Derinkuyu Underground City Cappadocia: What to See? Tickets

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.

Cappadocia currently has 36 underground cities, the largest of which, Derinkuyu, dates back to the 8^th century BC. As an example, Derinkuyu was stumbled upon completely by chance, by a local inhabitant which renovating his house.

Derinkuyu Underground City is an incredible feat of engineering and an impressive example of human ingenuity, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in history and architecture.

Top Derinkuyu Tours & Tickets

If you are looking for the best Derinkuyu Underground City tours, trust our recommendations, save time and money, we have you covered. Below are some of best experiences you can find! Feel free to book online in advance, and make an eco-friendly option of online tickets.

Top Facts

It is one of the largest underground cities in the world: Derinkuyu is a huge underground complex with many floors and a lot of rooms and tunnels that are hard to find. With room for up to 20,000 people, it is one of the biggest underground cities in the world.
It was built over 2000 years ago: No one knows for sure when it was made, but the Phrygians are thought to have done it between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. Later civilizations, like the Byzantines and the Seljuks, added on to it and used it.
It was used for a variety of purposes: The Derinkuyu Underground City has been used for many things over the years, such as a place to hide during wartime, to store food and other goods, to worship, and even as a wine cellar.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Cappadocian underground towns, including Derinkuyu, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. This was done to recognize how important they were as a great example of how people lived and used land.
It has a fascinating ventilation system: The air system in the Derinkuyu Underground City is one of its best features. It was planned that the tunnels would let fresh air into the complex and move around it. There are even wells that go all the way to the top to provide fresh water.
It has many interesting architectural features: Derinkuyu has a lot of different types of architecture, including narrow passages, steep stairs, and rooms that were used for different things, like stables, basements, and even a church.
It is a popular tourist attraction: Today, Derinkuyu Underground City is a popular place for tourists to visit in Cappadocia. A lot of people come to explore its unique and interesting underground world.

Quick History

One of the many underground towns in Cappadocia, Turkey, is Derinkuyu Underground City. To protect themselves from attacks and invasions in the 7th and 8th centuries, early Christian villages built it. Around 20,000 people could stay in the city for several months without having to leave during wartime.

People were first able to visit the underground city in 1965, after it was found in 1963. With eight floors and a depth of about 85 meters, it is one of the biggest underground towns in the county. There are many rooms in Derinkuyu Underground City, such as a school, a church, stables, storage places, and even a barrel room.

As part of its design, the city had a well for water supply and a complicated ventilation system that let fresh air into every level. The underground city’s beautiful and unique atmosphere is made even better by the narrow tunnels and steep stairs that lead to the different levels.

Besucher can now go to Derinkuyu Underground City, which gives a unique look into the past and culture of the area. People who come can look around the rooms and halls and learn about the city’s and people’s interesting past.

What to Expect from Your Visit?

A huge network of tunnels and cities called Derinkuyu Underground City was cut out of tuff, a type of volcanic rock. Local people made it during the Hittite period and used it as a shelter during war and natural disasters. It’s a famous tourist spot now, giving people a look into the past and a unique underground experience.

With several levels and an estimated depth of over 85 meters, Derinkuyu is one of the biggest underground towns in Cappadocia. It is like a maze of tunnels.

According to reports, it could hold up to 20,000 people at once. Without a guide, it can be hard to find your way around the complex’s network of narrow halls, stairs, and rooms.

The underground city is an amazing engineering achievement, with a complicated circulation system that made sure fresh air blew through the whole complex. The wells, ventilation shafts, and water lines that brought water to the city can be seen by visitors.

The underground city has some interesting architectural features, like big stone doors that could be locked to keep out strangers and a big hall that the community used to get together.

Visiting Derinkuyu Underground City is a one-of-a-kind adventure that lets you see how people lived in the area thousands of years ago. A interesting look at how creative and resourceful our ancestors were.

Exploring Derinkuyu’s basement rooms and tunnels is exhilarating and will make you feel like an explorer. Expect some narrow tunnels and low ceilings!

What’s Inside?

Extending to a depth of approximately 85 metres, it’s large enough to have sheltered more than 20,000 people. While visiting, guests will have to crouch down and move slowly through the tunnels, which were mostly created with the purpose of saving people during the ongoing wars.

It is believed that the underground city was built as a shelter that is not to be seen from above, for the Christian community to escape from the pressure of the Roman Empire and Arabs.

Derinkuyu Underground City has 8 levels underground carved from the soft volcanic stone that are connected with each other by narrow tunnels.

Visitors may visit stables, cellars, storage areas, refectories, churches and wineries that all intertwined in an extensive network of tunnels. Also visitors may see the missionary school and study rooms on the second floor.

It is very exciting to imagine that how people lived here. The oxygen ratio never changes no matter at what level you are. A visit to Derinkuyu Underground City is a must on your Cappadocia holidays.

It will take about an hour for you to visit all the Derinkuyu Underground City. Visitors having claustrophobia are not recommended to enter the underground city.

Video Tour

Visiting Hours & Admissions

Opening Hours

Open every day between 08:00-17:00.

Ticket Price

* €13 at ticket window on location

* Please double check the hours and admissions from muze.gov.tr

Visiting Tips

It can get cool in Derinkuyu Underground City, so it’s best to wear layers of warm clothing, especially in the winter. It’s also best to wear shoes that are easy to walk in because the caves below can be narrow.
Derinkuyu Underground City is a popular tourist spot, so expect a lot of people, especially during busy journey times. It is best to get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to escape extended wait times.
Bring a small flashlight. The underground tunnels can be dark, and some areas may not have good lighting, so having one with you can help you find your way around and see all the different rooms.
Go on a guided tour. You can experience Derinkuyu Underground City on your own, but it’s much better to go on a tour. A guide will tell you about the history and culture of the place and answer any questions you may have. Also, only organized tours are allowed in some parts of the underground city.
Remember to drink water. The caves below can get very dry, so remember to bring water with you.
When people go to Derinkuyu Underground City, they have to follow certain rules. For example, it is against the rules to smoke and use a flash camera. Also, people aren’t allowed to touch any of the old buildings or artifacts.
If you have claustrophobia or a fear of enclosed spaces, you should be careful when you go to Derinkuyu Underground City. There are times when the underground tunnels are very narrow and there are low ceilings in some places, which may make some tourists feel anxious or uncomfortable.
If you start to feel too much at any point, you can take a break in one of the marked resting areas in the underground city or go outside for a while.
Finally, you might want to avoid going to Derinkuyu Underground City if you have severe claustrophobia or a similar situation. There are many other interesting and unique things to do in Cappadocia that might be better for people who are afraid of being squished.

Top Rated Derinkuyu Tour Options

We believe that booking your Cappadocia day tour with one of the below companies and online not only guarantees a world-class experience but also provides the convenience of flexible booking, free hotel transfers, and the assurance of thousands of satisfied travelers who have shared their positive experiences through online reviews. It’s the smart choice for a hassle-free and memorable adventure in Cappadocia.

Here we only suggest the proven ways and top rated ones with travelers’ comments. You can feel free to book one of the below top selling Derinkuuyu Underground City tours and tickets.

1. Green (South) Tour Cappadocia (small group)

This has a badge of excellence and over 1100 very good reviews on Viator. You’ll experience the lush part of the Cappadocia region that many travelers overlook on this small-group day tour to the southern area.

You’ll hike to traditional villages in the Ihlara Valley without the risk of getting lost when you go with a professional guide. Have lunch by the river and check out the ancient Selime Monastery and the amazing Kaymakli Underground City.