Cappadocia Itinerary

📅 Itinerary Day 1 – Classic Cappadocia + Secret Spots (Scooter OK) Morning: • 🏛 Göreme Open-Air Museum (~1.5 hrs) • 💘 Love Valley Viewpoint (short scooter ride) • ☕ Coffee break in town (Try: Organic Cave Café) Midday: • 🕍 Çavuşin Village – climb the old church + explore ruins • 🏞 Swords Valley – peaceful, narrow cave trails nearby Afternoon: • 🏯 Uçhisar Castle – highest panoramic view in Cappadocia • 🍽 Lunch: Millocal, Seki Restaurant, or Museum Hotel terrace (splurge) Sunset: • 🌄 Red Valley Sunset Point – legendary spot with stalls for gözleme & tea 🎈 Day 2 – Underground Cities + Ihlara Valley (Car required) ⚠️ Scooter not allowed on this day due to highways – rent a car Early Morning (optional): • 🎈 Hot Air Balloon Ride OR watch from Lover’s Hill → Starts ~04:30, done by 07:30 Morning: • 🕳️ Derinkuyu Underground City (~60m deep – eerie & awesome) • 🚗 Continue to Ihlara Valley (another ~30–40 min drive) Midday: • 🥾 Ihlara Valley hike (choose a 3–4km section) • 🍽 Riverside lunch at Belisirma Village Afternoon return via: • ⛪ Selime Monastery – carved into a cliff • 📸 Optional photo stop: panoramic Pigeon Valley Evening: • Return car, chill dinner in Göreme 🏺 Day 3 – Valleys, Pottery & Real Cappadocia Vibes (Scooter OK) Morning: • 🧱 Zelve Open-Air Museum – less touristy, feels ancient • 🧙♂️ Pasabag (Monks Valley) – iconic fairy chimney formations • 🛕 Quick stop at Church of St. Simeon Midday: • 🏺 Avanos – pottery demo at Chez Galip or Güray Müze • 🍽 Lunch by the Kızılırmak River + walk across red suspension bridge • Optional: Onyx stone carving workshop en route Afternoon: • 🐫 Devrent Valley – weird rock shapes (camel, dolphin, etc) • 🕍 Ortahisar Castle – panoramic & chill (less busy than Uçhisar) Sunset (if not tired): • 🌄 Kızılçukur (Red Valley Panoramic Point) – best golden hour photos 📍 Map-Friendly Regions by Day: Day 1: Göreme • Çavuşin • Uçhisar Day 2: Derinkuyu • Ihlara • Selime (car only) Day 3: Avanos • Pasabag • Zelve • Ortahisar • Devrent