Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the deepest and most fascinating multilevel underground settlements of Cappadocia and also can be considered as an engineering wonder. Located in the Derinkuyu Village, Derinkuyu Underground City is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Derinkuyu Underground City, including ticket options, must-see sections, tips for navigating the tunnels, and what to expect during your visit.
If you’re looking for one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences in Cappadocia, Derinkuyu Underground City is a must-see!
At a Glance: Our Tips for Visiting Derinkuyu Underground City
✔ Explore the deepest underground city in Cappadocia, reaching 85 meters below the surface with a network of tunnels, chambers, and ancient living spaces.
No Regrets Booking Advice
✔ Tickets start at €13, but for a hassle-free experience, we recommend the Green Tour (€65), which includes Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley.
✔ Skip-the-line tickets are worth it, especially during peak season when tour groups crowd the entrance.
✔ Expect narrow tunnels and steep stairs—if you have claustrophobia or mobility issues, consider skipping this attraction.
✔ Bring a light jacket—temperatures underground are cooler than the surface, even in summer.
✔ A guide is adviced to fully understand the engineering, history, and daily life of the people who once lived here.
Which Derinkuyu Underground City Ticket Should You Get?
If you are looking for the best Derinkuyu Underground City tours, trust our recommendations, save time and money, we have you covered.
✔ Exploring independently? → Buy the Standard Ticket (€13) on-site.
✔ Want to visit multiple Cappadocia landmarks in one day? → Join the Cappadocia Green Tour.
Derinkuyu Underground City Fact Sheet: 7 Fascinating Facts
Before we cover ticket prices and visiting tips, here are seven incredible facts about Derinkuyu Underground City that you might not know!
✔ The Deepest Underground City in Cappadocia – Derinkuyu extends over 85 meters (279 feet) below the surface, making it the deepest underground city in the region.
✔ It Could Shelter Up to 20,000 People – This massive underground network had enough space for thousands of residents, along with their livestock and food supplies.
✔ Built for Protection – Originally carved by the Hittites, Derinkuyu was later expanded by early Christians who used it as a hidden refuge from Roman and Arab invasions.
✔ A Fully Functioning Underground Civilization – The city includes stables, kitchens, cellars, churches, schools, ventilation shafts, and even a wine press, showing how people lived here for extended periods.
✔ It Has Ingenious Airflow and Security Systems – The ventilation shafts keep fresh air circulating, while massive stone doors could be rolled shut to block intruders.
✔ A Secret Tunnel Connects to Another Underground City – A 9-km (5.6-mile) tunnel is believed to link Derinkuyu to Kaymakli Underground City, allowing for safe movement between settlements.
✔ It’s One of Cappadocia’s Most Mysterious Sites – Some historians speculate that Derinkuyu was not just a shelter, but also a long-term underground metropolis, with many of its hidden passageways still unexplored today.
️ What to See Inside
✔ Massive Circular Stone Doors – These huge rolling stones were used to block tunnels and protect the city from invaders.
✔ Amazingly Preserved Ventilation System – Over 50 ventilation shafts ensured fresh air flowed through all levels of the city.
✔ Communal Living Areas – See where thousands of people lived, cooked, and stored food while taking shelter underground.
✔ Stables & Storage Rooms – The upper levels housed animals and food supplies, making Derinkuyu a self-sustaining underground settlement.
✔ Underground Church & Missionary School – A fascinating part of the city where religious education and worship took place.
✔ Escape Tunnels – Some tunnels connect Derinkuyu to other underground cities, allowing people to flee in times of danger.
Our Recommendation: We Booked These Tickets
Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the largest and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, featuring narrow tunnels, ventilation shafts, hidden passages, and ancient living quarters that once sheltered thousands of people.
It’s an absolute must-visit for history lovers and those fascinated by Cappadocia’s unique underground world.
We chose to visit Derinkuyu as part of the Cappadocia Green Tour, which included entry tickets, a professional guide, transport, and lunch.
This was by far the best option as it allowed us to explore multiple highlights of Cappadocia’s southern region in a single day without worrying about logistics.
The Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets (€65) gave us:
✔ Skip-the-line access to Derinkuyu Underground City
✔ Expert insights from a professional guide
✔ Visits to Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley
✔ A delicious traditional Turkish lunch
✔ Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
If you’re planning to visit Derinkuyu Underground City, we highly recommend booking the Green Tour for a stress-free, well-organized experience that covers multiple must-see locations.
Derinkuyu Underground City Tickets & Prices
How much does a Derinkuyu Underground City ticket cost? Here’s an overview of the available options:
1. Standard Ticket (€13) – Basic Entry
✔ Access to Derinkuyu Underground City
✔ Explore at your own pace
❌ No guide, transport, or skip-the-line access
Best for: Independent travelers who are comfortable navigating the underground city alone and arranging their own transport.
2. Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets
This also has a badge of excellence and over 1150 very good reviews on Getyourguide. You’ll experience historical and natural attractions of the region on this full-day.
✔ Covers Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley
✔ Skip-the-line access to all sites
✔ Includes a professional guide and a traditional Turkish lunch
✔ Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Best for: Travelers who want a hassle-free experience with everything arranged, including tickets, guide, and meals.
Read more and book this Green Tour online
3. Cappadocia Green Tour
✔ Covers Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley
✔ Skip-the-line access to all sites
✔ Includes a professional guide and a traditional Turkish lunch
✔ Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Best for: Travelers who want a guided, well-organized day trip that includes multiple Cappadocia highlights without needing to worry about tickets or transport.
We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money. Also double check that Derinkuyu is included in the tour as some tours don’t offer.
✔ Want the best value? → Book the All-Inclusive Green Tour✔ Prefer a smaller group? → Go for the VIP Green Tour
✔ Love hiking? → Choose the Trekking Green Tour
✔ On a budget? → The Green Tour with Lunch, Guide is a great pick.
More Info about the Green Tour
Where Should You Buy Derinkuyu Underground City Tickets?
You can purchase tickets:
✔ On-site at the ticket window (€13)
✔ As part of the Cappadocia Green Tour, which includes transport, a guide, and multiple site visits
If you plan to visit Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery as well, the Cappadocia Green Tour is the most convenient and cost-effective option.
Is a Guided Tour Worth It?
✔ Visiting on your own? Buy the standard ticket on-site (€13).
✔ Want a full Cappadocia experience with multiple highlights? Book the Cappadocia Green Tour for €65.
Our Tip: Derinkuyu Underground City has a complex network of tunnels and chambers—having a guide makes a huge difference in understanding its history and significance!
Our Derinkuyu Underground City Experience
Now that you know all about Derinkuyu Underground City tickets and prices, let’s get to the exciting part—what is it really like to visit?
Getting to Derinkuyu Underground City
As part of our Cappadocia Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets, our adventure began with a comfortable hotel pickup before heading to Derinkuyu Underground City—one of the largest and deepest underground cities in the world.
With its maze-like tunnels, hidden chambers, and ancient ventilation systems, Derinkuyu Underground City is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before.
We were glad to have a professional guide, as navigating this complex without one would have been overwhelming.
Tip: If you’re traveling independently, getting a local guide at the entrance is highly recommended—otherwise, you may miss fascinating details about this underground wonder.
What to Expect from Your Visit?
As soon as we descended into Derinkuyu Underground City, we felt like explorers stepping back in time.
This incredible 8-level complex extends 85 meters below the surface and was once capable of sheltering over 20,000 people during wars and invasions.
✔ Ingenious Engineering: The underground city has an elaborate ventilation system, wells, and water channels, ensuring that fresh air circulated throughout the tunnels—even at the lowest levels.
✔ Secret Entrances & Stone Doors: Large rolling stone doors could be closed from the inside to keep invaders out, making the city an almost impenetrable fortress.
✔ Hidden Underground Life: From stables and storage rooms to wineries and chapels, Derinkuyu functioned as a fully self-sufficient underground town.
Tip: Expect some narrow tunnels and low ceilings—in some areas, we had to crouch and walk carefully through tight passageways!
Exploring the Underground Levels
As we descended deeper into Derinkuyu, we were amazed by the intricate layout and the genius of the people who built it.
Each level had a specific function, making the underground city feel like a hidden metropolis beneath the earth.
Stables & Storage Rooms (First Levels)
✔ The upper levels were used to shelter animals, ensuring that livestock could survive in times of siege.
✔ Huge cellars and storage rooms held food and supplies for long-term survival underground.
Why visit? These sections give an insight into daily life, showing how people planned for emergencies and survival.
Missionary School & Study Rooms (Second Level)
✔ One of the most fascinating sections, featuring a large hall believed to be a religious school.
✔ Connected to study rooms, where early Christians were thought to have studied and worshipped in secrecy.
Why visit? This part of the underground city reveals the importance of religion and education, even in times of crisis.
The Church & Meeting Halls (Mid-Level Floors)
✔ A small underground church where early Christians gathered for prayer.
✔ Large meeting halls where the community would discuss important matters.
Why visit? It’s incredible to imagine entire religious ceremonies happening underground, hidden from invaders above.
Deepest Levels – Wineries & Escape Tunnels
✔ The lowest levels housed wineries and food preparation areas.
✔ A long escape tunnel is believed to have led to other underground cities, allowing people to flee undetected.
Why visit? The architecture and ventilation at these depths are remarkable—even at 85 meters below, the air felt fresh!
What Makes Derinkuyu Underground City So Special?
Derinkuyu is more than just a network of tunnels—it’s an engineering marvel that tells the story of human resilience, creativity, and survival.
✔ Built as a shelter during war and invasions—a secret refuge that couldn’t be seen from above.
✔ A self-sustaining underground city, with food storage, fresh water, and ventilation systems.
✔ Perfectly preserved after thousands of years, offering a rare glimpse into life during the Roman and Byzantine eras.
Tip: The oxygen levels stay consistent at all depths, so you never feel like you’re running out of air, even at the lowest levels.
Is Derinkuyu Underground City Claustrophobic?
This is a common concern, and while some tunnels are narrow, most of the rooms are spacious enough to walk comfortably.
However:
✔ If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may want to stick to the first few levels.
✔ If you’re over 6 feet tall, be prepared to crouch in some tunnels.
✔ If you’re comfortable in small spaces, you’ll love the feeling of adventure!
Our experience: Though a few tunnels were tight, the thrill of exploring an ancient underground city outweighed any discomfort!
How Long Does It Take to Visit Derinkuyu?
A complete visit takes around 1 hour, though it flies by as you navigate tunnels, climb staircases, and explore hidden chambers.
✔ Self-guided visits: ~45 minutes to 1 hour.
✔ Guided tours (recommended!): ~1 to 1.5 hours with detailed explanations.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest crowds.
Is Derinkuyu Underground City Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Derinkuyu Underground City is one of Cappadocia’s most unique attractions—a must-see for history lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone fascinated by ancient civilizations.
✔ It’s one of the largest and deepest underground cities in the world.
✔ You’ll explore a hidden world that once sheltered thousands of people.
✔ The engineering and ventilation systems are mind-blowing.
✔ It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience—you won’t find anything like this elsewhere.
Best Case? Visit Derinkuyu Underground City as part of the Cappadocia Green Tour—this way, you don’t have to worry about transportation, tickets, or navigating on your own.
Visitor Information
Location
Derinkuyu Underground City is located 40 km south of Göreme and is the deepest underground city in Cappadocia. View on Google Maps
⏰ Opening Hours
Summer (April 1 – October 31): 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM (Last entry: 06:30 PM)
Winter (November 1 – March 31): 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM (Last entry: 04:30 PM)
❌ Closed on religious holidays until 01:00 PM
Tip: Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid large crowds, especially during high season.
️ Tickets
✔ Entrance Fee: €13 (Paid on location)
✔ Included in the Cappadocia Green Tour
✔ Guided Tours Available – Highly recommended for a better understanding of the underground city’s history
Tip: If you’re visiting multiple underground cities, you can combine Derinkuyu with Kaymaklı for a more complete experience.
* Please double check the hours and admissions from muze.gov.tr
Visiting Tips
✔ Wear comfortable walking shoes – The underground tunnels can be steep, narrow, and uneven, so proper footwear is essential.
✔ Be prepared for low ceilings – Some passages require crouching or bending to get through.
✔ Bring a light jacket – The underground temperature remains cool year-round, even in summer.
✔ Avoid visiting if you have claustrophobia – The narrow tunnels and enclosed spaces can be overwhelming for some visitors.
✔ Book a guided tour – The history is fascinating, and a guide will help you navigate the maze-like tunnels while explaining their purpose.
♿ Accessibility
✔ Not wheelchair accessible – The underground city has steep stairs, narrow tunnels, and uneven floors that make it difficult for visitors with mobility issues.
✔ No elevators or ramps – Visitors must climb through the underground levels using stone staircases.
Tip: If you have limited mobility, consider visiting Zelve Open Air Museum or Göreme Open Air Museum, which are more accessible.
Tip: The lowest levels are the most fascinating—don’t stop at the first few floors!
️ Nearby Attractions
Derinkuyu Underground City is close to several must-visit sites in Cappadocia:
✔ Ihlara Valley – A stunning canyon with hidden rock churches and a scenic hiking trail (included in the Green Tour).
✔ Kaymakli Underground City – Another fascinating underground city with wider tunnels and an easier layout for exploration.
Tip: If you’re on the Cappadocia Green Tour, you’ll visit Derinkuyu first before heading to Ihlara Valley.
How to Get to Derinkuyu Underground City – Travel Tips
From Göreme or Ürgüp
✔ Take a local minibus (dolmuş) to Derinkuyu, which takes about 45 minutes.
✔ If using public transport, note that buses may not run frequently, so check schedules in advance.
From Uçhisar or Avanos
✔ A taxi ride (30-40 minutes) is the most convenient option.
By Rental Car
✔ Renting a car is the easiest way to explore multiple sites in Cappadocia, including Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery.
✔ Parking is available at the entrance for those driving themselves.
Tip: Joining a guided tour (like the Cappadocia Green Tour) is the most stress-free way to visit Derinkuyu and nearby attractions.
Have You Visited Derinkuyu Underground City?
These were our best tips and insights for visiting Derinkuyu Underground City.
Do you have questions about tickets, guided tours, or how to explore the underground tunnels? Or have you already visited this ancient subterranean wonder and want to share your experience?
Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!
