Tourism in Cappadocia

Although Cappadocia is an ancient city, it is still a place of much interest and this is the reason that people flock by the thousands every year to visit this beautiful place. Not only do people visit to see remnants from the underground cities and the volcanoes that erupted centuries ago but they also come because Cappadocia has many things to offer so that one can fully enjoy this natural wonder that sits in modern day Turkey.

One of the main things one will want to do when visiting Cappadocia is to visit Urgup, a city within Cappadocia. It is here that one can see the famous rock structures that the people of ancient Cappadocia once actually lived in. These cave homes have been rebuilt and restored to accommodate visitors in cave hotels so that those that wish to visit Cappadocia can experience what it was like to actually live there in ancient times. Unlike ancient times, some of the cave homes have also been restored into restaurants and nightclubs, bringing the ancient world into every aspect of modern life.

Of course one can’t think of Cappadocia without thinking of the fairy chimneys that the area is known for. This is what makes the city of Goreme an imperative part of any trip to Cappadocia. One can stand in Goreme National Park and take in all of these wonderful chimneys that have been standing since long before any of us were part of this world. The Goreme National Park is so famous that it’s recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. While in Goreme, one can also visit the historical sites of Ortahane, Durmus Kadrif, Yusuf Koc, and Bezirhane churches. And of course, you will also see plenty of houses and churches within the rock that were once part of the underground cities.

To see houses that aren’t made of stone, one must take a trip to Ortahisar, located about six miles away from Urgup. The town was originally built as part of a defense system but people still resided here and houses are still standing that show the architecture that is derived from hundreds of years ago in this spectacular place. To see what nature has done in its own time, one can take a trip to the Ihlara Canyon. This fabulous valley was formed after the eruption of Mount Hasandag. Within the valley are many of the tunnels and homes that were not only once the residences of the ancient civilizations but later were also homes for monks. Today there are still many churches and homes in this area.

There are by far too many attractions and pieces of history to list when talking about visiting Cappadocia. Visiting this region is truly like stepping back in time and revisiting a place that there was never anything like and will never be duplicated. Visit Cappadocia and find out how people lived, why they lived that way and to experience it all for yourself!