Visit to Turkey: Cappadocia with Göreme, Derinkuyu, and Kayseri

Where We Stayed

Göreme

Ottoman Cave Suites – Cappadocia
February 18–20
Okul Sokak Avcılar Mahallesi, 50180 Nevşehir, Türkiye

We stayed at Ottoman Cave Suites in Göreme. One of the highlights was breakfast in the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, which had a 270-degree view over the area. From up there, you could see the balloons from every side.

On our second morning, we watched the balloons while having breakfast, from around 9:00 to 10:30. On the first day, though, there were no balloons because of bad weather.

The breakfast itself was also memorable: lots of different Turkish salads, vegetables, and local specialties.

Kayseri

Grand Zara Otel – Kayseri
February 20–21
Osman Kavuncu Bulvarı 55, Melikgazi, 38000 Kayseri, Türkiye

For our night in Kayseri, we stayed at the Grand Zara Otel (formerly Grand Ulger Hotel).

One practical note for anyone returning a rental car at Kayseri Airport (ASR): the car rental return area was not signposted clearly, or at least not in English. The rental returns were located in the garage on the top floor.

Arriving in Göreme

We arrived in Göreme late on Wednesday night and walked to:

WOOD FIRE BARBEQUE
Aydınlı – Orta, Adnan Menderes Cd. No:3, 50180 Göreme / Nevşehir Merkez / Nevşehir, Türkiye

A nice touch at the end of the evening: we were given dessert on the house.

First Day: Göreme and Red Valley

Göreme Open Air Museum

Our first day started with the Open Air Museum.

One thing to know in advance: the audio guide can only be downloaded with an individual ticket.

The area around the museum felt quite touristy, and one small detail made that especially obvious: tea was 50 lira there. For comparison, in downtown Tarsus, tea had been only 10 lira.

We visited Çavuşin on the way from the Open Air Museum to Red Valley. Çavuşin Church (Nicephorus Phocas Church) was closed to the public, but some of the nearby caves were accessible, so I was still able to climb into them.

Red Valley

Later, we went to Red Valley.

The parking cost 100 lira. From there, I went down from the plateau for a short hike. First, you walk down, then there is a ladder, and after that you follow the path back up.

After the hike, we returned to Göreme.

Dinner at Seten Restaurant

In the evening, we went to:

Seten Restaurant Cappadocia
Aydınlı Mah, Çakmaklı Sk. No:35, 50180 Göreme / Nevşehir Merkez / Nevşehir, Türkiye

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LeYuNEpoHZiF4RUo8

This was an excellent restaurant with a panoramic view.

Getting there by car meant driving through very small streets, which led to one clear mental note for Cappadocia:
always rent a small car.

Friday, February 20: Derinkuyu and On to Kayseri

On Friday, we drove from Göreme to Derinkuyu.

It was about 40 km, and it took around one hour at a leisurely pace.

Derinkuyu Underground City

The Underground City was one of the most impressive places we visited, and there were only a few tourists, which made it feel even more special.

What impressed me most was going all the way down eight stories underground.

Theodoros Trion Church

After that, we walked across the square to:

THEODOROS TRION CHURCH / THEODOROS TRION KİLİSESİ
Demirci, 50700 Derinkuyu / Nevşehir, Türkiye
9PCM+VG Derinkuyu, Nevşehir, Türkiye

There was an inscription on the plaque that read:

Theodoros Trion Church, also known as the Grapevine Church of the 19th century, which is one of the important Greek settlements of the region and has a bell tower, was built by the Ottomans during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid, in accordance with the San Stefano Treaty, in return for war compensation.

This very holy church of Agios Theodoros Trion was built during the reign of Emperor Sultan Abdulmecid Han, with his high will, with the encouragement of St. Iconion (metropolitan) Neofitos Efendi, and with the donations of the Christians residing here (Malakopi) and the efforts of the chief architect of Haldias, Kirako Papadopulos Efendi. It was dedicated to Agios Theodoros and was blessed and opened. May Allah protect this country from all dangers through him (Agios Theodoros), amen. The year 1858 May 15.

After visiting the church, we had tea in the plaza, which was a very nice way to slow down for a bit.