Cappadocia – A Fairytale Dreamscape in Central Türkiye

Cappadocia – A Fairytale Dreamscape in Central Türkiye

By Michael J. Solender

Geologic wonders, historic treasures, culinary delights, and adventure welcome travelers to this enchanting region.

Since early Roman times, Türkiye has captivated visitors with its rich history and striking landscapes. In Cappadocia, a land shaped by time and nature, travelers are met with breathtaking discoveries.

Located in central Anatolia, southeast of Ankara and Istanbul, Cappadocia’s dreamlike scenery is defined by its famous “fairy chimneys.” Sculpted over millions of years by volcanic activity and erosion, these towering rock formations create an otherworldly landscape.

While the broader region includes the cities of Kayseri, Niğde, and Kırşehir, most visitors explore the Nevşehir, Avanos, and Ürgüp triangle. Here, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, hiking, caving, and cycling offer up-close encounters with Cappadocia’s rugged terrain, canyons, and vineyards.

A stopover in Istanbul before heading east allows travelers to experience Türkiye’s vibrant urban landscape. The “City on Seven Hills” deserves a few days of exploration before venturing to Cappadocia.

Getting There

Travelers from Atlanta can take daily non-stop flights to Istanbul (IST) on Turkish Airlines.

Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the world’s only city spanning two continents. Staying in the historic Old City offers easy access to major landmarks.

The Galata Istanbul Hotel MGallery, a bespoke property in a former bank, sits steps from the iconic Galata Tower. Its lobby still features original safety deposit boxes and an enormous steel vault door. Guests can also visit its rediscovered ancient hammam, now the award-winning Cesme Hammam.

With roots in the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium and later Constantinople, Istanbul boasts a wealth of historical sites and Ottoman architecture. Highlights include Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace, and the Grand Bazaar—the world’s oldest covered market.

Istanbul’s dining scene reflects its rich cultural influences. A standout is OCTO, a Michelin-recommended rooftop restaurant at the JW Marriott in Karaköy. Overlooking the Bosphorus, it offers impeccable service, an extensive Anatolian wine list, and inspired dishes by executive chef Safa Erten. Signature offerings include slow-roasted lamb shoulder and Turkish manti dumplings, a nod to Erten’s grandmother’s recipes.

Executive chef Erten oversees the kitchen at OCTO. Photo by Michael J. Solender

Wondrous Cappadocia

An hour’s flight from Istanbul, Nevsehir greets visitors with vast plateaus and windswept vistas.

“Two dormant volcanoes, Erciyes Dağ (Mount Argeus) and Hasan Dağ (Mount Hasan), shaped Cappadocia’s surreal landscape,” explains Öznur Doksöz, a guide for the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. “Millions of years of volcanic eruptions, shifting tectonic plates, and erosion created the landscapes we see today.”

Fairy chimneys formed as soft tuff eroded faster than the harder basalt layer on top, creating tall rock columns with mushroom-shaped caps. Visitors encounter entire “forests” of these formations, inviting exploration.

Cappadocia’s residents have lived in caves for centuries, and today’s visitors can enjoy a more luxurious version of this tradition. Kayakapi Premium Caves, Cappadocia’s first boutique hotel licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, offers 44 rooms carved into the rocky cliffs overlooking Ürgüp.

Once a cave-dwelling neighborhood, Kayakapi is now a long-term conservation and restoration project supported by UNESCO and the World Heritage Center. Guests enjoy spacious rooms featuring authentic Turkish carpets, period artwork, Wi-Fi, and old-fashioned writing desks. Five-star amenities include an infinity pool, a hammam, two restaurants, and shuttle service.

Rise Up

Cappadocia’s most iconic experience is hot air ballooning, with daily flights (weather permitting) at sunrise.

Kapadokya Balloons, one of the region’s oldest operators, is licensed by the General Management of Civil Aviation. They offer 45- to 90-minute rides, including transportation from local hotels. Guests soar up to 3,000 feet over Göreme, Çat, Soğanlı, and Ihlara valleys alongside up to 32 other passengers.

A deeper appreciation of the region’s history awaits at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once home to St. Basil’s monastery, this complex features 11th-century churches, chapels, and monastic quarters carved into the cliffs. The Dark Church, adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes depicting biblical scenes, feels as if its paintings were created yesterday.

Dark Church fresco. Courtesy TGA.

For a glimpse into Cappadocia’s underground past, Kaymaklı Underground City reveals a network of subterranean dwellings used by early Christians fleeing Roman persecution in the 4th century. Four of its eight levels are open to visitors, showcasing stables, kitchens, ventilation shafts, and communal living spaces. This remarkable site is also UNESCO-listed.

Goreme Open Air Museum. Photo courtesy TGA.

A Mystical Experience

The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, a sacred Sufi ritual, offers a mesmerizing cultural experience. Held at Saruhan Caravanserai, a historic traveler’s rest stop dating to 1249, the Whirling Dervish performance is a spellbinding meditation on spiritual ascent.

Whirling Dervish Ceremony. Photo By Michael J. Solender

Set to haunting music, the highly choreographed seven-stage dance represents the soul’s journey toward divine perfection. This centuries-old ritual remains an integral part of Turkish tradition, history, and spirituality.

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Michael J. Solender lives in and writes from his adopted hometown of Charlotte, NC. Read more from him here: https://michaeljwrites.com.