Cappadocia

All our Cappadocia collections

• Best places to stay in Ürgüp
• Best places to stay in Göreme
• Best places to stay in Uçhisar

Cappadocia's wondrous lunar landscape was created around 70 million years ago, by a massive volcanic eruption. But it was the threat of a different kind of violence which lead people to dig the area's famous cave villages into the basalt. The volcanic soil had made the area rich and fertile, so there were plenty of people competing for this land. So people burrowed their cities underground, cutting into the rock and hollowing out around thirty underground cities and around a thousand churches. Creating a landscape, and a place, like no other on earth. Some of the best places to stay in Cappadocia are within these cave villages.

These days visitors to the region are the primary cave dwellers. Drawn by the crazy scenery - and the wonderful dwellings and churches, the region's dramatic and fascinating history and the opportunity for an active break against an incredible backdrop.

This peaceful scenery was created by drama and violence, but there's now a sense, in Cappadocia, of people living beside nature - there's a village-y rhythm to things. So it's a wonderful place to come to relax and to live at your own pace.

If you're here to relax, or for the scenery, then one of the first things you'll want to do is book your hot-air ballon trip. Even if this isn't the sort of thing you'd usually do you should definitely consider trying it here. This landscape is even more breathtaking from the air, when you're looking down on the 'fairy chimneys' - eroding volcanic pillars rising out of the land - and peach coloured gorges. The colours the land turns at sunset here are really something special…

Göreme

Right in amongst the fairy chimneys and cliffs crenelated like honeycomb, Göreme is so beautiful that it really does defy description. It's not entirely unspoilt, as a destination this beautiful is bound to attract visitors, but it somehow manages to retain its feeling of being a traditional village. And one where visitors are welcomed.

If you've done any research at all you'll know the Göreme Open Air Museum deserves your attention, and with it its myriad of wonderful churches and all their frescoes. You might also want to stroll the trails around the Rose Valley, for the best views.

• The Fairy Chimney Inn is one of the best places to stay in Cappadocia if you're looking for a traditional Turkish cave hotel experience. Rooms are decoratively sparse, but have wonderful rugs and local textiles, and you're cut into the rocks remember, so there are impressively carved fireplaces and many nooks and crannies. Some rooms sleep up to six, so this is also ideal for families.
• If you don't like the idea of sleeping below ground but you still want a cave hotel experience, the Sultan Cave Suites are an excellent compromise. This regal house is cut into the side of a cliff, so while some of the 30 rooms are cut into the rock they're not below the earth - obviously the impressive views of Göreme are a bonus as well.

Ürgüp

Ürgüp is one of the region's largest towns and its upmarket hotels and fine restaurants have given it the reputation for being one of the best places to stay in Cappadocia, and possibly all of Turkey as well. Ürgüp is also a good spot to explore this whole region from, and you're right near Ortahisar, where there's a castle, a monastery and a folk museum.

Most of the best accommodation in Ürgüp is in the town's honey coloured buildings, or in the back alleys of the Old Town where there are some prime examples of the local architecture.

• The Hezen Cave Hotel is a particularly fine example, and one of the best places to stay in Cappadocia if you like your accommodation rustic but chic, and with plenty of exposed stone. But most importantly, above ground.
• Serinn House is another wonderfully chic hotel in a wonderfully rustic setting. The minimalist decor makes the most of this beautiful, almost fort-like building, against this picturesque backdrop.

Uçhisar

Uçhisar has some of the best views of the whole of Cappadocia, because from the top of its castle you can see pretty much the whole region. Uçhisar also has some wonderful Ottoman style markets.

• If you're looking for a high end hotel experience, book the Cappadocia Cave Resort. This is a big hotel - there are 79 rooms - built into the hillside with stunning views of the valleys below. As well as the theatrical setting this resort also has several fabulous restaurants, cavernous rooms and suites and an impressive spa.
• Looking for somewhere romantic? Book the Museum Hotel. Another cave hotel, the Museum Hotel is especially warm and magical - probably because these are some of the most opulent caves you'll have ever seen, with charming antiques, subtle lighting, large warm spaces and hot tubs. The Museum Hotel also has one of Cappadocia's best restaurants.
• For a great value option, one of the best places to stay in Cappadocia is the Taskonaklar Rocky Palace, a charming complex of 18 rooms with excellent views and reams of history.

Still undecided? Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Cappadocia, or call, or email, one of our gurus for advice.