Ihlara Valley Cappadocia (Where? What to See? 2024 Tickets)

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.

Top Ihlara Valley Tours & Tickets

If you are looking for the best Ihlara Valley 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

The beautiful and interesting Ihlara Valley lets you see some of the area’s rich past and culture. If you’re traveling in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, you are advised to go to Ihlara Valley.
You can go hiking, see the sights, or just enjoy the natural beauty of the scenery.
This valley is about 14 kilometers long and up to 150 meters deep. It has steep, rocky walls with churches, monasteries, and homes cut into them.
In the valley, the Melendiz River flows through it. Over millions of years, it has helped shape the scenery, making it one of a kind and breathtakingly beautiful.
Since ancient times, people have lived in the valley, which has been an important part of the history and culture of the area. It was home to many Christian groups during the Byzantine era, who built churches and temples into the cliffs.
The valley is named after a town close by called Ihlara, which has a lot of old buildings and traditional style homes.
Today, many people love to hike, see the sights, and learn about the area’s rich cultural history in Ihlara Valley. People can go hiking along the valley floor and check out the many historic places, or they can just enjoy the scenery.
The Ihlara Valley is also home to a wide range of plants and animals, including many rare and native species.
Because it is so culturally and naturally important, the valley is both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quick History

Ihlara Valley has a past that goes back thousands of years. There is evidence that people lived there in the Bronze Age. A lot of monasteries lived in the valley in the early days of Christianity. They built churches and other buildings into the cliffs.

During the Byzantine era, the valley was a major place where Christians went to pray and be monks. During this time, more than 100 churches were built in the valley, and many of them can still be seen today. The frescoes and other artwork in these buildings are very beautiful and show off the rich cultural history of the area.

Following the first few hundred years, the valley remained a significant place for religious and culture events. This place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a public park so that it is safe. People can hike along the valley floor and check out the many historic places, or they can just enjoy the scenery.

Things to Do & See

Ihlara Valley is not only a natural beauty, but also a rocky settlement area that hosted an extreme monastery life between 4th to 13th centuries D.C. and housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred hidden cave churches decorated with frescoes and houses lining the gorge.

There is a parking area and a shop at the entrance of the Ihlara Valley. You should buy all your needs before you enter to the valley as there is no shop in the valley. When you see the valley from above, you’ll be surprised with the stairs that you need to descend. There is no elevator and while you descend, you’ll ask yourself that “how much stairs left” 🙂 But as you’ll experience, it will be a great exercise in the company of great beauties of the valley.

When you descend to the valley, you’ll have about 4 km. of hiking track in the company of the Melendiz River dividing the valley. The river is not deep so that you may easily pass from one side to another.

While you hike, you’ll see the famous dwellings, hidden cave churches decorated with frescoes and houses located at the hills in different altitudes. Some of them are really located on high altitude and you’ll need to climb the stairs through them (especially the churches) if you want to see what’s inside, and of course descend back 🙂 But all those will be really very exciting and fantastic.

After you stroll or hike about 3,5 km. along the river, you’ll see the famous Belisirma village (a typical Anatolian village) and will have a chance to have a lunch break at a local restaurant nearby the river.

And than if you feel like you can hike for about 6 km. more (many travelers turn back from the Belisirma village, following the same track they climb to the Ihlara Valley entrance and end their tour as their car parked there), you may have chance to visit the Yaprakhisar village and see stunning views of the conical fairy chimneys and 1 km. after you may see the famous Selime Monastery that was one of the biggest and most fascinating religious settlements in Cappadocia.

The Monastery was carved into the rock by monks in the 13th century. If you visit Ihlara Valley via excursion or tour company, the tour bus takes you from Yaprakhisar-Selime, so you will not have go back to the entrance of the Ihlara Valley.

A great day out at the Ihlara Valley is really a great experience for nature, history and hiking lovers. And one of the best things to do in Cappadocia.

Also note that, even it is a summer day, there may be a short but heavy rain so it is recommended to take a raincoat or small umbrella with you and of course take your outdoor hiking shoes.

Video Tour

Visiting Hours & Admissions

Opening Hours

Ihlara valley is open every day between 08:30 to 17:00

Ticket Price

* €15

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

Ihlara Valley Visiting Tips

Because Ihlara Valley is best seen on foot, we suggest that you wear shoes that are both easy and durable. The paths can be dangerous because of rocks and uneven ground, so make sure you wear the right shoes to avoid hurting yourself when you fall.

Bring a lot of water with you because the valley can get hot and dry in the summer. Don’t forget to bring a lot of water with you on your walk.

If you want to visit the valley during the busy times of the year, you should book your guided walk ahead of time. You can skip the lines and the crowds this way, which makes the experience more peaceful and important.

If you want to take pictures of the stunning views and historic sites in Ihlara Valley, don’t forget to bring yours.

Anyone can visit Ihlara Valley on their own, but an organized tour will give you a better time and teach you more about the history and meaning of the place.

An expert guide can tell you useful things about the buildings and structures in the valley and share fun stories and facts.

Stay on the roads and don’t leave trash behind to show respect for nature.

Guided Tours

Guided tours of Ihlara Valley can make your trip better in many ways. Ihlara Valley has many old churches and temples, each with its own special meaning and story. A expert guide can give you excellent advice and share fun and interesting facts and tales that you might not find out on your own.

It’s simple to overlook important features or sites in Ihlara Valley because there is so much to see and do. Making the most of your trip by taking a guided tour can help you see all of the valley’s secret gems.

One can experience Ihlara Valley’s many trails and paths, which make it a big and complicated place. Get lost or turned around easily if you don’t know the area. Staying on track is easier with the help of a guide.

Ihlara Valley is usually a safe place to visit, but there are some risks that come with climbing in remote areas. An experienced guide can help you stay safe and avoid any possible dangers, like rough terrain or wild animals that could hurt you.

Ihlara Valley can get crowded and busy during the busiest tourist season, with long lines and wait times. Skipping the lines and the crowds is possible with a guided walk, giving you a more peaceful and meaningful experience.

Top Rated Ihlara Valley 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 Ihlara Valley 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.