Discover the 'Land of Fairytales' with surreal landscapes and underground cities

Surreal landscapes and underground cities make for a trip straight out of a storybook

İstanbul offers up a plethora of unmatched experiences, restaurants and destinations. In this enchanting city, ancient walls and streets shaped by the Eastern Roman and Ottoman empires sit alongside deluxe modern hotels lining the Bosphorus, as well as restaurants and shopping hotspots.

It's a haven for intrepid travellers, but if you want to explore a little further, the city can be an ideal gateway to Cappadocia, Türkiye 's "Land of Fairytales", just a 90-minute direct flight away. Here's what not to miss for a trip worthy of storybooks...

The iconic hot air balloons

When the sun casts a golden glow over Cappadocia, colourful hot air balloons take flight in the sky. You can watch from the ground, or book one of the balloons for an unrivalled view of the extraordinary land formations. THE PIGEON NESTS The enchanting 6km Pigeon Valley, connecting the charming towns of Uçhisar and Göreme, introduces the truly incomparable sight of the "fairy chimneys". These are part of a vast network not only of bird nests but also buildings and underground cities carved hundreds of years ago in the soft volcanic rock.

The rock churches

Also carved into the rock, these awe-inspiring 10th and 11th century churches are a must visit, and form part of the Göreme Open Air Museum. It's not difficult to see why part of the Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia have been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Biblical stories come to life through intricate murals.

Cycling along the valleys of Cappadocia

The region's volcanic landscape provides challenging routes for cycling fans. Guided tours in Cappadocia offer a good taste of remote, wilderness biking and you can enlist the guidance of expert local riders to explore a selection of Türkiye's best routes. Görkündere Valley, Swords Valley, Love Valley, Rose and Red Valleys, as well as Gomeda and Üzengi valleys, are among the locations that make Cappadocia the pinnacle of off-the-beaten-path biking adventures.

5 ways to feel like a local in İstanbul

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1. Enjoy a weekend Bosphorus Cruise and witness the verdant hills and picturesque coastal neighbourhoods while the fresh Black Sea breeze greets you on your way.
2. Spend a few hours exploring the spices, teas and culinary delights in the Spice Bazaar, before heading to the Grand Bazaar to find an array of treasures, from intricate textiles to timeless kilims.
3. Explore Galataport, where you'll find local designers, waterside restaurants, a modern art museum, and alluring sunsets over the Old City.
4. Enjoy a night out on İstiklal Street with its pedestrian promenade, eateries, cinemas, art galleries, bars, and clubs.
5. Immerse yourself in the luxury of a hammam treatment, a must within the hallowed, centuries-old Turkish baths.

Picture: Hagia Sophia, İstanbul (Image: Go Türkiye)

An awesome subterranean world

Delve into Cappadocia's architectural history by exploring its multilevel underground cities. The two largest, Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, offer a glimpse into the ingenuity of Cappadocia's residents of yore. These two marvels reveal extensive labyrinths of passages and chambers, that once housed many thousands seeking refuge and survival in times of conflict.

Escape to luxurious cave retreats

In Ürgüp and Göreme, you can stay in the ancient abodes reborn today as opulent boutique hotels. These transformed dwellings offer lavish cave suites and panoramic terraces with infinity pools, perfect for watching the daily dance of hot air balloons at sunrise.

See Türkiye's 'Land of Fairytales' with inspiration from goturkiye.com.