Cappadocia itinerary: where to start?

Hello, We’re planning (two people in their early sixties!) a trip to Cappadocia next April for 9 days on site, and I need your help.

We land in Ankara. We’re planning 1 day in the capital, then taking a bus to Göreme. I’ve read that Göreme is very touristy and that it’s better to stay in Urgup (or elsewhere). What do you think?

From there, I’m not really sure how to organize our sightseeing "circuit" to avoid too much back-and-forth and keep it coherent… and that’s where I could use your help! We enjoy nature but also cities, a bit of hiking, and discovering unusual spots. Is it necessary to rent a car for more flexibility, or are public transport options doable without losing too much time?

Final question: Is 6 or 7 days in Cappadocia too long? If so, what would you recommend nearby without spending hours on a bus? We prefer seeing less but better, and without rushing too much. Thanks so much, and if you have any great budget-friendly tips, don’t hesitate!! Thanks.

Hello. Göreme is indeed quite touristy. Personally, I prefer Urgup or Avanos when I stay in Cappadocia. In Urgup, I like the Surban Hotel, a bit away from the city center. Of course, in terms of independence, renting a car is the best option. Taking public transport or even a taxi won’t waste much of your time and will be much cheaper. Otherwise, for planning your itinerary, it’s up to you to organize based on your interests and available time. There’s so much to do and see in Cappadocia. Even though Göreme is touristy, a visit to the village isn’t uninteresting, and especially, of course, the open-air museum. Then there’s Zelve, Uçhisar, Mustafapaşa, Avanos, Love Valley, Ihlara Valley, Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, the underground cities, the churches... My last trip to this region was 5 years ago. Some people visit Cappadocia in 2 days. For each of our visits, we stayed between 7 and 10 days. The landscape in this region changes throughout the day. It’s up to you to decide. Have a great trip!

Hi Christian, thanks for your tips. If we rent a car, is it advisable to book before we arrive (in April) or is it possible to find local rental companies with more competitive prices? As for our points of interest, we're quite into nature, but also cities, a bit of hiking, and discovering unusual places. We’re staying a full 6 days in Cappadocia. I saw that it’s possible to do 3 or 4 different circuits during our stay. I’ve noted your various places to visit, but I’m struggling to organize them in a coherent way. I did see the Surban Hotel in Urgup, but it’s a bit above our budget. Though it does look nice! Thanks for your help. Guy

We’re planning 1 day in the capital and then taking a bus to Göreme. I’ve read that Göreme is very touristy and that it’s better to stay in Urgup (or elsewhere). What do you think?

Hi, I recommend staying in Çavuşin. It’s a picturesque village close to Göreme (4 km) but much quieter! We stayed at In Stone House. The "owner" and his son speak French and they’re a goldmine of information. https://www.instonehouse.com/fr/index.html

Last question: Is 6 or 7 days in Cappadocia too long? If so, what would you recommend nearby without spending hours on a bus? We prefer seeing less but better and without rushing too much...

If you like hiking, there’s plenty to do. It’s stunning! The owner of In Stone House will give you descriptions if you’d like. 6 or 7 days might be a bit too long, but 4 or 5 days is perfect.

I saw that it’s possible to do 3 or 4 different circuits during our stay. I’ve noted your various places to visit, but I’m struggling to organize it all coherently.

If you enjoy hiking, you can do one or two easy hikes (little elevation gain) per day and see more than on an organized tour! No need for a car, in my opinion, to explore the whole area. At most, buses and taxis are enough to expand your range or return from a longer hike. The "open-air museum" is everywhere in Cappadocia! PS: At the end of our stay, the hotel owner drove us (for free) to the nearest town (Avanos) to catch a direct bus to Kayseri, and from there, a flight to Antalya, where we rented a car to explore the Lycian coast.

Hi Guy. Regarding the S’urban hotel in Urgup, I just checked the prices for one night. It really is excessively expensive. As I mentioned, our last stay was 5 years ago. We paid 32 € back then. It’s more than doubled now. We go to Turkey regularly, once or twice a year, and in 2024, we’ve noticed a considerable rise in the cost of living—though maybe a little less so along the Black Sea coast.