Göreme: everything within walking distance
Göreme is Cappadocia's tourism hub. The Open-Air Museum and valleys such as Love Valley and Red Valley are close by, and most restaurants, tour offices and balloon companies are in the village itself. The trade-off is crowds: in summer and on public holidays the lanes and viewpoints fill up. It is the most practical base for first-timers without a car. For the museum, see our Göreme Open-Air Museum guide.
Uçhisar: quiet, high and central
Uçhisar is built around its rock citadel, often described as one of the highest points in the region. It is about 5 km from Göreme and about 10 km from Nevşehir city, and the road south to the underground cities passes nearby. Evenings are calmer than in Göreme and there are fewer restaurants. It is a good base if views, quiet and short drives matter to you. Our hotel is here: see staying in Uçhisar for details.
Ürgüp: small-town life and good tables
Ürgüp is one of the region's largest tourist towns, with restaurants, wine bars, a bazaar and old stone mansions. You will drive to Göreme's valleys and the museum, while the Three Beauties fairy chimneys stand at the edge of town. It suits travellers who want to eat out and stroll in the evening.
Avanos: the river and its potters
Avanos sits on the banks of the Kızılırmak, the longest river flowing entirely within Türkiye, and is known for its pottery tradition. It is close to the northern sites such as Paşabağ and Zelve and about 10 km from Göreme. It works well if you prefer a town where everyday life carries on around you. For pottery workshops and other activities, see things to do in Cappadocia.
Ortahisar and Mustafapaşa: peace and quiet
Ortahisar is a less touristy village around its own rock castle. Mustafapaşa is a very quiet town known for its old Greek mansions. Both suit travellers escaping the crowds; restaurant and tour options are more limited, and the northern valleys are a longer drive.
Nevşehir city: urban convenience
Nevşehir city centre makes sense if you need hospitals, the university, the bus station or city services nearby. There is no fairy-chimney scenery, though, and you will drive to the valleys every day. Uçhisar, about 10 km from the city centre, sits between the two options. See our hotel in Nevşehir page for more.
