Cappadocia is full of surreal landscapes, ancient cave churches, fairy chimneys, and sunrises filled with hot air balloons.
With five full days, you won’t just see the highlights—you’ll have time to go off the beaten path, try local food, relax in a Turkish bath, and maybe even ride a horse into the sunset.
This itinerary is perfect if you want a good mix of adventure, culture, and downtime. Let’s dive in and make the most of your Cappadocia journey—day by day!
You’ll depart with an amazing experience and probably hundreds of photos. Five days in Cappadocia is a dream trip well spent!
Day 1: Göreme Orientation & Sunset
Morning: Arrival and settle in
Use your first day to get acquainted with Göreme and its surroundings.
Check into your cave hotel and explore Göreme town on foot. Wander through small streets, peek into shops selling pottery and carpets, and perhaps visit the local Göreme market (if on a market day) for fresh fruits and regional snacks.
Afternoon: Love Valley walk
Head to Love Valley viewpoint for a light hike among fairy chimneys—perfect for photos and you can explore the beautiful Cappadocia’s landscapes.
Evening: Sunset views and dinner
Watch the sunset from Göreme Sunset Point. Watch the rocks turn golden and see the lights of village hotels twinkle on. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant. Try some meze plates and a grilled dish or a vegetarian clay pot dish. Get to bed early if you plan on ballooning tomorrow.
Day 2: Balloon Ride & Red Tour Highlights
Early Morning: Soar above Cappadocia
Take a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise. Enjoy breathtaking views, celebrate with a glass of champagne upon landing, and have breakfast.
Late Morning: Göreme Open-Air Museum & Ürgüp
Start your Red tour to explore northern Cappadocia, visit the iconic rock-cut churches at Göreme Open-Air Museum, then stop by Ürgüp’s Three Graces and a stroll around Ürgüp town for a stroll and coffee.
Afternoon: Pottery, Chimneys & Valleys
Have lunch in Avanos and visit a pottery workshop. Explore Paşabağ (Monks Valley) to immerse yourself in fairy chimneys and see St. Simeon’s monk cells. Then, Devrent Valley’s whimsical rock formations.
Evening: Wine tasting & sunset views
If you have time and interest, stop by a local winery at Turasan or Kocabağ. Watch the sunset from Uçhisar Castle and enjoy dinner with live music in a cave restaurant.
Short on time? Experience Cappadocia in just two days with a hot-air balloon ride and key highlights. Got an extra day? A three-day itinerary adds a full Red and Green tour with valleys, cave churches, and an underground city!
Day 3: Green Tour Adventure (Underground City & Ihlara)
Morning: Descend into history
Explore Derinkuyu Underground City on the Green tour route and navigate the fascinating tunnels and chambers carved deep into the earth.
Late Morning: Hike through Ihlara Valley
Walk the scenic trail 4 km (2.4 miles) along the Melendiz River, stopping to admire Byzantine cave churches and relaxing nature spots. With a full day, you can do the entire trek from the Ihlara entrance to Selime (about 3–4 hours with stops).
Lunch: Riverside break in Belisırma
Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a riverside restaurant in the peaceful village of Belisırma.
Afternoon: Explore Selime Monastery Climb through Selime’s vast rock-cut cathedral and take sweeping views of the valley. Spend some time soaking in the views and imagining monastery life centuries ago.
Evening: Optional detour & Turkish Night
Stop at Güzelyurt (near Ihlara) for a quiet, cultural visit to see a less touristy historic town with old Greek Orthodox churches and underground caves.
Then, enjoy an entertaining Turkish night show with dinner and folk performances—dances, music, and even belly dancing while dining on regional cuisine.
Day 4: Off the Beaten Path – Soganli & Mustafapaşa (Blue Tour)
Morning: Explore Mustafapaşa
Explore southern Cappadocia through the Blue tour route. Wander through the quiet Greek heritage town of Mustafapaşa, visit old mansions, the Konak Museum, an ethnographic house, or the St. Nicholas Church, and enjoy coffee in the peaceful square.
Midday: Hike Soğanlı Valley
Take a serene hike through Soğanlı’s pigeon houses and cave churches like Karabaş and Yılanlı. The hike is around 2-3 km (1.2 to 1.8 miles) with mild climbs. Pick up handmade cute Soğanlı dolls (cloth dolls in local costume) as a unique souvenir.
Lunch: Local bites in Soğanlı
Have a simple picnic or lunch at a village eatery, surrounded by nature and quiet charm. There are a couple of small local restaurants serving homemade dishes.
Afternoon: Discover hidden treasures
Stop at Keşlik Monastery, a seldom-visited rock monastery, and Taşkınpaşa village to see its old medrese (Islamic school) with Seljuk stone architecture. Get a glimpse of Ottoman-era history in Cappadocia.
Evening: Optional sunset & wind-down
Climb through Çavuşin’s ruins at golden hour and enjoy a sunset horseback ride. 2-hour rides are offered at sunset through Sword Valley and Rose Valley. End your day with a cozy dinner in Göreme or Uçhisar.
Day 5: Relaxation, Shopping, and Last Looks
Morning: Easy hike or quiet exploration
Enjoy a short hike through Pigeon Valley from Uçhisar down towards Göreme, or explore the peaceful Zelve Open-Air Museum—it’s another expansive cave town like Göreme’s museum but without frescoes, instead showcasing how people lived in cliff dwellings.
Midday: Souvenir shopping & local finds
Go to Avanos if you want more pottery or to buy that beautiful ceramic piece you’ve been eyeing. Many shops can ship abroad.
In Göreme, pick up some local products – maybe a bottle of wine, packets of dried apricots or local herbal teas, evil eye trinkets, or those Cappadocia t-shirts for friends.
Visit a carpet shop and take your time selecting. For edible gifts, don’t forget the pumpkin seeds and Turkish delight.
Lunch: Light local meal
Try testi bean stew or manti dumplings at a cozy local spot before winding down your trip.
Afternoon: Unwind and reflect
Relax with a Turkish hamam (bath) in Göreme or Ürgüp, or take a scenic drive to Esentepe or the Panoramic View south of Göreme on the road to Uchisar for one last look at the landscape.
Evening: Farewell dinner
If staying the night, treat yourself to a final meal at a top-rated restaurant— maybe Seten, Topdeck, or Pumpkin in Göreme – to savor your last taste of Cappadocian cuisine. Toast to an unforgettable five days in Cappadocia.
In five days, you’ll have seen marquee attractions and hidden corners alike—from balloons to valleys to local villages—truly soaking up Cappadocia’s diverse charms.
