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15 Bucket List Cappadocia Things to do in Goreme
This post is all about things to do in Goreme Cappadocia Turkey.
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Planning a trip to Goreme?
Prepare to experience the most magical place in the world. Imagine waking up every morning to a rooftop breakfast buffet and bright colorful hot air balloons soaring across the sky.
Friendly dogs roam around town as they please, in and out of stores and restaurants for their daily food allowance.
Booth workers holler and sing jingles to sell you a bit of Turkish ice cream.
This is Goreme. A town that would seem only to exist in a fairy tale or Disney movie, thrives in central Turkey.
Here’s a FREE Ultimate Cappadocia Checklist printable to take with you on your epic trip to Turkey.
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Here are 15 Bucket List Things to do in Goreme
When I was planning my trip to Goreme, I was quite surprised by how few travel guides existed. I found myself scouring the internet for things to do in Goreme that were beyond the obvious.
Here are 15 Cappadocia things to do in Goreme that you can’t leave without doing.
1. Sit on a Hotel Rooftop
While it might be difficult to wake up early as you’re sleeping deeply in your cave room, watching the hot air balloons take off on your hotel rooftop as you eat a lavish breakfast is the best way to start your mornings in Goreme.
Most of the boutique hotels in Goreme have elaborately decorated rooftops that offer stunning views of Goreme, with or without the balloons!
2. Sleep in a Cave Hotel
Cave hotels in Cappadocia totally live up to the hype. You’ll sleep like a baby! Not to mention they are beautiful and offer a truly unique hotel experience.
I stayed at Antique Terrace Suites.
Looking for the perfect Cave Hotel in Cappadocia? Check out my post Hotels in Cappadocia for Your Budget.
3. Hike Rose Valley
Just a short walk or drive from the center of Goreme is the Rose Valley hike. It’s a perfect half-day hike to explore the depths of Cappadocia’s unique landscape and fairy chimneys.
4. Go Inside a Rug Shop
You may have seen the iconic photos on Instagram of the interior of rug shops in Turkey. As you walk inside your eyes are greeted with vibrant colors of rugs all throughout the store.
Just so you know, most shop owners nowadays require you to pay to take photos inside.
5. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Obviously, this is THE thing to do in Cappadocia!
I was afraid the balloon rides would be too touristy for my taste, but I was so wrong. It was one of the coolest moments to experience and it was absolutely worth every penny.
I booked with Butterfly Balloons and had a spectacular experience. The exact balloon tour I booked is here.
Below you can find a list of the top 3 Hot Air Balloon Tours in Goreme. Butterfly, Royal, and Turquaz consistently provide the best balloon experiences.
6. Have a Drink At Organic Wine House
If you’re looking for a bit of “nightlife” check out Organic Wine House. It’s a sit-down chic bar with wood fires and wine tastings.
I was traveling during the off-season so there weren’t a lot of options for nightlife (it might be different in the summer). Organic Wine House was a nice chill spot for a late-night glass of wine.
7. Watch the Balloons Take Off
I know what you’re thinking.. “You want me to watch the balloons on a rooftop, ride in the balloons, and then watch them at their launch sight?” And the answer is YES!
The great thing about the balloons in Cappadocia is they simply don’t get old.
Unfortunately on your day of take-off, it can be tricky navigating how to watch the balloons launch. People will pay extra to be on first flights, and they are missing out because they miss the launch off (since they are already in the balloons).
The second flight is the way to go because you get to watch the balloons light up as they launch. Also, you will get spectacular photos.
8. Take a Turkish Bath
Formal bathing is a big part of Turkish culture. Schedule a traditional Hammam at Kelebek Hamam in Goreme or book a mud cave experience tour here.
9. Have Dinner At Pumpkin Restaurant
After eating at dozens of restaurants in my 1-week stay in Goreme, I can confirm that Pumpkin is the best restaurant in Cappadocia.
Even during the off-season, you won’t get in without a reservation.
Check out my Cappadocia food guide here.
10. Goreme Open Air Museum
The open-air museum in Goreme offers a look up close at the beautiful fairy chimneys and historic churches cut into the volcanic rocks.
The entrance fee is 100 Turkish Lira which is about $7 USD.
11. Have Coffee At Kings
I’m embarrassed to say that I went to Kings Coffee Shop every day during my time in Goreme.
The cozy atmosphere, specialty coffees, and delicious desserts made it impossible to stay away.
12. Play With ALL the Dogs!
Stray dogs are one of the worst parts of traveling. You see them, and you can’t really help, at least not long term.
Cappadocia is filled with dogs. They are literally everywhere! The nice thing is though, the stray dogs of Goreme are clearly taken care of.
They are all well-fed, the tourists play with them, and we even saw some that had recent signs of vet treatment. You might even see them sleeping inside a restaurant or cafe.
These puppies were not strays and belonged to the owners of my hotel, aren’t they adorable!?
13. Drink Tea
It’s impossible to leave Turkey without drinking tea. Typically after dinner, you’ll receive a complimentary cup of tea.
14. Walk Around Goreme
Goreme is small so you will likely walk around town a few times. It’s fun to go into the different shops or eat Turkish ice cream in the town center.
15. Eat Turkish Baklava
The Turks take baklava to a whole new level! Featuring grounded pistachios, Turkish Baklava is a must-try in Cappadocia.
After reading this list I hope you have some ideas of what you’d like to do during your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cappadocia.
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