Cappadocia Green Tour Review 2025: A Deep Look into Ihlara Valley & Underground Cities

People often wonder about the tours in Cappadocia, you know. You’re usually faced with a choice, the Red Tour or the Green Tour, so that can be a tough one. The Red Tour, for instance, typically covers the northern part of Cappadocia, like the open-air museum and fairy chimneys. The Green Tour, on the other hand, takes you a bit further south, which is really something else. I mean, we chose the Green Tour because we honestly wanted to see the Ihlara Valley and go deep inside an underground city. Basically, this tour is all about exploring different kinds of landscapes, from wide-open views to tight, ancient tunnels.

First Stop: A Panoramic View That’s Pretty Hard to Forget

Alright, so our day pretty much started with a stop at Göreme Panorama. The view you get from here is, frankly, just incredible. You’re standing there, and you can see a huge valley filled with fairy chimneys and rock houses, which is just wild. Actually, it’s a perfect spot to get your first real feel for Cappadocia’s unique look. The guide, by the way, gives you some background on the geology, which is kind of interesting. You, like your fellow travelers, will probably spend most of the time just taking pictures, to be honest. It’s almost impossible not to when the scene in front of you looks like something from another planet. This stop, as a matter of fact, really sets the stage for the rest of the day’s adventures.

Descending into History: The Derinkuyu Underground City

Next, we went to the Derinkuyu Underground City, and frankly, this was a highlight. You literally go down many levels under the earth into a city that people carved out by hand, which is seriously mind-boggling. The tunnels are often narrow and low, so you sort of have to watch your head as you walk. It’s amazing to think that, you know, thousands of people once lived down there with their animals and supplies. You’ll see stables, wineries, and even a church, all carved from the soft volcanic rock, you know. Honestly, the ventilation system they created so long ago is just incredibly clever. As I was saying, being that far underground can feel a little strange, but it’s an experience you’ll definitely remember.

The Heart of the Green Tour: Hiking the Ihlara Valley

After the underground city, the Ihlara Valley is sort of the main event of the Green Tour. This place is basically a big, green canyon with a river running right through it. The change from the dry, rocky plains of Cappadocia is actually quite dramatic. We started our hike by walking down a long flight of stairs into the canyon floor, which was, well, a good workout. The walk itself is pretty gentle, more or less a 4-kilometer stroll along the Melendiz River. You’re surrounded by tall cliffs on both sides, and honestly, the sound of the water and the birds is very relaxing. Along the way, you actually stop at an ancient rock-cut church called Ağaçaltı Kilise. Inside, you can still see faint, old paintings on the walls, which is pretty much incredible to witness up close.

Lunch by the River and the Amazing Selime Monastery

By the time we finished the hike, we were all, you know, ready for lunch. The tour then takes you to a restaurant right by the river in Belisirma village, which is just a perfect setting. You can literally sit in little huts over the water, which is a really unique dining experience. The food is typically simple Turkish fare, like grilled chicken or fish with salad and bread, and frankly, it tastes amazing after a morning of exploring. Next, we drove to Selime Monastery, which is, at the end of the day, one of the most visually stunning stops. This huge rock formation looks a bit like a giant sandcastle and is supposedly one of the largest religious buildings in Cappadocia. Climbing up through its different rooms and tunnels, you know, gives you some truly spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Last Touches: Pigeon Valley and an Onyx Workshop

Okay, so toward the end of the day, you usually make a quick stop at Pigeon Valley. It’s called that because, as a matter of fact, of the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rock face. You know, farmers used to collect pigeon droppings from here for fertilizer, which is kind of a fun fact. The view is obviously really nice and it’s another great photo opportunity. Finally, the tour often wraps up with a visit to a local onyx workshop, to be honest. Here, they show you how they cut and polish the local stone, and it is a little bit of a demonstration. Of course, they also have a showroom where you can buy things, so it’s basically a chance to pick up a souvenir if you want. It’s a slightly commercial stop, but still kind of interesting to see the craftsmanship involved.

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