3 Day Cappadocia Itinerary: Balloons, fairy chimneys, underground cities and more!
Dreamy balloon-filled skies, towering mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, and romantic cave hotels. These are just some of the things that attract visitors from around the world to Cappadocia, Turkey and chances are, if you are reading this article, you want to see them too. So, with that being said here is my suggested 3 day Cappadocia itinerary with my best tips and tricks to get the most out of this magical place.
How to Get to Cappadocia
Cappadocia can be accessed by car, bus, or even plane.
The closest airport is Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NEV) and is only serviced by Turkish Airlines. If you want to fly, book your tickets well in advance to get the best pricing. You can then book an airport transfer to Goreme here.
If you don’t want to fly, you can drive from Istanbul in about 8 hours or take an overnight bus that is closer to 12 hours.
How long to spend in Cappadocia
The first thing to think about when planning your trip is how long to spend in Cappadocia. I’m going to suggest you give yourself a full 3 days here. Can you see the highlights faster? Yes. However, if your dream is to see the balloons of Cappadocia or go on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia then you want to give yourself some wiggle room. The balloon rides here are heavily impacted by the weather which means that they can easily be cancelled. Often, for multiple days in a row.
I was incredibly lucky when I visited and balloons went up all three mornings of my stay. However, I have friends who spent only a day or two and missed their opportunity thanks to unfavourable winds. So, if you want to see the balloons, I suggest planning a 3 day Cappadocia itinerary.
How to get around Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a region full of multiple towns with sites and attractions fairly spread out which means you will need to use some type of transportation to see it all. I visited with Intrepid Travel so we had a dedicated driver to take us around.
If you aren’t on a tour, you can rent a vehicle, take the local bus, or even join a day trip. There are a number of activities you can book from a local tour provider either as just one activity itself or as a day trip. I’ll share more about these options later on in this article.
Where to Stay in Cappadocia
As mentioned above, Cappadocia is actually made up of multiple smaller towns. I highly recommend you stay in Goreme. It’s the ‘hub’ for day trips and tours, there are plenty of options for accommodation as well as restaurants and shops. Most importantly, it’s the best place to see the balloons at sunrise.
I stayed at Tekkaya Cave Hotel which was stunning. There are a lot of stairs so you do need to be mindful of that but the rooms were beautifully decorated, there was a delicious breakfast with a view, a seasonal outdoor pool, and the best part was the rooftop; perfect for watching the balloons at sunrise. Two of my three mornings I just rolled out of bed and walked up a couple of flights of stairs to be awarded with the most magical views. I absolutely loved this hotel, it was a highlight of my trip and I definitely recommend it. Book your stay here.
A couple of other cave hotels in the area include:
Keep in mind these properties do book out quickly, so you’ll want to plan and book in advance.
What to do in Cappadocia in 3 Days: My Cappadocia Travel Guide
Three days in Cappadocia will be pretty busy, so in this section I’m going to share what I thought were the highlights based on my own experience. I will also include some additional popular activities. You can then take these ideas of what to do to build your own 3 day Cappadocia itinerary based on your interests.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Without a doubt, one of the highlights of a visit to Cappadocia is a hot air balloon ride. However, they are not cheap. So, for those wondering if a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is worth it, I absolutely say yes. The view from above is magical. That being said if you are on a tighter budget, seeing the balloons from below is also an incredible and magical experience.
If you do choose to do a hot air balloon ride plan it for your first day. As mentioned earlier, if the weather is bad they will not fly so you want to give yourself as much opportunity as possible in case of cancellation.
More than 150 balloons go up every day in Cappadocia and prices vary depending on the company and the size of the balloon. Before you book just based on cost alone, please be sure to do your research into the company and read reviews. There have been accidents in the past and you want to ensure you go with a reputable company. Here is a couple highly rated hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia to consider.
Where to See Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia
Whether or not you choose to do the hot air balloon ride, you definitely need to get up early to watch them at sunrise. As I said the best place to see them is in and around Goreme. If you have booked a hotel with a rooftop for viewing, then you are set.
You can also visit the ridge above Goreme, which is the most popular place to watch from. The hill is easily visible from all around- you can’t miss it, and there are a few different ways to get to the top so as a local or check on Google maps for the path. The added advantage of watching from here is you can see them better in the valley in front of you. However, it can get incredibly crowded and there is (usually) someone along the way charging a small fee to reach the top. For reference, it was about a 30-minute walk from my hotel in central Goreme to the top, so make sure to leave early enough to give yourself time. Balloons tend to go up right at sunrise.
Another option is to do some sort of booked tour to see them. This could take a viewing tour where you get picked up and take to a vantage point. You could also book a photoshoot in a classic car with the balloons, or even one of the famous flying dress photoshoots.
Goreme Open Air Museum
The Goreme Open Air Museum is an outdoor area comprised of dozens of caves carved into the volcanic rock. In a way it reminded me a little bit of Petra in Jordan; an ancient city built into the rocks. Many of these caves are actually churches that were built by the people who lived here during the Middle Ages and you can still see frescos painted on the walls inside. You’ll notice a difference between the sizes of the caves, the larger ones were monasteries while the small ones are chapels. The most famous is the Dark Church which has no windows so the artwork inside is the best preserved. Your ticket to the Open Air Museum includes a visit into most churches, but there are a couple of spots that have an additional cost. During my visit, we needed to pay extra to see the Dark Church so check your ticket inclusions.
Most people spend about two hours visiting the Goreme Open Air Museum although you could definitely spend longer. If you don’t have a guide, it’s worth getting the audio guide or, at least, I suggest reading up on the area in advance so you know what to look for as you explore. Finally, when visiting, please keep in mind that these are spiritual places, so dress appropriately.
There is a large parking lot by the Goreme Open Air Museum for those renting a car. You can also walk from town, it’s about 25-30 minutes from the bus stop. Keep in mind that Google Maps in Turkey can be a little bit wonky, discussions online say follow the main road and route for cars if you decide to go this route.
Fairy Chimneys
One of the most iconic images of Cappadocia is the so-called fairy chimneys. These funny rock formations look like mushrooms (although some argue that they look very phallic) and were created by ancient volcanos. The tops are harder rocks than the bottom, and the erosion by wind and rain is what has given them their funny shapes. Unfortunately, it also means that one day they will collapse. However, for now, exploring the fairy chimneys is one of the best things to do in Cappadocia.
There are thousands of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, most of them are found scattered through some of the main valleys of the area. Pasabag Valley is probably the most popular place to visit and can also be combined with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum which I didn’t get to explore but looks really cool. For those using public transit, as for information at the bus station as there are mixed reviews online.
You can also find fairy chimneys in Love Valley, which is great for hiking. There are also a few surrounding Uchisar Castle.
Uchisar Castle
Towering over the landscape of Cappadocia, Uchisar Castle stands out as a craggy mountain dotted with dozens of caves. This was once the first line of defence for Cappadocia but today is busy with tourists. The streets lining their way to the castle are full of little shops, ice cream vendors, and cafes where you can enjoy a drink with a view of the castle.
For those who wish to get panoramic views from above, it is possible to climb to the castle. Be mindful that it can be steep at some points and incredibly warm during the summer months, but it is possible to get to the top if you are willing to pay the entrance fee.
If you are driving, it might be tricky to find parking and you will need to pay. For those relying on public transportation, there is a bus that goes from Goreme to Uchisar Castle; it runs about every 30 minutes.
Pigeon Valley
Located between Goreme and Uchisar is the scenic Pigeon Valley. We only stopped for photos to get the panoramic views (which were beautiful). However, there is actually a hike connecting the two, perfect if you are up for an adventure. The hike is described as pretty easy and takes about 1.5 hours. Most people suggest starting in Uchisar Castle and ending in Goreme as that route is a little more downhill. The hike will take you past ancient cave homes, some of which still have paintings visible, and of course plenty of great photo ops.
Of course, you can expect to see plenty of pigeons. While seen as a pest today, pigeons were coveted in Cappadocia in ancient times and used for message delivery as well as a food source. Their poop was also used for both fertilizer and mortar. Today you can find pigeons still nesting in the ancient holes carved for them along the valley.
The Underground City of Derinkuyu
Another unique feature of the Cappadocia region is the underground cities. There are about 40 in the area, but not all of them are open to tourists. While people did live in these cities, it was temporary, not permanent. They are completely human-made and were a safe place for hiding during the Roman persecution.
There are a couple of different underground cities open to visitors in Cappadocia. We visited Derinkuyu which was a little further out from Goreme but, because of that, not as busy. It was pretty cool to explore as it goes 12 floors down (only 8 are available to visit). Keep in mind the depth can be steep and spaces are tight so if you are claustrophobic, it’s better to stay above ground.
Tours & Day Trips
For those not renting a car, you can visit these highlighted areas by day trips. Two of the most popular day trips are called the Red Tour and the Green Tour. Each one visits a different part of Cappadocia region allowing you to see and experience the highlights with a local guide.
Other activities you might be interested in adding to your 3 day Cappadocia itinerary include:
Personal note: A common suggestion of things to do in Cappadocia is to check out the pottery shops. We did this in my Cappadocia itinerary and while the pottery is beautiful, it was incredibly overpriced and very uncomfortable with the vendors hovering over me trying to get me to buy in the shop. Given my experience, I’d skip this. Chances are you aren’t going to be travelling with any big pieces anyway and there are lots of cute little pottery pieces that are much more affordable and very similar in the tourist shops around Goreme town.
Exploring Cappadocia: The Best Time to Visit
Cappadocia is a year-round destination but keep in mind it is also a four-season destination which means there will be snow in the winter. This can make it pretty cold since most of the exploring and things to see are outdoors, however, you will be rewarded with lower costs and fewer crowds.
On the other hand, summer can be incredibly hot to be outside all day which is why I would suggest spring or fall. I went in early April and the weather was perfect for spending time outside.
One thing to note; keep in mind that not only is Cappadocia popular with foreign tourists but it’s also popular with the locals. This means it can get even busier during holidays and weekends. I was there over a holiday and it was SO crowded. If I were to do it again, I’d make sure to visit mid-week and not on a local holiday.
Final Notes on Cappadocia
Cappadocia was a dream. It was somewhere I had wanted to go for so long and despite the crowds, it did live up to my expectations and I loved my time there. That being said, you should know before you come that it is very expensive; like western Europe pricing. Hotels, meals, activities, shopping- all of it. This is a very touristic area and the prices show that so plan accordingly. I do think it’s worth it though and I hope this 3 day Cappadocia itinerary comes in helpful for your own visit.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.
Book your accommodation
I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save.
Book your tours
My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers.
Get connected
If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Not sure what to pack?
I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas.
Looking for a travel buddy?
Check out my group trips!