Ihlara Valley is a fantastic canyon with a depth of about 100 meters and about 10 km. length that was formed by the volcanic activity from Mount Hasan and erosion by the Melendiz River hundred thousands of years ago. One of the best side trips from Cappadocia.
At a Glance: Our Tips for Visiting Ihlara Valley
✔ Explore one of the deepest canyons in the world, stretching 14 km long and filled with hidden cave churches, rock-cut dwellings, and stunning hiking trails.
✔ Tickets start at €15, but for a full experience, we recommend the Green Tour (€65), which includes Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley.
✔ Be prepared for a hike—the main trail is about 4 km, with optional extensions up to 10 km for those wanting a longer trek.
No Regrets Booking Advice
✔ There are over 100 rock-cut churches—some require climbing stairs to reach, but the frescoes inside are worth the effort.
✔ Wear comfortable hiking shoes—the trail includes stairs, uneven paths, and river crossings along the Melendiz River.
✔ Bring water and snacks—there are no shops inside the valley, but you can enjoy a riverside lunch at Belisirma village.
✔ Visit early in the morning to enjoy the cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the best light for photography.
Which Ihlara Valley Ticket Should You Get?
If you are looking for the best Ihlara Valley tours, trust our recommendations, save time and money, we have you covered.
✔ Exploring independently? → Buy the Standard Ticket on-site.
✔ Want a fully guided experience with multiple Cappadocia highlights? → Join the Cappadocia Green Tour.
Ihlara Valley Fact Sheet: 7 Fascinating Facts
Before we cover ticket prices and visiting tips, here are seven incredible facts about Ihlara Valley that you might not know!
✔ One of the Deepest Canyons in the World – Stretching 14 km (8.7 miles) long and reaching depths of up to 150 meters, Ihlara Valley is one of the largest canyons where people have lived.
✔ A Hidden Refuge for Early Christians – The valley’s steep cliffs and hidden caves made it a safe haven for early Christians fleeing Roman persecution.
✔ Home to Over 100 Rock-Cut Churches – Ihlara Valley is dotted with more than 100 ancient churches, some dating back to the 4th century, featuring well-preserved frescoes.
✔ A River Runs Through It – The Melendiz River flows through the valley, providing fresh water and fertile land that supported communities for centuries.
✔ A Trekker’s Paradise – The valley offers one of the best hiking experiences in Cappadocia, with trails that lead through lush greenery, caves, and historic ruins.
✔ Famous for Its Hidden Monasteries – Many of the valley’s churches are only accessible by climbing steep staircases, making them incredibly secluded and peaceful.
✔ Ends at a Fascinating Cave Monastery – At the end of the valley, you’ll find Selime Monastery, one of the largest rock-hewn religious complexes in Cappadocia, complete with a cathedral, tunnels, and living quarters.
️ What to See in Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley is not just a hiking spot—it’s a historical and cultural treasure with ancient monasteries, churches, and cave dwellings.
✔ Ağaçaltı Church – Features beautiful frescoes of Jesus and the Apostles, dating back to the 9th century.
✔ Sümbüllü Church – Known for its decorative frescoes and cross-shaped layout.
✔ Yılanlı Church (Snake Church) – Contains fascinating depictions of saints and Biblical scenes.
✔ Belisırma Village – A charming riverside village where you can enjoy lunch at a restaurant over the water.
✔ Selime Monastery – Located at the end of the valley, this massive rock-cut monastery offers incredible views.
Tip: If you’re short on time, focus on the first 3-4 km of the valley, where most of the best-preserved churches are located.
Our Recommendation: We Booked These Tickets
Ihlara Valley is one of Cappadocia’s most breathtaking natural wonders, known for its lush greenery, scenic hiking trails, and rock-cut churches hidden in the canyon walls.
Stretching 16 km long, this valley was once home to early Christians who built monasteries and churches inside the cliffs for worship and protection.
Since Ihlara Valley is best explored with historical context, we chose to visit as part of the Cappadocia Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets. ✔ Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
If you prefer to explore independently, you can purchase the standard ticket on-site (€15), which includes an audio guide for self-guided exploration.
However, we found that having a guide made the experience much richer, as they pointed out historical details and lesser-known cave churches along the way.
Ihlara Valley Tickets & Prices
How much does an Ihlara Valley ticket cost? Here’s an overview of the available options:
1. Standard Ticket (€15) – Basic Entry
✔ Access to Ihlara Valley hiking trails and rock churches
✔ Includes an audio guidance service
✔ Explore at your own pace
❌ No guide, transport, or skip-the-line access
Best for: Independent travelers who enjoy self-guided hiking and don’t mind arranging their own transport.
2. Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets (€65) – (We Chose This!)
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 Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley
✔ Skip-the-line access to all sites
✔ Professional guide for deeper insights
✔ A scenic 45-minute guided hike through Ihlara Valley
✔ Traditional Turkish lunch in a riverside restaurant
✔ 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 Ihlara 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 Ihlara Valley Tickets?
You can purchase tickets:
✔ On-site at the ticket window (€15)
✔ As part of the Cappadocia Green Tour, which includes transport, a guide, and additional site visits
If you plan to visit Derinkuyu Underground City 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 (€15).
✔ Want to see multiple locations in one day? Book the Cappadocia Green Tour.
Our Tip: Ihlara Valley is more than just a beautiful hike—many of its cave churches have ancient frescoes and historical significance that a guide can help you understand better!
Our Ihlara Valley Experience
Now that you know all about Ihlara Valley tickets and prices, let’s get to the exciting part—what is it really like to visit?
Getting to Ihlara Valley
Our Ihlara Valley adventure began with a hotel pickup as part of the Cappadocia Green Tour with Lunch, Guide, and Entry Tickets.
This package included skip-the-line access, a professional guide, transport, and lunch, making it the easiest way to explore not just Ihlara Valley, but also Derinkuyu Underground City, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley.
Before reaching Ihlara Valley, our tour included:
✔ Göreme Panorama – A beautiful viewpoint overlooking Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys.
✔ Narlıgöl Crater Lake – A scenic volcanic lake that changes color depending on the season.
Tip: If you’re planning to visit Ihlara Valley on your own, be prepared for a long drive and a lack of public transport options.
Arriving at Ihlara Valley – First Impressions
Once we arrived, we were met with stunning views of the deep canyon from the top. It was hard to believe that such a lush, green valley existed in the middle of Cappadocia’s rocky landscape!
✔ Natural Beauty Meets History: Ihlara Valley isn’t just a beautiful canyon—it was once a bustling monastic settlement, home to over 4,000 dwellings and more than 100 rock-cut churches dating back to the 4th to 13th centuries.
✔ A Journey Through Time: Many of these churches are hidden inside the valley’s cliffs, covered in frescoes that depict biblical scenes and early Christian life.
Tip: If you need snacks or water, buy them at the parking area before heading down—there are no shops inside the valley!
The Descent – Stairs Into the Canyon
One of the most talked-about parts of visiting Ihlara Valley is the descent down the staircase. It’s a workout!
✔ How many stairs? Around 400 steps lead down into the valley.
✔ No elevator! It’s a steep but rewarding walk.
✔ Amazing views: The deeper you go, the more magical the scenery becomes.
Tip: Take your time descending—it’s a long way down, but the experience is worth it. Once you reach the bottom, you’re surrounded by towering cliffs, lush trees, and the peaceful sound of the Melendiz River flowing through the valley.
Exploring Ihlara Valley – The Hike Begins!
Once we were in the valley, we started a scenic 4 km hike along the Melendiz River.
✔ Peaceful Atmosphere: Unlike other parts of Cappadocia, Ihlara Valley is shaded and cool, making it a great place to visit even in summer.
✔ Rock-Cut Churches & Monasteries: Along the trail, we saw ancient cave churches hidden in the cliffs, some with well-preserved frescoes from the Byzantine period.
✔ Crossing the River: The Melendiz River isn’t deep, so we could easily cross from one side to the other.
Tip: Some churches are higher up in the cliffs and require extra climbing—but if you love history, they’re worth the effort!
Famous Churches in Ihlara Valley
Throughout our hike, we saw several of Ihlara Valley’s rock-cut churches, each with unique frescoes and history:
Agacalti Church (Church Under the Tree)
✔ One of the most famous churches in Ihlara Valley
✔ Features frescoes of Christ, angels, and biblical scenes
Why visit? This church is easy to access and has some of the best-preserved artwork in the valley.
Sümbüllü Church (Hyacinth Church)
✔ Located higher up the valley cliffs, requiring a short climb
✔ Features Byzantine frescoes with vivid colors
Why visit? If you’re up for a small climb, this church is a hidden gem with a fantastic view.
Lunch in Belisırma Village
After about 3.5 km of hiking, we arrived at Belisırma Village, a traditional Anatolian village where we enjoyed a well-earned lunch at a riverside restaurant.
✔ Fresh, local food—we had grilled fish, kebabs, and mezes while sitting next to the peaceful Melendiz River.
✔ A relaxing break before continuing the journey.
Tip: Most travelers end their hike here, but if you want to continue exploring, you can hike another 6 km to Yaprakhisar Village.
The Final Stretch – Selime Monastery
Instead of hiking back up the stairs, our tour continued by bus to Selime Monastery.
✔ One of the largest rock monasteries in Cappadocia
✔ Features massive carved rooms, ancient chapels, and stunning valley views
✔ Built in the 13th century by monks as a religious center
Why visit? Selime Monastery is one of Cappadocia’s most impressive rock-cut structures, and since our Green Tour included it, we didn’t have to hike back up to the entrance!
Is Ihlara Valley Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Ihlara Valley offers a completely different experience from other parts of Cappadocia.
✔ It’s the best place for a scenic, shaded hike in Cappadocia.
✔ The valley’s history is fascinating, with hidden cave churches and monasteries.
✔ You’ll experience a mix of nature, history, and adventure.
✔ Lunch by the river in Belisırma Village is a great mid-hike break.
✔ Selime Monastery is a perfect ending to the tour.
Best Case? Visit Ihlara Valley as part of the Cappadocia Green Tour, so you don’t have to worry about transport, entrance fees, or hiking back to the starting point.
Visitor Information
Location
Ihlara Valley is located 80 km from Göreme and is one of Cappadocia’s most scenic hiking destinations, featuring a deep canyon with lush greenery, a flowing river, and hidden rock-cut churches. 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: Start your hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and have a quieter experience.
️ Tickets
✔ Entrance Fee: €15 (Includes access to hiking trails and churches)
✔ Included in Cappadocia Green Tour
✔ Audio Guide Available – Recommended for learning about the history of the churches and settlements
Tip: If you don’t want to hike the full valley, you can enter from different points, depending on how much you want to explore.
* Please double check the hours and admissions from muze.gov.tr
Visiting Tips
✔ Wear comfortable hiking shoes – The valley has uneven terrain, rocky paths, and stairs, so sturdy footwear is essential.
✔ Be prepared for a long walk – The full hike through Ihlara Valley is 14 km, but many visitors walk only a portion of the trail.
✔ Bring water and snacks – There are limited food options inside the valley, except for restaurants at Belisırma village.
✔ Explore the rock-cut churches – Many of the hidden churches contain frescoes dating back to the 9th century.
✔ Watch out for wildlife – You may spot birds, turtles, and even small lizards along the trail.
✔ Best season to visit: Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and vibrant scenery, while summer can be hot, and winter may bring snow.
♿ Accessibility
✔ Not wheelchair accessible – The valley requires walking down and up stairs, and many trails are uneven.
✔ Entry via stairs – The Ihlara Valley entrance has about 400 steps leading down into the canyon.
Tip: If mobility is a concern, visit the viewpoint instead for a stunning panoramic view over the valley.
️ Nearby Attractions
Ihlara Valley is often visited alongside other must-see sites in Cappadocia:
✔ Derinkuyu Underground City – The largest and deepest underground city in Cappadocia, located on the way to Ihlara Valley.
✔ Selime Monastery – A massive rock-cut monastery at the end of the Ihlara Valley hike.
✔ Belisırma Village – A picturesque riverside village with open-air restaurants.
Tip: If you’re on the Cappadocia Green Tour, you’ll visit Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery in one day.
How to Get to Ihlara Valley – Travel Tips
From Göreme or Ürgüp
✔ Public transport is limited, but you can take a minibus (dolmuş) from Nevşehir to Aksaray, then transfer to a bus to Ihlara.
From Uçhisar or Avanos
✔ A taxi or rental car is the easiest way to visit. The drive takes around 1.5 hours.
By Rental Car
✔ Parking is available at the main entrance and Belisırma village.
✔ If you’re driving, visit Derinkuyu Underground City on the way.
Tip: Booking a guided Green Tour is the most convenient way to visit Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu, and Selime Monastery in one day.
Have You Visited Ihlara Valley?
These were our best tips and insights for visiting Ihlara Valley.
Do you have questions about hiking routes, guided tours, or the best time to visit? Or have you already explored this hidden gem in Cappadocia and want to share your experience?
Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you! ️
