Cappadocia in Winter (2024): 7 Reasons to Visit + 16 Amazing Things to Do
Hurray transparency! This post contains affiliate links. For more information see our disclosure.
Cappadocia in Turkey is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and it’s easy to see why. Stunning other-worldly landscapes, thousands of years of history, incredible and unique architecture and once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon rides make it a bucket list destination for many travellers.
But when is the best time to visit Cappadocia?
Whilst this part of Turkey is a phenomenal destination throughout the year (and we know this because we’ve been lucky enough to visit Cappadocia in different seasons) we are huge fans of visiting Cappadocia in winter.
Are you planning a trip to Cappadocia last minute? Let us help!
🏠 Top Cappadocia Hotels:
GÖREME:
Luxury: Sultan Cave Suites (⭐ 9.0)
Mid-range: Stone House Cave Hotel (⭐ 9.0)
Budget: Diadem Cappadocia Guest House & Hostel (⭐ 9.9)
UÇHISAR:
Luxury: Argos in Cappadocia (⭐ 9.5)
Mid-range: Mak’s Cave House (⭐ 9.8)
Budget: Kemal Stone House Hotel (⭐ 9.0)
🙋 Top Cappadocia Tours
Hot Air Balloon Tour with Royal Balloons (⭐ 5/5)
Cappadocia Green Tour (⭐ 4.5/5)
Cappadocia Red Tour (⭐ 4.6/5)
Cappadocia Blue Tour (⭐ 4.5/5)
Sunset horseback ride (⭐ 4.8/5)
Sunset ATV tour (⭐ 4.8/5)
🛬 Need a Cappadocia airport transfer?
You can easily book a Cappadocia airport transfer here with Get Your Guide.
🚘 Cappadocia Car Rental
You can explore Cappadocia easily by renting your own car. Click here to check rental prices with Discover Cars.
💳 Save Money With an International Debit Card
Get the best exchange rates, free or super-low fee cash withdrawals and avoid sneaky transaction fees with a Wise Debit Card.
Click here to get a Wise International Debit Card
📲 Get an eSim For Your Trip
Say goodbye to expensive data roaming charges with an affordable Airalo eSIM.
If you've been reading our blog for a while, you'll know that whether it's in China or Turkey, we love exploring places in winter.
Generally, we find there are fewer crowds, lower prices, breathtaking scenery (because let's be honest, everything looks better with a dusting of snow) and a wonderful sense of romance and coziness that you just don’t get in any other season.
And we're happy to say that Cappadocia in winter definitely gives you all of this and much more!
If you're wondering about booking a Cappadocia winter trip, this guide covers everything you need to know.
In this post we’ll tell you why you should visit Cappadocia in winter, what to expect from Cappadocia's winter weather, the top things to do in Cappadocia in winter, what to pack for your winter trip plus our recommendations for the best Cappadocia hotels for every budget.
So get comfortable, grab a cup of coffee and start planning a magical winter trip to Cappadocia!
❄️ Why Should You Visit Cappadocia in Winter?
1) It's Much Cheaper
Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions and in the peak summer season, this means high prices. However in winter, as the number of tourists dwindles, prices drop as dramatically as the temperature and suddenly everything, from lovely hotels to tours, are much more affordable.
You’ll find that even the most popular Cappadocia cave hotels offer significantly discounted rooms (with some offering reductions of between 20%-50%) and unlike in the summer, you don’t have to work as hard to get a reservation, especially if you want a room with a view.
The prices of Cappadocia tours (including the Red, Green and Blue Cappadocia day tours) are also slashed.
Cappadocia hot air balloon prices also drop considerably - so if you’ve been putting off going to Cappadocia because you couldn’t splurge the money on this experience, winter is the time to do it!
Flying to Cappadocia from other areas of Turkey or from Istanbul is also way cheaper: tickets start from just £20/$24 one way.
For budget-conscious travellers, winter is the perfect time to plan a Cappadocia trip!
2) Fewer Crowds
Nearly 4 million people visited Cappadocia in 2022, with most tourists exploring this Anatolian region during the summer. Crowded tourist attractions just aren’t our vibe - we like to explore places at our own pace and ideally without thousands of people around.
Happily, Cappadocia in the winter is much quieter. You can wander along hiking trails and explore ancient churches and cave homes without having to queue or move out of the way of someone’s selfie stick. When we were there in winter, it really felt like we had the place almost to ourselves!
Another advantage of there being fewer tourists around is that you don’t have to reserve tables in advance at popular restaurants and cafes (something we’d recommend doing in the summer). Just wander in and sit down - there’ll be a table for you!
Grabbing the perfect spot to watch the sun go down is also a breeze in winter - you won’t find the usual crowds milling around at the Red/Rose valley or Göreme sunset viewpoints.
3) All the Attractions, Restaurants, Hotels and Shops Are Open During Winter in Cappadocia
Most people are put off visiting Cappadocia in winter because they think the area will be a ghost town and nothing will be open. But this is a mistake!
The truth is that the main towns that make up Cappadocia (Göreme, Uçhisar and Ürgüp) are now working winter towns and even though there aren’t as many tourists as in the peak season, restaurants, hotels, shops and supermarkets are open and operating as normal.
All the popular places to visit in Cappadocia such as open-air museums, castles, valleys, cave churches and underground cities are open too!
If you’re keen to take a Cappadocia balloon tour, then good news: balloon rides still take place during winter.
Like all times of the year, balloon flights are completely dependent on the weather. The majority of cancellations do happen over winter, due to strong winds, rain, or snow.
To prevent disappointment, we’d recommend making your Cappadocia trip at least three to four days long in winter: just in case your balloon ride is cancelled, you can rebook for another day.
4) It's the Perfect Time for Hiking and Outdoor Activities
If you love the outdoors, you should definitely consider a winter trip to Cappadocia.
Cappadocia hiking trails are accessible during the winter (unless there is very heavy snow) and the cooler weather is actually fantastic for hiking.
During the summer, the hiking routes around Cappadocia offer little to no shade and following the trails crisscrossing the different valleys sometimes feels more like an ordeal than being enjoyable!
As long as you dress properly and wear some sturdy walking boots, a Cappadocia hike in winter is fun and a great way to warm up in the cold. Simply wander through the valleys, take your time to admire the gorgeous rock formations and then reward yourself with a hot drink at the nearest cafe or restaurant.
There are plenty of other outdoor activities including quad bike and horse riding tours, cycling, skiing and a range of guided tours to outdoor attractions like cave houses, churches and underground cities all over Cappadocia.
5) It's Spectacular in Winter! Especially When it Snows
Cappadocia is one of the most beautiful places in Turkey but in winter you are in for a treat! Even just a light sprinkling of snow gives the landscape a magical fairytale quality and is quite simply, breathtaking.
You don't need to worry about snow disrupting your activities: Cappadocia winter weather isn't severe and at most you'll see around 5 inches of snowfall. It rarely snows every day so it's still easy to hike, explore and drive around - just make sure you have decent walking boots and plenty of layers.
A Cappadocia balloon tour at this time of year is also extra special: seeing the fairy chimneys and valleys under a blanket of snow is a truly unique experience.
6) Winter is the Best Time to Stay in a Cappadocia Cave Hotel
Photo courtesy of Argos in Cappadocia via Booking.com
If you’re wondering what to do in Cappadocia during winter, we’d really recommend staying at one of the wonderful cave hotels in the area.
In summer, most of these hotels (especially the ones with ornately decorated terraces and amazing views of the floating hot air balloons) are booked up months in advance, but in winter even the uber popular hotels have rooms available.
Cappadocia cave hotels are simply perfect for winter: cosy, warm (some even have underfloor heating) and decorated with opulent Turkish rugs and homely decor, they are the ideal place to retreat to and warm up after a long day of exploring.
Some hotels even have heated swimming pools and rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs!
We’ve stayed in a few places around Cappadocia - you can explore our recommendations below!
💡 Insider tip: If you are visiting Cappadocia in winter you should always check that the hotel you are staying in has proper heating. We’d recommend choosing central or underfloor heating over air conditioning, especially in cave hotels or stone rooms as it can get really cold.
7) It's Ideal for a Romantic Winter Holiday
Forget Paris - if you want to take your partner on a ‘hella romantic winter break, head to Cappadocia!
Just imagine the scene: watching the sky blaze in orange and gold hues as the winter sun sets over the pinkish rock formations in Rose valley; fairy chimneys dusted with snow as far as the eye can see; hundreds of brightly coloured hot air balloons floating lazily in the sky at sunrise and cosy cave hotels and stone rooms with private spa baths and fireplaces.
No wonder so many people plan a Cappadocia honeymoon in winter!
After a day exploring the snowy valleys, you can head to one of the many cafes and restaurants with open fireplaces and enjoy steaming mulled wine or a rich hot chocolate: the best antidote to the frigid temperatures outside.
And of course, what could be more romantic than a Cappadocia air balloon tour? Floating serenely across the snowy landscape at sunrise with your partner is as romantic as it gets (and probably why lots of people propose to their other half midflight!)
Don’t have the cash to splash on a Cappadocia balloon flight? No problem! Watching the balloons take off at sunrise from your hotel’s roof terrace is just as memorable.
If all that doesn’t tickle your romantic bone then nothing will!
🗓 When is Winter in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia's winter season begins in November and finishes towards the end of March.
The coldest months (and when you are most likely to see snow) are from December through to February. Since Cappadocia is basically a desert and is also at an altitude of over 100 metres, it really does get very cold in the winter, especially at night.
In February and March there is also a higher likelihood of rain and much stronger winds - this is the main reason for hot air balloon flights being cancelled during this month.
Here is a quick summary of what to expect from Cappadocia’s winter weather from November to March:
Cappadocia in November
Cappadocia November weather is characteristically quite dry and sunny. Daytime temperatures are a comfortable 13°C/55°F - ideal for hiking. At night, the temperature hovers around 0°C/31°F so you will definitely need a blanket on your bed and heating, but snow during this month is rare.
November is the driest winter month in Cappadocia - on average it will only rain around 9 days in the month. If you want to book a Cappadocia balloon ride this is a great month to choose as it's the least windy season and also fairly dry.
On average Cappadocia experiences 10.5 hours of sunlight in November (with sunrise at 7.00 am and sunset at 5.30 pm) - giving you plenty of time to go on longer hikes.
In summary, November is the best time to go to Cappadocia for a hot air balloon tour, mild temperatures and hiking.
Cappadocia in December
December is when you really start to get those winter feels in Cappadocia!
The days get shorter, with around 10 hours of sunlight and there are also fewer actually sunny days - you’ll see a lot of grey clouds during this month.
The daytime Cappadocia temperature in December is pretty chilly: it’s usually around 6°C/43°F and rarely edges over 10°C/50°F. However, the temperature in Cappadocia at night drops dramatically to below zero (averaging -3°C/27°F) meaning that warm clothes and thermal layers are absolutely essential if you plan to be outside in the evening or for sunrise.
Cappadocia weather in December is also characterised by more rain and a slightly higher chance of snow. This month is perfect for skiing in Cappadocia at Mount Erciyes, but not as good for hot air balloon tours.
Rainy and snowy days in December mean that balloon flights can occasionally be cancelled but as it’s not windy you still have a good chance of seeing Cappadocia’s winter wonderland from above.
If you have your heart set on a Cappadocia hot air balloon ride in December then we would recommend planning at least a four day trip in case your tour gets cancelled, as it gives you more time for it to be rescheduled.
Cappadocia in January
Brrr! January is definitely the coldest month to visit Cappadocia. The temperature hovers at around 4°C (39°F) during the day and can often drop below zero, to between -5°C to -8°C (23°F-17°F) at night.
Cappadocia weather in January is also characterised by snow! In the winter of 2021/2022, Cappadocia experienced some of the heaviest snowfall in over 50 years: it snowed pretty much every day in January 2022 - in some places up to a few feet!
The snowy weather doesn’t stop outdoor lovers from going hiking - the trails will still be open in January and the scenery will look even more beautiful under a layer of snow. January is the height of winter in Cappadocia so the days are short with only around 9.5 hours of sunlight each day (with sunrise at 8.00 am and sunset at 5.30 pm).
January is another great month for winter sports - the conditions on Mount Erciyes are perfect for skiing.
Cappadocia air balloons can be interrupted by snow and icy conditions in January however, as it isn’t windy you’ve still got a good chance of getting on a balloon tour during this month. Make sure your trip is long enough to reschedule your balloon flight in case it gets cancelled due to bad weather.
Cappadocia in February
What can you expect from Cappadocia's February weather? Well, typically you’ll experience freezing winds and frequent rain during this month. These two factors make it the worst month for Cappadocia hot air balloon rides.
Most balloon tours are cancelled during February as strong winds and rain make the hot air balloons too difficult to land and control. We’d advise booking at least a four day trip if you want a hot air balloon experience during February.
Cappadocia weather in February is also characterised by snow and like January, the conditions for skiers and snowboarders are just perfect.
The average temperatures are similar to January: during the day you can expect it to be around 6°C (43°F) whilst at night it usually drops to between -5°C to -6°C (23°F-21°F).
The days start to get longer in February with around 10.5 hours of sunlight, so if you wrap up warm and take a rain jacket/umbrella, you should have plenty of time to explore.
Cappadocia in March
Early March in Cappadocia still has very wintry vibes with daytime temperatures of 8°C - 12°C (46°F - 54°F). At night, the temperature often drops to zero and there will be some evenings when it reaches as low as -3°C/27°F.
If you visit Cappadocia in March, expect some strong winds and LOTS of rain - it pretty much rains for half the month! As you can imagine, this isn’t great for Cappadocia balloon tours - so take that into account when booking your trip and include some extra days just in case.
The ‘wet cold’ (as we like to call it) is our least favourite winter weather as it’s hard to dress against the constant dampness and the penetrating wind makes it feel even colder. This is, however, something that can be easily remedied with plenty of hot drinks and cosy accommodation!
If you don’t mind hiking in the rain then March is a good time to visit as the days are much longer: almost 12 hours of daylight means plenty of time for a leisurely hike. Spring is just around the corner!
🧳 Cappadocia Winter Packing List
It took me a while, but now I know what to wear in freezing temperatures!
As you’ve read, during winter in Cappadocia snow, wind and rain are extremely common. If you really want to enjoy your winter Cappadocia adventures, it’s crucial that you pack the right clothing. Here’s what we would recommend packing for this trip:
- Hiking boots - During winter in Cappadocia you can expect the ground to be snowy and wet. On colder days, there will also be ice and it can get slippery on the trails or even around the town. Durable boots, like these Columbia hiking boots, that keep your feet cosy, dry and warm out in the snow in Cappadocia and that also have a good grip are essential. Check the price of these boots here.
- Warm hat/wooly hat - You really feel the cold when your head’s not covered (especially on a windy day in Cappadocia) so make sure you have a decent hat. We love this fleece-lined Pom Beanie hat because it fully covers your ears and is cute too 🙂. Check out warm wooly hats here.
- Thermal base layers - dressing properly for winter is all about layering (something we wished we’d learned years ago) and now we wouldn’t go anywhere in winter without our thermal leggings and tops. These BALEAF fleece-lined winter leggings are designed for hiking, running and walking in winter and will definitely keep you warm. Check out thermal leggings and tops here.
- Sunglasses - sunny winter days in Cappadocia can still be quite bright, especially if there is snow, so don’t forget to pack your sunnies!
- Warm jacket - Cappadocia temperatures often drop below zero in winter, so a jacket that keeps you toasty warm is a must. This down jacket from Marmot is sure to keep you warm and it’s pretty water resistant too. Check this jacket out here. Alternatively, check out this synthetic/vegan coat here.
- Thick wooly scarf - a must-have on a cold windy day. Check out some of these gorgeous wool scarves.
- Warm gloves - Cappadocia is so photogenic that you’ll be using your camera or phone a lot. Good gloves will stop those numb achy fingers! Try these water resistant touch screen gloves.
- Thermal or wool socks - when you’re out in the elements, keeping your feet nice and dry in decent socks is a must. These socks from Darn Tough are made from merino wool and are super comfortable and durable. Check them out here.
- Rain jacket - Rain and snow is common during Cappadocia’s winter so a waterproof jacket is essential. Check out this lightweight rain jacket from Marmot.
- Umbrella - This is useful for days when it’s raining a lot but not windy.
- Head torch - We always have some kind of torch on hikes just incase it takes us longer than we planned and we have to return in the dark (this has happened to us more often than we like to remember). Check out the ones we use here.
☃️ 16 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia in Winter
1) Float Across the Snow Dusted Landscape on a Cappadocia Balloon Tour
Of course, the number one thing to do in Cappadocia is the hot air balloon ride, even in winter!
The landscape here is simply incredible and from a hot air balloon you get to see it all from a bird’s eye view, way up in the sky! There is nothing like slowly floating over the Cappadocia fairy chimneys sprinkled with snow as the winter sun sets the sky aflame: it’s a unique, magical and definitely unforgettable experience.
And even though it’s winter, you’ve still got a good chance of going on this ultimate Cappadocia adventure.
As long as the weather conditions are good, balloons fly between 250-280 days per year, meaning that it’s highly likely you’ll be able to take a flight in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia during your winter trip.
As you’ve seen from our weather guide, the majority of balloon tour cancellations take place during December to March so just ensure your trip is three or four days long to give you a greater chance of getting a flight.
To be safe, book your Cappadocia balloons tour as early into your trip as possible. If you’re unlucky and your ride is cancelled you still have time to rebook for another day.
It’s important to note that the best hot air balloon companies such as Discovery Balloons, Royal Balloon, Voyager Balloons and Butterfly Balloons offer a full refund if a tour is cancelled due to the weather.
💡 Insider tip: To check whether your flight will go ahead, you can check this website. A green flag means the flight can take place, a red flag means it is cancelled and a yellow flag means that the weather situation is being monitored and a decision hasn’t been made yet.
The website is updated by 2 pm (Turkish time) each day - if you don’t see an update or if the flag is yellow, there’s a 50% chance that your flight could be cancelled. You’ll only find out the next day, likely just before your flight.
The weather may be unpredictable but on the positive side, a winter balloon tour is much better for budget travellers. In summer, the typical Cappadocia hot air balloon price is around £250/$300 per person and it can get even more expensive if you want to share your flight with fewer people.
In winter, you can find Cappadocia balloon rides for just over £120/$146 per person and in some seasons it’s even been as low as £53/$65!
We’d recommend booking your balloon tour in advance (even in winter) as this is the most popular activity in Cappadocia so it still gets sold out!
The top choice for balloon tours in Cappadocia is Royal Balloons.
Famous for their immaculate service, knowledgeable and experienced pilots and great communication they are definitely the best company to fly with and are recommended by 99% of travellers on TripAdvisor (they have nearly 3000 5-star reviews!).
Royal Balloons Cappadocia balloon prices are currently £158/$192 for winter. Click here for more information and to book a flight with Royal Balloons.
A second choice would be a trip with Discovery Balloons who offer slightly more affordable balloon tours in winter and also have several options to choose from.
Discovery Balloons Cappadocia balloon price is currently £127/$154 for a standard flight with a maximum capacity of 28 people. Alternatively, choose a deluxe flight priced at £135/$165 with a maximum capacity of 20 people (and only 5 people per compartment). Click here for further details and to book this balloon tour.
Cappadocia balloon ride prices are generally discounted from December all the way through to the end of March. January and February are usually the cheapest months for a balloon tour.
It will certainly be the highlight of your Cappadocia holiday!
You can read about the sunrise hot air balloon tour in more detail in this post.
2) Watch the Cappadocia Balloons Fly at Sunrise From the Ground
If a Cappadocia balloon flight is out of your budget, don’t worry because simply seeing the hot air balloons floating over Cappadocia at sunrise is magnificent. Plus it’s free and you never have to leave the ground!
Watching the balloons from a rooftop terrace is a popular choice, especially as there are many hotels with picture-perfect ornately decorated balconies and sweeping views of the valleys. And the bonus is that you don’t need to go very far!
The most popular hotels are Sultan Cave Suites, Mithra Cave Hotel, Charming Cave Hotel and Museum Hotel.
If you’re staying in a hotel without a rooftop view then we’d recommend taking a taxi to the Love Valley Viewpoint for sunrise or walking to the Göreme Hill Sunset Viewpoint. The latter is a short 10-15 minutes walk from the centre of Göreme up a steep hill. When you get to the top you’ll be treated to a 360° panoramic view of the whole area!
As we've mentioned, during winter in Cappadocia balloon flights don't happen everyday, so be prepared that you might not get to see them at sunrise.
If you don’t mind a few early starts, we’d recommend waking up at sunrise a few times during your trip just to maximise your chances of seeing them. The winter sunrise is always stunning even when the balloons aren’t in the air.
3) Explore the Area on a Guided Cappadocia Day Tour
One of the most popular Cappadocia activities throughout the year is a guided tour to the main attractions.
A Cappadocia guided tour is particularly useful if you don’t have much time in the region or you don’t have your own transport. Some sites are really far away and very difficult to visit by public transport (especially in winter) so joining one of the organised tours is a good idea.
There are three types of Cappadocia daily tours: Green, Red and Blue.
In our 10 Day Turkey Itinerary we recommend the Cappadocia Green Tour as most of the attractions on the itinerary for this tour are very far away from Göreme and Uçhisar and difficult to visit independently.
On the Green Tour you visit Selime Monastery (the largest religious building in Cappadocia), the stunning Ihlara Valley, and Derinkuyu the largest underground city in Turkey plus several other Cappadocia attractions. Click here for more details and to book the Green Tour.
Note: In winter the Ihlara Valley trek is sometimes cancelled due to snow and icy conditions. Please check before booking.
A detailed breakdown of these tours is in the Cappadocia section of our 10 Day Itinerary Itinerary here. Below is a summary of the key attractions on each tour.
Cappadocia Green Tour (the best Cappadocia tour!):
- Göreme Panorama (Esentepe Viewpoint)
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Ihlara Valley
- Selime Monastery
- Pigeon Valley
- Some tours also include Kaymaklı Underground City and the Onyx Jewellery Factory in Uçhisar.
Click here for more details and to book the Green Tour.
Cappadocia Red Tour:
- Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
- Paşabağları (Monk’s Valley)
- Avanos Town (pottery making workshop)
- Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint (Göreme Panorama)
- Uçhisar Castle, Göreme Open Air Museum
- Some tours also include Çavusin Village.
Click here for more details and to book the Red Tour.
Cappadocia Blue Tour
- Cavusin Cave Village
- Uçhisar Greek houses
- Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City
- Ortahisar Castle
- Red and Rose Valley hikes
- Pigeon Valley
- The Blue Cappadocia Tour sometimes also includes Uç Güzeller (The Three Beauties).
Click here for more details and to book the Blue Tour.
Each of the tours we have recommended are small group tours with a maximum of 15 people. You’ll find the groups are actually much smaller in winter, which is a nice bonus!
4) Stay in a Cosy Cappadocia Cave Hotel
Photo courtesy of Cappadocia Cave Suites via Booking.com
Winter is actually the ideal time to cosy up in a Cappadocia cave room and you’ll find that there are plenty of places to choose from.
If ca$h monies are no object, consider staying at Cappadocia Cave Suites: the rooms are beautifully decorated and were restored from an ancient site that originally consisted of wineries, barns and Christian chapels! They also have an amazing rooftop terrace with spectacular views. Importantly every room has central heating with nice big radiators. Click here to see prices and availability at Cappadocia Cave Suites.
Another luxurious hotel renowned for its Cappadocia cave rooms is of course Sultan Cave Suites , famous for having the best views of Cappadocia and the most Instagrammable terrace! The rooms are decorated with antiques and gorgeous Turkish rugs and even in the budget rooms you’ll find fireplaces and soba stoves to make sure the rooms are toasty. Click here to see prices and availability at Sultan Cave Suites.
For a mid-range stay, we love Stone House Cave Hotel which offers a choice of sumptuously decorated cave and stone rooms, all with central heating. Click here to see prices and availability at Stone House Cave Hotel.
Photo courtesy of Stone House Cave Hotel via Booking.com
Another good mid-range option is Cappadocia Caves Hotel . Usually very pricey in the summer, this hotel has ornately decorated and reasonably-priced centrally heated rooms in the winter. Click here to see prices and availability at Cappadocia Caves Hotel.
If you have your own transport and are on a budget, check out Narı Aşk Cave Hotel . Located 13km outside of Goreme, this hotel offers gorgeous rooms with central heating and featuring hamam style bathrooms or jacuzzis at crazily reasonable prices. Click here to see prices and availability at Narı Aşk Cave Hotel.
For a cheaper option right near Göreme town centre, consider Vintage Cave House Hotel which offers a mix of cave and stone rooms. This Cappadocia hotel was originally a farmhouse and has several gorgeous rock-cut rooms with cosy furnishings and central heating. Click here to see prices at Vintage Cave House Hotel.
Every hotel we’ve suggested has central heating, a fireplace or a soba - it’s really important to pick a place with good heating during the winter because you will need it! Staying in a cave room without heating (which we did accidentally in Mardin during the winter) is really not fun.
Photo courtesy of Vintage Cave House Hotel via Booking.com
Note: We've only talked about hotels that offer cave-style rooms in this section but for a variety of other options (including more budget-friendly ones) check out the Where to Stay section of this post.
5) Visit the Open Air Museums in Cappadocia: Göreme Open Air Museum, Pasabaglari (Monk's Valley) and Zelve Open Air Museum
Cappadocia’s open-air museums are a superb introduction to the history and geography of the region and you should definitely try to visit at least one on your winter trip.
If you’ve only got time for one museum in Cappadocia, Goreme Open Air Museum is the one you should pick. Only a 25-30 minute walk from the town centre, this museum features stunning examples of rock-cut Cappadocia churches, burial mounds and chapels.
Formerly a Christian settlement for monks during the Byzantine period, there are 15 churches in this open-air museum alone! The most famous Cappadocia church here is the spectacular Dark Church, the walls of which are completely covered in vibrant and detailed frescoes.
You can visit Göreme Open Air Museum independently or visit as part of the Red Tour.
Just outside of Göreme, you can explore Pasabaglari (Monk's Valley), an area filled with fairy chimneys that was used as a retreat for persecuted monks and priests. There are lots of examples of Cappadocia cave houses here, plus chapels and churches.
Furthest away is Zelve Open Air Museum, another Byzantine-era settlement made up of three valleys (it was still a working Turkish village until 1952!) Zelve is a great place to wander around and just take your time to explore - you’ll find that it’s quieter than Göreme Open Air Museum as it’s a little more out of the way.
Zelve is a great example of how in Cappadocia caves were used for all sorts of things: you’ll find houses, mills, stables, wineries, churches and mosques here. It’s amazing to think how versatile these caves could be.
6) Take a Cappadocia Horse Riding Tour
A horseback ride across a snow covered landscape might sound like something out of the movies, but this is something you can actually do in Cappadocia.
This 2-hour horseback ride will take you across Cappadocia’s breathtaking landscapes and on quiet trails away from the crowds. You’ll ride through apricot orchards and vineyards, see some of Cappadocia’s most spectacular valleys (including Rose/Red Valley and Love Valley) and finish your tour at the incredible Hallacdere Monastery, a huge rock-cut building with some very unusual carvings.
We’d recommend booking this tour for sunset - seeing the sun go down over the valleys whilst on the back of a horse was a truly magical experience for us!
So if you're looking for unique things to do, Cappadocia's horse riding tours are definitely an activity you should consider.
💡 Insider tip: Previous horse riding experience isn’t necessary for this tour as the guides will provide you with a comprehensive introduction before the tour begins. The tour also includes hotel pick-ups and drop-offs.
7) Get Your Blood Pumping With a Cappadocia ATV Tour
For more of an adrenaline rush, we’d recommend exploring Cappadocia on the back of a quad bike!
We decided to try this 2-hour sunset ATV tour and it was thrilling! We began by slowly driving through Sword Valley and checking out the rock formations and fairy chimneys there. We then drove through the Red, White and Love Valleys - it was particularly interesting for us as we stopped at different viewpoints that we hadn’t visited before.
The guides were all really friendly and knowledgable and there was plenty of time to take pictures and explore which we loved. We also felt really safe even though it was our first quad biking experience.
Our tour ended at an amazing viewpoint in Rose Valley with plenty of time to watch the sun go down.
💡 Insider tip: You’ll need a driving license if you want to drive the ATV - alternatively sit back and let the guides drive for you! The tour begins with a safety briefing and a demonstration of how to use the ATV plus time to practice on the bikes.
We’ve read that the sunrise tour is even better so we’re planning to check that out next time!
There are other Cappadocia ATV tours as well - you can check them out below.
8) Explore Cappadocia's Magnificent Valleys on a Winter Hike
Hiking in Cappadocia is something that shouldn’t be missed - even in winter! As snowfall isn’t usually very heavy, the trails all over the different valleys are still accessible.
We really enjoyed hiking in Cappadocia during winter - as it wasn’t crowded we felt we could just take our time: exploring the remains of churches and cave houses that we found along the route and clambering around some of the fairy chimneys to see the stunning views!
Our favourite Cappadocia hike is from Göreme Open Air Museum through to Red and Rose Valley because there are so many interesting churches on this trail including Kolonlu Kilise (Columned Church) and Uç Hacli Kilise (Church of the Three Crosses) - the latter still has frescoes and magnificent carved crosses.
Some of the other best hikes in Cappadocia also include Love Valley, Pigeon Valley and Sword Valley.
You can read about how to follow these hikes here. We followed all these Capadoccia hiking trails using Maps.me - we downloaded the maps for the region in advance so we could use them offline.
Finally, make sure you wrap up warm and have decent footwear before attempting any Cappadocia hikes in winter.
9) Delve into the Subterranean Worlds of Cappadocia’s Underground Cities
If you’re wondering what to see in Cappadocia, the famous underground cities should definitely be on your list.
You may not know it, but in Cappadocia underground cities are everywhere. There are actually 200 underground cities in the region, but only around five are open to the public.
Built during the 8th and 7th century BC by the Phrygians, Cappadocia’s underground cities were later inhabited by Byzantine Christians who were trying to escape persecution during the Arab-Byzantine wars. The underground cities included living quarters, stables, food stores and places of workship and also acted as forts to protect citizens from attack.
The cities were still being used as refuges during the early 20th century when Christian Greek inhabitants of Cappadocia were trying to escape persecution from the Ottoman Empire.
In Cappadocia history is literally right under your feet!
The most popular underground cities to visit are Derinkuyu Underground City and Kaymaklı Underground City.
The subterranean Cappadocia city of Derinkuyu is actually the largest underground city in Turkey, consisting of 18 levels, eight of which can be explored by visitors. It’s so enormous that it could actually house up to 20,000 people plus their food stores and animals!
Kaymaklı is smaller than Derinkuyu but still considered to be one of the biggest underground settlements in Cappadocia. Eight levels of the city have been uncovered, with four being open to visitors. Kaymaklı has narrower passages and steeper tunnels than Derinkuyu.
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are included on the Green Tour and the Blue Tour.
💡 Insider tip: Derinkuyu has wider, better lit passages than Kaymaklı so is a better option if you are slightly claustrophobic. It also has a one way system to prevent you from getting lost. If you are very claustrophobic we’d recommend avoiding the underground cities completely.
For a more off-beat experience, check out Mazi or Ozkonak underground cities. Although smaller than Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, they are still fascinating to visit and explore. They are also suitable for more adventurous travellers as some sections require climbing up and down vertical passageways with just basic hand and foot holds!
10) Warm Up Your Insides With Scrumptious Anatolian Food
If you’re like us, all this exploring is going to make you hungry. And in winter, you’ll need more calories to stave off the cold!
Luckily in Cappadocia food doesn’t disappoint: this is the place to try local food and especially cuisine from central Anatolia.
Top of the list of unique things to try is testi kebab, also known as pottery kebab, a hearty stew-like dish that is sure to warm your cockles.
Made by cooking meat (usually lamb, chicken or beef) inside a sealed clay pot with vegetables (onions, tomatoes, and green pepper), butter and spices, the pot is then sealed using bread dough and the whole thing is put inside a tandoor oven for several hours.
Eventually it’s time for the spectacle - the scalding pot is brought to your table, usually on a clay dish that has been set on fire, and cracked open in front of you!
Steaming hot, cooked to perfection and extremely satisfying (especially accompanied by lots of fresh bread), this pottery kebab is the perfect winter dish.
💡 Insider tips: The best restaurants in Cappadocia require advance notice to prepare this dish as testi kebab takes a minimum of two hours to cook. There are also vegetarian versions of testi kebab in Cappadocia - we’ve suggested a few places below.
Another traditional Cappadocian dish is manti, or Turkish ravioli. The pasta is cut into tiny pieces, stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, onions, black pepper and chilli flakes and then boiled or fried. It’s served with a buttery tomato sauce and garlic yogurt. Yums!
Finally, there is gözleme - a type of filled Turkish pancake or stuffed flatbread. You can find these with all sorts of fillings, but the most common is cheese, spinach and potato. Absolutely lip-smackingly delicious!
11) Shop for Unique Gifts and Souvenirs
Winter is a great time to go shopping in Cappadocia. The shopkeepers are always more than happy to invite you in to look at their wares and best of all you can have a steaming hot cup of çay in your hand while you do it!
In Cappadocia carpets are the thing to buy - the region has a long heritage of weaving and making hand crafted carpets. Shops like Sultan Carpets and Galerie Ikman are famous for their rugs and also Instafamous as visitors love taking photos surrounded by the carpets (there is a fee for this of course).
If you aren’t in the market for a Turkish rug, then there are plenty of other things to buy including beautiful ceramics, dazzling mosaic lanterns and handpainted Turkish tiles.
My favourite Cappadocia souvenir has to be traditional lace needle work by local women: they sell table cloths, coasters and jewellery all made out of lace. I bought a beautiful lace necklace from Cappadocia and now wish I’d got a few more!
Of course shopping is also a great excuse to practice your Turkish and remember: haggling is part of the experience!
12) Climb Uçhisar Castle for a Spectacular View
Towering over Göreme is Uçhisar Castle - the highest point in Cappadocia.
This uniquely shaped fairy chimney was once used as a fortress by the Romans, Byzantines, Selcuks and Ottomans: within it you can find numerous rooms and passageways, although many have been badly damaged and are inaccessible. Apparently around 1000 people inhabited the castle at one point!
Nowadays this Cappadocia castle is famous for something else: having one of the best views in Cappadocia. To enter the castle, you’ll need to pay a fee and then climb 120 stairs to the top. Your legs might ache but the view is spectacular!
In winter the ground might be slippery, especially if it has snowed, so make sure you’re wearing decent shoes and take your time getting to the top.
The views from the castle are amazing at sunset, but getting down in the dark can be challenging especially during winter, so if you plan to do this, take a torch!
You can walk to Uçhisar Castle from Göreme - it’s around 4km and should take 45 minutes to one hour.
If you’re saving your legs to climb the castle stairs, take a taxi or the bus from Göreme instead. The bus that you need will say ‘Nevşehir’ on the front and leaves every 30 minutes from Göreme town centre. When you board, let the driver know that you want to be dropped off at Uçhisar Castle.
13) Enjoy a Stunning Sunset at Red and Rose Valley
In our opinion, one of the top 10 things to do in Cappadocia is to watch the sun go down over the fairy chimneys and valleys. But with so many choices, where is the best place to watch the sunset in Cappadocia?
For us it has to be the Red/Rose valley sunset viewpoint. The valleys are named after their red and pink tinged rocks formations which really catch the rays of the setting sun, painting the cliffs of the valleys in hues of crimson and gold. Simply gorgeous!
From the centre of Göreme, you can take a taxi to the viewpoint or walk. The hike is about 5.5km and should take around 1 hour 15 minutes. You can find the route to the viewpoint on Maps.me.
During the summer we’d recommend getting to the viewpoint early as it gets very crowded so it’s difficult to find a spot but in the winter this won’t be as much of a problem. There is also usually a small fee to enter the viewpoint at sunset however in winter you might find that there is no one around so you’ll get in for free. Result!
You’ll find Crazy Ali Panorama Cafe at the sunset viewpoint - it has the best view of the valley and is a great place to grab a drink. You can find details in the Cappadocia section of our Turkey itinerary here.
If you feel like you want to be more active, start off earlier and hike through Red and Rose Valley before heading up to the viewpoint. Reward yourself with a drink from the cafe and and then prepare to be wowed as the sun dips below the horizon.
14) Explore Avanos and Visit the Incredible Guray Museum
If you have time for a Cappadocia day trip, we’d recommend visiting the charming town of Avanos, famous for its pottery industry.
A former Greek town on the banks of Turkey’s longest river, Avanos’ long history of pottery-making dates back to the Hittite Empire - as far as 2000BC!
Avanos’s pottery is a unique rich shade of red, a result of the clay being taken from the Kızılırmak river (the name translates as Red River). The clay is shaped into vases, wine jugs, bowls and plates and sent all over Turkey and abroad.
There are plenty of craftsmen in the town who are more than happy to demonstrate their skills and if you fancy, you can have a go at making your own pottery with help from one of the pottery masters. Be warned though - it’s not as easy as it looks!
In this guide we’ve recommended visits to open air museums and underground cities and in Avanos you’ll find another unique attraction: an underground cave museum!
Guray Museum is one of the few underground museums in the world and houses ceramics found at various archaeological sites plus modern pieces by local artists. The building itself is beautiful to wander around and you can also observe the ceramic artists at work - they’ll even explain the techniques of ceramic painting to you.
15) Enjoy Winter Sports at Mt Erciyes
Just 25 minutes from Kayseri airport is the only ski resort in Cappadocia at Mt Erciyes. This dormant volcano is a towering 3,917 metres high and is a popular place for affordable skiing and snowboarding adventures.
Winter is the perfect season for skiing at Mt Erciyes: the season starts in November and finishes in early April. As with the rest of Cappadocia, the snowiest months are January and February.
Unlike other resorts where you can buy daily or weekly skiing passes, at Mt Erciyes ski passes are sold based on the number of chair lifts you think you will take. As of 2023, one chair lift ride is 20TL with 7 rides priced at 175TL and 14 rides at 250TL. There are more expensive options too, going all the way up to 200 rides.
💡 Insider tip: You can check current ski pass prices here.
If you’re a beginner we’d recommend choosing 7 rides. 14 rides should cover one day of skiing for more intermediate or advanced skiers. And don’t worry - if you don’t use all your rides in one day you can always use the remainder the next day. Whoop!
Most of the slopes at Mr Erciyes cater to beginner or intermediate skiers - perfect if you want to try your hand at alpine sports!
It’s possible to rent skis and snowboards at the resort, although we’d recommend doing this in Kayseri town as it’s much cheaper. There are plenty of shops and restaurants at different levels of the mountain if you want to stop for a meal or a hot drink.
Interested in trekking around the Mt Erciyes area instead? Entry tickets cost 15TL and you can find suggested treks to do here.
If you're a total newbie to skiing or snowboarding we’d recommend going on this skiing and snowboarding tour. It includes one hour of professional instruction for beginners plus lunch and hotel pick up. Click here for more details and to book this tour.
16) Treat Yourself to a Hamam/Turkish Bath
Tired after a day of skiing or hiking around Cappadocia’s frozen landscapes? Then treat yourself to a quintessential Turkish experience: a Turkish bath or hamam.
Consisting of a scrub to remove dead skin, a fabulous foaming soap massage that soothes your aching muscles and plenty of relaxation in a steam room, this is the perfect remedy after a day out in the elements.
Many of the hotels in Cappadocia have hamams for their guests to use, whilst others allow you to book spa and massage services even if you aren't staying there.
Sultan Cave Suites, Kelebek Cave Hotel and Spa, Panoramic Cave Hotel and Kapadokya Hill Hotel and Spa are all hotels that allow outside guests to use their luxurious spa facilities.
Personally we prefer to go to historical spas and can personally recommend Urgup Sehir Hamami (Urgup City Hamam).
Housed in an 18th Century building, this bath was built in a former Greek neighbourhood and the architecture is stunning. It's also the only historical bath in Cappadocia. The hamam experience here is out of this world: extremely professional and very relaxing. After a few hours here, I felt reborn!
You can also book a Turkish bath experience at a traditional hamam in Göreme. Click here for more details and to book this tour.
🏠 Where to Stay in Cappadocia in Winter
If you’re wondering where to stay in Cappadocia, we're here to help! Below are some of the best Cappadocia hotels - we’ve included options for every budget so pick one that suits yours.
The hotels we have selected offer a mixture of cave, stone and ordinary rooms. They are also the most suitable for a winter trip as they all have heating plus are well located, beautifully furnished and cosy!
Hotels in Göreme
Photo courtesy of Sultan Cave Suites from Booking.com
TOP LUXURY PICK: Sultan Cave Suites (⭐ 9.0) Probably Cappadocia’s most famous hotel, Sultan Cave Suites offers stunning rooms furnished with antiques and traditional Turkish rugs and featuring flat-screen TVs, ensuite bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. Most rooms have a terrace and a fireplace - other rooms have central heating or a portable heater is provided.
The star feature of this hotel is the roof terrace, decorated with rugs and cushions and offering a panoramic view of Cappadocia’s hot air balloons at sunrise, it’s the perfect photo spot.
Photo courtesy of Stone House Cave Hotel from Booking.com
BEST MID-RANGE CHOICE: Stone House Cave Hotel (⭐ 9.0)
Located in the heart of Göreme, this friendly hotel in a restored 300 year old building offers warm, spacious rooms with central heating, comfortable beds, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and ensuite bathrooms. Some rooms have a jacuzzi and a Turkish bath style bathroom and a balcony with views of Göreme.
Guests can enjoy a varied buffet breakfast at the hotel’s onsite restaurant and the terrace has fantastic views of the hot air balloons. One of the best Cappadocia boutique hotels!
Photo courtesy of Diadem Cappadocia Guest House & Hotel from Booking.com
Photo courtesy of Diadem Cappadocia Guest House & Hotel from Booking.com
TOP BUDGET PICK: Diadem Cappadocia Guest House & Hostel (⭐ 9.9)
This Cappadocia hostel is a real gem for travellers on a tight budget. This super friendly hostel offers clean female-only and mixed dormitories with central heating, comfortable beds and free Wi-Fi.
All rooms are designed in a cave style and private rooms with ensuite bathrooms are also available.
Every morning there is a delicious complimentary breakfast and free tea and coffee is available throughout the day.
The location is also unbeatable: close to Göreme bus station, shops and restaurants. Staff are very kind and helpful too. One of the best Cappadocia hostels we have stayed in!
Hotels in Uçhisar
Photo courtesy of Argos in Cappadocia from Booking.com
Photo courtesy of Argos in Cappadocia from Booking.com
TOP LUXURY PICK: Argos in Cappadocia (⭐ 9.5)
Formerly a monastery, the Cappadocia Argos Hotel offers a range of stunning cave and stone rooms decorated with gorgeous traditional Turkish furnishings and featuring free Wi-Fi, a Bose music system, fireplace, central heating, balcony, Nespresso machine and an ensuite bathroom.
Some rooms have a private hamam and a jacuzzi with views of Pigeon Valley, whilst the honeymoon suite comes with a private pool.
Guests can enjoy a delicious and generous breakfast and also dine and drink at the hotel’s two restaurants and lounge bar, which features wines from the hotel’s own vineyard!
The centre of Uçhisar is just steps away. In Cappadocia 5 star hotels don’t get better than this!
Photo courtesy of Mak’s Cave House from Booking.com
BEST MID-RANGE CHOICE: Mak’s Cave House (⭐ 9.8)
Just 5 minutes walk from Uçhisar Castle, this friendly Cappadocia boutique hotel features spacious, cozily furnished rooms with fireplaces and underfloor heating, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and ensuite bathrooms.
The beautifully decorated hotel terrace has incredible views of Uçhisar Castle and the hot air balloons at sunrise. A filling and generous breakfast is served on the terrace and will set you up for a full day’s sightseeing!
Photo courtesy of Kemal Stone House Hotel from Booking.com
TOP BUDGET PICK: Kemal Stone House Hotel (⭐ 9.0)
Perfect for budget travellers, this lovely hotel offers simple, cosy rooms with comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, underfloor heating and ensuite bathrooms. Some rooms also have a balcony, flat-screen TV and a fireplace. Guests can enjoy a hearty complimentary breakfast at the hotel. The staff are super kind and helpful and Uçhisar Castle is only 500 metres away.
🥘 Where to Eat in Cappadocia During Winter
Cappadocia has some fantastic restaurants and during our visits we try to eat in as many places as possible. Here are a few of our favourite places to chow down.
Breakfast
In many hotels in Cappadocia breakfast is included however if you are like us and breakfast is your favourite meal of the day, then there are a few places we’d recommend venturing out to.
The friendly family-run Nazar Borek and Cafe is perfect for a light breakfast - we really love their gözleme (stuffed Turkish pancake) and börek (Turkish layered and filled pastry) washed down with a cup of Turkish çay.
They also serve other authentic dishes such as köfte (meatballs), mantı (Turkish ravioli), and chicken şiş kebab plus various desserts. The cafe has a nice view over the town too and there are some excellent options for vegetarians and vegans.
If you’re hungrier and want a more elaborate breakfast in Cappadocia, then head to Görkündere Cafe Breakfast which serves an epic serpme kahvaltı (traditional Turkish breakfast). With unlimited Turkish tea and an endless parade of dishes, it’s a must for breakfast lovers!
Want to know more about Turkish breakfast? Read our guide to Turkish breakfast here!
Lunch/Dinner
As we mentioned before, testi kebab is the thing to try in Cappadocia and we’d recommend pre-ordering this at Seten Restaurant, Göreme Han or Kapadokya Kebabzade.
For vegetarians (like me, Sasha) and vegans, we’d recommend trying this dish at Organic Cave Kitchen (formerly Family Cave Kitchen) and Inci Cave Restaurant. Organic Cave Kitchen also has a lovely terrace with great views of Göreme Town.
However, our favourite restaurant hands down has to be Hanimeli Turkish Food in Ürgüp. Another family-run restaurant, Hanimeli offers affordable, tasty, homecooked meals (the owner’s wife and mother literally cook everything) and is the place to go if you want to try authentic Turkish cuisine. There are great vegetarian options too!
We tried kuru fasulye (white beans stewed in a tomato sauce), mantı and testi kebap here and everything was delicious.
🛬 How to Get to Cappadocia
✈️ By Plane
The easiest way to get to Cappadocia is to fly. There are two airports in Cappadocia: Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (40 minutes drive from Göreme) and Kayseri Erkilet Airport (just over 1 hour from Göreme). Both Cappadocia airports receive flights with Turkish and Pegasus Airlines from many major cities across Turkey.
In the winter however, some direct routes (e.g. from Izmir to Kayseri or Antalya to Kayseri) do not operate, so we’d recommend flying from Istanbul to Cappadocia during this period as you can always find direct flights on this route.
We book all our flights through WayAway - it’s super easy to use and has great flight details. We are also WayAway Plus members so we get cashback on our flight and hotel bookings. Now who doesn’t like a bit of free ca$h monies?! Click here to book your Cappadocia flight on WayAway
Cappadocia flights from Istanbul depart from both Istanbul International Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Prices start at around £30/$37 and the flight takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
Cappadocia Airport Transfers
From the airport, the easiest way to get to your hotel in Göreme or Uçhisar is by booking a shared airport transfer. This shared airport transfer is only £9/$11 per person - click to book it here.
Göreme and Uçhisar are approximately 70 minutes by car from Kayseri Airport. Nevşehir Airport is a little bit closer - around 40 minutes to both towns.
🚍 By bus
The cheapest way to get to Cappadocia is by bus. There are frequent buses from Istanbul to Goreme, Cappadocia's main town for visitors to the region.
Long distance buses in Turkey are comfortable and companies such as Metro Turizm, Pamukkale Turizm and Nevşehir Seyahat offer complimentary drinks and snacks too (we're giving the UK’s National Express some serious side-eye right now).
We’ve done bus rides over 24 hours long in Turkey and have been given cake, ice cream, biscuits and crisps during the journey. Most buses also have a fridge filled with complimentary bottles of water.
We book all our tickets through Busbud as the prices are the same as booking over the counter at the bus station and you can see all the different companies and departure times. Check bus prices and book your ticket with Busbud here.
The journey to Cappadocia from Istanbul takes around 11.5 hours and currently costs £22/$27. Make sure you take a good book or download some podcasts for the ride!
🚗 By car
Driving in Turkey is really enjoyable and a great way to explore the country. Having your own wheels in Cappadocia is also really useful because you can drive between different attractions and explore the region at your own pace.
We recommend Discover Cars and Local Rent as these two companies have excellent customer service, low prices, transparent terms and conditions and a great selection of cars. For more information about renting a car in Turkey, read here.
The drive to Cappadocia from Istanbul will take between 8-9 hours.
❓ FAQs: Visiting Cappadocia in Winter
Is Cappadocia worth visiting in the winter?
For sure! It’s less crowded, tours, hotels and experiences are cheaper, all the attractions are open and accessible and it’s cosy as hell. There’s also no better time than winter to stay in a cave hotel. Finally, the winter scenery is simply magical! Just book to go already!
Can I book a Cappadocia hot air balloon tour in winter?
Yes. Just keep in mind that Cappadocia hot air balloon tours are less regular during the winter months because the weather sometimes means it is unsafe to fly. So we’d advise making your trip a bit longer (between three to four days) as it leaves you time to rebook your tour if it is cancelled.
What is the Cappadocia air balloon price in winter?
The price of a hot air balloon tour in winter varies depending on the company you book with but you can expect to pay £120/$146 per person for a tour with a reputable company. Some companies will offer tours as low as £53/$65 per person during winter.
What is the typical Cappadocia climate during winter?
You can jump back to this section which breaks down the weather in Cappadocia month by month in detail, but you can expect the following:
November: Daytime temperature: 13°C/55°F, nighttime temperature: 0°C/31°F. Generally dry and sunny, autumn-like weather.
December: Daytime temperature is colder, ranging between 6°C/43°F and 10°C/50°F. Expect below-zero temperatures at night: (averaging -3°C/27°F). Higher chance of snow and rain.
January: Very chilly! Around 4°C (39°F) during the day and often below zero, with nighttime temperatures dropping to -5°C to -8°C (23°F-17°F) at night. One of the snowiest months in Cappadocia.
February: Daytime temperature is around 6°C (43°F) and nighttime is usually between -5°C to -6°C (23°F-21°F). A very windy month, with a high chance of snow and rain.
March: Daytime temperatures of 8°C - 12°C (46°F - 54°F), with nighttime still cold - expect temperatures below zero and sometimes as low as -3°C/27°F. Expect lots of rain and strong, cold winds.
❄️ Winter in Cappadocia: That's a Wrap!
We hope that we’ve shown you why you should visit Cappadocia in winter and that you’ve found our post helpful to plan your own winter adventure.
We love visiting places in winter and Cappadocia is honestly one of the most magical and beautiful winter destinations we have ever been to. The fact that there are fewer tourists and everything is more affordable during the winter season is simply the icing on the cake.
Remember, popular activities like Cappadocia ballooning, horse riding and the Red, Green and Blue tours still happen during winter and hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops are all open.
On our winter trip, we did all the tours and activities we wanted to and really enjoyed the fact that the atmosphere was much more peaceful and relaxed compared to the summer.
So don’t be hesitant about booking that winter Cappadocia trip - it’s the perfect time to go!
We’d love to know if you’ve been to Cappadocia in winter - let us know in the comments below!
📚 Check Out Our Other Articles on Turkey
Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Istanbul and Turkey/Türkiye guides:
🏠 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Coolest Neighbourhoods & Top Hotels
🌟 22 Best Hotels in Istanbul With a View
🗓 The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days
🇹🇷 The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
🍲 The Best Istanbul Food Tours
🌷 Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival
🎪 18 Best Festivals in Istanbul
🛫 How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre
⛄ 9 Awesome Reasons to Spend Winter in Istanbul
🎄 Christmas in Istanbul: All You Need to Know for a Magical Stay
🍳 Best Breakfast in Istanbul - 16 Incredible Places to Try
✅ 12 Things You Need To Do in Istanbul
🔎 Explore Balat Istanbul: An Insider's Guide to One of Istanbul's Most Unique Neighbourhoods
🍟 Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul
🥑 Where to Find the Best Vegan Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul
🖼️ 14 Top Things To Do in Gaziantep
🍔 Off the Eaten Track: The Best Street Food in Istanbul
🥦 Vegan Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants
Find more travel tips and useful information on Turkey here.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
Some of the links in this Cappadocia in Winter article are affiliate links.
That means that if you drop any ca$h monies on any products after clicking one of these links (i.e. make a purchase), we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This enables us to MAKE IT RAIN, BABY, (nah just kidding, we actually use it to buy coffee which we drink whilst creating more useful and entertaining content like this).
Mog and Dog Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Don’t worry, we only link to places that we really like and products that we actually own or would buy for ourselves.
