Cappadocia felt like another planet after Istanbul. Valleys of rock cones, houses carved into hillsides, and on a good morning, the sky filling with hundreds of hot air balloons.
We spent three nights here in September 2026, in Göreme. This is what we did, what it cost, and the one thing we’d tell anyone going.
In short: 3 nights in Göreme: a cancelled balloon, a second-try sunrise flight, an ATV ride, the Red and Green tours. Keep a spare morning.
How Cappadocia was made
Millions of years ago, volcanoes in central Anatolia covered this region in ash, which hardened into a soft rock called tuff. Wind and water slowly carved it into the ridges, valleys and “fairy chimneys” you see today.
Because the rock is soft, people have been carving homes, churches and storerooms into it for centuries. Monks settled here from the 4th century, and more than 200 rock-cut churches have been recorded, many with painted walls. Underground cities such as Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu were dug deep below the surface as places to shelter during invasions. Today Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The hot air balloon: our story
The balloons are the reason most people come to Cappadocia.
Our balloon flight on 8 September was cancelled because of the weather. Flights here go up only when the wind is right, and the decision is made early in the morning. We watched the sunrise from our hotel rooftop instead and hoped for the next day.
On 9 September we flew. In the beginning we were scared. Then the sun came up over the valleys, and we enjoyed the sunrise. It was amazing.
What to know before you book:
- We paid €600 for the two of us (about ₹66,630). It was our biggest single activity spend.
- Pickups are well before sunrise, often around 4:30 to 5 am.
- Keep at least one spare morning in Cappadocia. Ask your operator beforehand what happens if the flight is cancelled.
- Even on the ground, sunrise is worth getting up for. Many hotel rooftops in Göreme have a front-row view of the balloons.
The ATV ride at sunset
On our first evening we rode ATVs through the valleys at sunset. It cost €35 for the two of us and was some of the best value of the whole trip.
Red Tour or Green Tour?
Most visitors take one or both of the two classic day tours. We did both and loved both.
Red Tour (€90 for two)
Covers the area around Göreme: Paşabağ’s fairy chimneys, the Zelve open-air area, pottery in Avanos, Devrent valley and Uçhisar Castle.
Green Tour (€130 for two)
Goes further south: an underground city, a walk along the river through Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery carved into the cliffs.
If you only have time for one, pick the Green Tour.
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Harman Cave Hotel in Göreme, in a Superior Stone Room with breakfast, for 3 nights (₹34,504 for two). Its rooftop is where we watched the balloons on both mornings.
Getting there
We flew Istanbul to Nevşehir on AJet (about 1 hour 15 minutes). A shuttle from Nevşehir airport to Göreme cost €15 per person, paid in cash. Kayseri is the other nearby airport.
Tips for Cappadocia
- Keep a spare morning for the balloon. This is the most important one.
- Carry a jacket for the early balloon pickup.
- Carry some euros in cash for shuttles and small payments.
- Stay in Göreme if you want balloon views from your hotel.
Planning the full trip? Read our 9-day Turkey itinerary and Istanbul, the city of dreams.
Questions about the trip? Ask us on Instagram at @two_go_places.
