Where'd you like to go?
Enter
My Profile
Edit your profile
Close session
Write an opinion
Publish

Göreme National Park and the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia

{"logged":false,"user":null,"permissions":null}

27 reviews of Göreme National Park and the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia

One of the coolest parts of my trip to Turkey

I'm not sure if I'd rank it as the best part of Cappadocia, but the Fairy Chimneys are definitely the most unique and spectacular part. These formations are representative of the region and being there is an unforgettable experience. The "peribacalar" (Fairy Chimneys) were formed by the erosion of the layer of limestone covering the volcanic rock. This left them in spindly formations which are now called "chimneys." Some of them are over 40meters high! They're cone-shaped and are crowned by tufts of hard stone standing over the pale pillars. Depending on how you look at them (and your mindset) they either look like massive phalluses or bizarre mushrooms. Locally, they're known as "kalelar" ("castles," in Turkish). In Cappadocia, you can see these formations and many others (near Zelve, there's a mountain of rocks in the shape of giant breasts).


Without a doubt, it was one of the coolest parts of my trip to Turkey. The contrast of these impossible natural structures with the arid, ochre landscape gave me the most unique, otherworldly sensation of anywhere in Turkey. Visiting Cappadocia before May is, for many, synonymous with being really cold. It's true that each region in Turkey has its own climate, and there can be differences of as much as 40 degrees between the regions on the Aegean and those in the interior. But, visiting in the off-season has its charms. Firstly, there are much less tourists and this lets you visit the region in a somewhat more relaxed pace and alleviates any concerns you might have about finding transportation or a hotel. Secondly, Cappadocia in the snow is incredible. The contrast of the snow on the dark earth is so amazing it feels like you're on a movie set or something. It's like being on the moon. So I recommend visiting Cappadocia in the off season...but, of course, dress warm!
Read more
+13

Fairy Chimneys

When we got off the bus and looked at the fairy chimneys, the landscape suddenly felt very familiar, as if we'd just stepped into our favorite childhood fairy-tale, the type of place where elves and fairies live in mushrooms. The only difference is that these were stone mushrooms with whimsical shapes, sculpted by wind erosion and by material that erupted thousands of years ago from volcanoes, namely the now inactive Erciyes and Hasan volcanoes. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, not surprisingly given that it's such a magical and geologically unique place. We wandered

Around for a large part of the afternoon and when we had to leave it was quite a let down.
Read more
+19

Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia

Here's a bit about my experience of hot air ballooning at dawn in Cappadocia. I didn't know if it was really worth paying for, but I assure you that it's more than worth it and something I'd repeat a hundred times if I could. After seeing the marvelous fairy chimney landscape from above, I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Turkey. Seeing the day slowly rise above the horizon is just...gorgeous.

+14
See original

+7
See original

+29
See original

+13
See original

+6
See original

+3
See original

See original

See original

Excellent
See original

+6
See original

See original
Have you been here?
Add your opinion and photos and help other travelers discover
{"logged":false,"user":null,"permissions":null}

Information about Göreme National Park and the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia