If you are planning a trip to Cappadocia, then you’re in for a real treat! It’s a magical area in central Turkey filled with towering rock formations called “fairy chimneys”, massive underground cities that were constructed for protection, and luxury cave hotels that were built right into the rock.
There is so much to see and do in Cappadocia, you’ll want to spend several days exploring the area. And the best way to ensure that you experience all of the highlights is to prearrange tours and excursions in Cappadocia to ensure they don’t fill up.
Check out the 7 incredible tours in Cappadocia to help plan your Turkey vacation. Enjoy!
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How to Book Tours in Cappadocia
While there is no shortage of tour agents in Cappadocia, we actually prefer booking our tours online. GetYourGuide is our go-to for booking tours because you can compare all the tour options around Cappadocia in one place and choose the excursion that is just right for you. Plus, GetYourGuide has an excellent cancellation policy in case your holiday plans change.
The Best Tours in Cappadocia, Turkey
1. Enjoy a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
It would be a shame to visit Cappadocia and miss out on the best thing to do in the region! Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky at sunrise and cruise through the valleys so you get amazing views of the interesting conical rock formations called “fairy chimneys”. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Also, it’s a good idea to book your hot air balloon ride in advance, especially during peak season. It’s a popular activity and there is only a limited number of balloons. This hot air balloon ride tour is 60 minutes in length. You’ll be picked up from your hotel bright and early before sunrise and taken to the tour office in Goreme for coffee, tea, snacks, and to check-in.
From there you’ll be transported to the balloon launch area where you’ll see all of the balloons getting filled with air and then launched into the sky. Each balloon basket holds 14-20 people. You’ll cruise as high as 3,000 feet in the air, and dip down low to peer into the cave houses. It’s a magical experience to be surrounded by hundreds of balloons while the sky turns from pink to yellow to blue.
After about an hour, your pilot will land the balloon and then you’ll be treated to a champagne toast. And finally, you’ll be transported back to your hotel just in time to enjoy breakfast. A hot air balloon ride is the one “must-do” tour in Cappadocia!
Your Cappadocia hot air balloon ride tour will include the following:
- Passenger insurance
- English-speaking pilot
- Champagne toast
- Flight certificate
- Hotel transport in an air-conditioned minivan
- Morning tea, coffee, and snacks
- All taxes and fees included
2. Take a Sunset Quad Ride
Another one of the best tours in Cappadocia is to take a quad bike ride through the picturesque valleys at sunset. This tour lasts about two hours. It will guide you through the Swords, Rose, and Red Valleys while allowing you to soak in the beauty of the area and stop for some photos.
You’ll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the starting point for the tour. You’ll receive some instructions on how to ride the quad bike and then begin the guided tour. Not only will you get to drive through the famous valleys, but you’ll also visit the Ghost Village and learn about the people who once inhabited the caves there.
Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to snap plenty of photos at the end of the day from Sunset Point in Red Valley.
Your Cappadocia sunset quad bike tour will include the following:
- Transport to and from your hotel
- Quad bike and any necessary safety equipment
- English-speaking tour guide
3. Go on an Open-Air Museum and Underground City Tour
Exploring the underground and cave cities is an absolute must-do excursion during a visit to Cappadocia! This full-day tour of Cappadocia includes a detailed tour of both with your knowledgable guide as well as a delicious buffet lunch. It’s a small group tour with a maximum of 15 people.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and then taken to the underground city. You’ll explore the four floors of the city that are 100 feet underground. And from there you’ll check out Uchisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia.
And then on to the Goreme Open Air Museum where you’ll see churches with well-preserved wall paintings. You’ll be happy that your guide is there to give you a brief history lesson. Along the rest of the tour, you’ll see the Cavusin village, a pottery shop, and Devrent Valley, and you’ll get to view some amazing fairy chimney rock formations along the way.
It’s a long day of exploring so, of course, you’ll also have a stop for lunch. You’ll be taken back to your hotel at 5 pm that evening.
Your open-air museum and the underground city tour will include the following:
- Tours of the Goreme Open-Air Museum and the underground city of Kaymakli or Ozkonak
- Transport to and from your hotel in a luxury vehicle
- Pottery-making instruction
- Buffet lunch
- All national park fees
4. Visit a Stunning Salt Lake
If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit a salt lake, Cappadocia is the perfect place to do it! Not only will you visit a salt lake during this 7-hour tour, but you’ll also get to tour an underground city. This awesome Cappadocia tour is great because it takes you to some of the less-visited places in the region.
This Cappadocia excursion will begin at around 9 am when you’re picked up from your hotel. The first stop of the day will be the Tatlarin Underground City. You’ll explore this massive complex and learn the interesting history of the emergency protections that were in place to protect the people under siege.
From there, you’ll drive to the Ağzıkarahan Caravanserai, an authentic traveler’s inn that was built in the 13th century. After lunch, you’ll drive to Lake Tuz which is a large salt lake in the arid central plateau. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views and take photos before heading back to your hotel around 4 pm.
Your Cappadocia salt lake and the underground city tour will include the following:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- All entrance fees
- A professional English-speaking guide
- Afternoon tea
- Food and drink are not included in the tour price
5. Indulge in a Professional Sunrise Photoshoot
It can be difficult to capture really amazing photos, especially with you in them, if you are traveling alone. But most people who visit Cappadocia want to get at least a few beautiful photos in front of the hundreds of hot air balloons at sunrise. This Cappadocia tour will take you to the best photo locations and include a professional photographer to capture every moment!
You’ll be picked up from your hotel about 15 minutes before sunrise and then transferred to various shooting locations around Cappadocia. If your hotel has a nice view, you may choose to shoot a few from the terrace as well. You’ll also visit the Old Cave Church, the balloon landing site, a Turkish carpet shop, and any other hand-picked locations.
You’re guaranteed to receive 250-500 photos and they will be provided to you within 48 hours. You’ll also receive 15-20 professionally edited photos within 7 working days.
Your professional Cappadocia sunrise photoshoot will include the following:
- Private professional photographer
- Drone footage
- Up to 500 high-quality images
- Your taxi fare is NOT included
6. Stretch Your Legs on a Full-Day Hiking Tour
One of the best ways to experience the Cappadocia region is to get out and walk! To explore the underground cities, wander through the fairy chimneys, and stroll through the valleys. This leisurely walking tour will take all day, but it’s relatively easy so people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy this Cappadocia excursion.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel around 9 am for your first stop at the Derinkuyu Underground City. This multilevel city has everything a community of inhabitants would need, including courtyards, stables, churches, and even wineries! All connected by tunnels. From there, you’ll head to the Ihlara Valley for a 2.5-mile walk along the Melendiz River where you’ll check out a few hidden cave churches.
After enjoying a lovely lunch by the river, you’ll have a quick stop at a viewpoint before visiting the Selime Monastery which was carved into the rock by monks in the 13th century. The tour ends around 5 pm and they will drop you off back at your hotel.
Your full-day Cappadocia hiking tour will include the following:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Any associated museum and parking fees
- Any drinks are at your own expense
7. Have Dinner and a Show in a Cave Restaurant
After a long day of exploring Cappadocia, why not treat yourself to a folk show to accompany a delicious meal all while relaxing in a cave? You’ll appreciate having your tickets purchased in advance to skip the line, as well as having transportation to and from your hotel pre-arranged.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the evening and taken to a beautiful cave restaurant that has been carved into the rock formations that Cappadocia is famous for. The entertaining show will feature traditional dances from all over Turkey as well as accompanying music and traditional costumes.
You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks during the performance. It is the perfect way to end your holiday in Cappadocia!
Your dinner and a folk show package will include the following:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Dinner
- Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks
We hope you enjoy your tour of the Cappadocia region of Turkey!
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