One of the biggest concerns people have about traveling to a new destination is safety, so it’s not uncommon to be asking yourself is Cappadocia safe to visit? The short answer is yes, Cappadocia is one of the safest tourist destinations in Turkey.
As one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations (and one of the most significant sources of tourism revenue), the Turkish government has invested a lot in making sure that Cappadocia is a safe and enjoyable place for visitors.
Cappadocia has a low crime rate, and while petty crime (such as pickpocketing and petty theft) does occasionally take place, it’s generally not a problem for tourists to walk around and explore. Violent crimes, or crimes such as robbery or assault in Cappadocia are rare, and usually they are not targeted toward tourists.
But that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. There are other things that could jeopardize your health as a tourist besides crime, such as the weather, food safety, hygiene, tap water and more. Below, we’ll discuss some precautions you need to know to stay safe in Cappadocia so you can have a pleasant trip!
Planning a trip to Cappadocia last-minute?
Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!
Here is our recommended airport transfer in Cappadocia:
- Airport Shuttle From Nevşehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Airport (ASR) (Super affordable!)
Here are our recommended tours in Cappadocia:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight In Cappadocia At Sunrise (A must-do In Cappadocia)
- ATV Tours At Sunset
- Green Tour In Cappadocia (Perfect for those not renting a car!)
Here are our recommended places to stay in Cappadocia:
- Koza Cave Hotel (Amazing views and great photo opportunities)
- Museum Hotel (Most luxurious hotel in Cappadocia)
- Kamelya Cave Hostel (Budget hostel with cave rooms!)
Is the Hot Air Balloon Safe in Cappadocia?
If you are visiting Cappadocia, chances are, you want to ride the epic hot air balloons and admire the breathtaking landscapes that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goreme National Park. Cappadocia is one of the best places to experience a hot air balloon ride, but is it safe?
The short answer is yes, it is safe to ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia. All pilots are licensed and balloons have to pass regular safety checks. The hot air balloon companies only hire operators with years of flying experience, making sure that incidents are reduced to a minimum.
Additionally, the balloons don’t take off unless the weather is optimal. Even if the weather is slightly off, all the hot air balloon flights are canceled and they try again tomorrow. While this might suck if you have only a few days in Cappadocia, it is to make sure that safety is the number one priority here.
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!
Over the decades, there has only been a handful of fatal accidents. And as Cappadocia hot air balloon flights become more and more popular, safety is even more important. Most fatal accidents occur during the landing phase of the hot air balloon.
But as hot air balloon rides get more popular, there are more tour companies that provide them. Most of them are good and reputable, but some of them might be in a grey area in terms of the pilot’s expertise and general safety requirements. We highly recommend you choose a reputable company when picking your hot air balloon flight provider.
📚 Make sure you read our full guide on the hot air balloons in Cappadocia before going!
Is the Tap Water Safe to Drink in Cappadocia?
Similar to the tap water in Istanbul, the tap water in Cappadocia is safe to drink. The tap water is pretreated to make it safe for consumption. But if you spend a few days in Cappadocia, you’ll notice that locals do not drink the tap water.
Why?
Two reasons.
First, tap water in Turkey has a horrific history. It wasn’t long ago that the tap water was so bad that everyone would get sick from drinking the tap water.
Second, the taste of the tap water in Cappadocia is not great. The water is very hard and tastes like metal and chlorine. That is why most locals in Cappadocia prefer to drink bottled water instead.
Besides, bottled water is super cheap in Cappadocia. However, we prefer using a water filter bottle such as the GRAYL Geopress to reduce the use of plastic!
Weather Safety In Cappadocia
Crime and terrorism aren’t safety issues in Cappadocia since this region is situated far from the Syrian border. But one thing tourists must be careful of is the extreme weather. The extreme weather can be dangerous, especially for tourists that are not used to it.
The Cappadocian Valley is a vast desert and has desert-like weather patterns. In the summer, it is extremely sunny and hot. The air is dry and dehydration comes easily. Combined with the lack of shade in Cappadocia, it could be a serious health-threatening situation. This is especially true if you are planning to do any of the hikes in Cappadocia, such as Rose Valley and Red Valley.
And like any other desert environment, the nights are really cold. Even in the summers, visitors will need a jacket in the late nights and early mornings.
If you are visiting Cappadocia in the winter, be prepared for inclement weather. Snow is super common in the winter months of Cappadocia, which is around late November to early March. In the heart of the winter, the temperature can drop to as low as -5 °C, or 2 °F. We were quite surprised to find that some cave hotels in Cappadocia had heaters but not air-conditioning.
Visitors need to be extremely careful when exploring the valleys in Cappadocia during the winter. Because if you get lost, the cold weather is going to be an issue very quickly. The fairy chimneys aren’t going to provide much protection from the bitter cold. That is why winter isn’t one of the best times to visit Cappadocia.
Natural Disaster In Cappadocia
Cappadocia doesn’t have many natural disasters. Earthquakes and wildfires and the likes are rare, but can occasionally happen on a small scale.
Cappadocia is located in a former seismically active area, which has caused the geographic features in the region. The iconic fairy chimneys which were used as cave dwellings were caused by volcanic activity, but throughout the centuries the plates have shifted and now Cappadocia rarely receives earthquakes. You may occasionally feel a bit of shock from earthquakes that happen in the Southeast on the borders with Syria, which is usually where Turkey’s earthquakes hit.
The only thing you might need to worry about is the occasional blizzard that could occur in the winter. Heavy rainfall, particularly during the wet season, can lead to flash floods in certain areas because Cappadocia is very low lying and has a lot of valleys, but it rarely impacts tourism.
That being said, the erosion processes from flooding can result in landslides, especially after heavy rains, so it’s important to check the weather conditions before visiting during wet seasons.
Is Cappadocia safe for solo female travelers?
Cappadocia is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. The region is one of the biggest tourist destinations, so the locals generally want to keep tourists safe. On the whole, you will meet friendly locals, and the strong tourism infrastructure makes it easy to get around.
Many women travel alone in Cappadocia without encountering significant issues, however, we have met a few women who have encountered some unwanted attention from men, particularly taxi drivers, so we recommend you remain cautious when talking with strangers. This is common across Turkey as a whole, not just Cappadocia.
As with any travel destination, it’s important to take standard safety precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding poorly lit areas at night, stay in tourist areas, and secure your personal belongings.
With proper awareness and precautions, solo female travelers can enjoy a safe and enriching experience in Cappadocia. In fact, you may meet other solo travelers to enjoy your visit with.
Is Cappadocia safe from terrorism?
The threat of terrorism is very low in Cappadocia, especially compared to other regions in Turkey that have experienced higher levels of conflict and unrest. Cappadocia is a tourist destination, which makes it a priority for local authorities to maintain safety and security for visitors.
While Turkey has faced security challenges in the past, the government’s focus on enhancing safety in tourist areas makes Cappadocia a generally peaceful environment, but it is always advisable to stay informed about current events and adhere to travel advisories issued by governments.
You should always check the travel advisory from your country before booking a trip to Turkey.
Safety Tips For Cappadocia
To make sure you have the best trip possible, here is some safety advice about visiting Cappadocia:
- Stay hydrated – One of the best things to do in Cappadocia is hiking. And when you are hiking in both summer and winter, you need to make sure you stay hydrated. Heat-related illnesses are very common in the summer in Cappadocia.
- Put on sunscreen – Because the desert of Cappadocia lacks shade, sun damage is a real risk. Make sure you put on sunscreen every day when you are in the valley.
- Drink bottled water – Though Cappadocia’s tap water is safe to drink, foreigners that are not used to the water quality should stick with bottled water.
- Secure your belongings – Pickpocketing is very rare in Cappadocia but don’t flash your expensive things.
- Wear sturdy footwear – The ground in Cappadocia is sandy and slippery in most places, so you may want to wear sturdy footwear. This is especially the case if you plan to visit Uchisar Castle, Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground Cities, Goreme Open Air Museum and any of the valleys. We found the ground was slippery in most of these places.
Cappadocia Safety FAQs
Is Cappadocia safe for solo female travelers?
Generally, Cappadocia is safe for solo female travelers, but of course, even the safest city has few incidents. We’ve heard of solo female travelers getting into uncomfortable situations on tours they’ve booked. Do some research online and pick a reputable company when taking tours! And of course, be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
Is Cappadocia worth it?
Cappadocia is absolutely worth visiting. It is one of the most unique locations in the world. The region is dipped in thousand years of history and filled with impressive rock formations, epic rock-cut churches, exotic fairy chimneys, and breathtaking underground cities.
Final Verdict
It is no doubt that Cappadocia is one of the safest places to visit in Turkey in regards to crime, but its location in Central Anatolia makes it one of the most untamed landscapes out there, so your biggest enemy in Cappadocia will be the weather.
Visitors should watch out for the extreme weather and protect themselves against the elements. Luckily, hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia are very safe, so make sure you enjoy them when you are visiting!
