Göreme is the name given to a range of valleys that seem to have been carved out thanks to the imagination of a whimsical craftsman. This is probably why it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey, a country of extraordinary beauty that links Europe with Asia. The area’s beauty is the work of Nature, allied with the effect of the erosion of its volcanic soil, which has been moulded by the passage of time. Göreme Valley is located in Cappadocia in central Anatolia, 12 kilometres east of Nevşehir, and is home to dwellings, castles and even entire cities that have adapted to this unique environment. In short, Cappadocia and the Göreme valleys are truly an open-air museum that often leaves travellers speechless and surprised by the charm of such a special place. It is an otherworldly landscape where we must surrender. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to visit the wonderful Göreme valleys.
Göreme National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Göreme National Park (Cappadocia) is a spectacularly beautiful area that has been carved by erosion over the centuries. It is a real wonderland that should be explored when travelling to Turkey, with rock-hewn churches featuring expressions of Byzantine art, as well as troglodyte and underground dwellings and villages, dating back to the 4th century, that bear witness to how people lived there in the past. The area was also used as a hiding place by the Christians who moulded their dwellings, shelters and sanctuaries inside these capricious geological forms. Göreme National Park, whose landscape dates back 60 million years, covers an area of about 10 hectares in the heart of Cappadocia and is located very close to the eponymous town.
Göreme town
The town of Göreme is often the starting point for sightseeing in Cappadocia. Its inhabitants have had to adapt their dwellings and living habits to the terrain’s special orography since many of their houses are carved and embedded in the volcanic rock. The buildings are so unique that many of them have been transformed in recent years into tourist accommodation and facilities. You should stroll through the town, visit the Merkez Mosque and the ‘Roman castle’, and have a cup of tea on one of the panoramic terraces. They are an ideal setting for photo enthusiasts to create magnificent postcards and pictures.
VSightseeing from Göreme
Göreme can be the starting point for visiting all the interesting destinations in Cappadocia. In this town you will also find companies that can help you and with which you can book an excursion or visit. There are many activities and visits that can be done from Göreme, but you must visit Sword Valley, Pigeon Valley, Love Valley and Red Valley, as well as the Open Air Museum and Quran Castle. You can also book a hot air balloon ride or a private tour of the region, visit an underground city, take a camel or horseback ride in Cappadocia or go on a quad bike tour.
Valle de los Cuchillos
This valley in Cappadocia is named after the shape of its vertical geological formations. The sword-shaped stone columns are interspersed with mushroom-shaped ones that can reach up to 40 metres in height.
Valle de las Palomas
In Pigeon Valley, there are numerous ‘fairy chimneys’, i.e. the fanciful vertical formations that rise out of the ground like mushrooms. The valley lies between the towns of Göreme and Uçhisar and is named after the pigeons that were once used as messengers by the inhabitants of these caves. Inside the caves there is a complex system of tunnels and cavities. One of the best times of the day to visit the valley is at sunset since the sun illuminates the landscape in a special way.
Valle del Amor
Located near Göreme, the beautiful Love Valley also has some very unique volcanic formations. They say that it takes its name from the fact that the huge columns of volcanic rock resemble the male sexual organ. This characteristic is much talked about by travellers and many go there just to immortalise its unique landscape.
Valle Rojo
The name Red Valley (or Rose Valley) in Cappadocia evokes the colour of its rock formations, which look as if someone has painted them red (or rose-coloured) in shades of varying intensity and which change the hues of these colours depending on the time of day. As elsewhere in the large valley, there are also troglodyte dwellings connected by tunnels in the Red Valley, which is also a must in Göreme. You will also see churches carved into the stone, some of which preserve frescoes from the Byzantine period. If you are able to enjoy this area at sunset, you will not regret this. The sunset brings even more magic to the valley.
Museo al Aire Libre
Zelve Valley, also known as the Open Air Museum, has the characteristic reddish colour that resembles the landscape of Mars, which is why it is said that this area of Cappadocia has a ‘lunar landscape’. It is only 10 kilometres from the town of Göreme and was one of the earliest-settled and last-abandoned places in the region. There were residents there until the mid-20th century, when the Turkish authorities decided to evict them because of the poor state of the houses. Today you can visit its cave churches. Check out Karakink Kilíse (Dark Church), with Byzantine frescoes and tombs, and Sandal Church, so called because of the footprints on the floor. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Castillo de Uchiçar
This is a castle whose structure is the work of Nature and which has been carved out of the rock. It is located at the highest point of Cappadocia and naturally offers spectacular views over the region. This enclave has been used throughout history as a strategic and defensive area against enemy attacks. That is why visiting this castle is a journey into the past.
Where to stay
The best place to stay in Turkey has a Spanish name. Due to its value for money and the excellent range of comforts it offers, we recommend the Barceló Istanbul hotel. This is a four-star establishment that can serve as the ideal base for your trip to Cappadocia. The hotel is in the heart of Istanbul, in emblematic Taksim square, and surrounded by pleasant restaurants and shops. It is the best accommodation if you want to experience the buzzing streets and learn about the history and culture of Turkey’s capital city. The hotel has 273 spacious and comfortable guest rooms, and an atmosphere conducive to relaxing and enjoying the wealth of possibilities. Some rooms have a private hammam. All guests have access to the B-Heaven Rooftop Lounge with its spacious, sunny terrace which boasts two Jacuzzis, and to the Fitness Centre, located on the eleventh floor. This is one of the most interesting and recommended hotels in this city bathed by the Bosphorus.
