The Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1985. The park offers a landscape that is often described as “moon like”. Sculptured over millions of years of erosion the area does not only provide a unique setting but also offers evidence of settlements in this area of central Anatolia that date back to the post-Iconoclastic period. Buildings, villages and even whole underground towns have been dug into the stone by early settlers and some of the Byzantine art remains. A large number of rock churches can be visited all around the park. Early Christians had started to built churches here already during the first century. Many of those early Christian settlers had been prosecuted for their belief and come to the region to find shelter. Some of the underground villages reach up to 8 storeys deep, they offered shelter for the settlers and their livelihood and could be sealed off totally. In local villages such as Ürgüp, Avcilar, Yeni Zalve, Uchisar or Cavusini much of the traditional lifestyle of the area is still present. The park offers a number of museums, in Ortahisar a rock fortress can be visited while alone in the Ihlara Valley around 100 rock churches line the way along a 16 km long gorge. The park offers facilities for hiking, walking and climbing, trekking routes are signed out but please be aware that there are a variety of levels of difficulty. Local providers offer guided tours to explore the area. The Turkish Government recommends March to November as the best time for a visit.
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is one of the top attractions in Göreme, known for its unique features that attract numerous visitors each year.
Explore various stays near Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, including popular choices like Majestic Cave House, Turquaz Cave Hotel, TURAN Cappadocia Cave, Anatolian Houses Cave Hotel & SPA, Cappadocia Stone Palace.
Discover nearby attractions, such as Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Cappadocia Balloons, Asmali Konak, Peribacalar Vadisi, Goreme Open-Air Museum, all within a convenient distance from Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia.