Where to stay in Cappadocia
Visiting Cappadocia will take you through a fascinating history and magnificent natural landscapes. When planning your trip to the region, you cannot miss four fantastic places: Göreme, Uchisar, Urgup and Ortahisar.
Any of these towns are good places to stay in Cappadocia. If you have doubts about which one to choose, I will tell you a little about each town and what you can do in each one.
At the end of this post you will find a map of Cappadocia in which I have marked the towns where I recommend staying, places to see in the region and hotel recommendations in Cappadocia. I hope it is very useful for you to plan your trip to Turkey.
🚗 Do you need a car for your stay in Cappadocia? I recommend checking Discover Cars out since it has the best deals!
1. Göreme, best town to stay in Cappadocia
Göreme is one of the most famous and picturesque villages in Cappadocia, located within the Nevşehir province. From cave hotels offering a mix of comfort to history, it is a village with a wide range of accommodation choices, from very budget to the most luxurious. It also has a number of restaurants and a pretty lively nightlife, making it an excellent base to tour the surrounding landscapes.
The main attraction in Göreme is the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its rock-carved churches featuring ancient frescoes. Being centrally located, the village provides easy access to several iconic valleys of Cappadocia, including Rose Valley, Red Valley, and Love Valley, making it an ideal starting point to explore the stunning natural beauty that the region has in store.
I myself have stayed in Göreme on my two trips to the region. The first time, I stayed at Koza Cave Hotel, one of the best hotels in Cappadocia, known for its luxurious cave rooms and breathtaking views. On my second trip, I opted for Heybe Hotel & Spa, which offered a comfortable stay with the added benefit of a relaxing spa. I’ll share more about these two places below.
Advantages of staying in Göreme:
- Central location, perfect for visiting the whole region.
- A wide variety of accommodations to choose from, including cave hotels.
- It has a great atmosphere, and the landscapes are stunning.
Disadvantages of choosing Göreme:
- Being a very popular place, especially in high season, it can be too crowded.
- For the same reason, prices for hotels and restaurants tend to be much higher.
Recommended hotels in Göreme
We stayed at Koza Cave Hotel, a charming cave hotel located in Göreme, Cappadocia. The hotel features a beautiful terrace, perfect for watching the sunrise with hot air balloons filling the sky or enjoying a peaceful sunset. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, making it feel like a home away from home, and the staff was incredibly friendly and always ready to assist with anything we needed. Our room itself was spacious and tastefully decorated, adding to the overall comfort of our stay.
Now, Koza Cave Hotel is quite a fashionable choice, and while the prices have increased significantly, it’s still worth it because it’s one of the nicest places to stay in Cappadocia. On our second visit, we chose Heybe Hotel & Spa, also located in Göreme, and had a very pleasant stay. The room was spacious and cozy, and the breakfast was delicious. The hotel also features a lovely spa, which I highly recommend for some relaxation.
Here are some other top hotels in Göreme for different budgets:
- $: Arch Palace. A family-run hotel in the heart of Göreme, offering rooms with private bathrooms and heating. A traditional breakfast is served, and guests can enjoy a terrace with views.
- $$: Antique Terrace Cave Suites. A beautiful hotel featuring a terrace with stunning views. It offers double rooms and family suites, and serves a buffet breakfast.
- $$$: Vista Cave Hotel. This hotel is ideal for watching the famous Cappadocia balloon sunrise from its terrace. It provides double rooms and suites, along with a buffet breakfast.
2. Uçhisar, one of the best places to stay in Cappadocia
Uçhisar is a village located at the highest point of Cappadocia, 5 km from Göreme. Although you can also find beautiful examples of buildings carved in stone, the main tourist attraction is the Uchisar Castle.
From the castle you can enjoy a great view of Cappadocia, including Mount Erciyes, the highest mountain in the central part of the Anatolian Peninsula. Around Uchisar you can take pleasant walks through the White Valley (Bağlıdere Vadısı) and Pigeon Valley(Güvercinlik Vadısı).
Advantages of choosing Üçhisar:
- The panoramic views from many hotels are incredible, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding landscapes.
- The area is much quieter than other parts of Cappadocia, making it ideal if you’re seeking a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
Disadvantages of choosing Üçhisar:
- There are fewer options for leisure activities and dining compared to busier areas like Göreme.
- Some parts of Üçhisar can be difficult to access due to the hilly terrain.
Best hotels in Üçhisar
Here are some great hotel options in Üçhisar, each offering a unique experience:
- $: Uchisar Cave House. A budget-friendly option with a unique cave setting. The hotel features a terrace and restaurant where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast every morning. It offers several types of double and triple rooms, blending modern comfort with traditional cave design. Perfect for those seeking an authentic yet affordable experience.
- $$: Helike Cave Suites. This mid-range hotel features a lovely garden and terrace with excellent views of the surrounding area. Helike Cave Suites offers both double rooms and suites, providing a comfortable stay. The à la carte breakfast is a highlight, with a variety of dishes made to order. Ideal for guests looking for a mix of comfort and natural beauty.
- $$$: Rox Cappadocia. Situated next to Üçhisar Castle, Rox Cappadocia is a higher-end choice, renowned for its breathtaking views of the valley from multiple terraces. The rooms stand out for their stone walls and designer furnishings, creating a luxurious cave experience. Breakfast is a treat, with homemade and local products that give a taste of Cappadocian cuisine. Perfect for those seeking a boutique, luxury stay.
- $$$$: Taskonaklar. A premium hotel combining traditional architecture with natural elements for a truly upscale experience. Taskonaklar offers a variety of rooms and suites, many with private terraces or jacuzzis. The hotel’s extensive terraces provide stunning views of the valleys, making it an ideal choice for those who want to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying luxury accommodations.
3. Ürgup, where to stay in Cappadocia if you seek luxury
This city, located 20 km east of the city of Nevşehir, was once occupied by a Greek settlement until 1923, the year in which the Turkish government expelled said settlement. For this reason, the architecture of Urgup combines traditional cave structures like other cities in Cappadocia with elegant Greek houses of the early 20th century, giving the city a unique contrast.
In addition, its busy life and the luxurious boutique hotels in Urgup make it a reference point to explore Göreme Valley. Staying in Urgup is a great option if you prefer a luxury hotel.
Advantages of choosing Ürgup
- This is the cultural center of Cappadocia, so there are many stores and restaurants.
- There is a wide selection of hotels of different categories to choose from.
Disadvantages of opting for Ürgup:
- During some times of the day, it can get crowded, and some congestion can form on its main streets.
Recommender hotels in Urgup
These hotels in Ürgup are worth considering:
- $$: Elif Stone House. This hotel occupies a stone mansion from the 1840s. It has an outdoor pool.
- $$$: Dere Suites Cappadocia. Nice hotel with a charming terrace. It has a bar and restaurant. They have double rooms and family suites.
- $$$$: Sacred House. Hotel located in a 250-year-old Greek mansion. The facilities combine the traditional with the modern to offer the best possible experience. There is a bar and restaurant.
🏥 One of the main steps when organizing a trip to this country is to purchase a good travel insurance policy for Turkey, as you never know what can happen. I always use and recommend Heymondo, where I can offer you a 5% discount on your next travel insurance policy.
4. Ortahisar and its incredible castle
This small town, located east of Nevşehir, is a representation of the lifestyle of ancient Cappadocia, as it preserves the agricultural spirit of the region.
You will find beautiful cobbled streets flanked by old houses immersed in stone, as well as fragrant citrus shops, hidden among its streets. In addition, you can enjoy impressive views of the Ortahisar Castle, an 18-meter-high rocky monument that stands in the middle of town and was used as a fortress in Byzantine times.
Although in Ortahisar you will find fantastic cave hotels, the price range can be a bit high, therefore I recommend staying in Göreme if you want to find hotels at a great price.
Advantages of choosing Ortahisar:
- The place is much quieter than other areas, such as Göreme or Ürgup, so if you are looking for a peaceful stay, it is a great choice.
- It has a more local atmosphere, so you can enjoy a more authentic experience.
Disadvantages of choosing Ortahisar:
- There are fewer hotel options, and they are more geared towards a high budget.
- There are not as many shops or restaurants as in other areas.
Recommended hotels in Ortahisar
The following hotels are great options for a unique experience:
- $$: Hezen Cave Hotel – It is a great option if you are looking for a cave hotel in Cappadocia. There is a bar, restaurant, and terraces to enjoy the views and tranquility.
- $$$: Elika Cave Suites – Hotel with wonderful facilities that will make you live an unforgettable experience. There is a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, and spa.
As you’ve seen, Cappadocia is a fantastic region full of many tourist attractions and a variety of hotel offers. Göreme, Uçhisar, Urgup and Orthaisar are the best towns to stay in Cappadocia.
However, Göreme is the preferred option for most travelers as it has excellent value-for-money hotel options and it is close to many attractions in the region. Plus, there are many shops and restaurants there!
Map of best areas to stay in Cappadocia
I have created this map to help you choose your hotel in Cappadocia.
You will see the main towns to stay in Cappadocia in orange; he different hotels I recommend (with their respective links to Booking) in red; the places to visit in Cappadocia in blue; and, finally, the places to see the sunrise or sunset in yellow.
You can click on each of the boxes in the drop-down menu on the map to see the areas, hotels, or places to visit. This will make it much easier for you to organize your trip and choose where you want to stay in Cappadocia.
I hope this post about where to stay in Cappadocia has been informative and very useful to you in planning your trip to this area of Turkey. If you have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or email me. Until next time, travelers!
