Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu Underground City: Our most recommended tours and activities

Cappadocia: Guided Green Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-Off

1. Cappadocia: Guided Green Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-Off

Goreme Panorama Our first stop will be goreme panorama there you will be informed about the cappadocia region , occurance of fairy chimneys and goreme village itself. Narli Lake We will see a volcanic lake whose colour changes during the year. Selime Monastery Selime Monastery is an astonishing rock cut structure incorporating a vast kitchen and soaring chimney. A church with a gallery all around it, stables with feeding troughs and other evidence of the troglodyte lifestyle… Ihlara Valley We will trek for 45 minutes in the canyon before the lunch. Belisirma Village (Lunch) About 80 km away from our starting destination we will find ourselves in Belisırma village of Ihlara valley. Just next to the Melendiz river we will have our lunch at a pleasant restaurant. Derinkuyu Underground City Underground cities are the signs of cappadocia, these mega shelters will blow your mind we will get inside of it and walk through narrow tunnels you will get to see wineries,food storages and a lot of different parts of the underground city for defending and living. Gemstone Store (Jewellery Store, Shopping Point) Turkey is a real treasure when it comes to stones and we will spend some time at this beautiful store with expert people about stones all around Turkey. We highly recommend you to listen them and your guide very carefully because you will want to know everything about color changing zultanite stone. Pigeon Valley People were using pigeons for a lot of different purposes for a long time. At the pigeon valley you will be informed about those reasons and you will get the opportunity to feed the pigeons of the valley. Spice-Dried Fruits Shop You can see Cappadocian type of coffee and traditional dried fruits.

Cappadocia: Small-Group Guided Green Tour with Lunch

2. Cappadocia: Small-Group Guided Green Tour with Lunch

Embark on a Turkish cultural and natural adventure on a bus tour of Cappadocia. See the region's highlights, including the Uçhisar Panorama, Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City among others. Tuck into a local lunch between incredible views. Start off with a visit to the highest point in Cappadocia: Uçhisar Panorama. This point is located in Uchisar Village, the highest village in the region between Nevsehir City and Göreme Village. Having a geostrategic position, this magnificent castle was used as an observatory for watching the whole region from the top to prevent enemy attacks. Then, drive to the Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground city, the widest, most enchanting, and one of the over 100 most wonderful underground cities in Cappadocia. The miraculously well-protected and maintained structure has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Then, pause to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, continue to see Ihlara Valley, near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz (two of the three volcanoes of Cappadocia). It is a canyon with a depth of approximately 80m and was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago with walking routes inside. Finally, head to Pigeon Valley. The valley is named for the many pigeon houses or dovecotes carved into the rocks and cliffs. Then, sit back and relax on your way back to your hotel.

Cappadocia: Green Tour - Ihlara Valley & Underground City

3. Cappadocia: Green Tour - Ihlara Valley & Underground City

Göreme Panorama First place in the tour is Panoramic view of Goreme. You get information about history, formation of Cappadocia while watching the fairy chimneys. Following the information, free time for photograph. Underground City After driving about 40 minutes, arrival to Underground City. This underground city was firstly used by the local people as a natural deep freeze, later by the late Romans as a shelter against potential Arabian invasions. With the clear explanations of your guide you will spend almost 1 hour here. Ihlara Valley Ihlara Canyon is 52 km. away from Underground City.Approximately 45 minutes later, you will be in the entrance of Ihlara Valley.Ihlara Valley was formed by the volcanic actions of Mt. Hasan, next to Ihlara Valley. Afterwards, Melendiz River eroded the valley for millions of years besides the layers cracked and fell down. Eventually, 80 meter- deep canyon was composed. Whole Valley is 14 km. length. In the past, generally Christians lived in the several parts of the Valley; also they carved churches and painted them. You will hike about 3,5 km.Hiking will last 1hour 15m.Then you will arrive to Restaurant for Lunch Lunch 1 hour for the lunch in the valley, next to the River. You will start with the soup and salad, later you will able choose one of the main dishes from the list. Lunch will be over with season fruits. Selime Monastry Our tour will go on with another movie- set-like place, Selime Monastery. At first look, the monastery looks like a castle, but shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages and big cathedral proves us its being a monastery. You get information about the monastic life in Cappadocia. Pigeon Valley Climbing to Selime monastery will exhaust you, probably. But till you arrive to Pigeon Valley, you will have about 1 hour to rest. Also, our guide will mention about some traditions, cultures and stories about Anatolia on the way. Upon arrival to Pigeon Valley, pigeons will meet you on the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been important for Cappadocian people. Their eggs and droppings were used for different purposes. For this reason, local people carved houses for them to the slopes of valley. You will see the reason why people call them “houses”, when you see them. Onxy Factory The Last place in the tour will be a visit to onyx factory in Uchisar. Onyx is a volcanic stone which has various colors and contains different minerals in. As being a volcanic area, Cappadocia has some onyx deposits. In the factory, a master will give you information about the steps of onyx shaping and you will watch a shaping show. 5-6 pm back to hotel

Cappadocia: Traditional Pottery Workshop

4. Cappadocia: Traditional Pottery Workshop

Join a pottery workshop and watch a display on how to mold clay into pottery. Try it for yourself . Also have great photos. Have some free time to check out the gallery. Enjoy some tea, coffee, and water for free as well. Choose a hotel transfer for convenience. Meet our driver at your hotel or come directly to the meeting point if you have chosen that option. Then, arrive at the Kybele boutique Ceramic gallery to start the workshop. Next, watch a demonstration on how to make red clay and try to make the red mud on your own. Mold the clay into the correct shape with the help of your instructor while having free tea, coffee, and water if you like, and check out the gallery. Finally, admire the pottery you have made and head back to your hotel.

Cappadocia: Underground Cities Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

5. Cappadocia: Underground Cities Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

Today, you will explore the most breathtaking parts of Cappadocia. At 9:30 AM, meet your guide at your hotel and drive to the Visit Rose Valley; is an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp ridges, tinted in pink especially during sunset!the minerals in the sandstone have a pink tinge. Next Cavusin; is surrounded by a valley, which becomes gradually wider, called as Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous with its rock-chuches. Next; Pigeon Valley; earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. Next; Underground Cities; once a place of refuge for 15000 christians. These settlements were of enormous value to the development of christianity as they provided shelter and worship and were in use until the end of 7C AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-storey city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. Tour continue with Ortahisar; famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. At the end of the tour drives you back to your hotel.

Cappadocia: Full-Day Private Highlights Tour

6. Cappadocia: Full-Day Private Highlights Tour

Get picked-up from your hotel. First, enjoy a panoramic view of Göreme and marvel at some of the best views in the region. Your guide will have plenty of knowledge to offer you about your surroundings. Afterwards, visit Underground City which is the biggest and deepest underground settlement. It has 8 levels connected with narrow tunnels. You will visit stalls, stores, churches, wineries, kitchens and the other sections which are open for visitors. While you are visiting the sections, your guide will complement the experience with their expert knowledge. Next, enjoy a local lunch in an authentic restaurant. After, visit Pigeon Valley which is located in Uçhisar town and offers another spectacular panoramic view. The next destination is Goreme Open Air Museum, where you can see rock-cut churches carved by early Christian monks. Your guide will give you information about Christianity and the Monastic Life of Cappadocia. The next stop will be Çavuşin, which is the Old Greek Village, abandoned after Population Exchange in 192. This town is located on the banks of the Red River which is the longest river in Turkey. It is famous for its pottery which started around the 2nd millennium B.C by Hittites. You will have a tour of the town and then visit a pottery workshop and learn about red clay work and ceramics. One of the masters of the discipline will even demonstrate the ancient free-hand technique that has been used throughout history. Visit a rug workshop where all the products are made by hand in the traditional way. Then visit Paşabağı where spectacular mushroom-shaped rock formations can be seen. Paşabağı is also called Monks Valley because of the Chapel of Saint Simeon which is located in the valley. The next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also known as İmagination Valley. The valley contains curious red rocks, some of which resemble animal forms: a camel, a lizard, an owl, a snake, a chicken and a penguin.

Cappadocia: Small-Group Guided Day Tour

7. Cappadocia: Small-Group Guided Day Tour

This full-day small-group guided tour of Cappadocia covers some of the most famous attractions of the region including the Göreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Avanos, Pasabag, and the Underground City. The tour includes pick up from your hotel and transportation in an air-conditioned van. You will be accompanied by a driver and a local guide who will provide insight into the history, culture and significance of the sites visited. The tour offers a great opportunity to experience the unique landscapes and monuments of Cappadocia, with a focus on the historic cave churches and underground settlements. Cappadocia (Pass By) Lying in south central Turkey, the moonscaped region of Cappadocia, southeast of Ankara, is most famous for unique geological features called fairy chimneys. The large, cone-like formations were created over time by erosion of the relatively soft volcanic ash around them. Past cultures have dug into them to create dwellings, castles (like Uchisar) and even entire underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, used as hiding places by early Christians. Nearby Kayseri is the gateway to the area. Goreme Open-Air Museum The Goreme Open-Air Museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church. It is obviously the first sight to be visited by any traveler in Cappadocia, standing as it does in the very center of the region with easy access from all directions. Pasabag Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General", the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road. Pigeon Valley is a popular tourist destination located in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. The valley is known for its beautiful scenery, rock-cut dovecotes, and hiking trails. Some of the highlights of Pigeon Valley include: Rock-cut dovecotes: The valley is known for its rock-cut dovecotes, which were carved out of the soft volcanic rock by ancient people. These dovecotes were used to raise pigeons for food, and they are a unique feature of the valley. Visitors can see the dovecotes and learn about the traditional way of life in Cappadocia. Uchisar Castle Uchisar is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia, on the Nevsehir-Goreme road, just 5 km from Goreme. The top of the Uchisar Castle, provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance.

Cappadocia: Guided Full-Day Tour with Lunch and River Walk

8. Cappadocia: Guided Full-Day Tour with Lunch and River Walk

Visit southern Cappadocia on a day trip from Ürgüp. See fairy chimneys and scenic river valleys, visit the underground city of Derinkuyu and refuel with a lunch break. Get picked up from your hotel in Ürgüp in the morning and begin your journey on an air-conditioned bus. As you set off, your guide will tell you about the sights you're about to visit. Your first stop is at the Göreme Panorama. Enjoy panoramic views over the town of Göreme and snap some stunning photos of the area’s fairy chimneys. Next, you'll stop at Derinkuyu to visit the underground city. This is the largest and most popular among the 36 underground cities that can be found in Cappadocia. They were originally built by Christians escaping persecution. Wander the city's rooms, including a winery and kitchens. As you explore, learn fascinating facts about Derinkuyu from your guide. Afterward that, continue toward Ihlara Valley, which is a 14Km green river canyon. The bus will drop you off and, together with your guide, you will enjoy a 3.5km walk along the river. There, you will get the chance to observe Ağaçaltı cave church that was built in the 4th century and includes paintings from the 10th century. Next, stop at a riverside local restaurant you will enjoy a much needed lunch break. Recharge your batteries and relax before continuing your excursion. Lunch includes soup, salad, and a choice between, trout, chicken, a vegetarian meal, or meatballs. After lunch, visit the Selime Cave Monastery. Admire the area's interesting rock formations and the monastery built into a cliff. In the lower section of the cliff, visit fairy chimneys and take some photos. On your next stop, take a short photo break follows in the Pigeon Valley on the outskirts of Göreme. Take a chance to admire nature and enjoy some panoramic views over the area. Finally, stop at the onyx jewel factory and learn about the craftsmanship that goes into their production. After that, the bus will drop you off back at your hotel.

Cappadocia: Valleys, Underground City, and Lake Nar Day Trip

9. Cappadocia: Valleys, Underground City, and Lake Nar Day Trip

Start with morning pickup from your accommodation in Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ortahisar, Mustafapaşa, or Ürgüp. Travel in a comfortable bus to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Valley) where you can see where hundreds of pigeon homes have been carved into the volcanic tuff rock. Find out how the pigeons were once used by local people before venturing to the Derinkuyu Underground City. Descend into the largest excavated underground city in Turkey. See a missionary school on the 2nd floor of the city, which has all the features which has a stable, cellar, dining hall, church, and winery. Next, make your way to scenic Ihlara Valley which lies in a canyon that contains about 50 rock-hewn Christian churches and buildings cut from the rocks. Stop for a tasty lunch in the village of Belisırma which is nestled in the Ihlara Valley. After lunch, visit Nar Lake which a crater lake that has thermal properties and is rich in calcium, sodium and bicarbonate. Return to your accommodation after enjoying Cappadocia's natural and historical wonders.

Cappadocia: Green Tour with Derinkuyu, Ihlara and Nar Lake

10. Cappadocia: Green Tour with Derinkuyu, Ihlara and Nar Lake

☑️ The first stop in this tour is goreme Panoramic View point, located at the highest point of Goreme, from where a stunning view of the village itself, rock hotels, nearby valleys and Uchisar castle opens up. The guide will give you detailed information about the region, its geological and historical past. ☑️ Derinkuyu Under Ground City: Underground cities are a unique feature of Cappadocia, they appeared due to the fact that the layer of soft tuff sometimes reaches a thickness of several tens of meters. It was easy enough for people to expand and deepen their buildings. Underground cities saved people from raids. In total, 36 underground cities have been discovered in Cappadocia. At first, these were more underground villages with a small number of rooms, but gradually, especially in the Byzantine period, they grew to the size of cities, accommodating up to thirty thousand people. The underground city of Derinkuyu, which translated from Turkish means "deep well", has eight underground floors and goes 55,5 meters deep. There are rooms for pets, warehouses, a dining room, a kitchen, wine cellars, a church and even a missionary school, a confessional and a font. The ventilation shafts of that time still function here, and the tunnels and halls are quite well lit. ☑️ Ihlara is a stone canyon that divided the plain into two "banks" like a deep ravine. Its length is about 14 kilometers, and its depth in some places is up to 150 meters. The canyon stretches from the village of Ihlara to the village of Selime. The small river Melendiz flows along the bottom. Ihlara served as a refuge for Christian monks, and therefore dozens of rock-cut churches and hundreds of residential caves were found here. The walking tour through the valley lasts 3.5 km. ☑️ Ihlara Valley Hiking: The murmur of the river, birdsong, delicious local cuisine - what you need to relax, gain strength and continue your journey! ☑️ Selime Monastery is located on the northern edge of the Ykhlara Canyon and is the highest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. The views from it are amazing! It is also notable for the fact that in one composition you can see all the components of the monastery ☑️ Pigeon Valley: The pigeons are very important in Cappadocia. Because if you need to grow herbs, vegetables, grapes etc. you need to fertalise the soil. otherwise the harvest will be inefficient and unhealthy. So you can see here lots of pigeon houses with lots of flying pigeons around. ☑️ Sweet Stop: the local sweets, nuts, delights whatever local here in Cappadocia you will have chance to try and buy.

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What people are saying about Derinkuyu Underground City

Overall rating

4.6
(284 reviews)

Good experience with a very friendly and prepared tour guide (Kubra). The tour itself has different pro such as the visit of the underground city Derinkuyu and the Selime monastery on top of all the stops made. Tasty the last stop to the candy/spices shop. The lunch was an experience itself since you eat on a gazebo on the river and the food is fine too. The only things I would integrate or modify the stops at the lake, beautiful and the walk in the ihlara valley.. they can be for sure improved.

The Trip was wonderful. Harun is super cool Guide. Everything worked perfectly.

The tour was very well organized and it was nice to be in a small group.

Very friendly and nice atmosphere. Was fun to try for the first time.

Cemil was an amazing guide, absolutely loved everything!!