Top Things to do in Goreme
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The 10 Best Things to do in Goreme, Cappadocia
A town literally carved into the volcanic rock, Goreme is the gateway to the Goreme National Park, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. The park itself is known for its chimney rock formations and is very popular with backpackers. It’s also a great area to sample Turkish cuisine and wine.
Restaurants in Goreme
1. Goreme National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,139 reviews
Reviewed By localfoodiebih - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
We visited Goreme in Oktober 2019. It was part of our honeymoon trip and we are still sad because we didnt spent at least couple days more at this magical place. We have heard about is before we came, we saw photos and videos, but believe me you cannot describe how beautiful this place is. It is perfect in September or October to visit since during the summer it is too hot. You can stay at cave hotels, visit open air museum, take one of the tours to visit couple more villages and underground cities and learn more about their tradition, culture and history of course. Prepare yourself to wake up early in the morning and visit Point of View place (ask locals) about directions and enjoy the view over the valley lighten by morning sun and hot air ballons.
2. Goreme Tarihi Milli Parki
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By 675annef - Portlaoise, Ireland
A wonderful experience BUT it would have been helpful if a step ladder was provided to help people into the basket. the basket is very high and there are two tiny holes to put your foot into but was too small to get my shoe into.The basket is divided into five sections the biggest naturally for the pilot/ driver there were five people squeesed into each of the other four sections twenty people in total and we were like sardines and could barely move. in my opinion four people to each section would be sufficient.The take off and landing were wonderful and the views from the balloon were marvellous looking down on very high mountains villages fairy chimneys farms etc. it was a terrific experience and would highly recommend it.
3. Goreme Open-Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,764 reviews
One of the top attractions in the region, this outdoor museum contains the remains of many churches carved into the famous Cappadocia stone. Of note are the many excellent frescoes that can be seen when exploring the various structures.
Reviewed By wheretonau - New York City, United States
Cappadocia-- Located in central Turkey is known for its distinctive " fairy chimneys," tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and near by valleys. This by far has been one of my favorite places to visit, with a moon like landscape, underground cities, cave churches daiting back to the Byzantine era and houses carved in the rocks! This region took my breath away...
4. Pigeon Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,232 reviews
Reviewed By travelingwithtw0kids - Ankara, Turkey
Very beautiful walk. Amazing surroundings. The signs should get some maintenance though. Many disappeared so sometimes we had difficulties finding our way.
5. Fairy Chimneys
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,989 reviews
Reviewed By claudiast - Rockville, United States
This rock formations that were formed through centuries of volcanic activity offer the most amazing shapes snd there is even a church in the caves. Amazing experience
6. Zemi Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By Marcotravelingaround
Great valley to hike. It takes around 4 kilometres to walk by the fairy chimneys and reach the beginning of Pigeon Valley.
7. Gulludere Vadisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,563 reviews
Reviewed By Anonymous06092001 - Hong Kong, China
Plan ahead if you want to watch sunset 1. Magnificent valley with unique tower shaped rocks. 2. The weather in Cappadocia in winter is pretty unstable as it often rains and snow. 3. Make sure to check the weather forecast before planning to see the sunset there. 4. Great view with cool rocks. It’s worth a go if ur in Cappadocia.
8. Love Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 609 reviews
Reviewed By claudiast - Rockville, United States
The view from this valley shows an amazing panoramic of all Cappadoccia and you can see the cave dwellings and the rock formations from another perspective
9. Sunset Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By berenicer2014 - Istanbul, Turkey
This is one of the best points to see either a sunset, a sunrise and of course the hot air balloons every morning at 5 am. This point is in the upper part of the main city of Cappadocia (Göreme) and is a bit tiring to go all the way up by walking but the views from there are incredibly beautiful and it worth the big effort. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, specially sneakers, I saw many girls wearing flip flops or sandals and they were suffering, is really rocky and sandy up there, Cappadocia is a place to wear the most comfy shoes! The best part of the sunset point specially if you want to see the balloons and want to get away from the crowd and take amazing photos just don’t go on the same way all the tourists go to (where a little shop is) go to the opposite side, and try to find a spot to go down and sit there, literally u will be alone and with better views than anywhere else! And the balloons u will have them riiight in front of you specially when they get too low in the city.
10. Karanlik Kilise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
The Dark Church(karanlık kilise), Göreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia Cappadocia with its unique fairy chimneys, balloon flights, nature and caves, church built inside fairy chimneys, monasteries ...The dark church(karanlık kilise) in Göreme open-air museum, which is among the few churches in the world with its frescoes. The first written sources with Cappadocia in the ancient period are the cuneiform and luvi hygrolyph tablets written in Hitit language, the information given by the geographer and historian Strabo in his work Geography, written by 3 Christian clergymen who lived in the region in the AD 4th century.The first written information about the region comes from the expeditions of the Akkadians to Anatolia, the trade colonies of the Assyrians and the tabal kingdom, the late Hittite state.The region is ruled by the Medes, Persians, Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire. Until AD 7 century was conquered by Islamic armies.the main reason why Christianity spread throughout Anatolia and more Eastern countries in the Cappadocia region is known as the Cappadocia fathers ;Basileios the great, his brother Gregorios of Nyssa and Gregorios of Nazianzos have activities in the region.in the Cappadocia region; It is known that there are more than 400 large and small churches, monasteries and chapels carved into caves, inside fairy chimneys.The dark church(karanlık kilise) is within the borders of Göreme open air museum today, it is within the borders of the province of Nevsehir and only 15 km away from the city center.The dark church, built in the cross-in-square type, is named after the dark because it receives a very limited amount of light and air. Low light has prevented the church frescoes from being damaged by natural conditions.The history of the dark church dates from the end of the AD 10th century to the 11th century. the church's frescoes are decorated with frescoes of events recounted from the Old Testament and the Bible.Abraham, Jesus, Mary,the apostles, miracles… The scenes of the church are: Deesis, Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Birth, Adoration of the Three Magi, Baptism, Resurrection of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry to Jerusalem, The Last Supper, Betrayal, Jesus on the Cross, Christ's Descent to Hell, Women at the Empty Tomb, Apostles Appreciation and Appointment, Ascension of Christ, Prophet Abraham Featuring hospitality, Cremation scenes of the Three Hebrews, and depictions of saints. LAST SUPPER ,ΟΔΗΠΝΟΝϹ ΜΥϹΤΥΚΟϹ (mystical food) The Last Supper scene is located to the southeast of the church.around a rectangular table, Jesus and his apostles appear. While Jesus blesses with his right hand, he is holding a roll in his left hand.it was staged with the Hale cross on the head of Jesus.sitting to the right of the table(left of the picture), Jesus is depicted with long hair and a beard.Peter of the apostles sat on the other side of the table .Other apostles on the table are depicted to reflect their personalities. The halos on their heads are depicted in 2 different colors. While Jesus blesses with his right hand, he is holding a roll in his left hand.Judas seems to have extended his hand to the table, unlike the others.The contemplative and sad appearance of the apostles indicates that Jesus explained who betrayed him.In the middle of the table there are fish in the plate and wine pots(silver goblets), forks and knives on the table.The proof that the meal is in the evening is the torch inside the street lantern(candelabrum). High structures are visible to the right and left of the torch. the inscription ΟΔΗΠΝΟΝϹ ΜΥϹΤΥΚΟϹ (mystical food) in Greek is seen next to the torch at the top of the stage. The origin of the Eucharist event, a central social ritual of Christianity, is described. ANASTASIS (resurrection of Jesus) Anastasıs scene is located to southeast of the church. In the middle of the scene is Jesus. The cross in his left hand, the Adam's hand with his right hand. Hades with his hands and feet chained under his feet is seen. Eve is seen on the left of the scene, and Eve is seen behind Adam.Adam is seen as long, with white hair and a beard .jesus is holding him right hand and is pulling him. Eve is standing behind Adam in a praying position with her hands open and looking up. Eve's names are written just behind her right shoulder and Adam on him halo. There are 6 figures behind the Adam and Eve, with only their halos visible. On those figures, He Profete (prophets) is read. The prophets mentioned in the old testament. to the right of the stage appear the prophets David and Solomon. David has a white beard and hair, and has an imperial crown on his head. Solomon is pictured in front of David as a young man with brown hair and no beard.his hands are open, and one hand is directed to Jesus. Inside the black rocky area at the bottom of the stage Hades stretches. His hands and feet are chained. Christ's left foot is Hades on his arm, his right foot is on Hades' left leg. Jesus holding with his left hand It stabs the handle of the cross into Hades' head. Hades has white messy hair and gums. There is a white loincloth on it. The figure with its head raised towards Jesus fear is felt on his face. Hell's broken near the head of Hades There is a brown gate chain and key pieces.
