The balloons typically launch very early in the morning, just before sunrise as the wind conditions are better when the air is cool and the balloons have a better chance of rising high, so you need to get up early and leave your hotel when it’s still dark, but you will most likely be picked up by your tour company in a minibus alongside guests from other hotels. It’s worth noting that if you stay outside Göreme you may have to arrange your own transport to the balloons take off site. The balloons fly for around an hour, drifting over valleys and canyons, past ancient cave dwellings and rock formations, and offer a unique perspective on the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. Some tour companies also include a traditional Turkish breakfast upon landing. There are different air balloon packages but most tour operators offer both “comfort flights” and “standard flights”. Comfort flights tend to have fewer people in the basket and the flight tends to be about 15 to 30 minutes longer than standard flights. Classic flights can fit between 16 and 28 people, while Comfort baskets fit 16 passengers only.  You can also opt for a private tour for a special occasion. Many companies include other perks in their packages such as post-flight Champagne but these tend to be more expensive. Top tip: if you are only spending 2 days in Cappadocia, book your air balloon ride on your first day. Sometimes rides get cancelled due to bad weather so companies reschedule flights for the following day, so give yourself another chance in case this happens to you.

underground cities

Cappadocia has 200 underground cities but only a few of them are open to visitors. Your hot air balloon tour will finish around 8 am and you will be dropped off at your hotel around 9 am. After breakfast, head to either Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. Both underground cities are interesting but have some differences. Derinkuyu is considered to be the largest underground city in Cappadocia with eight levels extending down to a depth of around 85 meters and including an impressive underground architecture made of tunnels, rooms, and staircases. Kaymakli is smaller than Derinkuyu and is thought to be slightly younger. It was first open to the public in 1964 and is one of Cappadocia’s most well-preserved underground cities. Kaymakli has very narrow passages which require you to crouch down and may not be ideal for claustrophobic people. Derinkuyu uses the same tunnel for going in and out which usually causes people to wait until it is empty again, while Kaymakli uses different tunnels for access. If you have a car you can visit both underground cities on your own but it’s best to hire a local guide to benefit from their knowledge and make your visit more interesting. Kaymakli is around 20 km of Göreme and requires a car. Derinkuyu is located about 40 km of Göreme and requires driving but you can also do it as part of a tour which makes it slightly better value than Kaymakli but it’s also the busiest out of the two. Tickets to both underground cities costs 60 TL (prices from Feb 2023).

Fairy chimneys

On your way back to Göreme, make a stop at the fairy chimneys. These tall, cone-shaped rock formations were created by volcanic eruptions and erosion over thousands of years and can be found throughout  Cappadocia. Some of the most impressive fairy chimneys are about 4 to 5 km from Göreme and can be visited on foot or by taxi. Paşabağ or Monks Valley has the best collection of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. Love valley has an impressive set as well and you can climb to the top for some incredible views. Love valley is also a popular sunrise viewpoint so book a taxi in the morning if you want to see the balloons rise but note since it’s a popular spot it can get very crowded.

Day 3

On your final morning, make sure to get up before sunrise to watch the balloons rise over Cappadocia. This is a truly breathtaking sight which shouldn’t be missed. Even if you have done the balloon ride the day before, seeing them from the ground offers a completely different perspective. If you are staying in a cave hotel, it will most likely have a terrace from which you can watch the spectacle. You can even ask them to wake you up just before the balloons start rising. If your hotel doesn’t have a terrace, you can walk to one of the viewpoints in Göreme, the easiest one to get to from the town centre is Sunset point  which can be accessed via a steep hill. You can type sunset point in your google map and it should find it. There is a small entrance fee (5TL) but it’s totally worth it. Another viewpoint is Uchisar castle but that’s quite far to walk to when it’s still dark unless you have a car.

uchisar

Uchisar is another site that’s famous for its natural rock formations and stunning views. It’s about 3 kilometers east of Göreme and it would take you approximately 10 minutes by car or 30 minutes on foot to reach it. You can climb up to the castle which is carved on the rock on the highest point in Uchisar and provides stunning panoramic views of the region. There are also many restaurants, cafés, and shops in Uchisar where you can enjoy local cuisine and buy souvenirs.

Avanos

From Uchisar you can drive or take a taxi to Avanos . You can also take a bus from Uchisar bus station. They run regularly through the day and take 20 mins to reach Avanos. Avanos is a very charming town located on the banks of the Kizilirmak River. The river is known for its red clay soil which has been used for pottery for thousands of years. Avanos has many pottery shops and workshops which you can visit as well as several historical sites and outstanding areas of natural beauty. It also has a rich local culture, which you can experience by visiting museums, local restaurants and markets.

Turkish spa

For your final afternoon and evening in Cappadocia, treat yourself to a traditional Turkish bath or hammam. A Turkish bath is a unique and relaxing experience that involves steam, exfoliation, and massage. There are many bathhouses in Göreme that offer different packages but make sure you book in advance.