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Aksaray, Kayseri and Nevşehir may
rightly be called cities, but the most
interesting places are the towns
of Cappadocia
(map).
Farming, viticulture, wine-making and pottery-making are
still important here, but tourism is
now more important.
Aksaray
Among the larger cities in the region,
it's at the crossroads of the major
north-south and east-west highways.
Although it has several interesting
historic structures, for most travelers
it is a transportation nexus. More...
Avanos
A pretty town on the Kızılırmak (Red
River), its inhabitants have made their
living from the malleable river
clay for years,
shaping everything from
pots and roofing
tiles to statues.
The Seljuk
Turkish caravanserai called
the Sarı Han is on
the town's outskirts. More...
Derinkuyu
"Deep Well" is the appropriate name of
this small town that has one of Cappadocia's
deepest and most elaborate underground
cities. More...
Göreme
Only a kilometer
from the famos Göreme
Open-Air Museum, the
town of Göreme (GUR-reh-meh) is visually
striking with its "fairy chimney" volcanic
cones. It's a good base for your visit
here because of its large number and
variety of lodgings and eateries. More...
Güzelyurt
Dramatically situated amid mountains,
this ancient town on the way to Ihlara boasts
a historic mosque-church, some cave
churches, a verdant town square, and
a fine inn in a former monastery. More...
Ihlara
Valley
A stream runs through a dramatic gorge,
its walls punctured by cave churches
and chapels. Descend the 360 steps from
the rim to the stream, or spend a day
or half-day hiking through. Best way
to do it is on a day-long excursion to
the Underground
Cities, Güzelyurt and
Ihlara. More...
Kaymaklı
With Derinkuyu, Kaymakli is among the
most elaborate and dramatic of Cappadocia's
numerous Underground
Cities. Visit it on a day-trip
excursion including Güzelyurt and
the Ihlara
Valley.
More...
Kayseri
An hour's drive east ofthe heart of
Cappadocia,
fast-growing Kayseri is
the region's largest city, with its
busiest airport. Unabashedly commercial,
it harbors more than a dozen fine medieval
Seljuk
Turkish buildings. More...
Ortahisar
"Middle Castle" (as its name translates)
may be right in the middle of Cappadocia,
but it is largely bypassed by visitors,
which is what makes its good to visit:
all the character without the crowds.
More...
Mustafapaşa
(Sinasos)
Called Sinasos by its Ottoman
Greek residents under the empire, this
interesting town (which now boasts a
university) is among Cappadocia's undiscovered
gems, with one of the region's finest
hotels and most intriguing
restaurants.
More...
Nevşehir
Capital of the province with the same
name that forms the heart of Cappadocia,
Nevşehir has an ancient citadel and
a good archeological museum. More...
Niğde
A historic town and provincial capital,
Niğde receives few tourists, which
is a pity, as it has some fascinating
old buildings and a history to match.
Aladağlar
National Park has splendid
scenery and waterfalls.
More...
Soğanlı
Valleys
The Göreme and Zelve
valleys are usually busy with visitors,
but the larger Soğanlı valleys
are less so. It's good to hike through
the valleys with little "competition." More...
Uçhisar
Everybody knows Uçhisar...or at
least sees it:
the craggy rock pinnacle is the highest
point in Cappadocia's moonscape. The
town around the natural stone "castle"
is quite nice, with wonderful hotels and restaurants. More...
Ürgüp
Nevşehir may be the provincial capital,
but Ürgüp is really the chief
town of Cappadocia, with interesting
scenery,
excellent
charming inns and Cappadocia's
most reliably good
restaurants. More...
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