Goreme
Price €42
Min age 0
Rating 4.89 / 5 [908 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Travel bucket list idea:
Goreme, Central Anatolia, Turkey
Cappadocia’s most visited site, just outside the village of Goreme, is a monastic complex consisting of dozens of chapels and cells set side-by-side, all carved into a natural amphitheatre of rock that has been preserved today as a UNESCO-listed open-air museum.
The complex contains more than 30 churches and chapels, some decorated with exceptional Byzantine frescoes dating from the 10th century to the 12th century.
Don’t miss the museum’s Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise; extra charge); the frescoes are exceptional. Another exceptional church is the Buckle Church (Tokali Kilise), which is just outside the main entrance (retain your ticket).
The entrance is half a mile outside Goreme on the Urgup road, a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride from the town. The site is well signposted, with useful information boards.
The compact site is easily negotiated by independent visitors, who are free to wander around at will, avoiding the bottlenecks caused by tour groups. For a more in-depth history of the site, audio guides can be hired at the ticket office.
As Cappadocia’s top site, it’s one of those places you just have to go to, but beware the crowds. It’s often swamped by coach tours, especially in the busier months.
The narrow entrances and tunnels are not designed for tour group visits, and are one in, one out, which can frustrate. Some of the steps and climbs may be arduous for elderly visitors.
There’s a fancy and ultra-modern café within the premises, otherwise Göreme has plenty of cafés for a snack lunch.
Open all year round, seven days a week. Avoid the queues by arriving early or late in the afternoon.
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