Kaymakli Underground City is the biggest and deepest underground settlement in the Cappadocia region. Located in the Kaymaki Village, Kaymakli 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 Kaymakli Underground City, including ticket options, must-see areas, tips for navigating the tunnels, and what to expect during your visit.
If you’re looking for a truly unique and thrilling experience in Cappadocia, Kaymakli should be on your list!
At a Glance: Our Tips for Visiting Kaymakli Underground City
✔ Discover one of the largest and most accessible underground cities in Cappadocia, with four open levels of tunnels, living quarters, and ancient storage rooms.
No Regrets Booking Advice
✔ Tickets start at €13, but for a seamless experience, we recommend the Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour (€20), which includes Kaymakli, Rose Valley, Cavusin, Pigeon Valley, and Ortahisar Castle.
✔ Skip-the-line tickets are a great choice—this is one of Cappadocia’s most visited underground cities, and queues can be long.
✔ Expect narrow tunnels and low ceilings—be prepared to crouch and walk through tight spaces. Not ideal for those with claustrophobia or mobility issues.
✔ Bring a light jacket—underground temperatures stay cool year-round, even in summer.
✔ A guide is highly recommended to understand the history, ventilation system, and defense mechanisms of this ancient refuge.
Which Kaymaklı Underground City Ticket Should You Get?
If you are looking for the best Kaymakli Underground City tours, trust our recommendations, save time and money, we have you covered.
✔ Exploring independently? → Buy the Standard Ticket on-site.
✔ Looking for a skip-the-line, guided underground city experience? → Book the Underground Cities Tour.
✔ Want to visit multiple Cappadocia landmarks in one day? → Join the Cappadocia Blue Tour.
Kaymakli Underground City Fact Sheet: 7 Fascinating Facts
Before we dive into ticket prices and visiting tips, here are seven incredible facts about Kaymakli Underground City that you might not know!
✔ One of the Largest Underground Cities in Cappadocia – Kaymakli consists of eight levels, though only four are open to visitors, making it one of the largest and most expansive underground cities in the region.
✔ A Shelter for Thousands of People – It could house up to 5,000 people at a time, providing protection during invasions and wars.
✔ Originally Built by the Hittites – The first sections of Kaymakli were likely carved over 3,500 years ago, later expanded by early Christians seeking refuge from persecution.
✔ A Complex Network of Tunnels and Rooms – Inside, you’ll find stables, storage rooms, living quarters, kitchens, and even a church, all connected by narrow tunnels.
✔ A Sophisticated Ventilation System – Ingenious air shafts kept the city well-ventilated, allowing people to live underground for extended periods.
✔ It Was Designed for Defense – The city features massive rolling stone doors, which could be sealed to block invaders from entering.
✔ Connected to Other Underground Cities – Kaymakli is believed to be linked to Derinkuyu Underground City via a 9-km-long tunnel, allowing people to move between cities in secrecy.
️ What to See Inside
Kaymakli is known for its labyrinth-like structure and multi-purpose underground spaces. Only four of its eight levels are open to visitors, but there’s plenty to explore:
✔ Living Quarters & Communal Areas – See where thousands of people lived, cooked, and took shelter underground.
✔ Churches & Chapels – The underground city has places of worship carved directly into the rock.
✔ Ventilation Shafts & Wells – Ingenious air circulation and water systems kept the city livable for extended periods.
✔ Ancient Wineries & Storage Areas – Wine production and food storage were crucial for survival in times of siege.
✔ Massive Rolling Stone Doors – These large circular stone doors were designed to block entry and protect inhabitants from invaders.
✔ Burial Chambers – Some areas contain ancient tombs, showing how residents practiced burial rituals underground.
Tip: Kaymakli is known for its wide and interconnected tunnels, making it easier to explore compared to Derinkuyu, which has deeper, steeper sections.
Our Recommendation: We Booked These Tickets
Kaymaklı Underground City is one of Cappadocia’s most fascinating underground cities, featuring a maze of tunnels, ventilation shafts, storage rooms, and ancient living quarters.
It’s a must-see for anyone interested in Cappadocia’s hidden history and how ancient civilizations lived underground for protection.
Since Kaymaklı can get quite crowded, we opted for the Cappadocia: Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour with Lunch (€20) to make our experience smooth and hassle-free. This option provided:
✔ Skip-the-line access to Kaymaklı Underground City
✔ A professional guide to explain the history and significance of the underground network
✔ Visits to Rose Valley, Çavuşin, Pigeon Valley, and Ortahisar Castle
✔ A traditional Turkish lunch in Göreme
✔ Round-trip transportation from Göreme or Uçhisar
If you prefer to explore on your own, you can buy the standard ticket (€13) on-site, but this means navigating the underground city without historical context.
If you want a deeper understanding of Kaymaklı’s unique structure and history, we highly recommend booking a guided tour like the one we took.
Kaymaklı Underground City Tickets & Prices
How much does a Kaymaklı Underground City ticket cost? Here’s an overview of the available options:
1. Standard Ticket (€13) – Basic Entry
✔ Entry to Kaymaklı Underground City
✔ Explore at your own pace
❌ No guide, transport, or skip-the-line access
Best for: Independent travelers who want to explore the underground city on their own and don’t mind potential wait times at the entrance.
2. Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour with Lunch (€20) – Our Pick!
✔ Skip-the-line entry to Kaymaklı Underground City
✔ Expert-led guided tour to understand the underground city’s history
✔ Visits to additional attractions (Rose Valley, Çavuşin, Pigeon Valley, and Ortahisar Castle)
✔ Traditional Turkish lunch in Göreme
✔ Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off
Best for: Travelers who want a stress-free, informative visit to Kaymaklı, combined with other beautiful Cappadocia highlights.
3. Cappadocia Blue Tour (Varied Price) – Best for Exploring Multiple Sites
✔ Includes Kaymaklı Underground City + other top Cappadocia highlights
✔ Professional guide for historical insights
✔ Transportation & lunch included
✔ Visit additional sites like Rose Valley, Çavuşin, Pigeon Valley & Ortahisar Castle
Best for: Travelers who want a hassle-free, guided experience, covering multiple must-see locations in one day.
We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money. Also double check that Kaymakli is included in the tour as some tours don’t offer.
✔ On a budget? → Choose the Budget Blue Tour
✔ Want a private experience? → Go for the Private Blue Tour
More Info about the Blue Tour
Where Should You Buy Kaymaklı Underground City Tickets?
You can purchase tickets:
✔ On-site at the ticket window (€13)
✔ As part of the Cappadocia Blue Tour, which includes transport and other key attractions
✔ Through a guided tour like the Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour (€20)
If you plan to visit multiple sites, a guided tour or the Cappadocia Blue Tour is the best value for your money and time.
Is a Guided Tour Worth It?
✔ Visiting on your own? Buy the standard ticket on-site (€13).
✔ Want to see multiple locations in one day? Book the Cappadocia Blue Tour.
✔ Prefer a dedicated underground city experience? Join the Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour (€20) for historical insights and extra sightseeing.
Our Tip: Kaymaklı Underground City is vast, with complex tunnels and hidden chambers—a guide makes a huge difference in understanding the site’s significance!
Our Kaymakli Underground City Experience
Now that you know all about Kaymakli Underground City tickets and prices, let’s get to the exciting part—what is it really like to visit?
Getting to Kaymakli Underground City
We visited Kaymakli Underground City as part of our Underground Cities Skip-the-Line Tour with Lunch.
With Kaymakli being one of the most visited underground cities in Cappadocia, having a pre-arranged tour made the visit stress-free and much more informative.
Tip: If you’re visiting independently, getting a local guide at the entrance is highly recommended—otherwise, you may miss the fascinating stories behind this underground marvel.
What to Expect from Your Visit?
Kaymakli Underground City is one of Cappadocia’s largest and best-preserved underground towns, originally carved by early Christians as a hidden refuge from persecution.
✔ A Maze of Tunnels: Kaymakli features a labyrinth of interconnected passages, chambers, and galleries, all cut deep into the volcanic rock.
✔ Four Open Levels: While the city extends over 85 meters deep, only four levels are open to the public.
✔ Steep Stairs & Narrow Passages: The underground city is not for the faint-hearted—expect low ceilings and tight corridors in some areas!
Tip: If you have claustrophobia, consider skipping this visit, as some sections are very confined.
Exploring Kaymakli Underground City – What’s Inside?
Once we stepped inside, we were transported into an ancient world where thousands of people once lived, worked, and took shelter underground.
Stables & Storage Areas (First Level)
✔ The uppermost level housed stables—this was where animals were kept, making it the first point of entry into the underground city.
✔ Large storage rooms and granaries were used to stockpile food and supplies for extended stays underground.
Why visit? Seeing the thoughtful organization of these spaces really made us appreciate how well Kaymakli was designed for long-term living.
Communal Areas – Churches, Kitchens, & Wineries
✔ Churches & Chapels – Simple places of worship where early Christians gathered for prayer.
✔ Kitchens & Wineries – Cooking and winemaking were key parts of underground life! Smoke from underground kitchens was vented through hidden air channels so it wouldn’t be detected from above.
✔ Living Quarters – Narrow passages led to small communal rooms where families lived together.
Why visit? The kitchen areas and ventilation system were particularly impressive—people lived here for months at a time, completely hidden from enemies.
Security Features – Hidden Doors & Defense Systems
✔ Massive Circular Stone Doors – Some passages were protected by 1,000 kg stone doors, which could only be opened from the inside to block invaders.
✔ Trap Passages & Dead Ends – Some tunnels led to fake exits or hidden ambush points, designed to confuse intruders.
Why visit? Learning about the ingenious defense strategies used in Kaymakli made us appreciate just how advanced this underground city was.
The Engineering of Kaymakli
One of the most fascinating aspects of Kaymakli is its air circulation system, which remains fully functional today!
✔ Ventilation Shafts – Hidden tunnels allowed fresh air to flow throughout all levels of the underground city.
✔ Wells & Water Channels – Underground water sources kept the city self-sustaining.
Is Kaymakli Underground City Difficult to Explore?
✔ Expect to crouch in some tunnels—certain sections have very low ceilings.
✔ Some areas are steep—there are narrow staircases leading between levels.
✔ Ventilation keeps the air fresh, so you don’t feel suffocated, even deep inside.
Our Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—the ground is uneven, and you’ll be walking a lot!
How Long Does It Take to Visit Kaymakli?
A full tour of Kaymakli takes about 1 hour, but time flies as you explore the different sections.
✔ Self-guided visit: ~45 minutes to 1 hour.
✔ Guided tour (recommended!): ~1.5 hours with explanations of historical details.
Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds.
Is Kaymakli Underground City Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Kaymakli Underground City is one of the most fascinating historical sites in Cappadocia, offering a rare look into the underground world of early civilizations.
✔ It’s one of Cappadocia’s largest and most intricate underground cities.
✔ The engineering and security features are mind-blowing.
✔ You’ll walk through actual homes, kitchens, wineries, and churches used centuries ago.
✔ It’s a thrilling experience—like stepping into an ancient hidden city beneath the earth!
Best Case? Visit Kaymakli Underground City as part of a guided tour—this way, you don’t have to worry about transportation, tickets, or missing important details.
Visiting Hours & Admissions
Location
Kaymakli Underground City is located 19 km south of Göreme and is one of the largest and most well-preserved underground cities 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 crowds, especially during peak travel months.
️ Tickets
✔ Entrance Fee: €13 (Paid on location)
✔ Included in Cappadocia Blue Tour
✔ Guided Tours Available – Recommended to understand the history and layout of the underground city
Tip: If you plan to visit both Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, a guided tour covering both sites is a great way to learn more while saving time.
* Please double check the hours and admissions from muze.gov.tr
Visiting Tips
✔ Wear comfortable shoes – The underground city has steep staircases, uneven paths, and narrow tunnels.
✔ Be prepared for low ceilings – Some sections require crouching or bending down to move through the tunnels.
✔ Bring a light jacket – The underground temperature stays cool year-round, even during summer.
✔ Avoid visiting if you have claustrophobia – Many of the tunnels are tight and enclosed.
✔ Book a guided tour – Kaymakli is more complex than Derinkuyu, and a guide will help you understand the significance of each chamber.
♿ Accessibility
✔ Not wheelchair accessible – The underground city features steep staircases, narrow tunnels, and no ramps or elevators.
✔ Some areas have tight passages, making it difficult for visitors with mobility issues to explore.
Tip: If mobility is a concern, consider Goreme Open Air Museum or Zelve Open Air Museum, which are easier to navigate.
️ Nearby Attractions
Kaymakli Underground City is located near several other Cappadocia highlights, making it easy to visit alongside:
✔ Derinkuyu Underground City – The deepest underground city in Cappadocia, located just 10 km away.
✔ Ihlara Valley – A beautiful hiking destination with hidden rock churches and a scenic river (included in the Green Tour).
Tip: If you’re on the Cappadocia Blue Tour, you’ll visit Kaymakli as part of an itinerary that includes Pigeon Valley and other scenic locations.
How to Get to Kaymakli Underground City – Travel Tips
From Göreme or Ürgüp
✔ Take a local minibus (dolmuş) from Göreme or Ürgüp to Kaymakli, which takes around 30 minutes.
✔ Minibuses are infrequent, so check schedules in advance.
From Uçhisar or Avanos
✔ A taxi ride (15-20 minutes) is the most convenient option.
By Rental Car
✔ Kaymakli has onsite parking, making it easy to visit by car.
✔ If you’re driving, consider visiting both Kaymakli and Derinkuyu in one trip.
Tip: Joining a guided tour (like the Cappadocia Blue Tour) is the most stress-free way to visit Kaymakli and nearby attractions.
Have You Visited Kaymakli Underground City?
These were our best tips and insights for visiting Kaymakli Underground City.
Do you have questions about tickets, guided tours, or how to explore the underground tunnels? Or have you already visited this ancient underground wonder and want to share your experience?
Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!
