3-day Cappadocia tour: Fairy Chimneys & underground cities

Underground cities sit eight stories deep, carved entirely by hand centuries ago.

A 3-day tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia with return domestic flights, two guided tours, two nights' hotel accommodation and airport transfers. Day one flies you to Cappadocia and settles you in. Day two explores the northern valleys (Göreme's rock formations, Avanos village and Devrent Valley) with an optional hot air balloon flight. Day three descends into Kaymakli Underground City, then visits the southern valleys before your flight back to Istanbul.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia

• Hotel pickup in Istanbul
• Transfer to Istanbul Airport
• Flight to Cappadocia
• Transfer to hotel in Cappadocia
• Check-in and overnight stay

Day 2: Northern Cappadocia Tour

• Optional hot air balloon flight
• Meet guide at hotel reception
• Visit panoramic view of Goreme
• Explore Open Air Museum and Valley of Three Beauties
• Visit Avanos village
• Explore Devrent and Pasabag Valleys
• Return to hotel
• Free afternoon and overnight stay

Day 3: Southern Cappadocia Tour and Return

• Meet guide at hotel reception
• Visit Red, Cavusin, and Love Valleys
• Explore Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City
• Visit Valley of the Doves and Cavusin Castle
• Transfer to airport
• Flight back to Istanbul
• Pickup at Istanbul Airport
• Transfer to Istanbul hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your Istanbul hotel in Sultanahmet or Taksim, a transfer to the airport, and a 1.5-hour domestic flight to Cappadocia. From there, a one-hour drive takes you to your cave hotel: a real structure carved into the rock, not a novelty. You settle in for the night with time to rest before the guided tours begin.

On day two, between 10:00 and 10:15 am, your guide meets you at the hotel to explore northern Cappadocia. You'll see the panoramic view of Göreme, walk through the Göreme Open-Air Museum where Byzantine monks carved churches into the stone, then visit Avanos village and the Valley of Devrent, known locally as Imagination Valley for the shapes its rock formations suggest. The afternoon is free. If you've booked the optional hot air balloon flight, it happens this morning before the tour. You'll need to arrange that when you confirm your booking, as availability is limited.

Day three follows the same 10:00 am start. This time you descend into Kaymakli Underground City, an eight-story network where families once lived entirely below ground, complete with storage rooms, kitchens and sleeping quarters. You'll also see the Valley of Red, the Valley of Love, the Valley of the Doves and the Castle of Cavuşin. After the tour, you transfer to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul, where a driver meets you at the gate and takes you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Airport transfers from Sultanahmet or Taksim hotels.
• return domestic flights with 15kg checked luggage and 8kg cabin baggage.
• two nights in a cave hotel.
• two full-day guided tours covering northern and southern Cappadocia.
• lunch during both tours.
• English or Spanish-speaking local guide.

Options for this experience

4 options

Group tours with standard hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeStandard hotels: hotels included with this option are Solem Cave Hotel, Garden Inn Cave Hotel, Hancı Cave, Dervish Cave, or similar. Tour class: group tours and transfers for up to 15 people.

Private tours with standard hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeStandard hotels: hotels included with this option are Solem Cave Hotel, Garden Inn Cave Hotel, Hancı Cave, Dervish Cave, or similar. Class of service: when you book this option, the tours and transfers are run on a private basis, only for you or your party.

Group tours with top-end hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeTop-end hotels: hotels included with this option are Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Acropolis Cave Hotel, Mithra Cave, or similar. Class of service: group tours and transfers for up to 15 people.

Private tours with top-end hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeTop-end hotels: hotels included with this option are Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Acropolis Cave Hotel, Mithra Cave, or similar. Class of service: when you book this option, the tours and transfers are run on a private basis, only for you or your party.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by BEST TURKEY TOUR

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour option if you want to meet other travelers and split costs. Pick the private tour if you prefer a dedicated guide and flexible pacing through the valleys and underground cities. Either way, the 3-day length gives you time to explore both northern and southern Cappadocia without rushing, and the included flights and transfers mean you don't arrange transport yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7).

What exactly is inside Kaymakli Underground City?

Kaymakli Underground City is an eight-story network carved into the rock where families lived entirely below ground. It includes storage rooms, kitchens, sleeping quarters and other chambers connected by narrow passages, built centuries ago as shelter.

Can I really see the Göreme Open-Air Museum in one morning?

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is included in the day two tour and is one stop among several. You'll also visit Avanos village, Devrent Valley and see the panoramic view of Göreme itself. The guide covers the highlights within the morning tour window.

What happens if I want to do the hot air balloon flight?

The hot air balloon is an optional activity you can add to your booking. After you reserve, let the team know you're interested and they'll confirm availability. It runs the morning of day two, before the guided tour starts at 10:00 am.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the Istanbul airport?

The tour includes airport transfers from hotels in Sultanahmet and Taksim. If your hotel is outside those areas, you'll arrange your own transport to the airport, but the company will meet you at Istanbul Airport on arrival and transfer you back to your hotel on day three.

What kind of hotel will I stay in?

You stay in a cave hotel carved into the rock: either Solem Cave Hotel, Garden Inn Hotel, Hancı Cave Hotel, Dervish Cave Hotel or a similar standard property. Both nights are included in the package.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

Included are return domestic flights from Istanbul, airport transfers, two nights' accommodation, two full-day guided tours, and lunch during the tours. Dinner is not included, and personal expenses are separate. The hot air balloon is optional and costs extra if you add it.