| Göreme | ||
 | ||
| State | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 3.000 | |
| Prefix tel | 90 384 | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
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Göreme it's a city Turkish of the Cappadocia.
To know
Göreme is the city centered in the area famous for its rock formations called "fairy chimneys". The Göreme National Park (Göreme Milli Parklar in Turkish) was added to the World Heritage Sites ofUNESCO in 1985.
Geographical notes
It is located in the province of Nevşehir in central Anatolia, 12 kilometers east of the homonymous capital.
When to go
Göreme, but more generally the whole of Cappadocia, is a beautiful destination that can be visited all year round. Trekking activities can be compromised by rain or snow which are more likely between December and January even if they are far from certain events. On the other hand, in the summer, trekking can be made tiring by the high temperatures.
| average values | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Mag | Down | Jul | Ago | Set | Oct | Nov. | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 4 ° C | 7 ° C | 11 ° C | 17 ° C | 22 ° C | 27 ° C | 30 ° C | 29 ° C | 27 ° C | 21 ° C | 13 ° C | 6 ° C |
| Minimum | -5 ° C | -4 ° C | -2 ° C | 3 ° C | 8 ° C | 12 ° C | 15 ° C | 15 ° C | 10 ° C | 6 ° C | 1 ° C | -3 ° C |
| Rainy days | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
Background
The first settlements in the region date back to the Christian era of the Roman period. Archaeological sites include the churches of Ortahane, Durmus Kadir, Yusuf Koc and Bezirhane, including Tokali Kilise, a rock-hewn church.
How to orient yourself
Göreme: full screen map.The town is small, but since street names are not marked (at least not always), the main landmarks are the mosque, with its towering minaret, and the square where buses come and go and where there is also an information point. tourism dedicated to hotel facilities.
How to get
By plane
The nearest airports are those of Kayseri is Nevşehir; both served by Turkish Airline and Pegaus Airline with multiple daily flights.
From Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) you can reach Göreme by shared bus (typically organized by the hotel where you booked) at a cost of 25 TL (January 2014). While from Nevşehir Kapadokya airport (NAV), with the same system, you can reach Göreme with 20 TL (January 2014). This is the cheapest and easiest way to get to the city.
On the train
There is no train station in the immediate surroundings.
By bus
Long-distance coaches are a good and economical option to reach Göreme, especially those to / from Istanbul or for example Pamukkale because being nocturnal they give the possibility to sleep relatively comfortably inside them, saving even a night in a hotel. The bus stop is practically in the city center and is served by more than one company (Nevsehirliler, Metro, Goreme Tourism, Suha and Göreme Cappadocia).
To avoid surprises it is necessary to inquire first if the bus is equipped with a bathroom or not and if not, if it makes intermediate stops. In this second case it is important to pay attention to where to place your luggage that you keep on board because it is not uncommon for someone to sneak in with the complicity of the shadow and sleeping passengers during the long intermediate stops.
How to get around
The town is so small and compact that you can walk around it in a few minutes. In front of the bus stop there is a large rental of quads, mountain bikes and other motorized two-wheeled vehicles.
By taxi
Taxis can be booked by those who decide to visit the nearby attractions without renting a car and without joining organized groups.
With guided tours
Every hotel in the city and every tourist agency will offer you (in a more or less insistent way) organized tours to visit the attractions around the city. The most popular are two day trips and some guided treks (which can also be done independently). Remember: the list prices are all negotiable.
What see
- Göreme Panorama. Lookout above the city and rock formations. Perfect for photographs. There are some trained pigeons capable of doing real somersaults in the air: a show that leaves you incredulous!
- Derinkuyu underground city (In Derinkuyu). City developed on 11 levels of which only a part of the first can be visited, however they are sufficient to understand the lifestyle of the populations who inhabited it and the defensive and self-sustaining techniques adopted to defend against invaders. Derinkuyu underground city extends to a depth of 85 meters in an area of 650 square meters. The city was connected with other underground cities through miles of long tunnels and could accommodate 3,000 to 50,000 people.
- Ihlara Valley. Valley that develops along a 7 km stretch of the course of a stream. Along the way there are several rock churches with frescoes that are anything but in good condition, but it is still surprising to find them in that context. Also in the valley there are a couple of refreshment points. A flight of over 300 steps connects the carriage road to the stream.
- Selime Monastery. A monastery carved into the rock that can be visited through indications that should help to wander among the various ravines connected to each other through tunnels accessible with different degrees of simplicity. From the highest points it is possible to enjoy a discreet panorama that among other things also shows on the buildings that inspired George Lucas for some landscapes of the film Star Wars. At the top is the heart of the monastery made up of perfectly sculpted columns, unfortunately here the lighting is really poor.
- Göreme Open Air Museum. Heritage site ofUNESCO where it is possible to visit a real village developed around two ancient buildings used as a monastery and convent. In the interiors of the houses it is possible to see the kitchens with the typical ovens tandoori and the dining rooms with long tables and benches entirely carved into the rock. The interiors of Christian churches are frescoed with different painting techniques (frescoes and dry paints). Some churches have been defaced in the past by Muslim fundamentalists for religious reasons and in more modern times by young vandals to engrave their name, but others are very well preserved, such as the Dark church (Karanlik Kilise), to visit it it is necessary to pay an additional ticket. The other churches in the area are: the Church of Santa Barbara, small with simple dry paintings. There Serpent Church (Yilanli Kilise) with slightly ruined frescoes that behind them let you glimpse the old dry paintings and takes its name from the depiction of St. George and the dragon, except that instead of the dragon there is a snake. There Church of the Sandals (Carikli Kilise) with excellent frescoes and takes its name from two almost imperceptible footprints / sandals on the floor exactly below the depiction of Christ's ascension to symbolize the last sign that Christ left on Earth.
- Trained pigeons. A curious thing to see, if you are lucky enough, are the local trained pigeons. Aesthetically, the local pigeons have a fairly thick down on their legs (perhaps genetically due to low temperatures), but their actual peculiarity consists in performing real somersaults in the air! Historically, pigeons were used to send messages remotely or to warn of impending danger. Nowadays they are used in shows and competitions and their price can reach considerable figures.
Events and parties
- Klasik Keyifler (Hidden Valley), ☎ 90 0532 614 4955.
July August. In the summer period chamber music concerts are organized in the evocative scenery of Cappadocia. The exact dates are set close to summer. - [link not working]Cappadocia Jazz Days (Kapadokya Caz Günleri).
Free entry. A week between November and December. Since 2010 this initiative has taken place throughout Cappadocia which consists of organizing jazz concerts in the main meeting points by some of the best musicians in the country.
July August. In the summer period chamber music concerts are organized in the evocative scenery of Cappadocia. The exact dates are set close to summer.
Free entry. What to do
- Independent trekking. There are at least 4 valleys that can be visited independently with departure and arrival in the city entirely on foot. These routes are poorly indicated, so it is very easy to lose the main road without getting lost completely (it is enough to have a minimum of sense of direction). The good thing about them is that they will allow you to enter the midst of the marvelous rock creations that nature has carved over the centuries. The main valleys are: the Valley of the pigeons (Güvercinlik went or Pigeon valley), the Valley of love (Bağlıdere vadisi or Love valley), the Valley of the Roses (Güllüdere go or Rose valley) and the Red Valley (Kızılçukur vadisi or Red valley). Starting at dawn, if you are athletic enough, it is possible to do them all in one day, otherwise (especially in winter when it gets dark early), you can calmly do either the first couple or the second.
- Turkish bath (Hammam). 60 TL (January 2014). The staff must be tipped. Near the city center there is a facility that offers the standard service of turkish bath (i.e. steam), mud face mask, soap massage and washing. This service is conveyed by the various hotels and tourist agencies so those interested will have no difficulty in finding it. The advertised duration is 2 hours but they say that if you want you can stay longer (unless the structure is crowded).
| Company | Hot air balloons: number and max people | Duration (minutes) | List price (euro as at Jan. 2014) | Breakfast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Kapadokya | 6 from 10/18/22 | 60 | 150 | Basic in the office |
| Anatolian Balloons | 12 from 4/10/16/20/24/30/36 | 60, 90 | 160, 250 | Buffet in a cafe |
| Assiana | 7 from 4/20 | 30, 60 | 100, 160 | Basic in the field |
| Atlas Balloons[link not working] | 6 from 6/10/16/20/24 | 60, 90 | 150, 220 | Basic in the office |
| Atmosfer Balloons | 12 from 12/24 | 60, 90 | 150, 220 | Buffet in the restaurant |
| Turkish Balloon | 6 from 12/20/28 | 60, 90 | 160, 260 | Basic in the office |
| Butterfly Balloons | 6 from 8/12/16 | 60, 90 | 190, 270 (2019) | Basic in the office |
| Cihangiroglu Balloons[link previously not working] | 5 from 10/16/20/26 | 60, 90 | 160, 230 | Basic in the field |
| Discovery Balloons | 5 from 10/28 | 60, 90 | 160, 250 | Basic in a cafe |
| Ez Air Balloons | 11 from 3/12/16/20 | 60 | 160 | Basic in the field |
| Göreme Balloons | 17 from 2/28 | 60, 90 | 160, 230 | Basic in the office |
| Istanbul Balloons | 5 from 8/28 | 60, 90 | 160, 260 | Basic in the office in Çavuşin |
| Kapadokya Balloons | 15 from 4/24 | 60, 90 | 175, 250 | Basic in the office |
| Kaya Balloons | 13 from 2/24 | 60, 90 | 160, 250 | Basic in the office |
| Rainbow Balloons | 7 from 12/16/20 | 60 | 185 (2019) | Basic in the office or in the field |
| Royal Balloons | 7 from 6/24 | 60, 90 | 175, 240 | Buffet in the office |
| Skyway Balloons | 8 from 8/27 | 60, 90 | 150, 600 | Basic in the office |
| Sultan Balloons[link previously not working] | 7 from 5/12/16/20 | 60, 75 | 175, 2000 (2019) | Basic in the field |
| THK / TAA Balon | 12 from 2/20 | 60 | 175 | Basic in the office or in the field |
| Türkiye Balloons | 5 from 12/16/20/24 | 60, 90 | 160, 250 | Buffet in the office |
| Ürgüp Balloons | 7 from 8/14/16/20 | 60, 90 | 150, 230 | Basic in the office |
| Universal Balloons | 5 from 6/12/14/16/20 | 60, 90 | 150, 230 | Basic in the field |
| Voyager Balloons | 9 from 8/28 | 60, 90 | 160, 250 | Buffet in the office |
- Hot air balloon flight. List prices range from € 100 to € 260 but keep in mind that no one pays the full price (in January 2014 the prices paid ranged from € 90 to € 120). A minivan will pick you up at around 5:45 am and for one hour flights, drop you back at your hotel at around 8:30 am. One of the unmissable things to do here in Göreme is the balloon flight to admire the rock formations from above with the light of dawn that enhances their beauty. The most characteristic aspect is that shortly before dawn there will be many hot air balloons that all together will fly up making your surroundings even more fascinating. The price you will pay for any company will include transport from / to the hotel, a breakfast, a flight certificate, a final toast with a drink (of dubious flavor) that should resemble the champagne drunk at the end of the first balloon flight held in France in 1783. The various companies offer their own type of breakfast that can vary in quantity (basic or buffet) and in the place where it is held (in their offices indoors and in the heat in Göreme with the possibility of using a bathroom or outdoors and in the cold at the starting point but with the possibility of seeing the entire balloon preparation process; not just the last part of the inflation). In any case, the return time will be compatible with the breakfast time of your hotel.
- Guided tours. List prices are: Green 110 TL, Red 90 TL, Rose 15TL (January 2014), but by negotiating you always get a little discount.. Local hotels and agencies offer three different tours called Green tour, Red tour is Rose valley tour. Keep in mind that the goals reached are not always those advertised. In addition, the top destination of the Red tour is the beautiful open-air museum that can also be visited independently with a walk. Similar to the valley of roses, an exception is that on foot it is preferable not to wait for the sunset for safety reasons. The Green tour, on the other hand, can be worthwhile especially for those who do not have their own vehicle given the numerous bus trips. For the latter, which is the most booked, try to be included in a tour with a low number of participants (no more than a minivan) otherwise it could become distracting.
Shopping
Göreme is dotted with shops where you can buy cheap (and quality) souvenirs. When you participate in an organized tour, in the middle or at the end of the day you are almost always accompanied to a tourist shop selling pottery, carpets or precious stones.
- Tableware (Avanos, 10 km from Göreme). Avanos has been famous for its pottery for centuries. In Göreme there are many who sell these products but with higher prices, although always of high quality.
- Carpets. The area of Göreme and its surroundings is among the most famous for the production and sale of carpets in Turkey, and the prices are lower than what you can find at Istanbul.
How to have fun
Away from the high season it is a very quiet town.
Shows
- Turkish dinner show. 80-90 TL. Purely tourist dinner where you can see belly dance and whirling dervishes shows. Usually in these dinners, food and alcoholic drinks are "unlimited" (but it is best to ask when booking). The quality of the show and what is served can vary, therefore, not being able to complain about this very subjective aspect, it is a risk to be taken into account.
- Whirling Dervishes. 20 € (January 2014). 21:00-23:00. For those interested in seeing exclusively the spectacle of the whirling dervishes, choosing independently where to go for dinner, this is the most economical solution. The show lasts about an hour. The price is negotiable, but being the only show, it is unlikely that you will get a big reduction, therefore, for those who make a tour in Turkey it is advisable to ask in advance for similar show prices in the various cities to expand the offer in this way.
Night clubs
For those looking for a nightclub frequented by tourists and locals, you can find it in the nearby Avanos.
Where to eat
There are so many places to eat and all have reasonable prices, such as to consider them average prices for the place. Since we generally eat quite well, those who stay longer can also experiment with new places with limited risks. One of the local specialties is lamb.
Average prices
- 1 Topdeck Cave Restaurant, Hafiz Abdullah Efendi Sokak 15 (Keeping the mosque behind you, cross the bridge and head to the left, after which you follow the signs), ☎ 90 384 271 2474, @[email protected]. for example, about 30 tl each for a full dinner and 45 tl for a bottle of excellent local wine (January 2014). open only for dinner, from 18:00 to 22:00. This is one of the best (if not the best) restaurant in town. The food is excellent, the environment is nice, with a fireplace that warms the inside and with the possibility to choose whether to sit at the tables or on the cushions on the floor. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. In the high season, reservations are recommended. The restaurant staff offers the opportunity to attend cooking courses for a fee that will end with being able to eat the dishes prepared.
- 2 Pumpkin Goreme Restaurant and Art Gallery, Isali Mah. Iceri Dere Sok. 7 / A (Looking at the mosque it is on the right.), ☎ 90 542 808 5050, @[email protected]. fixed menu at 30 tl (January 2014). open only for dinner. The peculiarity of this restaurant opened at the end of 2013 is the furniture (hence the name Art Gallery), in fact it is adorned with all lamps made from pumpkins inlaid by the owner over the years. The restaurant has no menu and offers a fixed menu consisting of a soup, low-fat yogurt with honey, a plate of vegetables and cheeses, a little lamb, a simple dessert and water; in short, a hearty and cheap meal. Another peculiarity of the place is that the manager (artist and cook) teaches how to make them by providing pumpkins and tools, after which one can also buy the newly created pumpkin-lamp.
Where stay
In the city there are several hotels and hostels, all at very cheap prices (almost all with breakfast included). There are many charming hotels that, in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment, have taken up the design of the "caves" that were inhabited by the local population up to half a century ago. Today these hotels are a beautiful combination of ancient quarries and modern furnishings with light points (external and internal) that enhance their charm. Some hotels are even dug into the tuff!
Average prices
- 1 [link not working]Kayatas Hotel, Gafelli Mah. Hafiz Sukru Efendi Sok. No: 18, ☎ 90 384 271 29 09, 90 543 443 30 22, @[email protected]. Double from 30 € (January 2014). Central with panoramic veranda for breakfast. The interiors are a nice blend of old and new (although the finishings leave a lot to be desired, but it only opened in early 2013), resulting in rooms with a romantic design. The breakfast is abundant even if not varied. The wifi connection is free and available throughout the hotel. The hotel owners offer their guests all the classic tour packages but not in an intrusive way; they are also very available for any kind of information.
Safety
Small and very quiet town. The only risks can be connected to solo trekking so it may be a good idea to go at least in two and with at least one mobile phone.
How to keep in touch
Post office
The post office (Sokak post) offers telephone, fax and currency exchange service.
Internet
Almost all hotels (and even some restaurants) offer free wifi to their customers. If you do not have a mobile device for wifi connection, you can still take advantage of one of the internet cafes in the city where you can also make prints.
Around
- Avanos —
- Çavuşin —
- Nevşehir - Owns the nearest airport.
- Uçhisar - Reachable both by carriageway and by trekking through the Valley of the pigeons or the Valley of love.
- Ürgüp —
Itineraries
- Trekking enthusiasts can start from the city center and walk along the path of the Valley of the Pigeons in the direction Uçhisar, and before arriving at the scenic Cappadocia Cave Resort hotel (or CCR hotel) turn right along the urban road. When you reach the gemstone shop (where you can sip excellent apple tea for free), turn left onto the path of the Valley of Love. At the end of the path you will arrive at the crossroads of the road that connects Göreme to Çavuşin. At this point you can either go back to the city (even if the road is not particularly attractive) or continue to Çavuşin where you can refresh yourself before taking a bus back. Alternatively, you can go around in the opposite direction looking for a bus in the city center that leaves you at the crossroads mentioned above. This itinerary is preferable to do early in the morning to enhance the conformations of the Valley of Love.
- Another itinerary that trekking enthusiasts can do (preferably with the afternoon lights) is the one that touches the Valley of the Roses and the Red Valley.
Useful information
- Some dining establishments don't accept credit cards, so it's always good to ask before sitting down.
- Underground cities or rock-cut dwellings can have very narrow or very low tunnels, so you need to have adequate mobility to visit them. They can also create problems for those suffering from claustrophobia.
- The houses dug into the tuff, especially those below ground level, are beautiful and characteristic, but they are also particularly humid due to inadequate ventilation. It should be borne in mind when choosing the accommodation you are going to book.
