The Red Tour in Cappadocia is one of the most popular guided excursions for visitors exploring the region’s unique landscape.
The tour concentrates on the northern Cappadocia attractions (mostly around the Göreme-Avanos-Ürgüp triangle) and includes hotel pickup, lunch, museum entries, and a guide.
The Red Tour of Cappadocia lasts 6-7 hours, and involves less walking than the Green tour, which is why it is favored by many, including families. It’s also a bit cheaper than the Green tour.
If you’re visiting Cappadocia for a short time and want to see the most famous sites in one day, the Red Tour is a perfect choice.
Top Tickets
# Guided Red Tour with Lunch and Ticket
# Combined Red & Green Tour
# Guided Green TourBook the tickets early, especially in peak season, as the Red tour is extremely popular and is often fully booked a day or two in advance.
Table of Contents
Duration and Timing of the Red Tour
The Red Tour usually starts between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM and ends around 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The total duration is around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the tour operator and traffic conditions.
Red Tour Prices and What’s Included
Prices for the Red Tour in Cappadocia range from €45 to €75 per person, depending on the provider and group size. Here’s what is generally included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entry fees to listed attractions
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Air-conditioned transportation
Extras such as drinks, tips, and souvenir purchases are usually not included.
Book Red TourWhere Does the Red Tour Start and End?
The Red Tour includes a hotel pickup from anywhere in the Cappadocia region, including Goreme, Uchisar, Avanos, or Urgup.
It is best to be ready at the hotel reception 10 minutes before the pick-up time, which is usually half an hour before the tour starts.
The endpoint is the same as the pickup location, making it convenient for travelers staying at hotels, cave suites, or guesthouses in the area.
Cappadocia Tours Compared: Red Tour vs. Green Tour vs. Blue Tour
Who Should Take the Red Tour?
The Red Tour is ideal for most tourists. Especially for:
- First-time visitors to Cappadocia
- Travelers with limited time
- Families with children
- Photography enthusiasts
- History and culture lovers
Since the tour involves moderate walking and some uphill climbs (especially at Uchisar Castle), a basic level of fitness is recommended.
What to Bring on the Red Tour
Since the Red tour is an outdoor experience, we suggest you bring the following:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Camera or smartphone
- Hat or cap
- Small amount of local currency for souvenirs or snacks
Best Time to Take the Red Tour in Cappadocia
The Red Tour runs year-round, but the best months are from April to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are manageable. Early morning tours offer softer light for photography, while autumn brings out beautiful golden tones in the valleys.
Red Tour vs. Green Tour: Which One Should You Choose?
While the Red Tour focuses on northern Cappadocia’s iconic sites, the Green Tour covers the southern region, including underground cities and Ihlara Valley.
If you’re in Cappadocia for more than two days, consider doing both. But if you only have time for one and want the most iconic views, the Red Tour is your best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions tourists ask before booking the Red tour of Cappadocia.
Is the Red Tour suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by kids with some walking involved.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Yes, lunch at a local Turkish restaurant is typically part of the tour package.
Can I book a private Red Tour?
Yes, many operators offer private versions of the Red Tour for a more personalized experience.
What should I wear for a Red tour?
Yes, many operators offer private versions of the Red Tour for a more personalized experience.
Will I see hot air balloons on the Red Tour?
No, balloon rides are a separate early morning activity, but you might see them from a distance if the timing aligns.
Is there a lot of walking involved?
Moderate walking is required, especially at Uchisar Castle and the Open-Air Museum.
Are the guides fluent in English?
Yes, most tour guides speak English, and some tours also offer guides in other languages.
Can I do the Red Tour on my own?
Yes, but having a guide enhances the experience with local insights, stories, and logistics taken care of.
Key stops on the Red tour
Uçhisar Castle view (or Göreme panorama)
Many Red tours start with a photo stop either at Uçhisar (to see the castle and surrounding Pigeon Valley) or at the Göreme panoramic viewpoint. It’s a chance for the guide to give an introduction while you take pictures of the iconic landscape.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
This is the star stop of the Red tour. You’ll get a guided walkthrough of the Open-Air Museum’s cave churches – seeing famous ones like the Apple Church, Snake Church, and the brilliantly frescoed Dark Church.
Your guide will likely charge a small extra fee if your group agrees to enter the Dark Church, which requires a special ticket—it’s highly worth it.
Hearing the stories and symbolism of the frescoes from an expert adds a lot of value. The guide will also explain monastic life in Cappadocia.
Expect this stop to last about 1.5 hours. It can be crowded as it’s Cappadocia’s most visited site, but guides manage timing to avoid big bottlenecks inside the caves.
Çavuşin old village
Next, many Red tours visit Çavuşin, an old village known for its huge rock hill with abandoned cave houses.
You’ll see the Çavuşin Church (John the Baptist Church) from below – some tours allow time to climb up to it, while others just view from a distance and walk through the old village streets.
It’s quite scenic and gives a sense of local life and how people lived in caves until not too long ago.
Avanos pottery workshop
The Red tour usually includes a cultural stop in Avanos to witness traditional pottery-making. You’ll visit a pottery workshop – typically family-run and set in a cave showroom.
A master potter will demonstrate throwing a pot on the kick-wheel, skillfully turning a lump of red clay into a vase within minutes. Then they often invite a volunteer, or sometimes they choose one of the ladies or gents from the group to try their hands at the wheel – always entertaining!
After the demo, you browse the gallery; no pressure to buy, but the pottery is beautiful. This stop also serves as a rest before lunch. On some tours, the pottery stop might be after lunch.
Lunch stop
A set-menu lunch at a restaurant, often in Avanos or on the way to the next stop. Similar to the format of the Green Tour lunch – soup, salad, choice of main dish (often a simple Turkish dish like grilled meat or vegetarian casserole), and fruit or dessert. Some tours use eateries with a carpet demonstration or local handicrafts on display.
Check out: Best Restaurants in Cappadocia for local Turkish flavors, rooftop views, and tasty international options.
Paşabağ (Monks Valley)
After lunch, you visit Paşabağ Valley, which has the most photogenic fairy chimneys. Your guide will lead you along the paths among towering mushroom-capped rocks. They’ll likely point out the hermit monk story, where Saint Simeon is believed to have lived in one of these chimneys, and you can climb into a three-story chimney with monk’s quarters. You can take great photos here and feel dwarfed by the fairy chimneys. This valley is often the trip favorite.
Devrent (Imagination) Valley
Devrent Valley is yet another quick stop to have fun with rock shapes. The guide will show you the famous camel rock and challenge you to find other shapes, maybe a dolphin, a chicken, Napoleon’s hat – people get creative. It’s light-hearted and shows Cappadocia’s whimsical side. Usually, a 15-minute stop to take pictures.
Explore more valleys in Cappadocia—like Love, Red, Rose, Pigeon, and Monks Valley—for stunning views, unique rock formations, and unforgettable adventures!
Ürgüp “Three Beauties”
Many Red tours swing by the Three Beauties fairy chimneys near Ürgüp. These are the iconic trio of pinnacles with conical caps – the symbol of Ürgüp. There’s a legend of a princess, her lover, and their child turned to stone (hence three “fairy” figures). It’s a short photo stop, but the formation is lovely, with Mount Erciyes often visible behind on clear days. There are usually vendors selling dried fruits and souvenirs here as well.
Shopping stops
Some Red tours may include an extra stop at a local carpet weaving center or a Turkish sweets shop in Ürgüp, especially if time permits or if the group is interested. It’s not a main part of the tour, but it is sometimes offered to showcase Turkish rugs or local products like pekmez (grape molasses) or dried apricots, which the region is known for. These are usually brief, and you can just observe or sample.
By around 4–5 PM you’re dropped back to your hotel. The Red tour covers a lot of famous sites in one go, and it’s a comfortable loop – not much hiking, mostly short walks from the van to the sites.
It’s great for those who want a full introduction to Cappadocia’s highlights and prefer a guided experience for context, especially for Göreme Museum’s rich history.
If you’re an adventurous seeker who wants to explore more of Cappadocia, the Red and Green Combined Day Tour offers a comprehensive experience.
In summary
- Perfect for first-timers – Covers Cappadocia’s most iconic sights in one day: Göreme Museum, Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Uchisar, and Avanos.
- Family-friendly – Less physically demanding than the Green Tour; ideal for all ages.
- Expert guides add value – Learn the history, culture, and hidden details you’d miss on a self-guided visit.
- Local crafts included – Experience pottery making and see traditional arts along the way.
- Convenient & efficient – Includes hotel transfers, small group sizes (15–20), and well-structured itineraries.
- Popular and proven – The Red Tour continues to generate high interest among the tourists visiting the region
- Book ahead – While not as packed as the Green Tour, spots do fill up. Reserve a day or two in advance.
- Self-guided option available – Sites are close enough for scooters or ATVs, but you’ll miss the insights that come with a guide.
