Cappadocia Red Tour: Göreme, Fairy Chimneys & Avanos Pottery

Summary

North Cappadocia Day Trip: Fairy Chimneys & Local Artisans

You’ll get to see Cappadocia’s most famous sights in one day—ancient cave churches, wild rock formations, hands-on pottery in Avanos—all with local stories that bring everything to life. If you want real insight into this region without rushing or missing details, this tour’s worth it.

What’s the experience like?

First thing in the morning, I watched the sun hit Uçhisar Castle’s stone walls—there’s always a breeze up there, and you can see the whole valley stretch out below. Our guide, Cem, pointed out old pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. He had this way of weaving in stories about Byzantine times that made it feel like we were walking through history instead of just looking at rocks.

Later on at the Göreme Open Air Museum, I ducked inside one of those cave churches. The air was cool and smelled faintly of dust and candle wax. You’ll spot faded frescoes—some faces are barely visible but you can still make out halos and robes if you squint. Cem explained how monks hid here centuries ago; it’s wild to think people lived in these caves for so long.

We wandered through Love Valley next. The fairy chimneys really do look otherworldly—some shaped like giant mushrooms. There was a guy selling fresh pomegranate juice from a cart; I grabbed a cup and sat on a rock for a minute just taking it all in. Paşabağı (Monks Valley) was quieter than I expected, with only the sound of wind rustling through dry grass.

Lunch was in Avanos at a family-run spot near the river—simple food but honestly some of the best lentil soup I’ve had. Afterward, we visited a pottery workshop where an older man named Mustafa showed us how he spins clay on his wheel. He let me try shaping a bowl (not as easy as it looks). The place smelled like wet earth and wood smoke.

Last stop was Devrent Valley—locals call it Imagine Valley because every rock looks like something different. Someone in our group swore they saw a camel-shaped stone; I thought it looked more like a dolphin. On the drive back, we pulled over to see “the three beauties”—three tall fairy chimneys standing together against the sky. By then my shoes were dusty and my camera roll was full.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cappadocia Red Tour Highlights

• Visit Göreme Open Air Museum
• Goreme Panorama viewpoint
• Explore Monks Valley (Pasabag Vadisi)
• Visit Devrent Valley (Imagine Valley)
• Lunch and visit Avanos town
• Pottery workshop demonstration in Avanos

Top questions

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant in Avanos—vegetarian options are available too.

Are entrance tickets covered?

All entrance fees for museums and sites are included in your booking price.

Will there be time to shop for pottery?

You’ll have time at the Avanos pottery workshop to browse or buy pieces if you’d like.

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

The route is mostly easy walking and suitable for all ages; strollers are fine too.

What’s included

Your day covers hotel pickup and drop-off, all site entrance tickets, lunch at a local eatery, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus an experienced guide who knows Cappadocia inside out.