2025 Cappadocia South Tour Review: Is It Worth a Full Day?

So, you’ve arrived in Goreme, and honestly, the place is just magical. In fact, everywhere you look, you just see these fairy chimneys and amazing cave hotels. After you do the hot air balloon thing, the next big question is, well, how do you see everything else? At the end of the day, there are so many signs for a Red Tour, a Blue Tour, and this Green Tour, which is more or less what they call the South Tour. I mean, it gets a little confusing trying to figure out which one is the right fit for you. Basically, we were after something that covered a bit more ground and got us away from the main hub. As a matter of fact, the South Tour seemed like the perfect ticket, you know, with promises of an underground city and a walk through a pretty canyon. I wanted to give you my real thoughts on how the day went, you know, what was amazing and what was just okay, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your own trip. Still, it’s a full day commitment, so you kind of want to know what you are getting into. To be honest, I was just a little worried it might feel like a very long day spent in a minivan.

The Morning Start and a Sky Full of Pigeons

Okay, so the day starts pretty early, with a pickup right from the hotel, which is seriously convenient. A small, comfy van pulled up, and our guide was actually there with a big smile, which is always a nice way to begin. First, after we picked up a few more people, our initial stop was a place called Pigeon Valley. As a matter of fact, the view from the overlook was pretty spectacular. You just look out and see this huge valley filled with thousands of pigeon houses carved directly into the soft stone faces, it’s sort of wild. The guide explained that for centuries, you know, locals collected pigeon droppings for fertilizer, which is kind of a cool bit of information. I mean, who would have thought? The air was still a bit crisp in the morning, and honestly, the light hitting the rock formations was just beautiful for taking photos. Honestly, you can find more fascinating facts about these historic structures online. We stayed for just a little while, about twenty minutes, which was apparently just enough time to snap pictures and take in the view without feeling rushed.

The group on our tour was a pretty good mix of people from all over, you know, which made for some nice chats in the van between stops. The guide himself was really engaging, not just spouting facts but, in a way, telling stories that made the history feel alive. For example, he shared a personal story about his grandfather who used to keep pigeons in this very valley. Anyway, that kind of personal touch really makes a difference on a group tour, doesn’t it? As we drove, he would point out things along the road, like little cave churches we wouldn’t have noticed on our own. Obviously, this is the benefit of a guided experience. You could probably explore a few spots on your own, but then you’d definitely miss out on these little details and the background stories that go with them. As I was saying, it’s those little insights that truly make a trip special. Clearly, the morning was off to a very solid start and I was pretty excited for what was next.

Into the Earth: Exploring Kaymakli Underground City

Alright, our next destination was frankly the one I was most curious about: Kaymakli Underground City. Now, I’ve seen pictures, but honestly, nothing prepares you for the feeling of actually walking down into the earth. From the outside, you see, it just looks like a normal hill. You literally go through a small doorway and suddenly you’re in this whole other world. So, the temperature drops almost instantly, and you’re surrounded by this cool, damp air that smells of ancient stone and earth. Our guide led us through a web of narrow, low-ceilinged tunnels that opened up into larger rooms—you know, living quarters, kitchens with soot-stained ceilings, and even a church. To be honest, it is just mind-boggling to think that thousands of people lived their lives down here, sometimes for months at a time, to hide from invaders. It’s a bit of a squeeze in some parts, and definitely not for you if you’re seriously claustrophobic, but it’s completely manageable.

As a matter of fact, the guide showed us these huge, circular stone doors, like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, that they would roll into place to block the passageways. He told us a story about how a single person could roll the door from the inside but it would take many people to move it from the outside; it’s just brilliant, really. We went down about four levels, which is apparently only a fraction of the entire complex that is still being excavated. You definitely get a feeling for the ingenuity it took to build something like this so long ago. You can almost feel the echoes of the past around you. I mean, for anyone interested in ancient engineering or just seeing something unique, this part of the tour is an absolute must. There’s a lot of information out there, but you might want to see how these amazing cities were constructed to get a fuller picture. Honestly, after coming back up into the bright sunlight, you kind of see the world a little differently.

A Green Canyon Walk Through Time in Ihlara Valley

After the sort of dark, enclosed spaces of Kaymakli, the next part of our day was literally a breath of fresh air. We drove for a bit, and then we arrived at the Ihlara Valley, and seriously, the change in scenery is just jarring in the best possible way. You go from these wide, dusty plains to standing at the edge of a deep, green canyon with a river running right through it. Basically, we started with a walk down a long staircase into the bottom of the canyon. I mean, once you are down there, it’s like a different world. The sound of the Melendiz River, the chirping birds, and the dappled sunlight coming through the leaves of the trees—it’s just incredibly peaceful. Anyway, we spent the next hour or so walking along the riverbank.

The path is pretty much flat and very easy to walk, so you don’t need to be an experienced hiker or anything. Along the way, you know, our guide would stop and point out these tiny, almost hidden churches carved directly into the canyon walls by early Christians. We ducked into a few of them, and it was pretty amazing to see the faded frescoes that still decorate the walls and ceilings. Obviously, they’re not as grand as some you might see in a big city museum, but they feel more special somehow, right here in the middle of nature. That walk was just the perfect change of pace, sort of meditative and calming. In a way, it’s amazing to think about the people who sought refuge in this beautiful place centuries ago. To find out more about similar peaceful walks, it might be worth looking into other nature spots in the region. It’s a side of Cappadocia that, frankly, many people miss if they just stick around Goreme.

Lunch by the Water and a Star Wars Monastery

So, after our lovely walk through Ihlara Valley, we were all starting to get a little hungry. The timing was perfect, really. Our bus took us to a restaurant situated right next to the river, still inside the valley. Basically, you get to sit at these low tables on cushioned platforms right by the flowing water, which is just a wonderful atmosphere. The meal was included in the tour price, and it was a simple but very tasty spread of Turkish food—I think I had a lentil soup to start, and then some grilled chicken with rice and salad. At the end of the day, it was exactly the kind of satisfying, hearty food you want after a morning of walking and exploring. You could just relax and listen to the water and chat with your fellow travelers. It was just a really nice, relaxing break in the middle of a very full day. Seriously, dining by the water is a unique experience and you can often find other special spots to eat in Cappadocia.

Once we were all rested and fed, we got back in the van for our final major stop, which was Selime Monastery. Okay, this place is absolutely epic. As soon as you see it, you get it. It’s this gigantic rock formation that has been completely hollowed out to create a massive monastic complex with kitchens, a cathedral-sized church, and living quarters. To be honest, our guide told us—and you can see it too—that the creators of Star Wars were inspired by this very location for scenes on Tatooine. And you know what, it completely looks the part. You get to climb all over it, up winding stone staircases and through different chambers, and the views from the top looking out over the landscape are just incredible. In some respects, it felt like being a kid again, exploring this giant natural fortress. Honestly, it was a real highlight and a super impressive way to round out the sightseeing part of the day.

Final Stop and Overall Thoughts on the Day

Our very last stop, as is pretty common with these tours, was an onyx and jewelry workshop. To be honest, I am usually not a fan of these kinds of stops because they can feel like a high-pressure sales situation. But this one was actually alright. First, they gave us a really interesting demonstration where a craftsman showed us how they shape the onyx stone using a lathe, and it was actually pretty cool to see the raw rock turn into a polished egg shape right before your eyes. Then, of course, you walk through the showroom where you can buy things if you want. Still, there was literally zero pressure to buy anything, and you could just browse and use the clean restrooms before the drive back. In fact, it was a pretty gentle way to wind down. Getting to learn about local crafts can be a nice little addition to your trip.

So, was the Full-Day Cappadocia South Tour worth it? Definitely. Honestly, you see such a different side of the region compared to the more popular areas right around Goreme. It felt like a much more varied day, with the underground city, the beautiful canyon hike, and that incredible monastery. It’s a long day, for sure, and you spend a fair amount of time in the van, but the sites are spaced out and different enough that it never feels boring. For the price, which includes transport, a guide, all entrance fees, and lunch, I think it’s pretty good value. I mean, you would have a really hard time seeing all these places on your own in a single day using public transport. You just cover so much ground.

So, if you have a full day to spare and want to see more than just fairy chimneys and balloons, I would absolutely say go for this tour. Just wear comfy shoes.

Key Takeaways from the Day:

• Basically, the tour covers a huge amount of ground and a variety of different sites.
• Anyway, the Ihlara Valley walk is a beautiful, peaceful break from the usual rocky scenery.
• Kaymakli Underground City is seriously impressive, but probably not great if you have intense claustrophobia.
• Of course, lunch by the river was a really nice, relaxing experience.
• Selime Monastery, you know, is an amazing final stop and great for photos.
• Frankly, the tour offers really good value for money, including entry fees and a meal.