Cappadocia, an exotic and amazing tourist destination

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I love strange and exotic places, and indeed Cappadocia is one of the most exotic places in the world. I am sure you have heard about this incredible region in Turkey. But let us know a little bit more about this magical place.

First of all, Cappadocia is located in Turkey. It is a rocky landscape constructed by three volcanoes, Erciyes, Hasan Mountain, and Melendiz Mountain. 

Cappadocia means A LAND OF BEAUTIFUL HORSES in Persian.

People have lived in Cappadocia for thousands of years. Greeks and Romans invaded this region, but the Cappadocians survived. In fact, it has hosted many civilizations such as Phrygians, Assyrians, Hittites,  Romand, Persians, and Turkish tribes since 1072.

The Cappadocia region is largely underlain by sedimentary rocks. These were formed in lakes and streams, and ignimbrite deposits erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago.  

The rocks of Cappadocia near Göreme are made of soft rock that eroded over millions of years into these spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. 

The people from the villages that lived in the Cappadocia region carved out the soft rock into houses, churches, and underground cities.

Nowadays, the region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The area has many areas with unique geological, historical and cultural features. 

 WHERE IS CAPPADOCIA

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 It is in the centre of Turkey, about 3 hours from Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Cappadocia is a region, not a city, so if you are looking for accommodations and flights you need to look for Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Çavuşin, Ortahisar Belediyesi, just to mention some of the towns nearby.

Göreme is probably the best place to stay, but there are many options to choose from.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING WHERE TO STAY CHECK OUT THESE HOTELS IN GOREME

As said, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination and a region that offers many things to do:

STAY IN A LOCAL CAVE

The region is famous for the shape of the rocks. But also for the houses, churches, and underground cities constructed in the soft rock. So many of the rock formations have been transformed into hotels. There are many places where you can book a stay and have a wonderful experience.

TAKE A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

One of the most popular activities in Cappadocia is taking a hot air balloon ride. This is something you should experience once in a lifetime, and the Cappadocia region is the perfect place to do it. This activity has become an iconic activity in the area.

This is our video of Baloon Ride in Cappadocia

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SEE THE MOST MAGICAL SUNSETS

The region has something magical about sunsets, so this is something you do not want to miss. Many spots in the area are perfect for seeing spectacular sunsets. Some of them are the Rose Valley and the Uchisar Castle.

EXPLORE THE VALLEYS

The region is ideal for hiking and exploring the valleys in Cappadocia. The Love Valley is located just outside of the city of Göreme. The Pigeon Valley earned its name from the countless man-made Pigeon Houses carved into the soft volcanic rock. Pigeons were used in the Cappadocia region for food and fertilizer for the soil. Rose Valley, also known as Sunset Valley, as a rocky landscape that turns a beautiful pink/red shade as the sun goes down. 

VISIT UCHISAR CASTLE

Uchisar Castle is the tallest accessible point in Cappadocia. It is one of the main Cappadocia attractions.

The Castle has many rooms hollowed out into the rock. And from the top of the citadel, you have breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys! 

VISIT THE DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY

Some underground cities constructed in Cappadocia were even large enough to accommodate 30,000 people. 

Derinkuyu Underground City is open to visit, but only 10% can be toured. 

Derinkuyu is one of 150-200 known underground settlements in the Cappadocia region and is approximately 85 deep below ground.

I hope this helped you to know a little bit more about this amazing place. And start planning a trip to have an experience you will never forget.