2 Days Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Cave Hotel Stay

5.00

(1 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The day started before sunrise—still dark out when we left our Istanbul hotel for the airport. The flight to Cappadocia was just about an hour, but it felt like stepping into another world. Our guide, Selim, met us at the tiny Nevşehir airport with a big grin and a sign with my name (always a relief). He drove us straight to Göreme Town, where the air smelled faintly of dust and wild herbs. After a quick tea at his cousin’s café (I think it was called Nazar Börek), we joined the group for the South Cappadocia tour.

First stop: Derinkuyu Underground City. It’s cooler down there—almost chilly even in summer—and you can hear your footsteps echo as you wind through narrow tunnels. Selim pointed out old wine presses carved into stone and told us how whole villages hid here centuries ago. Next, we passed Love Valley—honestly, those rock formations are something else. People were snapping photos everywhere; I got one with the sun just peeking over the ridge.

The hike through Ihlara Valley was peaceful, except for the sound of birds and the river running below. Lunch was simple but good—fresh bread, lentil soup, grilled chicken—at a small riverside spot locals use. Afterward, we explored Selime Monastery; climbing up those steps is no joke but worth it for the view across the valley. Last stop: Pigeon Valley. The late afternoon light made everything glow pinkish-orange. We checked into our cave hotel in Göreme that evening—walls cool to the touch, quiet except for distant laughter from nearby terraces.

Day two started early again if you wanted to do the hot air balloon ride (I skipped it this time—maybe next visit). Breakfast at the hotel was fresh cheese, olives, tomatoes—the usual Turkish spread. At 9:30 sharp our North Cappadocia tour began with a photo stop overlooking Uçhisar Castle; you can see almost all of Cappadocia from up there on a clear day.

The Göreme Open Air Museum came next—a maze of old churches painted with faded frescoes. We had lunch in Avanos (the pottery town), then watched a local potter shape clay on his wheel—he let me try too; my bowl looked more like a pancake but he was polite about it! Quick stops at Çavuşin village and Devrent Valley followed—the rocks there really do look like animals if you squint right. We finished near Ürgüp before heading back to pack up for our flight home.