocia offers some truly unique places to stay—from cave rooms carved into stone to stylish boutique hotels. Here’s a look at the different types of accommodations you can choose from.
Cave Hotels
These are the stars of Cappadocia lodging.
Ranging from budget to ultra-luxury, cave hotels let you sleep in rooms carved from the natural rock or tuff.
Don’t worry – they are fitted with all modern comforts (electricity, plumbing, often Wi-Fi). The walls are stone, so the rooms stay cool in summer and warm in winter, naturally.
It’s a unique feeling – often cozy and a bit whimsical.
Many cave rooms have vaulted or arched ceilings, Turkish rugs, and lamps for ambiance.
Some higher-end ones even have cave suites with private pools or Turkish bath features!
Note that because of the nature of caves, sometimes the rooms might have smaller windows or be a bit dimmer (part of the charm), and you might need to climb stairs as they’re often on hillsides.
But honestly, waking up in a cave with a little alcove where monks may have slept centuries ago is just awesome.
Some of the cave hotels popular with tourists are Sultan Cave Suites, Kelebek Hotel, Cappadocia Cave Suites, Mithra Cave (in Göreme), Kayakapi Premium Caves (in Ürgüp), etc.
They often have beautiful terraces – perfect for breakfast with a view.
Stone/Boutique Hotels
Not every hotel is a literal cave; some are built of local Cappadocia stone in the traditional style.
These often have arch rooms (called “arched rooms” which are half-cave, half-built). They still blend into the landscape and offer that Cappadocian character but with perhaps larger windows and more light.
Boutique hotels might be restored old houses or mansions with courtyards. They offer a great mix of authenticity and comfort.
If you need more natural light or are claustrophobic, opt for a stone room rather than a full cave room.
Hostels/Pensions
For budget travelers, Göreme and a few other towns have hostels or basic guesthouses.
These might not always be caves, but some do have dorms or simple rooms carved into rock.
They provide a social atmosphere where you can meet other travelers.
Amenities are basic but sufficient (hot showers, simple breakfast).
Popular hostels include Terra Vista and Kamelya Cave Hostel (yes, a hostel in a cave!).
Also, many family-run pensions in Göreme or Urgup offer private rooms at good rates, often including homemade breakfast.
Luxury Resorts
A handful of luxury hotels are sprinkled around, often on the outskirts with expansive grounds. These might have spas, swimming pools, and fine dining.
Among tourists who prefer a 5-star experience, these six accommodations are popular – Argos, Cappadocia Cave Suites, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge, Cappadocia Turkey Marriott and Milestone Cave Suites.
Some are cave resorts, others are elegant stone villas.
These resorts can also arrange private experiences like balloon rides or vineyard dinners.
Tips for booking your stay
Book well in advance for popular months (spring and fall) as the best cave hotels fill up quickly due to limited rooms (many are small properties).
Also, consider splitting your stay between two towns if you have a longer trip – e.g., 2 nights in Göreme to be central, and 1-2 nights in Uçhisar or Ürgüp for a different feel.
No matter where you stay, you’re never too far from the main sights – the region is compact.
Each town has its own charm: Göreme for convenience and buzz, Uçhisar for views and luxury, Ürgüp for local town life, Avanos for riverside artisan charm, Ortahisar for off-beat tranquility.
And sleeping in a cave? That’s a Cappadocia bucket list item in itself. You’ll definitely remember those dreamy cave nights under the Anatolian stars.
