Want to know more about the Green Tour in Cappadocia, Turkey? Are you considering whether it’s worth it? This guide covers everything you need to know: what the tour is all about, why you should choose it, what you’ll see, how long it takes, how much it costs, and how to book it. Find out if this famous sightseeing tour is right for you!
Heads up: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy something, I may earn a teeny-weeny commission (think chai money, not a private jet) at no extra cost to you. It’s a small way to keep this blog running, the words flowing, and the pages free for you to enjoy. I only recommend things I truly love, use, or secretly wish I invented, because trust matters, and so do good recs. Thanks for supporting the little cozy corner of the internet I call my virtual home.
What is a Green Tour in Cappadocia?
To kick things off, Cappadocia offers three main sightseeing tours: Red, Green, and Blue. The Red Tour covers the attractions in northern Cappadocia, the Green Tour includes the southwestern sights, and the Blue Tour introduces the lesser-known sights in the region.
Red and Green Tours are the most booked sightseeing tours; however, the Blue Tour is often overlooked by travelers. Maybe because it covers less-known places. Often, travelers don’t have much time and choose to see the famous spots first, so the Blue Tour gets less attention.
Moving on to the Green Tour in Cappadocia, as I said, it’s one of the most booked sightseeing tours that takes you through the famous attractions in southwestern Cappadocia.
There are quite a few variations of it (the viewpoints and valleys may differ), but the main attractions it covers include Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, Derinkuyu Underground City, and Pigeon Valley. Some tours might include a stop at Narligol Crater Lake, Uchisar, and Yaprakhisar, like this one.
While booking online, you’ll often find that the terms Cappadocia Green Tour and South Cappadocia Tour are used interchangeably, so it’s important to verify the included attractions, as there tends to be variation. If the tour is labeled South Cappadocia Green Tour or Green (South) Tour Cappadocia, then it usually matches the attractions on the typical Green Tour.
However, if it’s labeled solely as the South Cappadocia Tour, you must check the attractions included, as they might differ slightly from the original Green Tour or not be included. It mostly skips Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery and takes you to Göreme Panorama, Meskendir Valley, Rose Valley, Red Valley, Cavusin Valley, Avanos, Kaymakli Underground City, Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar Castle, & Love Valley.
I know it’s confusing, but checking the details of each tour will help you choose the right one and make sure you get exactly what you want.
Why Take a Green Tour in Cappadocia? Is it Worth it?
First off, it covers some of the must-see sights in Cappadocia that you’ll have to explore when in the region.
Secondly, this tour is ideal for those short on time. I mean, you can explore so many places in just a day that might take longer when you do it on your own.
Thirdly, it’s a blessing for those who are clueless about transportation. Most of the sights are spread out and not near the main towns, making them hard to reach on your own without a car. Public transportation in Cappadocia is scarce and poorly managed, so if you aren’t up for renting a car and driving on your own, this tour takes the worry out of the equation by providing seamless pickup and drop-off.
Lastly, it includes skip-the-line tickets, saving you time and hassle from queuing at individual attractions.
Not to mention, having a local guide adds to the experience. They share insider knowledge and fascinating stories to make the trip more interesting and informative.
So, it makes sense to book a Green Tour in Cappadocia.
PS: If you decide not to join the tour, you can follow the same itinerary and complete the Cappadocia green tour on your own.
What to Expect?
The tour starts early in the morning with a pick-up around 9:30 am. The pick-up time might vary by a bit, like 15 minutes before or after 9:30, depending on which town in Cappadocia your hotel is in, such as Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Cavuşin, Ortahisar, Ürgüp, or Mustafapasa. If your location isn’t included in the pick-up, you’ll have to arrange your travel to Göreme so they can pick you up.
The trip lasts about 8 to 9 hours, so you must dedicate the full day. You’ll explore the sights and attractions included in the trip as per the itinerary and will be dropped off at your hotel in the evening, around 5:30 pm. Most tours include a lunch at a local restaurant.
Basic Green Tour Cappadocia Itinerary
As I said, the Green Tour varies a bit depending on the company you choose; however, the core itinerary generally stays the same, with some added scenic spots and valleys depending on the tour operator.
There can be minor variations in the route or order of the itinerary. For instance, the tour guides might operate in reverse order or choose alternate attractions, such as Kaymakli instead of Derinkyu, or vice versa, to avoid crowds during busy times.
9:30 am: Hotel Pick-up
Your full-day adventure begins at around 9:30 am when you are picked up from your hotel. It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to reach your first destination from your hotel, depending on how many people are picked up after you and the travel time to the destination from the last pick-up point.
First Stop: Göreme Panorama
This one’s considered one of the most celebrated viewpoints in Cappadocia. Just outside the town of Göreme, there’s a vantage point (Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint) on a hill overlooking the town. The viewpoint gives a panoramic view of the fairy chimneys with the iconic Uchisar Castle in the distance.
People love coming here at sunrise and sunset for the impressive views. So, it’s a perfect place to capture some stunning photos of the landscape this region is known for.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Distance and Travel Time from Göreme Panorama to Derinkuyu: 39 km (24 miles) and 40 minutes
Second Stop: Derinkuyu Underground City
There are over 200 ancient underground cities in Cappadocia. Derinkuyu is notable for being the largest (280 feet) & the deepest (18 levels). It could once house 20,000 people. Besides Derinkuyu, other well-known underground cities in the region include Kaymakli, Ozkonak, and Mazi.
Most Cappadocia Green Tours include a visit to Derinkuyu, while a few include Kaymakli.
Originally built by the Phrygians around 700 BC, these cities were later expanded by early Christians to escape Roman persecution during the first century AD. They also served as a refuge during Persian and Arab invasions in later centuries.
Carved deep into the earth, these subterranean cities could extend several levels underground, some reaching depths of up to 85 meters (nearly 280 feet), and included living quarters, storerooms, kitchens, livestock pens, ventilation shafts, and even churches.
No matter which underground city your tour includes, Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, exploring them is an extraordinary experience.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance and Travel Time from Derinkuyu to Ihlara Valley: 55 km (34 miles) and 50 minutes
Note: If you have claustrophobia or mobility issues, you might consider skipping the underground city visit, as it involves navigating tight, enclosed tunnels and squeezing into small spaces. Also, tall people should be cautious of low ceilings and doorways. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes for comfort and ease of movement through tunnels.
Third Stop: Ihlara Valley
Stretching over 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) from the village of Ihlara to Belisirema, Ihlara Valley is a picturesque valley. With lush greenery, towering cliffs, and the Melendiz River flowing through its heart, it’s a refreshing contrast to the more arid parts of Cappadocia.
Ihlara Valley was formed by volcanic eruptions from Mount Hasan. Over time, the Melendiz River cut through the valley, and the land around it broke and fell. This created a deep canyon, 80 meters down, one of the largest canyons in Turkey or Türkiye.
But wait, the valley’s not only about natural beauty; it also holds great historical value. It numbers many ancient cave churches and monasteries, some of which contain well-preserved frescoes depicting biblical scenes, such as those in the Göreme Open-Air Museum.
There are 100+ rock-hewn churches carved into the valley walls; however, only a few (about 14, I guess) are open to the public. Besides, hundreds of rock dwellings, unknown and unnamed, dot the valley.
A walk through the valley is easy, perfect for casual hikers. However, there are some uneven and slippery surfaces and steps, and you’ll also be descending around 380 steps to reach the valley floor from the entrance, so wearing good shoes is recommended.
The duration of the hike depends on the tour and how much of the valley you explore. Most tours start at the #2 entrance, take you about 4 km up to the #3 entrance, and let you explore only one church, Agacalti Church.
If you want to walk the entire stretch and explore all the churches along the hike, you’ll have to come here on your own. We were lucky to have enough time to explore the entire stretch of it while road-tripping in Turkey, and found it a meditative experience. I found Kokar Kilise (Smelly Church), Agacalti Kilise (Church Under the Trees), Yilanali Kilise (Snake Church), Purenli Seki Kilisesi (Terrace Church), and Selime Monastery impressive.
Duration: Close to 2 hours
Lunch at a Local Restaurant in Belisirma
As you end your hike at the Belisirema village entrance, you’ll have lunch at one of the local restaurants here, next to the river.
The lunch menu is fixed and included in the tour price, with soup, salad, bread, seasonal fruit, and your choice (veg or non-veg) of one main dish.
Duration: 1 hour
Distance and Travel Time from Belisirma to Selime Monastery: 10 km (6 miles) and 10 minutes
Note: Some tours make a brief stop at Yaprakhisar, a large rock formation that once housed rock-cut caves, which are now almost in ruins. The moon-like scenery of Yaprakhisar looks like it’s from Star Wars (reminds you of Tusken Raiders or Sand People from the original 1977 film), which makes some people mistakenly say the movie was shot there, but as far as I know, that’s not true.
Fourth Stop: Selime Monastery
An essential inclusion in your Cappadocia itinerary, this huge rock-cut monastery dates back to the 8th or 9th century. It looks as impressive from a distance as it does from the inside. As you walk up to the structure (it’s quite a steep hike), you’ll find a cathedral, living quarters, a kitchen, and a stable carved directly into the rock.
Inside some of the caves, you can see the frescoes, although they are quite faded. From the top of the monastery, you can have a beautiful panoramic view.
Due to Selime’s strategic location on the Silk Road, the monastery was repurposed as a caravanserai for merchants & traders traveling along this historic trade route during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
Duration: Around 30 minutes
Distance and Travel Time from Selime Monastery to Pigeon Valley: 81 km (50 miles) and 60 minutes
Fifth Stop: Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley is famous for and named after countless man-made pigeon houses (dovecotes or columbaria) carved into the rocks. Historically, pigeons have been an important part of Cappadocia. The locals used pigeon droppings as fertilizer for their crops and collected eggs for various uses. They carved out small niches and dwellings in the valley’s cliffs and rock formations to attract and house these birds, which you can see here.
Though there are beautiful walking trails if you want to explore the scenic landscape and pigeon lofts up close, this tour allows you to enjoy only the view of the valley from above because of a time crunch. The viewpoint is also among the best in the region for watching a sunset.
Duration: 30 minutes
Note: Many tours also include a stop at the local onyx factory (just so you know, onyx is a precious volcanic stone in the region), where you can see the carving process; however, as per my experience, these forced factory visits are more of a tourist trap rather than an authentic cultural experience. If you buy something here, the tour company gets its commission, so you might pay more than you would at a local market. So, just enjoy the visit, but don’t buy anything from her; explore local markets.
5:30 pm: Hotel Drop-Off
The tour ends around 17:30, with a drop-off at your hotel. You can freshen up and rest for a while, and then perhaps explore local dining options for dinner. Dibek, Inki Cave, Pumpkin Goreme Restaurant & Art Gallery, and Dolphin are the ones I tried and liked. However, on the authenticity scale, I found that restaurants in Cappadocia might not feel as authentic as those in other Turkish cities, possibly because the area has become very touristy.
What’s the Cost of the Cappadocia Green Tour?
The price of the Green Tour in Cappadocia can vary depending on several factors, including the tour operator, the time of year, and what is included (such as entrance fees, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and insurance). Typically, prices can range from around $50 to $80 per person.
Most tour operators offer small-group tours accommodating up to 16 people in an air-conditioned van. You’ll be accompanied by a licensed and experienced tour guide.
If you want a more personalized experience, you can check with the specific tour provider for a private tour. A bit expensive (starts at $150 per person), a private tour promises the undivided attention of your guide and lets you explore at your own pace.
Green Tour or Red Tour
If you are short on time & don’t have transportation sorted, but still want to explore all the highlights of Cappadocia, the Green Tour and the Red Tour make it possible. So, ideally, you should book both tours.
If you want to combine a guided tour with personal exploration, the Green Tour could be your best bet. This is because the sites it covers, like Ihlara Valley, 80 km (49 miles) away, and Derinkuyu, 35 km (21 miles) away, are far from Cappadocia’s main towns and not easily reachable by public transport. To explore these attractions independently, you’d either need to rent a car or hire a chauffeur, which would require more time, money, and effort.
On the other hand, the attractions included in the Red Tour are closer to central towns and easily accessible by public transportation (dolmus). Some attractions, like the Göreme Open Air Museum, are even within walking distance if you’re staying in Göreme, a popular base for visitors to Cappadocia. Thus, the Green Tour gives you better value by saving you money, time, and hassle.
How & Where to Book a Green Tour?
You can book your Green Tour via a local travel agent, hotel concierge, or online.
If you ask me, I always suggest booking online well in advance to secure your spot, especially if you are traveling during the peak season, to avoid disappointment.
I use and recommend Viator and Get Your Guide, where local tour companies list their tours, clearly stating all the details, from start times and pick-up locations to inclusions and required items. Here, you can compare prices and read trusted reviews, which help you choose the right tour. Also, flexible cancellation policies and the reserve now, pay later option give you peace of mind and convenience.
Here, I’ve done the groundwork for you and listed the most-loved Green Tours in Cappadocia so you can just compare and book!
What Should You Bring on the Tour?
You should bring good sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses, especially if you’re visiting in the summer. You must also carry a water bottle, as buying water may not be possible during the hike.
You can pack a light jacket for the cooler evenings.
Pack all the essentials in a small, easy-to-carry transit backpack. Also, carry some cash in Lira for snacks and souvenirs.
If traveling with younger kids, bring a carry-on bag, as strollers aren’t feasible at any of the tour attractions due to the terrain.
What Should You Wear for the Tour?
It’s vital to wear sturdy shoes to handle all the walking & hiking.
Wear light, airy, stretchy clothes so you can easily bend and squat through the tunnels as you navigate the underground city. Plus, it ensures your comfort, even as temperatures and conditions change throughout the tour.
Note: The Green Tour requires a lot of walking and thus needs a certain level of stamina and fitness. It might not be suitable for young kids, and families with little ones or senior citizens should consider this before booking.
And there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about the Green Tour of Cappadocia. I hope this article helps you decide whether this tour aligns with your travel plans! If you still have questions, ask me in the comments section below.
Save this Cappadocia Green Tour Guide to Pinterest
