Cappadocia has many small villages Goreme. Urgup Uchisar and Zelve being the most well known. The World Heritage listed Open Air Museum is located in Goreme and its famous rock hewn churches with their frescos dating from the 9-11CAD. The Church of St Barbara is the most famous.
The volcanic rocks around Goreme and surrounding villages eroded into amazing shapes of pillars and minaret formations The local population lived in cave type dwelling and many have now been made into cave hotels for tourists. Some people still occupy them. There are many valleys of these erosion’s such as Rose Valley, Red Valley. Love Valley which provide opportunities for trekking and horse riding.
Viewing points all around the villages provide stunning views for visitors.. Many International and Turkish movies have been filmed in the region.
The area contains several underground cities, the most famous are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli The early Christians used these cities as hiding places from invasion and also for storage. Ilhara Valley with its beautiful gorge and nearby Guzelyurt (Monastery Valley) are a must! No trip to Cappadocia is complete without a sunrise balloon ride over it’s spectacular valleys! To glide over this spectacular landscape is like nowhere else in the world!