TRAVEL TIPS
CAPPADOCIA
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Located in Turkey, Cappadocia is known as the land of beautiful horses. It is a captivating region which has been inhabited by various civilizations and cultures from Europe and from Asia Minor. It has a continental climate with hot summers and chilly winters. Its most important cities are Göreme, Ürgüp, Nevsehir and Avanos and the underground cities of Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Özkonak and Mazi. The underground cities were built as a hiding place for inhabitants seeking refuge from invasions during the Hittite era. The cities were built on multiple levels with ventilation channels, stables, storehouses, water-bearing wells and the items they would have needed to survive for an extended period of time. Cappadocia offers magnificent views with towering rock formations of various sizes, magical landscapes, scenic trails, mysterious subterranean cities and a host of churches sculpted into the rocks. The region is known worldwide for its fairy chimneys, which are rocks sculpted by erosion into curious formations. The leading tourist attraction of Cappadocia is the hot air balloon trip, which offers visitors an incredible experience while exploring the region’s most beautiful landscapes. Due to its natural, historical and cultural singularity, Cappadocia is considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPPADOCIA
Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia has
attractions. It is possible to hire a quad-bike,
a semi-arid continental climate, with wide
motorbike or bicycle to explore local areas, or
variations in temperature and well defined
explore trails on foot.
seasons. Summers are hot and winters are cold with snow. In summer, temperatures range around an average 23ºC and in winter they range between -2ºC and 10°C.
Taxis are also a good option. it is recommended that visitors take taxis from their hotel and hand a written note of their destination to the driver, as most taxi drivers do not speak English.
The best time to visit the Cappadocia region is in the Spring, between April and June, or in the Autumn, between September and November, when temperatures are at their most pleasant.
ATTRACTIONS
From May to August, the days are longer in Cappadocia with darkness setting in at around
Get ready to discover the attractions that
8pm. It is the ideal period for visitors to make the
Cappadocia has to offer its visitors. Enjoy the
most of their time and enjoy walks around the
natural scenery, visit the ceramics workshops, go
cities. Winters are quite harsh and many hotels
on a hot air balloon trip, explore the underground
close during the period from October to March. It is a destination offering a wealth of natural beauty, history and cultural traditions. Explore and discover a magical and exotic land, full of mystery!
cities and take the opportunity to learn more about the region’s culture and history. Local tourism companies offer a variety of tours which take in the region’s main attractions.
GÖREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
TRANSPORT
Located on a hilltop close to the centre of Göreme, this open-air museum is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It consists of a
There are various transport options on offer to explore Cappadocia. The region has two airports and various road links. The most practical option is to travel there by plane, with airport destinations at Nevsehir and Kayseri. There are also bus and train connections departing from Istanbul. The best option is to rent a car or to hire a transfer service to discover the region’s
collection of X, XI and XII century monasteries, chapels and churches, hollowed into the rocks with columns and with beautiful images of the life of Christ painted on ceilings and walls.
HOT AIR BALLOON TRIP This is the leading tourist attraction of Cappadocia and offers visitors a magical experience. The region’s fantastic landscapes, combined with great climate conditions, lend themselves well to balloon flight among the
fairy chimneys, dove-cotes carved into the
CERAMICS WORKSHOPS
rocks, valleys and vineyards.
Visiting a ceramics workshop in Cappadocia is a way of discovering more about the region’s
Various companies offer balloon flights around
local culture. Workshops offer a guided tour
the region. Most of them are found in the
around the premises and a demonstration of
outskirts of Göreme, where the balloon trip
the ceramics manufacturing process. There is
departure point is located. Each balloon basket
a huge quantity of ceramic and hand-painted
has capacity for up to 20 people, but trips can
decorative items, plates and pots. The plates
be arranged for smaller numbers.
feature unique, detailed and colourful designs.
Balloon trip participants are required to get up
IHLARA VALLEY
early, then the tour company’s transfer vehicle
Located near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz,
collects them from their hotels before sunrise
the Ihlara Valley is a desert scape full of craters
and takes them to the balloon departure point,
with captivating natural beauty. Visitors can
where they are offered a delicious breakfast
take a walk through the trees in the Valley, to
with tea and biscuits. After the trip, participants
the sound of the Melendiz River’s waters, and
celebrate with champagne and are given a
discover the region’s cave-churches.
certificate to commemorate their balloon flight. Balloon trips must be booked in advance.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPPADOCIA
UNDERGROUND CITIES
Derinkuyu is the deepest underground city in
There are 36 underground cities in the
the region. It is found in the town of Derinkuyu,
Cappadocia region, which were created during
located some 40 km from Göreme. There are
the time of the Hittites, one of the most
more than 600 access doors hidden in the
powerful ancient civilizations, who sought
city’s houses and at surface level. Visitors can
refuge and protection from enemies during
see stables, churches, schools, storehouses,
periods of war and invasions. The largest cities
cellars and much more.
are Kaymakli and Derinkuyu.
HORSE RIDING
Kaymakli is the largest underground city of
The region of Cappadocia is known as the land
Cappadocia and was built under a hill known
of beautiful horses and is the perfect place to
as the Citadel of Kaymakli. The city has eight
explore on horseback. Visitors can discover
floors below ground level, but only four of these
the diverse valleys, vineyards, orchards and
are open to the public. The passageways are
beautiful scenery of the Göreme region on
low, sloping and narrow. The most important
a horse ride, lasting 2 hours or more. It is a
areas of the city are on the 3rd level where the
great way to appreciate Cappadocia’s beautiful
storehouses, cellars and kitchens are located.
natural landscapes.
WHERE TO STAY Cappadocia is full of villages and the best option is to stay in the city of Göreme (pronounced Guremé). Göreme has the best restaurants, some charming hotels and a variety of shops. Other cities are more isolated, which makes getting around to visit the region’s main tourist attractions more difficult. Some hotel options are Anatolian Houses, Spelunka Cave Hotel and Koza Cave Hotel, which are decorated in typically Turkish style. The Cappadocia Tourist Hotel & Resort is perfect for visitors who do not want to stay in a cave hotel. The swimming pool is enormous and, combined with the lovely garden, comprises the perfect image of a sophisticated and well located hotel.
DINING OUT Cappadocia features a wide range of gastronomic fare, influenced by Arabic cuisine. The typical Turkish dishes are tasty and slightly spicy. Visitors can find dishes ranging from the wellknown kebabs, mezze platters, pides and lentil soup, to fine cuisine prepared in excellent restaurants. The essential ingredients of Turkish cuisine are: vegetables, meat, chicken, lamb, herbs and fresh spices.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPPADOCIA
Pottery Kebab is a hallmark dish of the region.
The Dimrit restaurant is recommended for
It is made with meat and vegetables cooked in
visitors who like to enjoy food and appreciate
a wood-fired oven in earthenware pots sealed
a beautiful view at the same time. The menu
with a little dough.
features salads, fish dishes and specialty dishes, such as meat kebab with aubergine puree.
O Gözleme is a typical Turkish dish made from pastry stuffed with goat’s cheese and fried vegetables and stone-baked. The A´laturca restaurant is a great choice.
SHOPPING
Located in the centre of Göreme, it has a charming atmosphere and offers a wide
Cappadocia is the ideal place to explore shops
variety of cooked dishes.
and buy souvenirs, pashmina articles and rugs. There are many small shops to be found selling
Another option is the Local Restaurant. It is
kilims, Turkish rugs and local craftwork items.
considered one of Göreme’s best restaurants and has a refined atmosphere with a terrace
Visitors are enchanted by the hand-crafted
and an area featuring exposed stone walls.
jewellery produced in special presses, inspired
by the jewellery collection of the Sultans of the
as the Brazilian real. Notes are produced in 1,5,
Ottoman Empire. Most typically Turkish products
10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 lira denominations, and
are produced in the region of Cappadocia. Shops
coins in 1.5, 10, 25 and 50 new kurus, and in 1
offer a demonstration of the manufacturing
lira denominations. The best option is to carry
process and explain the meaning of the designs
Euros or dollars to exchange for Turkish lira in a
and how the materials used differ.
local foreign exchange bureau. Another option is to draw local money directly from a Brazilian
The Ikman Gallery, located in the centre of
current account using a local ATM.
Gรถreme, is an open-air shop full of hanging rugs from top to bottom. More than 40,000
Most establishments accept credit cards and
new and antique hand-crafted rugs can be
some hotels accept Euros or dollars.
found there.
CURRENCY The currency currently in use in Cappadocia is the Turkish Lira (TRL). The distribution of Turkish lira among coins and notes is the same
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
155 112 110 115 156 158
POLICE AMBULANCE SERVICE FIRE BRIGADE EMERGENCY SERVICES NACIONAL GUARD COAST GUARD
BRAZILIAN EMBASSY IN TURKEY/ ANKARA – (90-312)
(90-312) 448 18 40