Cappadocia is a region made up of several small towns and villages, four cities, and a wide, expansive desert landscape. When choosing where to stay in Cappadocia, it’s not easy, as each town is closer to different attractions and has its own unique vibe.
Where you choose to stay is largely based on the type of traveler you are and what you want to get out of your trip.
You also need to consider the time of year and your travel companions – families visiting Cappadocia might not enjoy staying in the backpacker towns, for example.
So if you’re asking yourself, which is the best neighborhood in Cappadocia to stay in? This guide seeks to answer this.
At A Glance: Where to Stay in Cappadocia
If you need an answer fast, here are the best neighborhoods to stay in for each type of traveler.
- Where to Stay for Hot Air Balloons – Goreme
- Where to Stay for Couples – Ortahisar
- Where to Stay for Families – Uchisar
- Where to Stay for Solo Travelers – Goreme
- Where to Stay for Nightlife – Urgup
Top 3 Places to Stay in Cappadocia
Need a place to stay in Cappadocia but don’t have much time? Here are our top three recommendations for accommodation.
Best Luxury Hotel in Cappadocia – Karlık Cave Suite Cappadocia
Best Cave Hotel in Cappadocia – Acer Cave Hotel
Best Hostel in Cappadocia – Kamelya Cave Hostel
Don’t Miss Out on the BEST Experience in Cappadocia!
No trip to Cappadocia is complete without taking an epic hot air balloon flight at sunrise!
Make sure you reserve your tour well in advance to avoid missing out or paying any additional fees last minute!
Cappadocia Neighborhood Guide
Cappadocia is a region made up of 5,000sq km of desert landscapes, small towns, and cave dwellings. Each neighborhood has its own special charm and nearby attractions.
Here’s an overview of the six main neighborhoods that travelers tend to prefer to stay in Cappadocia.
Goreme
Best place to stay for: first-time visitors, solo travelers, backpackers, and families. It’s also where to stay for those wanting to take a hot air balloon ride.
Goreme is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to be close to all the biggest attractions in Goreme National Park and want to experience the local culture. It’s also home to the hot air balloon launch sites, so if you’re looking for where to stay for hot air balloons, this is undoubtedly where you want to base yourself.
Many of the top attractions in Cappadocia can be found near here, including Red Valley, Rose Valley, Love Valley, and Pigeon Valley.
It’s also where you can see the Goreme Open Air Museum and Zelve Open Air Museum, two stunning examples of how people lived as far back as the 5th Century BC. As such, it’s the ideal neighborhood in Cappadocia for a first-time visit.
For solo travelers looking up where to stay in Cappadocia, Goreme is your ideal choice since it has a bus route that connects it to other towns and cities in the region. While you can also rent a car, for solo travelers this is expensive, so staying near the public transport options is ideal.
Best Luxury Hotel in Goreme – Henna Hotel
The Henna Hotel is a luxury cave hotel in the heart of Goreme, Cappadocia. Its spacious rooms come with traditional furniture and modern amenities, such as ensuite bathrooms with corner tubs. The best feature of this hotel is the terrace, which offers unparalleled views of the town and surrounding landscape. This is the ideal hotel in Cappadocia to watch the hot air balloons in the morning or enjoy Turkish cuisine from the on-site restaurant in the evening.
Best Cave Hotel in Goreme – Cappadocia Cave Suites
One of the most authentic places to stay in Goreme is a cave hotel, and you won’t find anything as stylish or luxurious as Cappadocia Cave Suites. Each of the rooms comes with a comfy double bed and an ensuite bathroom. The hotel also has an onsite restaurant serving homemade breakfasts. They also organize cultural activities such as whirling dervish shows and Turkish nights.
Best Hostel in Istanbul – Cheers Hostel
Cheers Hostel is the best-located hostel in Istanbul, nestled behind the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It offers comfortable, individually styled rooms and dorms, with spacious shared bathrooms. The terrace bar and restaurant serve up kebabs and international cuisine for those who don’t want to venture far for food and have wonderful views of Istanbul’s Old Town.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Istanbul – Dream Bosphorus Hotel
If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel in a great neighborhood, then Dream Bosphorus hotel is the ideal choice. It’s located in the heart of Old Istanbul, in the Sirkeci area. Each room has been individually styled in traditional Turkish decor and comes with a private bathroom and 24-hour room service. Some rooms have views of the Golden Horn. Each morning a daily breakfast buffet is served and the Dream Café offers soft drinks and snacks throughout the day. Each afternoon, it’s worth returning for free cakes and cookies.
Best Luxury Hotel in Istanbul – Hotel DeCamondo Galata
Located on the riverfront in Kadikoy, the Hotel DeCamondo is the ideal place to stay for a luxury getaway. It has a stunning bar and terrace as well as an onsite restaurant and car rentals. Each morning, a continental or a la carte breakfast is offered, and when it comes to exploring, the hotel can help organize your tours and car rentals.
Best Hostel in Goreme – Kamelya Cave Hostel
For budget travelers and backpackers, there’s no better hostel in Cappadocia than the Kamelya Cave Hostel. Not only is it centrally located near the best restaurants and the bus station, but it has also incredibly unique dorms made out of ancient caves. What’s more, is that a Turkish breakfast is provided each morning which can be enjoyed from the communal roof terrace.
Uchisar
Best place to stay for: couples and families. It’s also where to stay for those wanting to take a hot air balloon ride.
Uchisar is great for couples who want to explore all the hidden gems that Cappadocia has to offer. There are plenty of restaurants and bars close by, as well as a variety of shops and cafes.
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway with plenty of activities close by, Uchisar is the perfect neighborhood for you. It’s home to one of Cappadocia’s most beautiful landmarks, such as Uchisar Castle, Pigeon Valley, and White Valley.
It’s also only a five-minute drive to Goreme where the hot air balloons launch. If you want to experience the best of Cappadocia but stay in a more quiet and secluded location, then Uchisar is a top choice.
Uchisar also has a variety of accommodations to choose from, including some cave hotels.
Best Luxury Hotel in Uchisar – Karlık Cave Suite Cappadocia
The Karlik Cave Suites in Uchisar offer exceptional luxury services at an affordable price. It has spacious and comfortable rooms that have been individually styled. Some even come with their own private terrace and hot tub. A traditional breakfast is served each morning and it’s also possible to rent a car or bicycle from the hotel.
Best Cave Hotel in Uchisar – ikarus Cappadocia Hotel
ikarus Cappadocia effortlessly combines modern and traditional elements in their stylish cave hotel in Uchisar. The rooms are all bright and spacious and come with a good-sized ensuite bathroom. There’s a terrace that offers incredible views of Uchisar Castle, and you’re just a short walk away from all the best restaurants in the town.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Uchisar – My Story Cave Hotel
For those looking for a cave hotel in Uchisar, that’s more affordable, then the My Story Cave Hotel is an excellent option. It has small and comfortable rooms that are kitted out with everything you need, including a private bathroom. The best feature of this hotel is the terrace, which has panoramic views of Uchisar and the valleys beyond. It’s also located just meters away from the best restaurants in town.
Best Budget Hotel in Uchisar – Tabal Cave Hotel
Uchisar isn’t known for its budget hotels, but the Tabal Cave Hotel offers comfortable rooms for a low price. It has good-sized rooms with private ensuites and there’s also a terrace to admire the views of the surrounding landscapes from. Each morning a buffet breakfast is provided.
Ortahisar
Best place to stay for: families with children and couples.
If you’re traveling as a family with children, then Ortahisar is the perfect destination. This small town is known for its cave dwellings and proximity to the underground cities.
While it offers much of the same vibe as Goreme, it’s less busy and off the backpacker trail, which is why it’s our favorite neighborhood in Cappadocia for families.
It’s also just a fifteen-minute drive from Goreme so makes for a great place to base yourself if you want to embark on a hot air balloon tour.
You’ll want to hire a car here, as the public transport links are not as well connected as they are in Avanos, Uchisar or Goreme.
Best Luxury Hotel in Ortahisar – Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel
If you’re considering the lively town of Ortahisar, then you’ll want to stay in the luxurious rooms of the Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel. Each room comes with custom furnishings and high-end amenities, including spa tubs. There’s also an indoor and outdoor restaurant, and the hotel also offers a free airport shuttle service.
Best Cave Hotel in Ortahisar – Acer Cave Hotel
The Acer Cave hotel is the ideal place to stay for families in one of its family rooms. They also have romantic suites with a private indoor pool. Another lovely place to relax at the hotel is the outdoor terrace, which offers incredible views of the castle. There’s also an onsite restaurant serving delicious local cuisine.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Ortahisar – Splendid Cave Hotel
Splendid Cave Hotel offers a bar, garden, and terrace. There’s also an onsite restaurant, and free private parking – a luxury in Cappadocia. Each room is equipped with a comfy bed, a desk, a patio with a garden view, and an ensuite bathroom.
Best Budget Hotel in Ortahisar – Turkish Cave House
The Turkish Cave house is exactly what you might expect from the name. It’s a quaint and charming guest house offering spacious and cozy rooms, with seating areas and a private bathroom. The hotel also has a communal terrace and bike and car hire.
Avanos
Best place to stay for: everyone
If you’re looking for a more lively town with more Western influences (the only town in Cappadocia with a Starbucks and McDonalds) then you’ll prefer staying in Avanos. It’s a large town on the river, with tons of nice restaurants and hotels to stay in.
It also has a bus network that connects it to most places in Cappadocia; from the Zelve Open Air Museum to Goreme, Uchisar, Kaymakli and Derinkuyu Underground Cities, and even as far as Nevşehir, which is great if you’re flying into one of Cappdaocia’s airports.
If you’re looking to relax in a calm and tranquil setting without feeling too cut off, then Avanos is the perfect place for you. It’s also close to Goreme where you can take a hot air balloon ride.
Best Luxury Hotel in Avanos – Seval White House Kapadokya
The Seval White House is a sophisticated hotel in the center of Avanos. It has a restaurant and shared lounge, along with a gorgeous garden and terrace. The rooms are all huge, with seating areas, a private patio, and a private bathroom – many of which come with a spa tub. The hotel can also arrange bike hire or car hire. Guests are welcome to use the hotel’s hot tub and a halal breakfast is provided each morning.
Best Cave Hotel in Avanos – Mira Cappadocia Hotel
Mira Cappadocia Hotel is located in the heart of Avanos and has a gorgeous terrace offering stunning views of the Kizilirmak River. Each room has been decorated with handmade rugs and authentic furniture. The hotel offers daily tours and visits to local art workshops. The bus stop is a 2-minute walk away, perfect for those who want to explore other parts of Cappadocia.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Avanos – Kirkit Hotel
This charming cave hotel is located in the town center of Avanos and features an onsite restaurant serving traditional cuisine and local wines. Each of the rooms has authentic stone walls, antique furnishings and a private bathroom. Some rooms have balconies. The hotel also has live music in the courtyard some evenings. You can rent bikes from the hotel and explore the surrounding neighborhood.
Best Budget Hotel in Avanos – Sendian Guesthouse
Sendian Guesthouse is an adults-only accommodation that features a shared lounge and a stunning garden. There’s also a shared kitchen for guests to use. Each room has a desk, a terrace with river views, and a private bathroom. Each morning, an à la carte or Asian breakfast is served. The hotel can also arrange car hire.
Urgup
Best place to stay for: couples, families, and groups of friends
If you’re looking for a more lively and touristy destination, Urgup is the perfect place for you. This small town is known for its restaurants, luxury cave hotels, and ancient ruins. It also has a thriving nightlife scene which attracts many backpackers from all over.
If you’re looking to experience some of Turkey’s cultural heritage, Urgup is the perfect destination. It’s within a short drive of many of Cappadocia’s top attractions and is on the pick-up route for the red, green, and blue tours.
However, if you’re not taking one of the tours, you’ll need to rent a car, as pretty much all the attractions nearby are not within walking distance and require a vehicle.
The public transport links in Urgup are not so reliable and don’t easily connect you to places, so renting a car is important.
Best Luxury Hotel in Urgup – Utopia Cave Cappadocia
If you’re looking for a cave hotel with a pool in Cappadocia, look no further than the Utopia Cave Hotel in Urgup. As you can see from the photo, the indoor pool is one of a kind! The hotel offers huge individually styled rooms and there’s also a restaurant and bar onsite. The hotel provides evening entertainment and ski storage. Each morning, a continental or a buffet breakfast is served.
Best Cave Hotel in Urgup – Kayata Cave Suites
The Kayata Cave Suites offers a gorgeous garden and terrace with views of mountains. It’s nestled just 400 m from Nikolos Monastery and also offers bike and car hire for guests wanting to explore the area. Each room has a desk and a patio with views of the city. Some rooms have spa tubs and hot tubs. Each morning, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast before exploring the nearby attractions such as Apple Church, Mazı Underground City, and Nikolos Monastery.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Urgup – Narcissos Cave Hotel
For those wanting to stay in a quiet location near Urgup, Narcissos is ideally located just outside the town and offers incredible views from its garden and terrace. It has family rooms, which come with a private terrace. There’s also a hot tub for guests to use and a car hire service. Each morning, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast.
Best Budget Hotel in Urgup – Helios Cave Cappadocia
Helios Cave Kapadokya is a stunning and affordable hotel in Urgup that has a restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge and garden. With double rooms for couples and large family rooms for big groups, it’s the perfect property for any type of traveler. It also has a barbecue that guests can use, as well as serves continental and a la carte breakfast each day.
Nevşehir
Best place to stay for: couples, families, and short-stay visitors
Nevşehir is one of the four cities in Cappadocia and since it’s connected to the Nevşehir airport, it’s the ideal place to stay for short-time visitors. Many of the tours pick up from Nevsehir, which makes it easy to explore the region without a car.
It’s also on the bus route to many of the towns and attractions.
The only downside to Nevşehir is it lacks the authenticity and charm that the other towns and villages do. That being said, you can still find many cave hotels in Nevşehir if you do want a traditional place to stay in Cappadocia.
Best Luxury Hotel in Nevşehir – Sobek Stone House Cappadocia
The Sobek Stone House Cappadocia offers stunning mountain views from its garden and seasonal outdoor pool and terrace. There’s an onsite restaurant and free private parking. Each room is spacious and tastefully decorated, with seating areas and some units have a private balcony. There’s also an indoor pool and a paid airport shuttle service.
Best Cave Hotel in Nevşehir – Doda Artisanal Cave Hotel
The Doda Artisanal Cave Hotel is one of our favorite cave hotels in Cappadocia because of the luxury it provides for an affordable price. Each room has been individually styled using blends of modern and traditional decors. Some rooms have a private hot tub or pool. Guests can enjoy an American or Asian breakfast each morning before exploring the area using the hotel’s bike or car rental service.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Nevşehir – Atilla’s Cave Hotel
For those looking for a cave hotel with a low price tag, the Atilla’s Cave Hotel is the place for you. With a bar, shared lounge, and stunning garden, there’s plenty of space to unwind and relax. It has simple rooms and huge family rooms available, and some rooms have a terrace. If you like to cook your own meals, there’s a shared kitchen for guests to use. Each morning, a buffet breakfast is provided.
Best Budget Hotel in Nevşehir – Cappadocia Nar Cave Hotel
For a truly wallet-friendly stay in Cappadocia, the Nar Cave Hotel is the ideal choice. It has a restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge and garden. If you don’t feel like going out, the hotel offers room service. The private terrace in your room is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring. The hotel offers a Full English or Irish breakfast each day, and there’s also bike hire and car hire at the property.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Cappadocia
Here’s what people usually ask us about where to stay in Cappadocia:
Which area is the best to stay in Cappadocia?
We personally think Goreme is the best place to stay in Cappadocia since it’s central to most attractions and is where the hot air balloons take flight from.
Is it better to stay in Göreme or Uçhisar?
Since they are 5 minutes away from each other, it makes no difference whether you stay in Goreme or Uchisar. Goreme is much livilier and is where most people choose to stay.
Where should I stay in Cappadocia Göreme or Urgup?
Goreme has better transport links but Urgup is great for nightlife. You should stay in Goreme if you want to be near to everything and not hire a car, but Urgup if you want a lively atmosphere.
How many days is enough for Cappadocia?
You can see everything in 3 days. However, if you have time to spare, we recommend you stay a few more days so you can explore some of the hiking trails.
The Verdict: What is The Overall Best Place to Stay in Cappadocia?
Now you have been briefly introduced to each of the neighborhoods in Cappadocia, if you ask us which is our favorite, we would absolutely say Goreme.
It’s roughly slap bang in the middle of Cappadocia and within walking distance of attractions (Goreme Open Air Museum, Love Valley, Red, and Rose Valley to name a few). Since most towns in Cappadocia require a car to explore the area, you don’t need a car in Goreme. In fact, we managed to get everywhere using public transport when we stayed here.
It’s also a lively town with lots of nice restaurants, friendly locals and plenty of accommodation options.
Whether it’s your first time in Cappadocia or you’ve been here before, we would highly recommend you stay in Goreme!
