Natural Wonders of Cappadocia

Cappadocia’s landscape formed through millions of years of volcanic erosion on soft tuff rock. This collection features the region’s iconic geological formations, including the multi-headed fairy chimneys of Paşabağları and the animal-shaped rocks of Devrent Valley. The list covers expansive hiking routes through the Rose and Gomeda Valleys, panoramic viewpoints at Esentepe and Temenni Tepe, and the thermal mineral waters of Kozaklı and Bayramhacı. It also includes historic rock-cut sites like Zelve and the citadel of Ortahisar.

Natural Wonders of Cappadocia — Harita

A

Fairy Chimneys

This valley situated between the villages Goreme and Avanos boasts some of the most amazing fairy chimneys that can be found in the region.

B

Devrent Valley

This valley boasts small fairy chimneys that form a lunar landscape. In addition to that, there are rocks that are shaped like animals.

C

Zelve Open-Air Museum

This cave town is where Christians and Muslims once lived together. It was abandoned in the 1950s, when life in the caves became too…

D

Ortahisar Castle

This rock-cut castle was recently renovated and offers its visitors marvelous views of the town and fairy chimneys in the valley.

E

Gomeda Valley

A hiking valley featuring rock-cut pigeon houses, Byzantine-era churches, and a small stream running through the canyon floor.

F

Rose Valley

Named for its pink-hued volcanic rock, this valley contains several rock-cut Byzantine churches and hiking trails connecting Göreme and Çavuşin.

G

Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint

A high-altitude observation point offering panoramic views over the town of Göreme and the surrounding fairy chimneys of the Göreme National Park.

H

Castle and Chimney viewpoint

Elevated observation point providing views of the Uçhisar rock citadel and the surrounding tuff formations.

I

Temenni Tepe

A 1,140-meter-high hill in Ürgüp featuring the tomb of Sultan Kılıçarslan IV and views across the town’s rock-cut architecture.

J

Aktepe

A prominent hill near Çavuşin used as a vantage point for viewing the sunset over the Red and Rose Valleys.

K

Üç Güzeller

A famous formation of three adjacent fairy chimneys with basalt caps, located near Ürgüp and overlooking the valley.

L

Koru Dağı

A volcanic peak located in the southern part of the Nevşehir province.

M

Kozaklı Kaplıcası

A thermal spa district known for its medicinal mineral waters, which emerge from the ground at temperatures between 27°C and 93°C.

N

Bayramhacı Kaplıcası

Natural thermal springs located near the Bayramhacı Dam, featuring mineral-rich waters used for traditional spa treatments.