Itineraries for Your Trip to Cappadocia
3 Days in Cappadocia for Families
Away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul or Turkey’s coastal cities, Cappadocia is great for families looking to relax and enjoy nature. The vast and dramatic landscapes and hidden cave churches here are full of discovery and delight for all ages. As an adult, I even feel a giddy, child-like joy when exploring this otherworldly region.
Cappadocia has something for everyone—history for the adults, hands-on activities for the kids, and an atmospheric setting for all to enjoy. Here’s what I would recommend for three days of family fun.
The weather in Cappadocia is mostly dry and arid, with hot dusty summers and snowy winters.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Pasabag, which has some of the most striking rock formations in Cappadocia.
Cappadocia’s “color” routes make it easy to see the vast region’s cultural and natural highlights without much planning. Start your trip with the Red Tour, which will take you to the Goreme Open Air Museum with its stunning frescoes, Pasabag’s dramatic “fairy chimney’ rock formations, the Love Valley, and beyond.
If you have crafty or slightly older kids, spend the rest of the afternoon in Avanos learning how to make the town’s famous pottery.
If your kids are old enough, wake up before dawn for a sunrise hot air balloon ride high over the Cappadocia landscape. While this activity might not be appropriate for very small children, older kids will be impressed with the views.
In the afternoon, go on a Green Tour to the southern part of the Cappadocia region. Visit the Derinkuyu Underground City as well as cave monasteries and dramatic valleys.
Hop on a Blue Tour today, which takes you on a leisurely hike through Soganli Valley. All ages will enjoy exploring the beautiful rock formations, old Greek villages, and abandoned monasteries in this part of Cappadocia. Alternatively, if you’re with older kids, you may want to opt for something a bit more adrenaline-pumping—horseback riding and off-roading are popular options.
Have a relaxing last evening with a picnic spot in Kizilcukur Valley where you can watch the sunset over the rippling rocks of Cappadocia. Don’t forget to snap a few family photos.
