Located in the middle of Turkey, the Cappadocia region is visited by millions of tourists each year who go for its volcanic rock formations, colorful cliffs and valleys, and ancient buildings carved into the rock. Here are some of the best things to do if you are visiting Cappadocia.
Hot air balloon ride
Perhaps one of the best ways to see Cappadocia's landscape is from the sky. A popular activity for tourists is a hot air balloon ride over the region, which is home to Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As they fly, tourists can watch the natural rock tower formations known as "fairy chimneys" pass underneath, joining as many as 150 colorful balloons in the air on the same day.
Exploring underground cities
Cappadocia is also known for the 200 or more underground cities carved into its soft volcanic rock. The largest of these cities, Derinkuyu, has 18 levels of tunnels and could be over 3,000 years old. Rediscovered in the 1960s, it is one of several underground cities in the area that are now open to the public.
ATV tours
For a higher-energy experience, consider an all-terrain vehicle（ATV）tour. Often lasting around two hours, the tours will stop at some of the top places to take pictures and enjoy the view. The best time of day to do an ATV tour is at sunset, when the rocks reflect the light from the sun in pink and red colors.
Hiking trails
For those who would like to do things more slowly, the region also offers many hiking trails that pass historical sites and places to enjoy the view. For example, visitors can find churches carved into the rock in Rose Valley and see ancient pigeon houses—carved into the rock for raising pigeons—on the Pigeon Valley hike.
