Cappadocia was on the top of my travel bucket list, and it’s easy to guess why! It is probably one of the most photogenic places in the world. The first day I arrived there, I’ve been astonished by the beauty of this place. The stunning result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago gave the region incredible landscapes that seemed to come from another planet. The whole place is a fairy tale and the place could have been used as the decor of Star Wars. It is also one of the best spots in the world for Hot Air Ballooning (see pics at the end).

Goreme Valley

Cappadocia is the entire region, but Göreme is the place you’ve probably seen pictures of the fairy chimneys. Houses are built on top of each other in messy ways that seemed to defy the gravity. I recommend spending at least one sunrise or sunset in Aydın Kırağı. The first night I arrived, I went directly to the best view point of the city, and at night it is magic! Welcome to Cappadocia!

The day after we woke up around 5:30am in order to catch the first lights of the day. They showed us the curves and the unique shapes of the mountains.

The Green route

Goreme is the touristic center of the region. If you want to avoid the tourists, don’t go there, it full of tourists from all over the world. The good thing is that if you don’t have time, you can easily book all what you need directly from the hotel. Everyone recommended the Green Tour, which is a day tour by car around the main attractions of Cappadoccia.

Panorama view above Goreme

Derinkuyu underground city

Derinkuyu is one of the most unusual reasons to visit Cappadocia. Cappadocia is not only a fary-tale kingdom above the surface but also underneath as well. They discovered hundreds of underground cities, and the biggest (Derinkuyu) hosted around 20,000 people! Only 8 floors are open to the public (reaching a depth of 85 m), and archaeologists estimate that the city could contain up to 18 subterranean floors!

Some people say that aliens made them, but historians confirmed that it is the creation of men during centuries. These underground Christian chapels, schools, mortuaries, food storages (…) protected families during wartime invasions.

Discover Hidden Chapels

Selime Monastery is the biggest monastery in Cappadocia region with a cathedral-size church inside. The structure was built between the 8th and 9th centuries. It’s fascinating to see how people took advantage of their natural landscapes to carve out houses in solid rock.

Landscape near Selime Monastery, which looks like a scene from a Star Wars movie.

Ultimate air Airballoon

Cappadocia is one the most visited location in the world for air ballooning. It is one of the few places in the world you can balloon almost all year round, and every day hundreds of balloons are flying. This is a must do in Cappadocia.

Ballooning in Cappadocia is one of the most impressive, magical things I’ve ever done, and well worth the visit to Turkey! I’ll be back, but next time to capture the landscape under a blanket of snow!

Views from the air is is a unique experience and offer new angles to shoot. Afer a few minutes of flights, I realized that hundreds of balloons were in the air. It didn’t look real!

The sun went out and offered an idyllic scenery. I was incredibly impressed by our pilot who fly safely very close to other balloons. Our pilot could fly at very low altitude, passing very close to the rocks. From the lowest points you could almost pick fruit from the trees!