Cappadocia
The volcanic valleys of central Anatolia — fairy chimneys, cave hotels, underground cities and the dawn balloon flight — a 75-minute flight from Istanbul and the most-added extension to any Turkey trip.
Three volcanoes buried this plateau in soft tuff millions of years ago; wind and water carved it into cones and ravines, and people hollowed the rest — Byzantine monks painted churches into the rock at Göreme, and whole towns dug downwards at Derinkuyu to hide from raiders. The result is a landscape unlike anywhere else, and the reason the balloons fly.
The balloon flight
- Flights take off at dawn, weather permitting, with 100-plus balloons in the air together; the flight lasts about an hour and the whole experience three.
- Prices run roughly €200–300 per person in standard baskets; smaller baskets cost more.
- Around one morning in four is cancelled for wind — book the balloon for your first morning so a second morning is a backup.
- You do not need to fly to see it: the Göreme viewpoints and Love Valley ridges give the spectacle for free.
Getting there and staying
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet fly from Istanbul to Nevşehir (NAV, 45 minutes by road from Göreme) and Kayseri (ASR, 75 minutes) in about 75 minutes; a shuttle or private transfer completes the trip. Two nights is the minimum for a balloon attempt and a full day of valleys; three is comfortable. Stay in a cave hotel in Göreme, Uçhisar or Ürgüp. April–June and September–October give the best weather; winter brings snow and the emptiest, cheapest valleys.
Frequently asked questions
Fly 75 minutes from IST or SAW to Nevşehir or Kayseri, then a 45–75-minute transfer. The overnight bus takes 10–11 hours and is only worth it on a tight budget.
