We’re wrapping up an unforgettable stay in Cappadocia, Turkey, and I wanted to take a moment to share some highlights from our time exploring this surreal region. There is some disagreement as to where the name came from but the most accepted theory is that it stems from the ancient Persian word “Katpatuka” which translates to “the land of beautiful horses”. Cappadocia isn’t a city, or even contained within a single province, but refers to an area that is contained in 5 of them: Nevşehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Kırşehir, and Niğde. We stayed in Nevşehir in the town of Göreme.
Pottery, Caves, and Christian Heritage
One of our first excursions gave us a great introduction to Cappadocia’s unique landscape and history. We joined a tour that included a visit to a local pottery workshop where we saw firsthand how the region’s world-renowned ceramics are made. The craftsmanship was incredible, and the pottery tradition here goes back generations.
Next, we explored a collection of Byzantine-era Christian churches and a monastery, all built into the soft rock of the region’s caves. What’s fascinating is that these caves were hand-carved and served as places of worship during a time when Christianity was still illegal under Roman rule—hundreds of years before Emperor Constantine legalized the religion.
Unfortunately, photography wasn’t allowed inside these ancient churches, but the frescoes were unforgettable—vibrant and detailed depictions of biblical scenes that have survived for over a thousand years. Seeing these relics in person was a powerful reminder of the resilience of faith and art through time.
The Mushroom Rocks of Cappadocia
The region’s iconic rock formations—those tall, thin spires that look like mushrooms or chimneys—are remnants of ancient volcanic eruptions. Millions of years ago, ash and lava covered the area. Over time, wind and water carved these fantastical shapes. They’re still changing today, though incredibly slowly. It’s like watching a natural sculpture garden created by eons of erosion.
A Sunrise Balloon Ride Over Göreme
Of course, no trip to Cappadocia is complete without a hot air balloon ride, and we were lucky enough to experience one over the stunning town of Göreme. We were picked up from our hotel at 4:20 AM and were back by 8:00—just in time for breakfast.
The experience was similar to our balloon ride over Teotihuacan earlier this year, but with a few differences. The baskets here are much larger, fitting up to 23 passengers, and there was less concern about weight limits—we even brought our bags along. The landing was picture-perfect, directly onto the trailer.
Afterward, we toasted the flight with a small celebration and received honorary flight certificates—a fun tradition that always makes these experiences feel just a little more special.
Kaymakli Underground City and Selime Monastery
On our final full day, we joined another full-day tour. Before the tour meeting time we started the day early with some sunrise photos from a high view point over the fairy chimneys of Göreme. Then, after breakfast, we met up with our guide for a deeper dive into the region’s history.
First up was the Kaymakli Underground City, believed to have been first carved around 100 AD. It was used for about 300 years, mostly as a hiding place for early Christians when Roman soldiers passed through the area. The underground tunnels were surprisingly cool and comfortable compared to the scorching 100°F temperatures outside. It’s believed that people would hide underground from a week up to a month at a time. The city is complete with food storage, kitchens, and stables for farm animals. One of the most impressive structures were the air shafts which serve two purposes. One is for fresh air. Second, the shafts were dug down to the water table level so they also provided access to water.
We also visited the 5th-century Selime Monastery, an imposing complex carved high into the cliffs, and then took a short hike through the Belisirma Valley, a beautiful natural area filled with lush greenery and dramatic rock formations.
Final Impression
Cappadocia has been like walking through a history book—where geology, history, and human resilience all intersect in the most spectacular ways. From floating above ancient valleys at sunrise to walking through millennia-old cave dwellings, the experience has brought history vividly to life.
We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to explore this extraordinary region.
