Things to do in Yesilhisar

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia

Cappadocia in the early morning is worth waking up for. The sky gradually brightens from deep blue, hot air balloons rise slowly among the valleys, and the first ray of sunlight sweeps across the rock walls, tinting the extraordinary rocks, villages, and distant mountains before you with warm colors. As your field of view opens up bit by bit, the roads and houses on the ground become tiny, while the rolling valleys reveal outlines rarely seen in daily life. Riding a hot air balloon is a unique way to enjoy Cappadocia. The flight experience here also presents different scenery depending on the takeoff area. We offerGöreme, Soğanlı, and IhlaraThe hot air balloon rides in the three regions range from the classic fairy chimneys and clusters of hot air balloons to quiet countryside valleys and natural views where canyons and rivers intertwine, allowing you to choose the aerial journey you want to begin based on your own expectations. Goreme | Encounter the classic Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia scene If what you long for is the scene in photos where hot air balloons dot the sky and strange rock valleys spread out below, Goreme is a choice worth prioritizing. It is known for its iconic "fairy chimneys" and undulating rock formations, where rock pillars, ravines, and villages interweave with one another. When the morning light falls, the textures and colors of the rock walls become even more vivid. Goreme is usually a relatively concentrated hot air balloon flight area. Its appeal lies both in the scenery below and in the colorful balloons that set each other off in the sky. For travelers visiting Cappadocia for the first time and hoping to experience the classic hot air balloon atmosphere, this place is very representative and is also suitable for capturing what you see along the way in travel photos. Soğanlı | Experience the countryside and history in a tranquil valley Soanli is far from the bustle of Goreme, revealing another side of Cappadocia through its open valleys, ancient villages, and rock-cut ruins. In the view here, natural landforms and traces of human life are interwoven: villages are scattered among the rocks, and ancient rock-cut structures remain on the hillsides, giving the valley a sense of distant timelessness. This region usually has fewer hot air balloon rides, and the experience atmosphere is quieter. It is suitable for travelers who enjoy countryside scenery, want to slow down the pace, or have already experienced Goreme and want to understand Cappadocia from a different perspective. Ihlara | Enjoy canyon and valley views from the air The distinctive feature of Ihlara lies in the natural landscape formed by the canyon, rock walls, and riverside vegetation together. It has a different topographic layering from Goreme: deep valleys, winding rivers, and the surrounding open terrain set each other off, revealing another rich side of Cappadocia. If you prefer canyon scenery, enjoy observing changes in terrain, or hope to experience a relatively quiet flying atmosphere, you might consider Ihlara. Its appeal comes more from the contours, colors, and sense of space of the valley itself, making it suitable for visitors who want to keep their attention on the natural scenery. When traveling from the Goreme area, the drive to this region is usually longer. Each of the three regions has its own characteristics: Goreme is suitable for visitors who yearn for classic fairy chimneys and clusters of hot air balloons, Soğanlı is suitable for visitors who enjoy quiet countryside and ancient villages, and Ihlara is suitable for visitors who prefer canyon and river valley views. Choosing the scenery you most want to see is also part of this journey. After landing, explore Cappadocia in more ways After the aerial journey ends, Cappadocia still has many landscapes worth getting close to. A variety of surrounding activities such as horseback riding, ATV off-road adventures, and vintage car rides let you move from overlooking from high above to heading deep into the valleys, experiencing this land at different paces. Horseback tour | Follow the valley path and slowly enjoy the scenery along the way Follow the pace of the horses as rock walls, dirt paths, and distant mountains gradually unfold before your eyes. The joy of horseback riding lies in slowing down the rhythm of travel and feeling the wind, the light, and the scenery along the way in the valley. Travelers who love nature and wish to experience the atmosphere of Cappadocia's valleys can set aside some horseback riding time in their itinerary. ATV off-road adventure | Ride through the valleys for a more dynamic Cappadocia experience To add more energy to your trip, you can choose an ATV off-road adventure. Traveling over undulating roads, you'll get a close-up feel of the rocky terrain and open valleys, and the scenery along the way keeps changing as you move forward. Compared with quietly sightseeing, ATV places more emphasis on participation, making it suitable for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities and want to add fun to their journey. Classic car tour | Let vintage vibes blend into your travel photos Take a vintage car ride to enjoy the scenery of Cappadocia along the way and add a touch of retro charm to your journey. The classic car body and the unusual rock valleys complement each other, offering a distinctive visual appeal whether you are capturing moments with your companions or taking travel photos with local character. Travelers who love photography and value the travel atmosphere can add the vintage car experience to their itinerary. You can choose different combinations of hot air balloon rides and surrounding activities based on your length of stay and personal preferences. Greet the morning light in the sky at dawn, then ride horseback into the valleys, explore the terrain by ATV, or take a vintage car ride to capture travel photos, making every experience a new perspective for discovering Cappadocia.

Sultansazligi National Park

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

Kaymakli Underground City

So far, as many as 36 dungeons have been discovered in Cappadocia, of which the Kaymakli underground city is relatively large, and the landforms here are all kinds of strange. The origin of the underground city Due to three large-scale volcanic eruptions, this area has formed a unique landform, and also brought a strange rock layer, which looks soft and can be digged with a shovel, but after digging and drying, it is Stronger than rock. This 40-meter-deep, eight-story underground city originated from the Hittites, and later increased in size. There are 8 floors in total, but only 5 floors are currently open. It is said that it could accommodate 10,000 people at that time. Squatting into the narrow-street underground city maintains a constant temperature of 13-16 degrees Celsius all year round, and you can bring a thin jacket when visiting. The entrance to the dungeon is very hidden. After entering the circling stone stairs, you enter a narrow passage that can only be passed by one person. The passage is wide and narrow, and most of the time, you can only move forward by bending over or squatting. A labyrinth of rooms connected to each other, spreading all the way to the depths of the earth. Traces of cave life Walking into the underground city is like entering a complex porous giant swiss cheese, with holes everywhere, many "windows" between rooms, and paths that go around and go up and down with several floors. . The dungeon is well-equipped, with traces of people's cave life everywhere, jars for oil, wine and water, sinks for squeezing grapes, communal kitchens blackened by soot, cowsheds, horse stables and deep incredible wells, except for the bedrooms. There are even schools and churches. Although there are several floors underground, the air is not as bad as expected. The ventilation designed by the underground city is still very good. The vertical ventilation holes are 70-80 meters deep. However, it is generally recommended for tourists to go down to the fourth floor and take pictures.

Soğanlı Ören Yeri

Sakli Church

The Hidden Church is a cave church located at a higher altitude in Goreme. Some original murals are preserved in the small cave. Although the painting is crude and even without color, it can make people feel the faith of the believers in those days under adversity.This church is relatively remote. You have to climb to the top of the mountain along a small path behind the Evil Eye Church and then go downhill. There are no clear road signs along the way, so you usually need to ask the gatekeeper of the Evil Eye Church to lead the way.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valleyis located between the towns of Uçhisar and Goreme in the Cappadocia region, and is a valley named for the dovecotes that densely cover its rock walls. These holes are not natural formations but were carved by ancient inhabitants into the soft volcanic rock: they carved caves to raise pigeons, using the droppings as fertilizer for growing grapes and fruit trees, and the pigeons were also used to deliver messages, leaving behind the sight of cliff faces riddled with caves after centuries of accumulation. There is an observation deck at the valley entrance, which is the best spot to overlook the entire valley. The rock of Uçhisar Castle on the opposite side is layered with cave dwellings, a common photo angle in Cappadocia. Flocks of pigeons gather near the observation deck year-round, and vendors often sell grain that you can buy to feed them. There is also a large tree nearby decorated with traditional evil eye charms from Türkiye, which is a popular photo spot. If you want to explore further, you can follow the path from the observation deck down to the valley floor and take the hiking route that connects the two towns. Along the way, you will find Byzantine-era cave houses and passages, with ancient murals still visible on some of the cave walls. The trail is mostly sandy and rocky, with some sections having no shade.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle is not a traditional castle built of brick and stone, but a natural volcanic rock formation standing approx. 60m high above the old village of Uchisar in Cappadocia, which has been carved into a cave fortress by generations of people. Its name means "outer fortress" in Turkish, highlighting its position guarding the entrance to the valley. When the weather is clear, this prominent giant rock can be seen from many places in central Cappadocia. Generations of residents continuously hollowed out the rock, carving out layers of rooms, passages, storage rooms, and shelters. It is said that at its peak, nearly a thousand people made it their home. Visitors can walk up the continuous steps along the rock face to see the old rooms and narrow entrances at different heights up close. Its commanding position made it easy to observe the roads and valleys, and was also conducive to storing food and taking refuge. Historically, when foreign enemies attacked, residents would retreat deep into the rock, relying on stored food and water to hold out for a long time. There are also tunnels carved under the old village leading to the outside, which are speculated to have served both communication and water supply purposes. At the foot of the castle, old stone houses with beautifully carved facades are preserved. The rock walls of the surrounding valleys are dotted with numerous dovecotes. Locals have a tradition of collecting pigeon droppings to fertilize vineyards, and many nest entrances are painted with white or colorful patterns, which are said to be more attractive to pigeons for nesting. Climbing to the top for a panoramic view is the highlight of the visit: standing on the rock top and looking around, the villages, gullies, fairy chimneys in the direction of Goreme, and the distant volcanoes are all in view. Sunset is a major attraction here, and there are particularly many tourists climbing to the top in the evening. The setting sun dyes the undulating land a warm red. When the weather permits in the early morning, you can also see flocks of hot air balloons rising from the valleys.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Nevsehir Province

Göreme Open Air Museum

In the 2nd century AD, ascetics lived a reclusive life in the Cappadocia region, especially near Goreme. Although independent of monasteries and churches, they formed an important social group. The religious status of the region was further elevated by the presence of prominent clergy. In the following century, Cappadocia became renowned as the homeland of three great clergymen. These three, known as the "Cappadocian Fathers," were Basil of Caesarea, his brother Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus. Basil, called "Basil the Great," returned from Constantinople to his hometown of Caesarea—the center of the Cappadocia region—to devote himself to monastic life. He also effectively spread the monastic way of life. From the 4th to the 13th century, monastic life flourished in Goreme. Almost every rock was adorned with churches, chapels, cafes, and resting areas. The Göreme Open Air Museum is the birthplace of this educational system. The church murals in the region employed two distinct techniques: one involved painting directly on the rock surface, while the other used the fresco-secco (tempera) technique. The murals depicted scenes from the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. The Göreme Open Air Museum houses the Girls' Monastery, Boys' Monastery, Church of St. Basil, Elmali Church, Church of St. Barbara, Snake Church, Church of the Maltese Cross, Dark Church, Church of St. Catherine, Çarıklı Church, and Tokalı Church. The site was opened to visitors in 1967. The Göreme Open Air Museum is located in the Goreme Valley, featuring over 30 rock-carved cave churches adorned with exquisite frescoes, some of which are well-preserved with vibrant colors. The murals in the cave churches were created by applying lime to the walls and painting with prepared pigments while the lime was still wet. Most depict biblical stories, though some churches feature only simple cross patterns. These renowned murals were typically painted during the 12th to 13th centuries. The slipper church gets its name from the figures wearing slippers in its frescoes. The snake church features murals depicting St. George fighting a serpent. Shielded from light exposure, the church's murals remain exceptionally well-preserved. The vividly colored scenes—including the Annunciation, the Journey to Bethlehem, and the Last Supper—continue to amaze visitors with their vibrant hues.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

Rose Valley

Rose Valley is surrounded by mountains and rocks, especially in the evening when the sun sets, the afterglow of the setting sun paints the valley with a rose color, and the scenery is particularly moving. The Valley of Roses is not far from the town of Goreme and can be reached to the top by ATV or horseback. Long periods of running water, floods and frost have cracked the rocks, eroding their softer parts away, leaving behind a bizarre moon-like landform that is awe-inspiring to nature. In the town of Goreme, there are day trips that include sunset viewing in the Valley of Roses, as well as special hiking activities. The hike in Rose Valley is generally 2 hours. After reaching the top of the mountain, you will stay for about 40 minutes to watch the sunset, and then go down the mountain after sunset. If you sign up for the morning hot air balloon project, you can overlook the Rose Valley at sunrise from a high altitude, and the scenery is even more impressive.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Türkiye

Erciyes Ski Resort

Erciyes Ski Resortis located in Kayseri Province, central Türkiye, situated at the foot of the famous Mt Erciyes in the Cappadocia region, and is just approx. a one-hour drive from Kayseri city. Mt Erciyes reaches an altitude of approx. 3,916 m, and its magnificent mountain scenery and pristine snow quality add a unique charm to the skiing experience. This is a well-known ski resort in Türkiye with exceptionally long ski runs. The ski season lasts from early December each year to mid-to-late March of the following year, providing ample time for ski enthusiasts to enjoy the slopes. The ski runs are designed to cater to all skill levels, featuring both wide, gentle beginner slopes and steep, thrilling advanced runs, suitable for all types of skiers to enjoy. In addition to traditional skiing, visitors can also experience a variety of snow activities such as snowmobiling and sledding. The resort is equipped with a modern lift system, including chairlifts and gondolas, which can efficiently and conveniently transport skiers to the start of each run. In addition, the resort offers ski equipment rentals, a professional ski school, restaurants, cafes, and a variety of accommodation options, fully meeting the vacation needs of visitors.