Istanbul is the first destination I would visit in Turkey, but Cappadocia is a close second. Cappadocia’s spectacular Fairy Chimney landscape makes it popular with trekkers, walkers and those who just want to view from a distance. It’s position in central Turkey allows it to be used as a stepping off point for Eastern Turkey and south to Antayla.
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Cappadocia?
It is a region in Turkey – not a City or a Town. I searched maps for an embarrassing amount of time before that particular penny dropped – I’ve saved you from a similar fate.
Historically Cappadocia was bordered by the Black Sea mountains in the north and the Taurus mountains in the south with equally broad east and west extremities. As far as modern day visitors are concerned, it’s nucleus is a triangle marked by the towns of Nevsehir, Avanos, and Urgup – a perimeter of only 53km – with the village of Goreme as the hub. Spokes extend to towns like Kayseri (Erkilet International Airport) 132km to the east and the Derinkuyu (the underground city) 30km to the south.
Arriving by inter-city bus from Antayla we chose to stay in Goreme because of it’s small village feel and central location and I would recommend it for first time visitors.
Two day tours operate from Goreme – the Green and the Red – we did the Green Tour (120tl in 2013). It was good value for those without their own vehicle, but a half or full day hike through the Rose Valley will fill you with awe and won’t cost a cent!
Local buses connect the towns but are not all that frequent.
Finding the Rose Valley.
The local maps that were around in October 2013 were not all that helpful, but you can follow the road north from Goreme toward the pottery town of Avanos on foot, Take a right onto a dirt track near the small cemetery and head for the very visible fairy chimneys. This was the easiest route from our lodgings at Kose Pansiyon (recommended) but just ask for directions from your own Pansiyon or Hotel. Hand painted red or Rose arrows mark the trail. If you wish to keep the walk to a few hours, as we did, go left when you come to a crossroads in the paths. The further you veer to the right the longer the trek. We kept left and ended our walk in Cavusun a small town 5 km along the Goreme-Avanos road. You can catch a bus back to Goreme near the junction of the Cavusun road and the highway.
Looking toward Goreme from the Rose Valley
I’ve written before about the Rose Valley you can see that post here.
What are Fairy Chimneys?
Having read Wikipedia I can tell you that Cappadocia sits on Sedimentary Rocks and volcanic deposits formed between 3 and 9 million years ago. In the area around Goreme they were eroded into pillars that resembled Minarets, from which the people carved houses, churches and monasteries. Some of the pinnacles are phallic like in shape too, although most people hesitate to say so.
Every window in a Fairy Chimney indicates the existence of a series of rooms and possible levels within. Here are some photos of an abandoned house we entered. The lead photo in this post shows the entrance to this home.
You can see some rubbish in these photos but I was surprised there was not more. This home was open for anyone to enter and although I found it hard to find a time frame on when the houses were abandoned, I don’t believe it was in recent years. If there is a door on a house please don’t enter. If you see a window but no doorway the door is probably around the back.
Exploring the Rose Valley is an excellent way to experience what Cappadocia has to offer.
I am linking to Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday on her blog Budget Travelers Sandbox, and
Corinne and Jim’s Reflections Enroute for Weekend Travel Inspiration, and
Noel’s Travel Photo Monday at Travel Photo Discovery.
Alligator Creek Townsville Reflections
Amazing 🙂
Wow! The wide shot of the mountains is beautiful. It reminds me of the rocks in the Grand Canyon.
I thought that myself – not that I have been to the Grand Canayon!
Great pictures! and also your map and directions how to get there will be helpful to someone planning to visit the Rose Valley.
Sounds like you would recommend this area to someone visiting Turkey!
Most definitely Steve.
We would have loved to have had time to just wander around here like you did. It’s such a wierd and wonderful place.
It was like another world in Goreme!
What a gorgeous place. Your photos really capture the beauty of the area.Thanks also for the info on the directions and locations. That’s very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for commenting Patti, it is such a beautiful place.
Cappadocia is such a fascinating looking place, and I’m glad you were able to show us the inside of one of those houses. Can you imagine living there? I wonder what all the niches in the walls were for? Displaying decorations or just for storage space. I would have been looking all over the map for the town of Cappadocia, too, so thanks for that tip. Looks like a wonderful hike.
I was told the holes were storage space, but I’m not sure who told me that. I guess there was no furniture so storage space would have been required.
You are cute as a bug! 🙂 What an amazing place, such incredible strangeness and beauty. 🙂
I don’t know why you think I am cute Krista! You definitely are 🙂
So much more I want to see of Turkey, and Cappadocia is near the top of the wish list.
You will get there and you will love it Sophie!
This was an amazing place. We loved out time there and would return instantly.
Me too Paula, plus I have a list of other places I haven’t been to in Turkey yet, like Gaziantep and Sanliurfa and Van. Thanks for commenting.
I’ve wanted to go to Goreme for just about ever! I’m not sure why I haven’t been but it’s been years since I was in Turkey. Your tips and photos make me want to go even more. I’m still deciding where to go this summer…maybe I’ve just found our destination. Thanks Jan!
Make sure you check out the temperatures in Goreme during summer before making any plans 🙂
Jan, I love the Rose Valley. And I agree Goreme is great little town to stay in!
Gorgeous and fascinating. I am assuming that if there is a door it means that someone live there??? Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
Hi Nancie. I don’t think they are lived in but I wouldn’t open a closed door just in case there are ownership issues involved. 🙂
Cappadocia has been on my travel wish list for a long time including doing the hot air balloon ride and staying at a cave hotel. These beautiful photos are so inspiring! Those chimney rocks just look so otherworldly. How neat it would be just to wander around and look inside.
I know you will get there Mary and you won’t be disappointed when you do!
Mmmm, such a long time since we were here but we’re planning a return trip very soon – some of your pics have gone onto our Pinterest boards to remind us! 🙂 We stayed in Göreme, too, when we went. Like you said, a good location and a village feel – I bet t’s changed a lot since we were there; it was about 10 years ago. We certainly didn’t see Rose Valley when we were there last – or at least we didn’t walk around it – so that’s definitely something we can do next time we go. 🙂
Julia
It was still fairly small in 2013 with a nice atmosphere. Kose Pansiyon was a lovely budget place to stay. Thanks for pinning some photos to your boards I will check them out. 🙂
Cappadocia has long since been on my must-see list ever since I saw photos taken of the Rose Valley from a hot air baloon several years ago. Your pictures have whetted my appetite! Hopefully 2015 is the year to see these amazing rock formations!
Do It Anita! I absolutely love Turkey and Cappadocia is a highlight.
Wonderful photos – it is such a magical place. visited Cappadocia in 2009 and I loved it so much – I would like to return and spend more time in the region. I stayed in Urgup – it was lovely!
Turkey is a fantastic country and I would love to return. We did not get to Urgup. Thanks for commenting.
what a magical house. Can’t believe that’s being left abandoned!!! Good tip about looking for the entry door – could easily see people trying to climb through windows.
Can only imagine how much trash a house would have in Australia if it was left unlocked and left to sit!
My thoughts exactly Lisa!
What an interesting landscape. The ceilings of those houses look far too low and claustrophobia inducing.
Hi Jan, wonderful photos! A beautiful reminder of our 2 trips to Cappadocia. We veered off one of the trails in either Rose or Love Valley, and I remember having to slide down like 25 feet one of the rocks to get down to a trail we actually wanted! A little scary! I only wish we had paid the extra money and done the hot air balloon rides! 😉
I think the balloon rides would be scary!
Wow Jan – Those fairy chimneys are intriguing. What an amazing landscape. The underground homes remind me a bit of Coober Pedy.
They are kind of Lyndall except they are in the fairy chimneys which themselves are above ground. 🙂 A truly amazing landscape I agree.
The Rose Valley looks amazing, and ripe for photographic opportunities. I love the lead photo of you in a chimney peeping out! Cappadocia is somewhere I would love to visit and you and Jenny (Taste of Travel) are doing a good job on making me want to visit!