Exploring Cappadocia - An Unorganised Solo Adventure in Turkey. Top Things to do in Cappadocia

Having Cappadocia on my bucket list for quite some time, I decided to take the plunge and embark on a solo trip in August 2024.

This guide details my personal approach, what I could have improved, and invaluable tips. I actually didn't have anything booked and basically winged it as I went along. Pre-booking would probably be a lot more cost effective and less stressful but also just know that it is possible if you are a scatter brain like myself.

I stayed for three nights and I was satisfied that I managed to squeeze enough in. Truthfully, I was ready to leave by this point as I struggled to do things during the day - it was so unbelievably hot when I was there that I was just slothing around like a big slug all day and I'm not too good at sitting still.

However if you are looking for a relaxing trip then you may want to consider staying longer.

If you would like to read about what I got up to in Istanbul click here.

Flights

So I left everything pretty last minute, even booking my flight home the day before I left Istanbul. But if you plan ahead, you can find some pretty cheap flights to Istanbul SAW airport.

From there, you can easily catch a flight to either Kayseri (about an hour away from Cappadocia) or Nevsehir (around 40 minutes away). I landed in Kayseri and then tried taking the public bus to Goreme - to be honest, it was a long and hot journey. I'd recommend just taking a taxi from the airport instead, as it's quicker, more comfortable & not that costly. I flew back from Nevsehir because the flight times to Istanbul were better for me. The airport is small, but that's great because it's super quick to navigate through security and reach your gate since everything is so close together.

Accommodation

Choosing to stay in Goreme was perfect for me. It's surrounded by the cool fairy chimneys and caves, plus it's super close to bars, restaurants, tourist attractions and shops – perfect for first time visitors.

After looking at multiple options online I decided to stay at Elite Cave Suites and it was a great decision! I bagged a queen room with a balcony view at an amazing price. The hotel has a balcony spot for watching hot air balloons and seeing the town light up at night. Bonus - the hotel had cute kittens nearby and a very friendly dog who liked to visit the reception area. The staff here were extremely helpful and friendly.

Activities

Sunset Horse Ride

I last-minute booked this trip on my first night, around an hour before I was due to be picked up. I initially struggled finding an available spot but I persisted in visiting different travel operators until I scored a space with Tripster Travel who provided a brilliant service. It cost me around £35 for a two-hour adventure, and they made sure I got smoothly picked up from my hotel and taken to Goreme horse ranch. The horseback ride through Rose Valley to the sunset viewpoint was absolutely magical, with stunning views of the town glowing in the golden light. Despite the crowds from different tour groups, it was truly an unforgettable experience.

Take a Balloon Ride

I managed to make this booking the night before the trip for about £70 (after a little comparison shopping), which I think was pretty lucky since someone else I chatted with later in the week got charged £150!

Balloon rides always kick off at sunrise, so get ready to get out of bed early - I got picked up at 4.15am. Sometimes they can be cancelled due to rubbish weather, so I'd recommend booking it for one of the first days of your trip just in case. That way, if the weather's not great, you'll maybe have time to reschedule.

I got picked up by the tour operator and taken to the balloon launch site where we got to see them getting set up - it was truly an awesome sight watching the balloons inflate one by one before we hopped on board. The baskets were massive, fitting about 25 people. We soared up to around 1000ft, taking in the breath-taking view of the village below and the sky filled with other balloons - must've been around 150 up there in total. We spent around an hour in the air, and it was worth every penny. Once back on solid ground, they gave us a certificate and some champagne (non-alcoholic - tasted like Red Bull). The company I flew with was Istanbul Balloons, and their guides were super helpful the whole time. An experience I'll never forget.

Watch the Sunset

I was really lucky to have booked a hotel that was up high and had a viewpoint across the town so I could watch the sun set from the comfort of my own balcony.

If this isn't an option for you then you can go up to the "highest point" which was super close to my hotel but it seemed to be pretty busy (there was a queue when I walked around the corner.) There is also a 20TL entry fee to this particular viewpoint - so for me in this instance my hotel was the winning choice.

There are plenty of spots near Goreme to catch a stunning sunset, a like the panoramic view point at Love Valley or Red valley. If you're staying longer it might be worth exploring these different options.

Wake up early to watch the balloons in flight

Getting up early to catch the balloons from your balcony is such an amazing experience. You can see them gliding through the town, sometimes coming so close overhead that it feels like they might crash into the buildings. It's pretty awesome to watch them all up in the sky, giving you a whole different vibe from being inside one of them.

If you don't have a balcony view, no worries - just head to the highest point or a panoramic spot like I mentioned earlier for a great alternative.

Another cool idea is to visit the spot where the balloons take off. You'll be right there as they prepare for flight and lift off right above you. It's a fantastic experience!

Visit Love Valley

Around a 30-minute walk from Goreme or just a quick 5 minutes in a taxi, Love Valley is totally free to visit. The valley got its name from the rock formations that look erm... a bit phallic - they're quite a sight to see. Besides that, there are cool hiking trails, caves, and more sights to check out. I'd suggest hiking through the valley; you'll stumble upon Keles café tucked away in the middle, a real lifesaver on a scorching day. They serve up fresh lemonade, beers, and water, and you can chill in the shade for a bit - a hidden gem. There is also the option to go up to the Love Valley viewpoint at the top, where you can grab lunch at the café, and snap some Instagram-worthy pics.

Top tips & other fun activities

If your hotel doesn't have a pool as mine didn't, you can find some pools that are open to the public in other hotels (obviously you should buy drinks etc). I used my hotels sister chain and I've never been so thankful for that cold water in the 33 degree heat.

There are so many other activity options in and around Goreme but I guess it just depends on your interests and how you wish to spend your time. A few alternative options for you to consider on your trip are:

• Taking a Turkish bath - there are lots of places you can do this here, this just isn't something I think I would personally enjoy.

• A sunset buggy ride - for me it was this or the horses and I love horses so that won.

• Visit all the different valleys - they all have different unique features and are worth a visit in their own right.

• Visit the open air museum - a large collection of monasteries and cave churches.

I hope this helps you to plan your stay in Cappadocia.

For me it was now time to head off to Istanbul, you can read all about my trip here.