Türkiye · Europe
Cappadocia
Hot-air balloons drifting over fairy chimneys at dawn.
- Best time
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Flight time
- 4.5h from London · 11h from New York (via Istanbul)
- Language
- Turkish
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- Time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
About Cappadocia
Why we love Cappadocia
Few sights compare to a hundred hot-air balloons rising over Cappadocia's valleys at sunrise. Wind and water have carved this region into a surreal landscape of rock chimneys, hidden churches and underground cities.
We pair Cappadocia with Istanbul, where Byzantine domes meet Ottoman palaces and the Bosphorus divides two continents, staying in cave hotels and waterfront palaces along the way.
Highlights not to miss
- 01
Sunrise balloon flight
Float over Love Valley and the Rose Valley as the rock glows pink.
- 02
Underground cities
Explore multi-level cities carved into the rock thousands of years ago.
- 03
A cave suite
Sleep in a boutique hotel hewn into the hillside, with terraces over the valleys.
- 04
Istanbul by private boat
Cruise the Bosphorus past palaces and wooden yalı mansions.
When to go
The best time to visit Cappadocia
Our travel designers recommend Apr–May, Sep–Oct for Cappadocia. Temperatures are average daytime highs; rainfall is the monthly average.
| Month | Average high (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 | 45 |
| Feb | 6 | 40 |
| Mar | 11 | 40 |
| Apr | 17 | 50 |
| May | 22 | 50 |
| Jun | 26 | 30 |
| Jul | 30 | 10 |
| Aug | 30 | 8 |
| Sep | 26 | 15 |
| Oct | 19 | 30 |
| Nov | 12 | 35 |
| Dec | 6 | 50 |
Journeys
Journeys to Cappadocia
FAQ
Cappadocia, answered
April to June and September to October bring calm mornings and mild temperatures. Flights run year-round, weather permitting.