FreeZone Northern Cappadocia Tour

Your NORTHERN CAPPADOCIA TOUR begins around 9.30am when you will be collected at your hotel by our fully-qualified & licensed local guide.

First stop on this tour through Northern Cappadocia is Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia. It is here where you will climb to the top of the castle and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views it offers.  Your guide will take time to explain, in detail, the history of Cappadocia as you gaze out into the distance where on a clear day you can see Mount Erciyes, one of the famous Cappadocia volcanoes.

After you have enjoyed the fantastic views, it’s on to the famous Göreme Open Air Museum. Here, carved into the rocks in front of you, you will enjoy this complex of historical churches, each with their own unique, beautiful interior artwork dating back to the 11th century.  You will also marvel at the architecture which has been created including dwellings and a religious school. Göreme Open Air Museum was one of the first UNESCO sites in the whole of Turkey.

Continuing on the tour we arrive at the Baglidere Valley Panorama, where you can admire the most amazing “fairy chimney” rock formations which have been formed naturally over millions of years of weather & water erosion. Although called Baglidere in Turkish, we will let you form your own opinion as to why it’s “affectionately” known locally as “Love Valley”

We will then enjoy lunch in the old greek town of Çavuşin, one of the oldest settlements in the region. During our stop here we will visit the church of St John the Baptist.  This “rock-church” dates back to the 5th century, making it the oldest church in Cappadocia.

After lunch it’s on to Avanos, an ancient town famed for its red pottery (The Kızılırmak or Red River runs through the town and is the longest river in Turkey)  A centre for terracotta-style pottery & works of art, Avanos dates back to the Hittite times around 3,000BC.  We will visit one of the many local potters to witness them working on their traditional kick wheels, a technique which hasn’t changed for many generations.

Next stop is at Paşabaği, or“Monks Valley” to view the uniquemulti-headed fairy chimneys within this valley. Also when you are here pleasedon’t miss one of the most unique police stations you will see anywhere in theworld – it’s quite remarkable.

We then circle round to Devrent or “Magıc Valley” which has a number of rock formations where, if your imagination allows you, you will see many recognisable “shapes” within the landscape. (visitors have been known to have seen camels, snakes, seals and even dolphins within the rocks)  There is even a rock formation which some say looks like the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.

You will then finish your tour with a visit to a winery in the town of Ürgüp where you can sample some of the delicious, local fruit-based wines which the region of Cappadocia is famous for. You will then be returned to your hotel to enjoy your evening, maybe at one of our fabulous traditional Turkish Nights.