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Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia

Göreme · Türkiye

Background

World Heritage since
1985
Type of site
Mixed
Protected area
99 km²

A landscape carved by erosion from volcanic ash into cliffs, rock towers and 'fairy chimneys', in central Türkiye. People cut homes, churches and whole underground towns into the soft rock.

The rock-cut sanctuaries of the Göreme valley hold unique Byzantine art from after the Iconoclast period. The dwellings, cave villages and underground towns date back to the 4th century, UNESCO says.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 9–3 million years agoVolcanic eruptions lay down the soft tuff
  2. 4th c.First monastic communities settle
  3. 1985Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Göreme Open-Air Museum
    Rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes, and the Dark Church.
  2. 2
    Derinkuyu Underground City
    Eight levels of tunnels below ground.
  3. 3
    Paşabağ
    Mushroom-capped fairy chimneys.
  4. 4
    Uçhisar Castle
    The tallest rock castle, above Pigeon Valley.
  5. 5
    Rose Valley
    Pink rock with hidden churches.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Balloon on Day One
Flights depend on the weather, so book your first morning to allow a retry.
Allow 2 to 3 Days
The GoGo Göreme guide spreads the valleys, castles and underground cities over several days.
Hike the Valleys
Rose Valley makes a good sunset walk.

A First Day in Göreme

From the GoGo Göreme guide · Open the Göreme Guide ›

  1. 05:00
    Cappadocia Balloon Flight3 hrs
    Over the fairy chimneys at dawn.
  2. 09:00
    Göreme Open-Air Museum2 hrs
    Rock-cut churches and frescoes.
  3. 15:00
    Uçhisar Castle and Pigeon Valley2 hrs
    The tallest rock castle.
  4. 18:00
    Göreme Sunset Point1 hr
    The town glowing at dusk.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Freezing days in Jan.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest May (45 mm), driest Aug (7 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 357 · Wikipedia: Göreme Historical National Park · Wikivoyage: Nevşehir (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Göreme guide · UNESCO listing