Cappadocia, Pamukkale Tour
€950.00
Region Guide
About Central Anatolia
Central Anatolia is a high plateau at the heart of Türkiye, shaped by open steppe, volcanic peaks and salt lakes. Its history runs remarkably deep, from Çatalhöyük, one of the earliest known towns, to the Hittites, Byzantine rock-cut churches and Seljuk madrasas. Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and underground cities, Konya's Mevlana Museum, and Ankara's Anıtkabir and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations are the region's icons. Göreme and Çatalhöyük are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the white expanse of the Salt Lake and the green canyon of Ihlara add a natural counterpoint.
Most tours here center on Cappadocia, where a typical program includes a hot air balloon flight, Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city and a walk through Ihlara Valley. Culture tours from Ankara cover Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, while Konya trips focus on the Mevlana Museum and a whirling dervish ceremony. Three to five days lets you add Hattusa and the Salt Lake. Through TurTalebi you can compare itineraries from local firms and pay securely by card.
Tours and Activities
Central Anatolia Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
3 tours shown
Highlights
Top Routes in the Region
01
Cappadocia
The region's star, with fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches and underground cities. Sunrise balloon flights depend on weather and wind, and the authorities can cancel them on the morning itself.
02
Konya and the Mevlana Museum
The green-tiled dome over Rumi's tomb is Konya's emblem. The city also has fine Seljuk monuments, and whirling dervish ceremonies are held there on set days.
03
Anıtkabir and Ankara's Museums
Anıtkabir, Atatürk's monumental mausoleum, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with finds from the Paleolithic onward, anchor any visit to the capital. The old lanes around Ankara Castle are worth a stroll.
04
Hattusa
The Hittite capital at Boğazkale in Çorum province, with its Lion Gate and the Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site often added to culture tours from Ankara.
05
Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü)
Türkiye's second-largest lake shrinks in summer into a dazzling white salt flat. It is a classic stop on the Ankara–Aksaray road for sunset photos and, in season, flamingo watching.
06
Ihlara Valley
A walking trail follows the Melendiz stream through a deep canyon in Aksaray, passing frescoed churches carved into the rock and ending with a riverside break in the village of Belisırma.
Planning
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
Central Anatolia has a continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. April to June and September to October are the most pleasant times to travel, with mild days and generally steadier conditions for balloon flights. Summer days are hot, but nights cool down sharply. Winter brings snow-dusted fairy chimneys and quiet museums, though mornings can be freezing and weather cancels balloon flights more often.
Getting Around the Region
Ankara is the region's transport hub, with Esenboğa Airport and high-speed trains linking it to Istanbul and Konya. For Cappadocia, fly into Nevşehir Kapadokya or Kayseri Erkilet Airport. A classic route starts in Ankara with Anıtkabir and its museums, skirts the Salt Lake on the way to Cappadocia, then continues after a few days via Ihlara Valley to Konya. Hattusa makes an extra day trip east of Ankara.
Practical Tips
- If a balloon flight is on your list, stay at least two nights in Cappadocia so a cancelled flight can move to the next morning.
- The steppe sees big swings between day and night temperatures, so pack a warm layer for evenings even in summer.
- Dress modestly and keep your voice down at the Mevlana Museum and Anıtkabir, and allow time to watch Anıtkabir's changing of the guard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The highlights are Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and underground cities, Ihlara Valley, the Mevlana Museum and Çatalhöyük in Konya, Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, and the Salt Lake. Hattusa, the Hittite capital in Çorum, is often added to these routes too.
No. Each morning, flights go ahead only if weather and wind allow and the authorities give approval, so cancellations happen regularly in some seasons. Flights take off at sunrise; staying several nights and booking for your first morning gives you a backup if one is called off.
Five to seven days covers Ankara, Cappadocia and Konya comfortably. Cappadocia alone needs two or three days, and adding Hattusa or the Salt Lake pushes a full trip past a week.
Sema ceremonies take place at the Mevlana Cultural Center in Konya on set days, but schedules change, so check the current program before you go. The largest events are the Şeb-i Arus commemorations each December, marking the anniversary of Rumi's death.
Most people drive via Aksaray, a journey of about three hours. A short detour to Ihlara Valley and a stop at the Seljuk-era Sultanhanı Caravanserai along the way turn the transfer into a sightseeing day.
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