Need help planning a 3 day Cappadocia itinerary? This guide will show you the best things to do in Cappadocia in 3 days to help you maximize your time.
From ethereal valleys dotted with fairy chimneys to colorful hot air balloons floating in the sky every morning and underground cities rich in history, there are so many reasons why people visit Cappadocia.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to spend 3 days in Cappadocia, including how to get there, the best places to stay with the best view, the best time to visit, and other helpful tips.
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Where to Stay in Cappadocia?
Goreme
Most people spending 3 days in Cappadocia will stay in Goreme since it’s close to all the main attractions and restaurants.
There’s also a bus station right in the center that takes you to and from all major cities in Turkey like Fethiye, Istanbul, Antalya and more. Below are some suggestions on where to stay in Goreme:
Luxury: Sultan Cave Suites is one of the best luxury hotels in Goreme with excellent views over the valleys and hot air balloons. Their terrace is definitely the perfect spot for a photoshoot with the balloons. Check latest rates here.
Mid-range: Zara Cave Hotel is located within walking distance of the bus station and restaurants. It has a lovely terrace where you can watch the hot air balloons. Check latest rates here.
Budget: Cappadocia Cave Rooms is one of the cheapest places to stay. The rooms are really nice and clean and the terrace offers great views. A delicious breakfast is also offered every day. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN GOREME
Uchisar
Located at the highest point in Cappadocia, Uchisar offers great views over the valleys. It’s less popular than Goreme since it’s located slightly away from the major tourist attractions (except for Uchisar Castle).
If you decide to stay in Uchisar, you’ll need to rent a car, hire a private driver or take the public bus that runs every 30 minutes. Below are some suggestions on where to stay in Uchisar:
Luxury: Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa is a great luxury hotel with a nice swimming pool overlooking the fairy chimneys. If you’re traveling with a large group, you can book their private pool villa. The location is great, within walking distance of restaurants and the Love Valley trailhead. Check latest rates here
Mid-range: Taskonaklar Hotel has one of the best views in Uchisar. Some of their rooms even have a private bathtub perfect for relaxing with a view. It’s located about a 5 minutes walk from Uchisar Castle. Check latest rates here
Budget: Anatolia Raymonde Cave House is a great budget hotel in Uchisar with a free buffet breakfast. The restaurant located on the terrace offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. Check latest rates here
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN UCHISAR
How many days in Cappadocia?
I believe that 3 days in Cappadocia is the ideal amount of time to see all the main attractions and take a hot air balloon ride. I wouldn’t recommend staying more than 4 days unless you absolutely want to visit as many valleys as possible.
Below is a suggested 3-day itinerary:
Day 1: Hot air balloon ride, Goreme Open Air Museum, Sword Valley, Rose Valley, horse riding or ATV tour
Day 2: Green Tour – Selime Cathedral, Ihlara Valley, Kaymakli Underground City
Day 3: Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle, Love Valley, Sunset viewpoint
Cappadocia Itinerary Day 1
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Begin your 3 day Cappadocia itinerary by taking a hot air balloon ride. I highly recommend scheduling your flight on your first day in Cappadocia as opposed to your second or last day since it can get canceled due to bad weather.
As one of the most popular things to do in Cappadocia, I also recommend booking your hot air balloon flight in advance since they usually sell out several weeks/months in advance, especially during peak season (June to August).
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
I chose Royal Balloon since they are a reputable company with 5* reviews on Tripadvisor and highly experienced pilots. The price also included hotel transfers, buffet breakfast, champagne and insurance.
They have 3 options to choose from – Royal King Flight (max 8 passengers), Royal Queen Plus Flight (max 16 passengers) and Royal Queen Flight (max 20 passengers). You can read more about my hot air balloon experience in Cappadocia here.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROYAL KING FLIGHT
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROYAL QUEEN FLIGHT
Floating above the picturesque valleys while being surrounded by hundreds of colorful balloons is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should add to their Cappadocia itinerary.
Related post: Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
Goreme Open Air Museum
The UNESCO site of Goreme Open Air Museum is one of the most popular places to visit when spending 3 days in Cappadocia. This area is filled with a series of churches carved into the rocks.
The insides of the churches are adorned with colorful paintings depicting the life of Jesus. The Dark Church has the most well-preserved paintings but does require an additional entrance fee.
If you’d like to learn more about the churches, you can rent an audio guide at the entrance or book the Red Tour which also includes visits to Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), Monk Valley and the underground city. You’ll be accompanied by a local guide who will give you in-depth information about the places you’ll be visiting.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CAPPADOCIA RED TOUR
Since the museum is relatively small, it should take about 1-2 hours to visit. Note that photography and videography aren’t allowed inside most churches.
Tokalı Church
Also part of the Goreme Open Air Museum is Tokalı Church (Buckle Church). Since it’s found along the main road, there’s no entrance fee to visit. You’ll also find some beautiful frescos inside the church but again photography isn’t allowed inside.
Entrance fee: Free
Sword Valley
Not too far from Goreme Open Air Museum is Sword Valley. This short but scenic hike takes you along pointy-shaped rock formations with several lookout points.
The Sword Valley trailhead is found next to Tokalı Church (you can search for “Sword Valley” on the maps.me app to find the hiking route). It should take between 1 and 2 hours to explore or you can combine it with the Rose Valley hike.
Entrance fee: Free
Rose Valley
If you’re wondering what to see in Cappadocia in 3 days, I recommend Rose Valley. The pink shade of the mountain ridges is what makes Rose Valley a popular place to visit. Along the trail, you’ll also find some cave dwellings with churches inside.
As mentioned above, you can combine it with the Sword Valley hike or start from Goreme city center. Another option is to do a loop from Goreme to Rose Valley via Red Valley (details of the hiking route can be found here).
If you don’t want to do the full hike, you can just head to the viewpoint here. It’s easily reached by car or you can walk from Goreme in about 30 minutes.
At the viewpoint, you’ll also find a van that has been converted into a cafe selling juices and hot wine.
Entrance fee: Free
Horse Riding
If you don’t want to hike, another great way to explore the valleys is to book a guided horse riding activity. The tour lasts about 2 hours and includes several stops to admire the landscape and take photos.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HORSE RIDING ACTIVITY
ATV Tour
If you want to see as much as possible in a short amount of time, I recommend taking this sunset ATV tour. The tour will take you along Sword Valley, Cavusin village, Red Valley, Love Valley, and finally end at Rose Valley for sunset.
Keep in mind that it can get quite dusty while riding in the valleys but it’s still a fun activity to do if you want a slight rush of adrenaline.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN ATV TOUR
Cappadocia Itinerary Day 2
Watch the Hot Air Balloons
Wake up early to watch the hot air balloons either from your hotel or from the sunrise viewpoint.
Most hotels in Cappadocia have a terrace where you can watch the balloons. Some of them even have a special setup with Turkish rugs and cushions where you can have a little photoshoot with the balloons.
Hotels like Sultan Cave Suites, Koza Cave Hotel and Mithra Cave Hotel are some of the most popular ones with the best view.
FIND HOTELS IN CAPPADOCIA WITH THE BEST VIEW HERE
Go on a Green Tour
For your second day in Cappadocia, I recommend exploring further away from Goreme to Ihlara Valley, Selima Cathedral and Kaymakli underground city.
Most people choose to visit as part of a tour since there are no public buses that go all the way to these attractions and taxis are quite expensive.
This Green Tour is the most cost-effective option and includes all entrance fees, lunch, hotel transfers and an English-speaking guide. Also, having a guide while visiting the underground city is essential since it’s quite easy to get lost inside.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CAPPADOCIA GREEN TOUR
Selime Cathedral
Selime Cathedral is the largest religious building in Cappadocia. Constructed around the 8th or 9th century, it was initially used by the early Christians to spread Christianity around Cappadocia.
It was later converted into a Caravanserai, a resting stop used by travelers along the Silk Road.
Inside, you’ll find a cathedral, churches, kitchens, sleeping quarters and more. There are still some paintings inside the churches but unfortunately, most of them have faded over time or are covered with soot.
But the highlight for me was the stunning views of the surroundings, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
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Ihlara Valley
Spanning 14 km with a river gushing through tall cliffs, waterfalls, lush vegetation and several churches scattered around, Ihlara Valley is a must-visit on any Cappadocia itinerary.
During the tour, you’ll walk only about 3.5 km. Since the trail is relatively flat, except for the initial section that involves walking down a set of stairs, the Ihlara Valley hike is ideal for most people as well as kids.
You’ll finish off in the village of Belisırma where you’ll have lunch alongside the river. The hike should take only about 1-1.5 hours to complete.
Tip: If you’re visiting on your own, I recommend starting your hike at this entrance and walking in the direction of Belisırma village so that you won’t need to walk back up the stairs. You can then ask your driver to pick you up at Belisırma.
Kaymakli Underground City
Another popular thing to do when visiting Cappadocia for 3 days is exploring one of the many underground cities. Two of the most popular ones are Kaymakli and Derinkuyu.
The early Christians used these underground cities to protect themselves from invaders during the Byzantine era.
They carved several narrow passageways into the ground where they constructed houses, churches, stables, food storage rooms, etc, basically a whole city where they would hide for months.
It’s a cool place to explore as you’ll witness how people used to live back in the day. At times, you’ll need to crouch really low to walk through the narrow passageways, so if you’re claustrophobic, this might not be the best place for you to visit.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CAPPADOCIA GREEN TOUR
Cappadocia Itinerary Day 3
Pigeon Valley
Another great hike to add to your Cappadocia 3 day itinerary is Pigeon Valley (also known as Guvercinlik Valley). It got its name due to the holes carved into the rock formations. These were used to harvest pigeon manure which was then used to fertilize the land.
The hike starts from Goreme center and takes you along tunnels, fairy chimneys and panoramic viewpoints. You can find the Pigeon Valley trailhead here and use maps.me app to find your way around. The walk from Goreme to Uchisar Castle took me about 1 hour to complete.
The trail is relatively flat except for a few inclines. About halfway through, you’ll find a small café and a toilet.
Entrance fee: Free
Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle is located at the highest point in Cappadocia, at 1,350 meters above sea level. It was previously used as a fortress to protect the city from invaders.
Nowadays it has become a popular tourist attraction thanks to its stunning 360-degree views. You’ll need to walk about 275 steps to get to the top but the view is well worth it. There are also several benches along the way where you can rest while enjoying the view.
Love Valley
Once you’re done exploring Uchisar Castle, make your way to Love Valley, famous for its phallic-shaped rock formations.
The entrance is found next to Ozler Center. Once you reach a small juice shop, you’ll need to hike down a rather steep and slippery path. Luckily the trail becomes easier after this section.
Toward the end of the Love Valley hiking trail is a small café and toilet. You can stop here for some food and drinks before making your way back to Goreme.
Note: The trail can be a bit confusing so make sure to download maps.me app to avoid getting lost. You can also check out this hiking route for the complete Goreme, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle and Love Valley loop.
Entrance fee: Free
Sunset Viewpoint
End the last day of your Cappadocia itinerary at the Sunset viewpoint. This spot has one of the best views in Goreme but does require a small entrance fee. You can also come here at sunrise to watch the balloons.
Other things to do in Cappadocia in 3 days
Blue Tour: Visit Red and Rose Valleys, Cavusin Cave Village, Derinkuyu underground city and Pigeon valley. Tour includes entrance fees, lunch, hotel transfers and a guide. Check price here
Red Tour: Visit Devrent Valley, Monk Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum and finish off at the underground city. Entrance fees, open buffet lunch, hotel transfers and a guide are included. Check price here
Private Tour of Cappadocia: Visit a panoramic viewpoint, underground city, Pigeon Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin village, Monks Valley and Devrent Valley. Since this is a private tour, you can personalize it according to your needs. Hotel transfers and a guide are included but you do need to pay extra for lunch. Check price here
Salt Lake Tour: Take a private tour of Saratli underground city, Tepesi Delik Han Caravanserai and Lake Tux (Pink Lake). Also included are entrance fees, lunch, hotel transfers and a guide. Check price here
Whirling Dervishes Show: Witness a religious dance ceremony where men spin on themselves in a trance-like state to become one with God. Hotel transfers are included in the price. Check price here
Dinner and folk show at a cave restaurant: Have dinner with unlimited drinks while watching traditional Turkish dances. Check price here
Turkish Bath: Take a traditional Turkish bath, including massage and body scrub. Check price here
How to get to Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is served by two airports – Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport and Kayseri Erkilet Airport. Note that they are located about 40 minutes and 1 hour respectively from Goreme. Once you get to the airport, you’ll then need to take either a private taxi or a shared shuttle to your hotel.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER
Another popular way to get to Cappadocia is to take the night bus. The bus station or otogar is located right in the center of Goreme, within walking distance of most hotels.
Buses are quite comfortable with reclined seats and you’ll get some free snacks and drinks. The bus will also make a few toilet stops along the way. I highly recommend bringing an eye mask and earplugs to make the journey more comfortable.
Although I don’t personally enjoy long bus rides, I still think it’s a great option for those traveling on a budget since you won’t have to book a hotel for the night.
Istanbul to Cappadocia
If you’re on a tight budget, you can get to Cappadocia from Istanbul by bus. Tickets cost about 30 EUR and the journey lasts about 12 hours.
On the other hand, if you’re short on time or don’t mind paying extra, you can instead take a flight for about 70 EUR. I flew back to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and it took only about 1h15.
BOOK TRANSFER FROM ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA HERE
Fethiye to Cappadocia
I took the night bus from Fethiye to Cappadocia and the journey lasted about 12 hours. The price for bus tickets starts at 30 EUR.
BOOK TRANSFER FROM FETHIYE TO CAPPADOCIA HERE
Antalya to Cappadocia
If you’re coming from Antalya, the bus will take about 10 hours to get to Cappadocia. The price for bus tickets starts at 15 EUR.
BOOK TRANSFER FROM ANTALYA TO CAPPADOCIA HERE
How to get around Cappadocia?
The best way to get around Cappadocia is to hire a private driver or rent a car.
I initially thought that buses would be readily available but it turned out that public transportation in Cappadocia is very limited. There are no buses that go to the valleys or even Goreme Open Air Museum. The cheapest way to get around is to walk which is why I recommend staying in Goreme.
Public buses (dolmus) are only available from Goreme to Uchisar or Nevsehir and back. They run every 30 minutes from 7.30 a.m to 7.30 p.m and tickets cost about 10 TL.
CHECK CAR RENTAL RATES IN CAPPADOCIA HERE
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Best time to visit Cappadocia
Since you’re most probably visiting Cappadocia for the hot air balloons, I recommend going between April and October when the weather is nice and there’s also less risk of cancellation.
While you can still visit in winter to see the valleys all covered in snow, you should know that the hot air balloon rides get canceled more often.
Another thing to note is that the peak season is during the summer months (June to August). The price of hotels and hot air balloon rides will be much higher and there will be more crowds.
So to conclude the ideal time to visit Cappadocia is during the shoulder season, that is; April/May and September/October.
I hope that you found this Cappadocia itinerary helpful. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. You can also check out this map for the location of each attraction mentioned in this itinerary.
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