2-Day Ihlara Valley & Underground Cities Route

Carved by the patient hands of time and veiled in the whispers of forgotten civilisations, Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City, and Kaymaklı Underground City are among the magical places near Cappadocia.

You will be mesmerised by the unique topography and rock-cut churches of the valley, as well as the unforgettable architecture of the underground cities. This journey will be more than just a journey; it is like a passage between worlds.

Visitors walk beneath towering canyon walls where rivers murmur like ancient songs, and descend into shadowed tunnels where history breathes through stone. Through a 2-day Cappadocia route, you will discover the region’s cultural heritage.

5 Points

230 km

4 h

Route points

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On the first day, explore the Derinkuyu Underground City and its chambers. Its halls and chapels reflect the austere beauty and secrecy of early Christianity, between the 4th and 8th centuries.

The city's main purpose was to serve as a secure, temporary refuge against military threats. This structure featured massive stone doors to seal off internal passages, a complex ventilation system, and deep wells to ensure self-sufficiency during extended sieges.

Afterwards, continue to Kaymaklı for a different perspective on subterranean life. Its lower, maze-like levels and communal rooms feel intensely lived in, and walking its narrow corridors helps you picture how everyday routines continued underground, even in times of fear.

Nearby, you can wander through the historic Güzelyurt town. Start with Red Church, a striking 6th-century monument just outside town, then return to the centre for a walk through stone streets and quiet courtyards that still carry the rhythm of village life.

In the town, step into the Church Mosque and notice the layered identity of the building, where faith and community have shared the same walls across centuries. Before ending your route, you should also see Bell Church and High Church.

For dinner, try Testi Kebabı, a dish with the rich aroma of slow-cooked meat and vegetables. Towards night, rest for tomorrow in one of the boutique and cosy hotels in the town.

Start with a long walk along the Ihlara Valley in the early morning light, relaxing around the Melendiz River. While the valley is best known for its natural formations and unique geography, its rock-cut churches reveal much about the region’s fascinating historical past.

Among the many rock-cut churches in the Ihlara Valley, two stand out as the most popular: the Ağaçaltı Church and the Yılanlı Church. You should see these two churches, which reflect the region’s deep religious history and artistic heritage.

Head to Belisırma Village to rest after this long walk and discover everyday life here. Here, you can discover handicrafts of Turkish culture and sample the renowned dishes of Turkish cuisine. Enjoy traditional flavours such as Etli Ekmek or Gözleme for dinner.

Visitors can also browse boutique local shops offering pottery and handcrafted souvenirs. Take home these beautiful keepsakes, each carrying a trace of your journey, to share this magnificent medieval experience with your loved ones.

Continue to Selime Cathedral at the valley’s far end, where the rock has been shaped into a vast, dramatic complex. Explore its carved halls and lookouts, then pause to take in the sweeping landscape that makes the entire valley feel like a stage set for history.

As evening falls, follow the road back from Selime with the cliffs turning to silhouettes. End the day with tea and something sweet, then rest, still carrying the hush of tunnels, frescoes, and stone.