Find out the best outdoors and sports activities in Cappadocia with our useful guide. From the world famous hot air balloon rides to scenic hiking, biking, horse safari, quad bike and jeep safari, Cappadocia has so much to offer its visitors who are into outdoors, nature, sports and continues to grow into a sprawling city that we love most! Think about fitting in one of the sports when visiting.
Get the most out of your trip with outdoor sports in Cappadocia
With its wide selection of activities such as hot air balloon rides, trekking trails and boutique cave hotels it has become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations for travelers from across the globe.
Whether you are an adventure seeker, or a cultural enthusiast Cappadocia offers something for everyone with experiences that will last a lifetime.
Best Outdoors & Sports Activities in Cappadocia
Hot Air Balloon Ride for a Day
No visit to Cappadocia would be complete without a ride in the hot balloons! Watching more than 150 balloons taking off at sunrise will be a unique scene you’ll never forget.
One of the most popular things to do in Cappadocia is to catch the view from above in the colorful hot air balloons. Take fantastic pictures of the valleys and fairy chimney’s from above, enjoying the spectacular landscape, fresh air, and clouds! The balloon tours are famous for creating the special romantic moment, perfect for marriage proposals or honeymoon gift.
When you decide to take your place in that beauty, no matter which company you choose, ensure to make a reservation for your balloon ride. There are plenty of on-site/online companies that can guide you through.
We recommend the below tour options for the great value for money.
- Royal Balloon (over 4000, 5-star reviews)
- Butterfly Balloons (over 1700, 5-star reviews)
- Turquaz Balloons (over 1300, 5-star reviews)
- Discovery Balloons (over 1000, 5-star reviews)
- Skyway Balloons (over 700, 5-star reviews)
- Turkiye Balloons (over 250, 5-star reviews)
- Balloon Turca (over 150, 5-star reviews)
- Atmosfer Balloons (over 150, 5-star reviews)
- Urgup Balloons (over 100, 5-star reviews)
- Guvercin Balloons (over 50, 5-star reviews)
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Explore Goreme Open Air Museum
Being UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, the Goreme Open Air Museum is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia. It hosts the most important Byzantine cave churches in the world that where the monks and nuns pursued monastic life.
Goreme Open Air Museum is a rocky settlement area that has hosted an extreme monastery life between 4th to 13th centuries D.C. that travellers may experience and enjoy some well preserved, rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings dating from as early as the 10th century and the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. The region forms a valley including churches, chapels, dining halls and sitting rooms at the rock-cut blocks.
We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.
- North Cappadocia Ancient Red Route Small-Group Tour with Lunch
- Goreme to North Cappadocia Tour. Guide, Lunch and Transfers incl.
- Best of Cappadocia Small Group Guided Tour
- Cappadocia Red Tour (Pro Guide, Tickets, Lunch, Transfer)
- Cappadocia: Red Tour (included, lunch, guide, entrance fees)
- Full-Day Cappadocia Red Plus Tour
- Cappadocia: Full-Day Private Cappadocia Tour
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Hike the beautiful Valleys and experience the Fairy Chimneys
We can say that hiking in Cappadocia will not be only an outdoor sport. You will find that all hiking trails are intertwined with nature and history as well. It will be like a fairy tale in the land of fairy chimneys. A must for outdoor sports and nature lovers.
Cappadocia is also a heaven for nature lovers. With its winding valleys, moonlike landscape, and mystical chimneys, Cappadocia might be the most surreal place on earth. Whether you’re there to explore the unique rock formations up close, or just to take in the majestic views from afar, it’s a must-see destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure. During each season, the valleys change color and offer something spectacular for those who visit.
Wanna discover the Scenic Hiking in Cappadocia with the Best Hiking Trails?
Rent an ATV | Quad Bike
One of the most adventurous outdoor sports activities in Cappadocia is the opportunity for you to rent an ATV or Quad Bike! Join an ATV – Quad Bike tour group and go rolling through the valleys and wetlands.
ATV and Quad Bike safari is made with the powerful quad motors along the unique Cappadocia landscape. You may experience the powerful quad motor ride and drive on the brand new quads along the outstanding natural scenery of Cappadocia.
We recommend the below tour options for the great value for money.
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Ride A Horse
If the ATV is a bit too much excitement for you, instead head over to one of the area Horse Ranches. Prior to riding you will receive a training and will be accompanied by a guide. Cappadocia is also known as the “land of beautiful horses” and this attraction is live at the horse farms between Avanos and Goreme is an unforgettable experience in Cappadocia.
However, these horses have also had a lot of experience and know the routes! Enjoy an exhilarating yet peaceful outing and the perfect way to witness these natural wonders without disturbing their unspoiled beauty. Amid an incredible landscape of imposing rock formations, riders can look over valley and enjoy the companionship of both their friends or family and the horses.
We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.
- Cappadocia Sunset Horse Riding through the Valleys and Fairy Chimneys
- Cappadocia: Sunset Horse Riding Tour
- Two Hour Horse Tour Cappadocia
- Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys Guided Horseback Tour
- Adventure in Cappadocia Horse Riding Sunset ,Daytime
- Fun horse tour in Cappadocia
- Göreme: Horseback Riding Experience in Cappadocia
- Göreme/Uçhisar: Love Valley Sunset Horseback Riding Tour
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4×4 Off-Road Jeep Safari
You may experience the travelling on dirt, dust and stone paved roads, canyon paths, the scenic lunar hills, red valley, having the adventure of safari in the company of the heaven nature and tracks on the safari.
If you want to take as much advantage as possible of the incredible countryside views, natural beauties, fairy chimneys, rock-cut houses, Cappadocia surroundings and nearby villages and breathtaking scenery, than head out on a Cappadocia 4×4 Off-Road Safari.
We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.
- Cappadocia Half-Day Jeep Safari
- Cappadocia: Scenic Valley Tour in a Jeep
- From Göreme: Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tour
- Cappadocia Half-Day Jeep Off-Road Adventure
- Private Cappadocia Jeep Safari
- 2-Hours Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tour from Goreme with Pick Up
- Cappadocia Tours: exciting jeep safari in Cappadocia valleys
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Cycling | Enjoy the best cycling routes
Cycling in Cappadocia will allow you to witness the natural beauties, perfectly carved valleys, towering rock formations, and surreal landscapes. One of the best outdoor sports activities in Cappadocia.
From beginners and enthusiasts to seasoned pro riders, Cappadocia is definitely a “cyclist’s paradise”. So, let’s see why this fantastic lands is a cycling paradise by exploring at some of the best Cappadocia cycling routes.
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Read more & book your bike tour
Photo Shooting for a Day
Taking photos is one of the favorite activities of visitors of all ages and will become even more enjoyable in Cappadocia’s eye-catching landscapes. Cappadocia’s photography tours will provide a service beyond your expectations for those who need help to reflect the magical atmosphere of Cappadocia in the frame or think they need a better photographer.
Let’s immortalize the fairy-tale image of Cappadocia, one of our natural and historical heritages in the central Anatolia of Turkey with its unique and rich nature and beauty.
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Fun Gondola ride on Kızılırmak Red River
The Red River in Avanos town is always lively and full. You can have a romantic gondola ride along the Red River and have a fun and wonderful day out activity.
This is a perfect attraction for families and couples. You’ll have a 15 minutes stroll on the waters of the Red River with the Venetian type gondolas, and then have a celebration on the shore. More on kapadokyajet.com
Jetboat ride on Red River
For those who look for an adrenaline day out along the Kizilirmak Red River in Avanos town, then head out to Jetboat ride.
With this speedboat adventure, you’ll have great fun while experiencing the ultimate adrenaline-filled adventure, 360-degree Hamilton turns, speed slides and other exciting maneuvers as you explore the Red River and the surroundings. More on kapadokyajet.com
Runfire Cappadocia Ultramarathon (RFC)
Cappadocia has been home to an international multiday ultramarathon of the desert concept called Runfire Cappadocia Ultramarathon (RFC) since 2012; it continues to grow into the sprawling. The 244 km (152 miles) race takes about 6 days through several pristine and unspoiled places with incredible views, ending in Salt Lake (Tuz Golu).
The RFC sport is a high-degree difficulty sport that starts from/ends in Uçhisar Town Hall, NevSehir. It follows the route of the Valley of Pigeons (Güvercinlik Vadisi), Ortahisar, Acıgöl, Damsa Dam, Analipsis Monastery (Yüksekli Kilise), Güzelyurt, Avanos, Ihlara Valley, Mount Hasan and around Lake Tuz before crossing through Çavuşin and the Ürgüp and Göreme valleys.