From Istanbul to Cappadocia on your own: how to get there and what to see. Detailed instructions: how to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from various cities Eating in Cappadocia: how much food costs
Here are the ways to independently get to Cappadocia from various cities in Turkey, and also tells how to get from Russia, Ukraine or Belarus.
It must be understood that most of the travelers who travel to Cappadocia get to, which is the tourist center of this region. Therefore, the article discusses how to independently get to this particular settlement in Cappadocia.
There are no direct flights directly to Cappadocia itself, so from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk or any other city, you must first buy a ticket to Turkey, namely to Ankara, Istanbul or Antalya (see). It is more convenient to fly to Ankara, because it is the closest to go from there.
- Through Ankara. If you are going to visit Turkey only Cappadocia, then the ideal option is to take a ticket to Ankara. Firstly, from Ankara it is the fastest way to get to Cappadocia (), and secondly, quite cheap tickets are often sold to Ankara. For such a trip, I recommend having at least one week left.
- Through Istanbul. The second good option is to take a ticket to Istanbul and from there get to Cappadocia. This is also often done. It takes longer to drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Göreme), but the advantage is that you can immediately see both Istanbul and Cappadocia. For this, it is ideal to have two weeks left: a week for Cappadocia and a week for Istanbul.
- Through Antalya. The downside is that, as a rule, the ticket will cost a little more. The advantage is that you can combine a beach holiday and a visit to the wonderful Cappadocia. It is also ideal to have two weeks in stock.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Ankara
- By bus. The bus station in Ankara is called ASHTI (AŞTİ). This is a large bus terminal that generates a huge number of flights to all corners of Turkey. get there from the city to the bus station the easiest way is by metro - you need to go to the metro station of the same name ASHTI (AŞTİ). get there from Ankara Esenboga Airport The easiest way to get to the bus station is on the Havaş buses. These buses run from the airport to the bus station at intervals of half an hour during the day and once an hour at night.
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Option 1. It is ideal to buy a ticket for a direct bus from Ankara to. There are 8-9 such buses per day. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours.
Option 2. With a change in Nevsehir (Nevsehir). There are about 10 buses a day from Ankara to Nevsehir. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours. In Nevsehir, you need to transfer to a minibus to Goreme (minibuses run often). Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
Option 3. With a change in Kayseri. Departure - every half an hour, travel time to Kayseri: about 5 hours. In Kayseri we take a bus to Goreme. There are about 14 flights per day. Travel time: about 1 hour.
- By train. Not the most convenient way: it takes longer, but is somewhat cheaper than by bus. get there from the city to the railway station in Ankara (Ankara Gar) the easiest way is by metro - the station is located 700 meters from the Ulus metro station. From the metro to the station, you need to go along Cumhuriyet Cd street. From Ankara Esenboğa Airport to the Railway Station The easiest way to get there is by Havaş buses. They go from the airport to the bus station ASHTI (AŞTİ). We need to get to the stop "Stadion 19 May" (19 Mayis Stadyumu), then walk to the railway station about 1 km.
When you arrive in Kayseri, you will need to get from the railway station to the bus station in order to continue your journey by bus. To do this, you need to go to the station square, from which Kocasinan street goes to the right. Without crossing the street, take the city bus to the bus station (Kayseri Otogarı). At the bus station, buy a ticket to the suburban bus. In about an hour you will be there (see).
- by plane I do not recommend getting from Ankara to Cappadocia. In a good way, you will have to fly first either to Kayseri or Nevsehir, and then go by bus. However, there are no direct flights Ankara-Nevsehir or Ankara-Kayseri, all flights are via Istanbul. This method is unreasonable, because it is expensive and long.
- Transfer(see) from Ankara airport to a hotel in Goreme, you can still order at home via the Internet on sites or. Advantages: convenient, especially for travelers with children and those who arrive at night. Flaw: high cost, but can be quite economical if you are traveling with a group.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Istanbul
The most convenient way to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul is by plane. The acceptable way is to go by bus, and the most difficult option is by train. All of these options are detailed below.
- By plane. The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by plane - quickly and not as expensive as it might seem. There are two cities in Cappadocia where you can buy a ticket from Istanbul: Kayseri and Nevsehir.
Flights search on sites www.aviasales.ru or www.skyscanner.com.
From Nevsehir you can get to by minibus in 15-20 minutes (there are many minibuses), and from Kayseri by suburban bus - in about an hour (there are also many buses).
- By bus. In Istanbul, we need Bayrampaşa Otogar bus station, it is also called Esenler Otogar bus station. This is a huge bus station for three hundred bus platforms. From the city you can get to it by metro - you need to get off at the Otogar station. From Ataturk Airport(Istanbul's first airport) it is also most convenient to get to the bus station by metro. The metro station located at the airport is called Havalimanı. From Sabiha Gokcen Airport(Istanbul's second airport) you will have to get there with transfers, and this is not very convenient. First we take the Havataş bus to Taksim Square (minimum 1.5 hours). Then by metro from Taksim station to Yenikapı metro station. This is the M2 metro line. Now we switch to the M1 metro line and go to the Otogar metro station. Allow at least 3 hours for the whole trip. You can also book a transfer in advance.(see) from the airport to the bus station via the Internet on the sites or.
Option 1. Direct bus services from Istanbul to Goreme are 3-4 times a day. The most convenient are those that go at night and arrive in Göreme in the morning. Travel time: about 10-12 hours.
Option 2. A good option is to go with a transfer in Nevsehir. Travel time too. In Nevsehir, you will need to transfer to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
Option 3. Another working option is to take a bus to Kayseri. There are about 40 flights per day. Travel time: 11-12 hours. In Kayseri we take a bus to Goreme. There are about 14 flights per day. Travel time: 1 hour.
- By train. Travel by train very difficult It is better to go by bus or fly by plane. The train option is only suitable for those who appreciate transport adventures. The most acceptable way– take a high-speed train (YHT) Istanbul-Ankara, and then go from Ankara to Cappadocia by bus.
Attention! I’ll warn you right away: from Istanbul airports to the railway station, it’s best to order a transfer (see) via the Internet, even when you are at home, because it’s very difficult and long to get there on your own. The transfer can be ordered on the websites or. In fact, the biggest difficulty is not to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia using the train, but to get from Istanbul Airport to the station from which this train leaves. The second difficulty is getting from the Ankara railway station to the bus station in Ankara.
Step 1. First of all, we get from Istanbul airport to the city center to the Eminönü ferry terminal, which is located near the Sirkeci railway station.
Step 2. Now you need to get to the station Pendik (Pendik). This suburban station is currently used temporarily for high speed trains. It is located 25 km from the city center. We get to it in the following way. We take the ferry from the Eminönü ferry terminal. We take the ferry to Kadıköy. Travel time: about 20 minutes. Ferries run frequently. Then we take the metro from Kadıköy station to Pendik station. It's still about 40 minutes. Pendik railway station is 2 km away from Pendik metro station. You can walk this distance in 20 minutes or take a taxi. In total, it will take at least 2 hours to get from the Eminönü ferry terminal to Pendik station.
Step 4. In Ankara, you need to get from the railway station (Ankara Gar) to the ASTI bus station (AŞTİ). You have to act on your own. From the station we go along Cumhuriyet Cd. to Ulus metro station. It's about 700 meters. Then we take the metro to the metro station ASHTI (AŞTİ).
Step 5. Now it would be nice to immediately take a bus from Ankara to Goreme. There are about 8-9 such buses per day. Travel time: 4-4.5 hours. You can also take a bus to Nevsehir. There are also many buses to Nevsehir - about 10 per day. Travel time is about the same. Then you need to transfer to the Nevsehir-Göreme minibus (15–20 minutes on the way). Another option is to drive from Ankara to Kayseri (5 hours) and then take a bus to Goreme (1 hour on the way).
How to get from the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Antalya
By bus. The bus station in Antalya is located a few kilometers from the city. From the city center it can be reached by high-speed tram Antrey (AntRay). Get off at the Otogar stop. Also, any minibus goes to the bus station, which says Otogar or Terminal. From the airport to the bus station Havaş bus or round-the-clock city bus No. 600 runs every half an hour or an hour. If there are several people or you have a lot of luggage, then it is profitable and convenient to book a transfer in advance (see or .
From Antalya to Cappadocia It is most convenient to go by direct bus. There are about 7-8 direct flights per day. Travel time: 8-10 hours. You can save on the hotel if you leave Antalya by night bus between 20.00-22.00. In Göreme, the bus will arrive early in the morning.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Side
By bus. Directly from Side there are few direct flights anywhere. Tickets must be bought from the neighboring city of Manavgat, which is located 4 km from Side. It is very easy to get to Manavgat from Side by minibus in 10 minutes. They go often. From Manavgat there are about 7-8 direct flights immediately to. Pay attention to those that go into the night and arrive at the place early in the morning. Travel time: about 7-9 hours depending on the bus route.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Alanya
By bus. The bus station is located 2 km from the city center. The easiest way to get there is by bus number 2.
Option 1. There is only one direct bus from Alanya. He comes not very conveniently, late at night. Travel time: 8 hours.
Option 2. From Alanya, you can buy a ticket not in Goreme, but in the neighboring district town of Nevsehir (Nevşehir) - there are three such flights per day. Travel time: 10 hours. This option is also good because there is a convenient night bus to Nevsehir, which arrives at the place in the morning. You can get from Nevsehir to Goreme by local minibuses. Travel time: 15-20 minutes. The buses run frequently.
Option 3. From Alanya, you must first take a bus to the bus station of the city of Manavgat (55 km). Many buses go through Manavgat in various directions, there are 7-8 direct flights immediately to Goreme. Travel time: 7-9 hours. There are convenient night flights.
How to get to Cappadocia (Goreme) from Kemer
By bus. The bus station in Kemer is located outside the city, and it is not very convenient. To get to it from the center, you need to look for minibuses that say Otogar.
Option 1. From Kemer there is one direct and very convenient night flight. The night bus allows you to save on the hotel, and also saves one extra day of vacation. Travel time: 10 hours.
Option 2. From Kemer you can also go to Goreme with a change in Manavgat. There are many more direct buses from Manavgat to Goreme. First we get by bus from Kemer to Manavgat (2.5-3 hours), then we transfer to a direct bus to Goreme (7-9 hours). From Manavgat to Goreme there are about 7-8 direct flights per day.
How to get from the resorts of the Aegean Sea
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Izmir
- By bus. The bus station in Izmir is far from the city center (11 km). You can get there by minibus with a sign Otogar. But it's best to do this: buy a ticket not at the bus station, but at one of the bus company's offices in the city center. Then a free bus will take you from the office of the carrier company to the bus station. There are a lot of such bus offices near the Basmane railway station, which is located next to the Basmane metro station. You can also book a transfer in advance.(see) to the bus station via the Internet on sites or.
Option 1. It is best to immediately buy a ticket for a direct bus. There are about 4-5 such buses per day. Travel time: 12-13 hours. There are convenient night buses that allow you to arrive in Göreme in the morning and save on hotel costs.
Option 2. A good option to go with a change in Nevsehir. First, we buy an Izmir-Nevsehir ticket (about 10 flights per day). Travel time: about 12 hours. From Nevsehir we take a minibus to Goreme (there are many minibuses). Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
- By plane. Be sure to pay attention to air travel, because very often a flight from Izmir to Cappadocia costs about the same as a bus fare. The most convenient way to get to the airport in Izmir is by metro: you need to go to the Havalani / Airport metro station (Havaalani / Airport).
From Izmir you need to buy a plane ticket to the city of Kayseri. Travel time: 1 hour 30 min. Searching for tickets is best on sites Pegasus or Turkish Airlines. At the Kayseri airport, we take a minibus to the bus station with the inscription Otogar. About 14 flights leave from the bus station to Goreme every day. Travel time: approximately 1 hour. You can also book a transfer in advance. to the bus station via the Internet on sites or.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Marmaris
- By bus. A small bus station in Marmaris is located on the outskirts of the city. You can get from the central square of the city (a square with a fountain and a clock) by bus, which goes along the Siteler–Otogar route.
From Marmaris there are two direct flights at once. Travel time: 13-15 hours. One of the buses is comfortable - it goes at night and arrives in Göreme early in the morning.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Bodrum
By bus. The bus station in Bodrum is located in the city center next to the Migros supermarket.
Option 1. There are no direct flights from Bodrum. A good option is to go with a change in Nevsehir. There are two buses a day from Bodrum to Nevsehir. Travel time: about 13 hours. In Nevsehir, you need to transfer to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
Option 2. You can also buy a ticket to Kayseri. Travel time: 13-14 hours. In Kayseri, at the bus station, you need to transfer to a local bus to Goreme (about 14 flights). Travel time: 1 hour.
How to get to Cappadocia (Göreme) from Fethiye
By bus. The bus station in Fethiye is located at the intersection of Inönü Blvd. and Ölüdeniz streets. The station is not visible from the street, it is hidden from the eyes of the Carrefour shopping center, which is popular with tourists. To approach the bus station, you need to go around the shopping center on the right.
Option 1. Buy a ticket for a direct flight from Fethiye . There are 3 such flights per day. Travel time: about 13 hours.
Option 2. You can go with a change in Nevsehir. Travel time: 13 hours. In Nevsehir, you will need to transfer to a minibus to Goreme. Travel time: 15-20 minutes.
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sightseeing things to do
Goreme Open Air Museum
It is the most famous and most visited attraction in Cappadocia. This is a monastery complex that was rebuilt from the first centuries of our era, when Cappadocia became a refuge for the first Christians fleeing the persecutions of the Roman Empire, and until the troubled period of iconoclasm for Christianity in the 8th-9th centuries, when Cappadocia again became a refuge for believers.
Ancient monastery complex. Photo: tomas meson, Flickr
Caves that served as cells and dwellings for monks. Photo: Louisa Gibson, Flickr
The museum is open daily from 8.30 to 19.00 in summer and until 17.00 in winter. Entrance to the museum costs 10 lire. The price also includes admission to the Buckle Church (Tokali Kilise), the largest cave church in Cappadocia. It is not located on the territory of the museum, but a little down the road in the direction of Göreme.
Cave church. Photo: Curious Expeditions, Flickr
Valleys of Cappadocia
Long walks through unusual, but very picturesque valleys - that, in fact, for which they go to Cappadocia. You can pick up a map with hiking trails at any hotel or guesthouse. To one of the most picturesque valleys - the Rose Valley - evening trekking is regularly organized from the city, which allows you to watch a magnificent sunset in the valley.
Rose Valley. Photo: Jonathan Reid, Flickr
Hot air balloon flight over the valleys of Cappadocia. Photo: Fatima Kazmi, Flickr
Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Istanbul Ataturk
Ave. Duration 4h 15m When Every day Estimated price 650 ₺ - 2.600 ₺Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Bodrum, Sabiha Gokcen
Ave. Duration 5h 55m When Saturday Estimated price 750 ₺ - 2.700 ₺Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Izmir, Sabiha Gokcen
Ave. Duration 6h 15m When Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Estimated price 700 ₺ - 2.700 ₺Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Antalya, Sabiha Gokcen
Ave. Duration 6h 30m When Wednesday and Friday Estimated price 700 ₺ - 2.700 ₺Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Edremit, Istanbul Ataturk
Ave. Duration 6h 45m When Monday and Saturday Estimated price 700 ₺ - 2.700 ₺Flights from Ankara to Nevsehir via Bodrum, Istanbul Ataturk
Ave. Duration 6h 50m When Monday, Wednesday and Sunday Estimated price 750 ₺ - 2.800 ₺I lived in Turkey for almost a year, and I can say with confidence that this is an absolutely magical country. I would even say that these are several different countries in one country. Here, let's take at least kebabs: there are as many varieties of them in Turkey as there are regions in the country. Adana kebab, Izmir kebab, Urfa kebab, Iskender kebab (invented in Bursa)... Do you know why? Because each city wants to do it in its own way, in a special way, better than its neighbors.
Kayseri and Nevsehir are already Cappadocia, but not yet what you need. The center of Cappadocia is Goreme, from Nevsehir and Kayseri it is an hour away by car/bus/taxi.
Transport
Trips around the cities of Cappadocia cost from 0.5 EUR (2 TRY) to 4 EUR (15 TRY) - it all depends on the remoteness of the cities you want to see. In Cappadocia, you can often get to a neighboring village / city on a "ride" - then everything varies from "free" to "as agreed with the driver."
Food
There are a lot of cafes and restaurants in Goreme, the average bill for a lunch of salad, soup and a second course is 6.3 EUR (25 TRY). It is problematic to eat on your own, there are only two cities in the region with large supermarkets: Avanos and Nevsehir, in other cities there are shops in the spirit of "selpo" with the most necessary set of products (vegetables, sausage, bread, cheese, chips, juices, etc.) It is very possible to take bread, cheese, wine and tomatoes with you on a hike.
Main attractions. What to watch
Frankly, even if you just leave Göreme and walk wherever your eyes look, you will find a lot of beautiful places, rocks, caves and valleys. Of course, you need to come to Cappadocia first of all for the extraordinary "alien" landscape: craters, volcanoes, rocks, cave cities - all this is a real miracle of nature, which resembles a beautiful oriental ancient fairy tale. 
If you are interested in Christian shrines, then, of course, from all over Turkey, you should choose Cappadocia. After all, the entire rocky Cappadocia is a former Christian city, whose inhabitants were forced to hide from persecution and persecution. True, all churches and temples are now not operating, except for Easter and Christmas, no services are held there. But many of them have preserved ancient frescoes, which tourists from all over the world come to see. 
And, of course, in Cappadocia, many newlyweds spend their weddings and "honeymoon", because it's warm, delicious, a lot of wine, beautiful sunsets, caves, rocks and balloons :)
Top 5
Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit
There are a lot of churches and temples in Cappadocia, because these are real Christian cities, where at first the early Christians simply settled, and later hid from persecution. There were quite a few of them, and there were a decent number of churches left after them (to be honest, at every step). These churches and temples do not operate, but services are held in some of them twice a year: at Christmas and Easter, and the rest of the time they are open to tourists. Almost all churches with frescoes have an entrance fee (2-3 EUR). If you're planning on avoiding paid museums and churches, Cappadocia has a large number of free, well-preserved churches.
There are a lot of beautiful churches on the territory of Cappadocia, where there are frescoes, photography, unfortunately, is usually prohibited. Do not try to go around absolutely all the churches in the area - even a month is not enough for this. Choose a couple of paid and a couple of free churches for review, after all, almost all of them were built at the same time and according to the same model.
Museums. Which are worth a visit
Of course, almost every major city in Cappadocia has a city, archaeological or ethnographic museum. But the number 1 museum in Cappadocia is, of course (Goreme Open-Air Museum). This museum is located in the Goreme National Park. All the churches that I wrote about above are located in the open-air museum. 
This is a large monastic rock and geological complex with bizarre tufa mountains, hills, in which dwellings and churches of Christians have been preserved. This site is protected by UNESCO. Entrance - 5 EUR + 2.5 EUR for the entrance to the Dark Church.
This is the most visited place in Cappadocia, come as early as possible (opening at 8.00), especially if you come in the season to see everything calmly and not stand in lines (15-30 minutes). Perhaps this is the only paid museum that I would still recommend visiting. But, if the budget does not allow, do not despair, Cappadocia is full of beautiful fantastic landscapes and free churches. Every tourist who has been there for more than 1 day will have some favorite secret place - a mountain where it is best to meet the dawn, a cave where the most bizarre tunnels are, a crevice in which you can hide - there is a lot of free Cappadocia and enough for everyone.
Food. What to try
About Turkish cuisine, you can write collected works in 10 volumes, and there will be little. Here in, you can read about Turkish cuisine in general, there are many dishes in Cappadocia.
But in general, the cuisine of Cappadocia is a special cuisine, which in some places is very different from Turkish. Famous Istanbul mussels drizzled with lemon? Who will say why they are not in Cappadocia? That's right, six hours to the nearest sea. Shrimp, gobies, trout and other red mullet? They are served in restaurants in Cappadocia, but they will never be as tasty as fresh ones, alas (although some craftsmen may argue with me).
The cuisine of Cappadocia is, first of all, all kinds of pots and tandoor. Stewed vegetables + stew + pickles in earthenware = home cooking. A long cold winter (and the Turks believe that Cappadocia has cold winters, yeah, +2C on average in January), a lot of clay around - all this contributes to the preservation of products and the abundance of dishes in pots and in clay tandoor.
Tandoors remained in many underground cities, churches and monasteries. Near them it was possible to bask in a cold cave. And in the operating tandoors they cook soup, meat and magnificent long and flat (like a big boat) local bread. Long, crispy, fresh bread (sometimes as long as your table) is made by many cafes and restaurants, and this bread with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, sausage (from a local grocery store) can be taken on hiking trips. And to meet the sunset, you can also take local crayfish (aniseed vodka) or wine.
The real gastronomic attraction of Cappadocia is "testi kebab", or it is also called "potyri kebab". At the very beginning, I wrote that there are as many kebabs in Turkey as there are cities, and I did not lie. Cappadocian kebab is cooked in a tandoor in a clay pot, which is broken in half with a large knife in front of you already on the table. This is lamb with vegetables, juice flows from the dish, which remains in the rim of the pot and you can dip the freshest bread into it. This is a real hearty Cappadocian food, served in almost all cafes and restaurants. 
Eggplants are very popular here in different versions (this is my favorite vegetable, only for the sake of it I can return to Cappadocia again and again). Pickles, jams, marinades, all this is present in large quantities in home cooking.
Also in Cappadocia they love to cook lamb on a spit and all kinds of steaks. And, of course, rich lentil soup, however, it is loved throughout Turkey.
The nearest large supermarkets are located in Avanos and Nevsehir, so if you are staying in Göreme and there is nothing to go for groceries, then you should know that local stores do not have a very large selection. Fruits, vegetables, local meat (no pork), olives, sweets. There are no problems with alcohol: wine, beer, crayfish are sold almost everywhere.
Be sure to try the local wine (if you drink alcohol, of course). Cappadocia is the wine region of Turkey, there are a large number of vineyards, and some winemakers still make wine in the ancient way - in a reservoir carved into the rock. And the corks are corked with clay to give the bottle a resemblance to the Cappadocian rocks. 
Be sure to buy some local wine (if it does not contradict your beliefs) and drink it on the terrace overlooking Cappadocia at night (the stars in this area are especially bright). You can also smoke hookah and cigars on the terrace (check with the owner of the restaurant / hotel).
Safety. What to watch out for
Cappadocia is a very peaceful area. It's not noisy at all with a bunch of thieves, beggars and suspicious taxi drivers :) You can go to Cappadocia with one girl and absolutely nothing to fear. Even night buses are very comfortable, and you will be waiting for them at a busy bus stop.
The main thing to remember in Cappadocia is that you are in the mountains and actively climb them without special training, in non-tourist places, in uncomfortable shoes, imagining yourself as a climber, and especially in winter, when slippery is dangerous.
Also, be careful away from the tourist trails, where you can’t see that around the corner (quad bikes, bicycles, motorcycles drive in Cappadocia), accelerating all these vehicles can harm you.
And finally, balloons. Balloon crashes are extremely rare, most often ending badly when a tourist refuses to buckle up during an emergency landing because of the wind and continues to photograph scenic views.
Things to do
So, you are in my beloved Cappadocia. Things to do? Pfff. Guys, just get out of the hotel and walk, walk, breathe, climb rocks, kiss in caves, read a book in Old Gyor, fly a balloon, wake up at dawn (I am an owl myself, but Cappadocia just requires an early rise if you don't want to miss the flight of balloons). 
How to move around the region
Cappadocia - holidays with children
I would not say that Cappadocia is an ideal place for traveling with children. Although it depends on the children, and on the parents (some calmly climb the mountains with a child almost in a backpack), while others are afraid to go beyond the Moscow courtyard.
Of course, these are not the resorts of sunny Antalya, where there is a sea, sandy beaches, a buffet, baby clubs, water parks and zoos. This is a harsh mountainous Cappadocia with hiking, climbing mountains, dust, clay, transfers to planes, buses and minibuses. 
Be sure to check with hotels / excursions / hot air balloon flights whether it is possible with children. Some hotels do not accept children under the age of 15, and some firms do not allow children under 10 years of age on the balloons.
If your child is a fidget, you need to be prepared to keep him from very dangerous jumps in the mountains, and if he is just small and you are not used to taking him on hikes and trips, then leave the baby in Cappadocia with someone , it will be difficult. Well, this holiday is not designed for families with small children.
Although, if you are in a car and / or your children feel great on the road, then why not? We can say that this is a kind of "Disneyland", only created by nature.
Goreme is a small but most popular tourist village in Cappadocia. Despite the fact that there are larger cities in the area (Kayseri and Nevsehir) with an airport, markets, museums and noisy bars, Goreme is the tourist center of the region. 95% of tourists rent a hotel here, buy excursions, make walks through the valleys and trips to various attractions from here.
Why go mostly in Göreme (Turkey) and not to other places in Cappadocia?
Firstly, the village is very advantageously located: it is located in the very center of the Goreme National Park. This is a huge open-air museum, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The national park is known for the fact that many centuries ago it was the largest Christian center with a large number of rock churches, monasteries and separate cells of monks. In addition, many beautiful valleys with unique "lunar landscapes" are also located on the territory of this park and start right at Goreme. It is very convenient for independent walks and walking tours.
Secondly, Goreme (Turkey) is equipped especially for tourists. There are a huge number of hotels and restaurants, souvenir shops and tour agencies, there are many bike and ATV rental offices. And there is a playground near Goreme. Local residents live off tourism and try to make vacationers comfortable and cozy.
Thirdly, Goreme (or rather its center) is more well-groomed and clean compared to neighboring resort "cities". But on the outskirts, the colorful atmosphere of a Turkish village has been preserved here: women choose seeds from pumpkins, chickens run around, and tractors stand along the road.
Attractions Goreme and surroundings
- (Turkey)- the most famous attraction of Cappadocia. Read more about it in a separate article of our author's guide.
- Valleys near Goreme. Near the village there are many valleys where you can walk, take beautiful pictures, and if you're lucky, watch turtles and lizards. A detailed description of the valleys with photographs can be found by looking at, and see ready-made walking routes for walking.
- Viewpoint. It is clearly visible from almost everywhere. It rises above a small one. It offers a wonderful view of Göreme (it is also commonly called the "panorama of Göreme"), the Görkünder valley and the surrounding area.
- UFO Museum. It is no coincidence that a small museum was opened here in 2005, because Cappadocia is one of the “five” places where increased UFO activity is observed. Here are clippings from newspapers and magazines in 8 languages with descriptions of various paranormal phenomena and interviews of people abducted by aliens. But the most interesting thing in the exposition is an installation depicting a scene of four aliens studying an inhabitant of the Earth. Museum opening hours: 09.00-19.00. Finding the UFO museum in Goreme is not difficult: it is located 200-300 m to the left of the road to the Open Air Museum.
Where to stay in Goreme: hotels, pensions, hostels, campsites
Goreme (Turkey) has the largest number of different hotels, boarding houses and hostels. There are so many of them that even during the season it is not necessary to book in advance (unless, of course, you are tied to a particular hotel). You can always find something on your own upon arrival.
The types of housing in Goreme are different: there are cave hotels, completely or partially carved into the rock, there are real Sultan's stone palaces, there are family hotels, there are simple hostels, and there are comfortable campsites.
The checkout time is usually at 09.00 (by the arrival of the morning buses). If you have already left, but you have free time and a desire to take a walk somewhere else before the bus leaves, you can leave your luggage at the reception.
Where to eat in Göreme: restaurants, cafes, bars…
There are a lot of different places in Göreme where you can eat or drink a cup of coffee, have a light snack or relax with a glass of Cappadocian wine. There are restaurants, cafes, pide establishments (i.e. pizzerias), bars… There are places where vegetarians can dine and places that serve halal (food without pork). There are restaurants with Turkish cuisine, and there are European (French, Italian, Austrian) or generally international (American, Indian, Chinese, Korean) restaurants. That's just Russian and Ukrainian cuisine in Goreme in Turkey yet, but I think it's a matter of time!
We talked about the top five places to eat in Goreme (three restaurants and a couple of cafes) in the material (see rating). Here we will give a few more food establishments, which are also included in the top ten.
Cappadocian Cuisine- family restaurant with traditional Turkish cuisine. The hospitable hostess Hatizda meets you at the doorstep in national dress, sometimes with a cigar or a cup of coffee. She knows how to say “Hello” and “Come visit us” in many languages and accurately, at a glance, determines how to address you specifically. All the waiters in the restaurant speak excellent English. The menu is extensive: here you can order both individual dishes to your taste, and a set lunch, which includes soup (for example, chorba), the main meat dish (testi-kebab or something else), rice, salad and tea. They serve quickly, but so that guests do not get bored while waiting for an order, they are given a “compliment from the restaurant” for free - a basket of warm bread with ayran sauce with herbs (it’s so “delicious” to break off small pieces from the cake and dip them into the sauce), sometimes tea or small puddings if you come with children. You can eat inside the restaurant or outside. You can bring your own wine. Portions are average. Prices are moderate. Address: Uzundere Cad., 5/B.
Firin Express- a cafe without frills in the interior, but it is here that you can try the best Turkish pizza in the city - pide. It is served straight from the oven, hot and juicy. There are many variations of pide on the menu, but the most popular one is with cheese and spinach. Etli ekmek is also baked here - a thin and narrow long pizza with minced meat. The kitchen is located right in the hall, and you can watch how your order is prepared (and, if you wish, shoot it on video). In a huge oven, meat and vegetable dishes are stewed, as well as everything that crumbles in an egg. In addition, here you can order lentil or tomato soup, rice with vegetables, tuna salad, and, of course, testi kebab. It is possible to buy pizza to take away (everything will be perfectly packed for you). Address: Cami Caddesi, 4-5.
red wine house- a cozy wine bar in Goreme (Turkey) with delicious homemade wines, as well as alcoholic drinks from local wineries. It's good to relax with friends, smoke a hookah and watch the fire in the fireplace. There is wi-fi. Light Turkish music creates a pleasant atmosphere. The bar is open all year round in memory of the fact that Carlos Santana, an American virtuoso guitarist and winner of numerous Grammy awards, once visited here (because of this, Red wine is sometimes called Santana Bar). If you get hungry, you can order food from the restaurant next door, which is owned by the son of the owner of the bar. The only negative, probably, is that in a glass you can only order homemade wine (on tap). If you want to try the wine of local wineries, then you need to purchase a whole bottle. Address: Muze Caddesi, 9.
Excursions and entertainment in Göreme (Turkey): safaris, hammams, hot air balloons…
Goreme has a huge number of tour agencies and private guides. All of them offer, as a rule, a standard set, the most popular of which are tours. The only downside is that they are held mainly in English. If you want to have a Russian-speaking guide, then you can book some excursions via the Internet in advance, while still at home, for example, on the website.
Among the entertainment in Goreme (see also), ATV safaris, shows, hiking tours, hammams and excursions to wineries are in the lead.
Souvenir and grocery stores
While relaxing in Goreme (Turkey), you can choose and buy various souvenirs (see) both for yourself and as a gift to friends and family. They are sold in small souvenir shops, as well as on the ruins of viewing platforms near the city. Please note that there is no own production in Goreme, so ceramics are brought here from Avanos, wine from Uchisar or Urgup, and carpets from Kayseri or Avanos (in these cities, of course, they will cost less). But in Göreme there are galleries where you will be offered original handmade gizmos.
We recommend paying attention to Art By Emre - this is a small shop with jewelry, accessories, postcards, handbags that the owner Emre makes himself (besides, he speaks excellent English and loves to chat with tourists). The best carpet shop in Goreme (Turkey) is Sultan Carpet (Address: Muze caddesi, 32). And you will find beautiful ceramics at Hattuşa Handmade Ceramics (Address: Muze caddesi, 42/4).
Two grocery stores are located to the left of the road at the very exit from Goreme towards Cavusin. One small private, second chain store Dias. The Dias store sells everyday food and hygiene products at a regular price. They accept bank cards for payment.
Useful places for tourists: information kiosk, bank, post office
Information kiosk, located at the Göreme bus station (Turkey), is open during the arrival of most intercity buses. It belongs to the Göreme Tourist Society and is essentially an association of restaurant and hotel owners whose main task is, of course, to advertise their establishments (which is why the staff does not have any meaningful information). But here you can be given free area map and change money (however, the rate will be much lower than in a bank).
Withdraw money in the city it is possible at ATMs located at the bus station (otogar) and around it. Exchange currency best of all at the post office or at Deniz Bank (note that it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays). These days you can change money in travel agencies or at your hotel. Advice! It is best to change the currency in general somewhere not in Cappadocia, because the exchange rate here is much worse than, say, on the same Mediterranean Sea or in Ankara.
At the post office in Goreme you can buy souvenir postcards for friends and stamps to send them. In addition, there is a telephone and a currency exchange service. There are always a lot of tourists at the post office - everyone wants to send postcards.
How to get to Goreme (Turkey)
Goreme is the tourist center of the region, and how to get here from different cities of Turkey, as well as from Russia or Ukraine, we described in detail in the material
First choose hotel on Booking. They have a great base of offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel can often be found for 20% cheaper through
