Welcome to Cappadocia, the hidden gem of Central Anatolia and quite possibly one of Turkey’s most drop-dead gorgeous spots (if we do say so ourselves)! It’s like Mother Nature decided to create her own fantasy playground, with mushroom-shaped rocks playing hide-and-seek in the valleys. All of it sculpted by the volcanic razzle-dazzle and a touch of erosion magic. Quirky, breathtaking, and utterly unforgettable, Cappadocia is the result!
When to visit
Cappadocia is pretty much an all year round destination, with it’s beautiful snowfall and it’s warm clear summers. Our recommended times to visit are April – July. You’ll be able to avoid the tourist peaks in this season but also manage to enjoy the hot air balloons and the other attractions without the crowds and intense heat. Also, don’t forget if you do happen to visit in July, between 14-20th July 2024, Cappadocia celebrate their annual balloon festival where the night sky is lit up with beautiful hot air balloons! It really is just the most incredible sight!
Cappadocia is a place that really is as beautiful as the photos you see. As you soak in the magical vibes of Cappadocia, we’re revealing the most secret spots that locals swear by. Of course, the fairy chimneys and hot air balloons are Insta-worthy, but let’s dive deep into the real heart of Cappadocia—the hidden bars where the locals let loose and share their stories. If you’re looking for discovering the lesser-known side of Cappadocia’s nightlife, where the drinks are flowing, the tales are epic, and every sip feels like a little piece of the region’s soul, then keep on reading as we reveal the best-kept secrets in Cappadocia’s bar scene! 🍻✨
Before we go any further, for those of you who are new to the area, you’ll want to know how it’s split up.
There are two main areas you need to know about:
1. Göreme – The most popular location for the famous hot air balloon adventures
The most popular of the two and renowned on Instagram for its fairy-tale-like landscapes, gorgeous rock formations and hidden ancient caves. It is a hub for hot air balloon adventures, and is much more busier and touristy (great for the evenings too). The area is full of hostels, restaurants and bars so if you’re looking for something with more life, this area is definitely for you!
2. Uçhisar – the underrated less touristy, more scenic area!
Much higher up, this area stands tall with its rock fortress, with the most breathtaking panoramic views of Cappadocia’s valleys and full of historical significance. The area is much quieter but if you had to ask us, this area is our preference. Although we love nightlife, there is something extra magical about this area in Cappadocia.
The hot air balloon views are stunning from here as you see them in the distance and if the wind is blowing the right way they float right over your head too! You get the best of both worlds here!
Right, so now you know the two different main areas, let’s get to the best part. Let’s face it, we all want to find those secret places first, and Anish and I are here to help you do exactly that! So without any further waffle, here are our favourite bars in Cappadocia!
Cappadocia Bars:
1. Seten
Discreetly blended into the ancient buildings, this restaurant and bar is one of the more upmarket places in Cappadocia. It’s actually owned by Sultan Cave Suites! They have the most breathtaking sunset view (they don’t take reservations so make sure you show up early enough to get a table), fire pits, hookah, incredible food menu and most of all it’s one of the first standing places in Cappadocia and has the traditional feel you’d expect!
You can find all the details of Seten on our website here.
2. Dusk By Koza
As it’s not pinned on google maps, a lot of people miss this place! It is nestled on top of the Koza Cave Hotel and is one of the best places to catch an open air sunset view. It is also a great rooftop for the famous sunrise balloon filled sky. They are open from 5-10pm daily. All info on this magical place, here.
Note: The hot air balloons only fill the sky once and that is at sunrise. There are no hot air balloons at any other time in the day. Some of the photos on Instagram can be mistaken for sunset time.
3. Lil’a
A secret escape on a rooftop in Uchisar. One of the most expensive places for a drink in Cappadocia but definitely worth it for a special occasion. We recommend having a drink here after dinner with a cheeseboard before heading down to some of our favourite restaurants in Cappadocia.
Check out our other favourite bars, restaurants and experiences in Cappadocia here. There is so much more to do than a hot air balloon ride and you really won’t want to miss out on any of it!
*SIGN UP* to our newsletter on our website for recommendations on local hidden places in cities around the world and top tips for when you’re travelling! You’ll receive some of our most valuable travel secrets to help you plan your trips with ease!
Here’s a little about who we are and why we do what we do!
Anish and I run UNDISCVERED; your ultimate digital wingman for exploring the world like a local. But we’re not just your average travel guide, we’re like your best friend who knows all the insider secrets of every destination.
We’ve got connections with locals all over the world and we’ve curated all their juicy recommendations into bite-sized, easy-to-digest info.
But don’t worry, we’re not just about the hidden gems. We cover the well-known spots too, but with a little insider help to make your trip even more epic. Think of us as the digital version of Lonely Planet, but way more up-to-date.
Our approach doesn’t just help you have an awesome time, it also supports local businesses and communities. So, if you want to be a savvy traveler and spend less time googling and more time exploring, UNDISCVERED is your new BFF (with some seriously good info).
Check out our Instagram highlights for more info on us!
Get In Touch
Let us know whether you have anything else you would like us to cover off in the comments. We’re always happy to help with recommendations in any city around the world!
FOLLOW us for our regular updates on unusual & local things to do around the world
& VISIT our website.
SIGN UP to our weekly newsletter here
CONTACT us on serena@undiscvered.com for any partnerships or affiliations.
Serena & Anish
#undiscvered
