Underground City Adventure
Beneath Cappadocia lie underground cities carved into volcanic rock, where thousands of people once lived. Derinkuyu reaches eight levels deep, and the complexes include homes, churches, wine cellars, ventilation shafts, and defense systems that sealed the passages.
Beneath Cappadocia lie underground cities carved into volcanic rock, where thousands of people once lived. Derinkuyu reaches eight levels deep, and the complexes include homes, churches, wine cellars, ventilation shafts, and defense systems that sealed the passages.
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the most visited underground cities. Passages are narrow and low in places, so they are not ideal for people with claustrophobia.
What you see
- Derinkuyu: one of the deepest, with many levels open to visitors.
- Kaymaklı: wide networks of rooms, stables, kitchens and storage.
- Rolling stone doors that could seal the passages from inside.
- Ventilation shafts, wells, chapels and wine presses.
Tips
- The Green Tour usually includes an underground city, Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery.
- Bring a light jacket: it is cool underground.
- Go early to avoid queues in the narrow tunnels.
What’s nearby
Continue to the Ihlara Valley on the Green Tour, or return for the fairy chimneys and Uçhisar Castle. Getting here from Istanbul? See Istanbul to Cappadocia. More ideas in our Cappadocia guide.
Cappadocia Underground Cities: frequently asked questions
Which underground city is best?
Derinkuyu is deeper and more dramatic; Kaymaklı is a little easier to walk. Both are impressive.
How long does a visit take?
About one hour for each underground city.
Book tours & tickets
🎟️ See Cappadocia tours →Free cancellation on most tours · secure booking with GetYourGuide
Photos: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0; Ahmet KAYNARPUNAR, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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