Things to do in Cappadocia

Cappadocia, in the heart of Turkey, is a landscape of soft volcanic rock carved by wind and water into cones, pillars and valleys known as fairy chimneys. For centuries people dug homes, churches and whole underground cities into the rock, and many cave dwellings are now hotels in towns such as Göreme and Ürgüp.

Its most famous sight comes at dawn, when, weather permitting, dozens of hot-air balloons lift off over the valleys. You can fly in one or watch from a viewpoint on the ground. By day, explore the underground cities, the pottery town of Avanos on the Red River, and walking trails through valleys of rock.