Ten Things to Do in Cappadocia with a Tourist Visa
Once home to a bustling empire, and a melting pot for several Mediterranean civilizations, Turkey is now a city that gracefully balances its ancient and contemporary culture. So, if you have been excited about visiting this place, you’ll have to apply for a Turkish tourist visa online first.
You can get this visa by visiting our website, filling in the relevant details, paying the fee, and then receiving the visa within 2 days.
After that, you can visit Turkey. You should remember that this visa will let the authorities permit you to clear immigration. Furthermore, you can also travel around Turkey without any hesitation, as you will have to showcase this document at your hotel, the port, and other places.
You can contact our helpdesk to know more.
Why Cappadocia is a Top Destination for Tourists
Some of the reasons that should compel you to visit Cappadocia are its varied landscape, ancient sites of historical interest like the underground caves, riding hot air balloons, hiking and trekking through the landscape, shopping, and savoring the local cuisine.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
This is a thrilling experience that you should not miss out on when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online. That’s because you will get to witness the sights of Cappadocia from an altitude, without the hustle and bustle of modern civilization.
As part of the tour, you will get to explore places like the Cappadocia Love Valley, The Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Sunset Point, Red Valley and the valley of Goreme National Park.
Now, one thing to keep in mind is that you should book the trip in advance to avoid missing out on the best deals, as things get a little out of hand during the peak season. Furthermore, you can utilize applications like Balloon Scanner to check for available flights.
We would also recommend that you book a flight during sunrise for the best visibility and check the weather before you finally book a trip.
Explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum
This is a fantastic structure that you should certainly include on your itinerary when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online. The place was initially thought to be a settlement of monks and later considered to be a pilgrimage site dating back to the 20th.
You can explore the Dark Museum, the Chapel of St. Basil that was built in the 11th century, and the St. Barbara Chapel. As you walk down the trail, you will also view the Apple Church.
When you continue uphill, you’ll come across the Snake Church, and the famous Dark Church. After that, when the trail goes downhill, you can explore Rahibeler Monastery and the Buckle Church.
You should avoid taking photographs when you’re inside these churches.
Hike through the Rose Valley
You should certainly trek through the Rose Valley when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online. This place is called the Rose Valley due to the reddish rocks that it is made of.
The place you should check out when you’re there is the Sunset Viewpoint, which has a nice wooden bench with cushions. So you can enjoy the beautiful view in reasonable comfort.
Do remember to hike in the middle of the week, as a lot of tourists visit during the weekend. The best time to visit this place is during the mid-afternoon, as you will be unable to see anything substantial if you start the trek during sunset.
You can also have a wonderful picnic there.
Visit the Underground Cities
This is an interesting part of Cappadocia and was used by the Christians as a hiding place in the 7th century.
This place is interconnected through corridors. During the 7th century, this place had an entire system of granaries, kitchens, stables, rooms and provisions for ventilation.
Some of the places where you can find these cities are Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ozkonak, Tatlarin, Mazi etc.
This system was initially built by the Phrygian natives, after which Christians and Greeks continued making their additions to it. These caves protected several generations of natives, Christians, etc. from persecution and attacks.
They were abandoned in 1923 and later rediscovered in 1963.
Stay in a Cave Hotel
Another unique experience you should try out when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online is staying in a cave hotel.
While these are not literally caves, these are modern hotels that have modern amenities like swimming pools, in-room televisions, Wi-Fi, etc. However, their rooms have cave-like structures with ventilation so that you need not worry about suffocating.
Some hotels also have terraces from where you can view the sunset and sunrise if you wish to.
Visit the Fairy Chimneys
These are unique structures that look like the homes of fairies from popular folklore. Geologically speaking they are rocky pillars with mushroom-shaped coverings on top. They were formed during volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
People who love adventure can consider hiking through Rose Valley, which is near this place. You can also go mountain biking or horse riding through the Valley, which gives rise to a surreal experience.
You can also choose to sample the wine there since this industry dates back to more than 4000 years.
Enjoy Local Cuisine and Wineries
According to an old saying, “An army moves on its stomach”. It means that food is something that every human being and living being needs.
So, when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online, we would recommend that you take the time to sample the cuisine and tuck into a slice of Turkey.
Some dishes that we would recommend you try include the Manti, which refers to meat-stuffed dumplings served with garlic yoghurt, tomato sauce and butter. Others include Testi (or pottery) kebabs, Kuzu Tandir or roast lamb, Stuffed Quince and Divil (boiled potato meatballs).
You can wash them down with Ayran (a Turkish variation of buttermilk), Turkish coffee/tea or wine, as per your taste.
Go Horseback Riding
If you want to feel like the early Turkish warriors or travel back in time to the Ottoman Empire, then you can consider going horseback riding through the Zelve or Love Valleys. You’ll be able to enjoy a nice workout when you do so, and also feel rejuvenated and relaxed.
Pick one depending on your energy levels and moods. For instance, there are different trails like the ones in the Antalya Mountains trail, Aladaglar Mountains Trail, and others that help you explore different parts of the Cappadocian landscape.
However, if you’re new to riding, then you should consider practicing the art of riding by enrolling in a school with experienced instructors. After you do so, you should make sure that you wear a well-fitted helmet, and riding breeches, and remain alert in your surroundings.
Visit Uchisar Castle
One of the last items on our list is another place that you should not miss when you visit Turkey with your Turkish tourist visa online.
While you might confuse it for a rock formation or a hill formed by Mother Nature, it is a human-made building that its rulers built out of rocks. Now, people primarily climb or trek their way upward to enjoy the vista of the landscape and the Erciyes Mountain in the background.
Furthermore, you will be able to see the homes built by natives, on the castle walls, which will be a fascinating experience.
Shop for Souvenirs in Local Markets
Before you wrap up your trip, you should visit the local bazaars around or near your hotel. Doing so will help you further soak in the essence of this ancient town, that blends adventure, history, culture, and natural beauty.
Do remember to check out shops like Avanos and Goreme for ceramic products, Nevşehir Merkez for carpets and rugs, Urgup and Uchisar for Wine and Urgup for the Turkish Delight.
Furthermore, do remember to carry a printed copy of your Turkish tourist visa online, a valid passport, cash, debit/credit card, proof of hotel booking, and carry the appropriate clothes before you visit.
Additionally, do remember to research their culture and prepare accordingly. For instance, they like people who dress modestly, are polite, open to sharing, and who remove their shoes and cover their hair before entering a mosque and so on. Happy travels!