2 Days in Cappadocia: A Step-by-Step Itinerary
Even a week isn't enough to see everything in Cappadocia, but a well-planned 2 days covers the highlights. This itinerary assumes you're staying in Göreme, Ürgüp or Uçhisar.
Day 1: Balloons, fairy chimneys and sunset
- Sunrise: hot air balloon ride. Book it for your first morning so the second is a backup if the weather cancels the flight.
- Morning: after breakfast, visit Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of frescoed rock-cut churches.
- Midday: climb Uçhisar Castle for the widest panorama in the region.
- Afternoon: the rock formations of Paşabağ (Monks Valley) and Devrent (Imagination) Valley, then a pottery workshop in Avanos.
- Sunset: Red Valley. Getting there by ATV or on horseback is a great way to end the day.
- Evening: don't leave without trying testi kebab, Cappadocia's famous pottery kebab.
Day 2: Underground city, Ihlara and wine
- Morning: if your balloon didn't fly yesterday, this is your backup. If it did, enjoy a slow breakfast.
- Late morning: Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city. A guide makes life between the levels much easier to understand. See our underground city tour.
- Midday: walk along the Melendiz stream in Ihlara Valley and visit Selime Monastery at its end.
- Late afternoon: wine tasting at boutique vineyards around Ürgüp.
Getting around and where to stay
- Distances between sights add up. If you're not renting a car, tours with transfers save a lot of time.
- Göreme is best for walkable restaurants and balloon views. Ürgüp is quieter.
- Fly into Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir Cappadocia (NAV) airport. For airport transfers, see our contact page.
Not sure which month to go? Read the best time to visit Cappadocia.
