Urgup is one of the most popular towns in Cappadocia, Turkey. The town is situated 20 km. from Nevsehir. The region is also one of the most important and lively centers of the Cappadocia. Known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and traditional handicrafts, Urgup is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the region.
Urgup in a Nutshell – Top Facts
Here are the top facts about Urgup and what you can expect from your visit:
- Old Town: Urgup’s Old Town is a historic district that features traditional stone houses and winding streets. Visitors can explore the district and learn about the town’s rich cultural heritage.
- Fairy Chimneys: Urgup is known for its fairy chimneys, which are tall, cone-shaped rock formations that were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. These unique rock formations can be found throughout the town and are a popular sightseeing attraction.
- Hiking: Urgup and the surrounding area offer several hiking trails that wind through the unique rock formations and natural landscapes of the region. Hikers can enjoy stunning views and explore the local flora and fauna.
- Wine Production: Urgup is home to several wineries that produce Cappadocian wines, which are known for their unique taste and quality. Visitors can sample these wines at local wineries and enjoy the stunning vineyard landscapes.
- Traditional Turkish Cuisine: Urgup is known for its traditional Turkish cuisine, including dishes such as kebabs, meze, and baklava. Visitors can sample these delicious dishes at local restaurants and cafes.
- Handicrafts: In addition to wine production, Urgup is also known for its traditional handicrafts, including textiles, carpets, and ceramics. Visitors can explore local shops and markets to purchase these unique and beautiful items.
- Hot Air Balloon Rides: Urgup is one of the best places in the world to take a hot air balloon ride. Visitors can take a balloon ride over the fairy chimneys and other rock formations, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Urgup is established on a region where the famous fairy chimneys are extremely situated. And that makes the town that settled under the skirts of the fairy chimneys has a really fascinating look.
A visit to Urgup offers a unique and unforgettable experience. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and traditional handicrafts, Urgup is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Cappadocia. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or just enjoying local cuisine and handicrafts, Urgup has something to offer everyone.
Quick Urgup Do & See Tips
If you are staying in Urgup or just come for a day, below are the quick highlights of what you should do and see in Urgup.
- Visit the Urgup Museum.
- Climb up Temenni Hill to watch the scenery and take photos.
- If you are in Urgup in the evening, go and watch the sunset from the Red Valley Observation Terrace.
- If you have a passion for wine, visit Turasan Wine House, do wine tasting and shopping.
- If you are coming from Avanos, visit Devrent Imagination Valley fairy chimneys.
- If you are coming from Goreme, see the Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys at the entrance of Urgup.
- If you have time, visit Mustafapasa Village (6 km), and Ortahisar Castle (6,5 km).
Urgup Video Tour
You can watch the below video your to see how Urgup looks like.
Things to Do & See
Known as the “World City” the Urgup region makes it possible for you to reach every important attraction on foot. Guests can participate in daily tours to fully explore Cappadocia, or discover the valleys, walking in nature and marveling at ancient history firsthand.
As Urgup has been an important center and home during the era of Byzantium, Seljuks and Ottoman Emire throughout history, you’ll find many historical places to visit, and of course the must-have fairy chimneys. You’ll definitely love the fantastic scenery here.
Be sure to explore the Devrent Imagination Valley, Pancarlik Valley, Kızılcukur Red Valley, or the Gomeda – Uzengi Valleys. Find fossils dating back 10 million years at the Urgup Museum, discover the handmade dolls at the Cappadocia Art and History Museum, or learn more about ethnography at the Ortahisar Ethnography Museum.
Other important attractions include the Temenni Hill, Kadi Castle and Altınkapili Tomb, and the Mazi Underground City. With everything to do, you will be wishing you had more time to explore!
Top Sights
Urgup Museum, Temenni Hill Mausoleums, Kadi Castle and Altinkapili Tomb, Taskinpasa Complex, Sarihan Caravanserai, Cappadocia Art and History Museum, Kizilcukur Red Valley, Devrent Imagination Valley, Gomeda – Uzengi Valleys, Ortahisar Castle, Ortahisar Ethnography Museum, Mazi Underground City and Mustafapasa Village
Temenni Hill
Temenni (Wish) Hill, the highest peak of Cappadocia, can be seen anywhere in the city, with a tomb on the hill that is said to belong to Alaeddin Keykubat the 3rd and the Tahsin Aga Public Library in the middle.
Valleys & Fairy Chimneys
Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys
These 3 fairy chimneys, also known as Three Graces, are one of the staples of Cappadocia where that classic capped fairy chimney form looks best. Three Beauties will greet you when you go from Urgup to Ortahisar.
The Red Valley and Devrent Valley are among the most popular valleys where you can see the amazing fairy chimneys along Urgup.
Red Valley
- Red colored formations, Fairy chimneys, one of the best places to watch the sunset, observation terrace, hiking
Red Valley (Kizilcukur) is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Cappadocia. The valley is located in the middle of Goreme National Park named after the red colored tuff rocks and fairy chimneys spread through the valley.
Red Valley has such a beautiful landscape in a dreamy crimson color that attracts its visitors. We can say that it is the most beautiful valley of Cappadocia.
The 5 km. hiking track makes Red Valley a popular hiking area in Cappadocia. It is an ideal area and activity for hiking lovers. For walking out the whole valley, you’ll need about 1-2 hours. The walking trail will lead you to the famous Cavusin Village.
You’ll experience Cappadocia from a different perspective by viewing its lovely hills and fairy chimneys from the ground level. There is also a lovely observation terrace.
Wanna read more about Red Valley?
Devrent imagination valley
- a Lunar landscape, the most surreal landscape of the region, fairy chimneys that resemble animal or human figures
Devrent Valley, also called as “Imagination Valley” is one of the fantastic regions of Cappadocia. You can experience and enjoy the beautiful lunar landscape of Cappadocia, the most surreal landscape of the region.
Devrent Valley is home to very interesting fairy chimney formations. Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimney that looks like camel and many other fairy chimneys that look resemble animal or human figures are located here.
Wanna read more about Devrent Imagination Valley?
Urgup Museum
The Urgup Museum is located in the center of Urgup and is housed in a beautiful 19th-century mansion that was once used as a government building, where both archaeological and ethnographic works are exhibited. The museum’s exhibits cover various aspects of Cappadocian history and culture, including traditional costumes, religious artifacts, and ancient tools and weapons.
Here you can experience and enjoy various fossils and ceramics from the Roman and Byzantine Periods, medals from the Ottoman Period, and ceramics, metal and glass works from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of ancient Hittite artifacts, including ceramics, sculptures, and other artifacts. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of the Hittites, who were one of the major civilizations that once inhabited the region.
The museum also features a collection of traditional Cappadocian handicrafts, including textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. Visitors can learn about the techniques used in the production of these handicrafts and admire the unique craftsmanship of the region.
Mustafapasa Village
Located about 6 km from Urgup, the Mustafapasa village (Sinasos: City of the Sun) is an old Greek village that fascinates its visitors with its history and culture, magnificent historical mosques, madrasas, churches, monasteries, stone houses and natural beauties.
As a village awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, it still preserves its former naturalness, and has approximately 1300 residents. Mustafapasa can be considered as one of the most natural villages of Cappadocia region.
Asmali Mansion
Visit Asmalı Konak (Mansion), where one of the famous Turkish TV series was shot.
The mansion, originally an old Greek house dating back to 1800, is one of the popular places in Mustafapasa village through Urgup. Today, it serves as a hotel and restaurant as the “Old Greek House”. Have a romantic lunch or dinner here!
Cappadocia Museum of Art and History – Doll Museum
This is a private museum located in Mustafapasa village and housed housed in a beautiful 150 years old mansion and features a wide range of exhibits that cover various aspects of Cappadocian history and culture.
More than 2000 pieces of hand made dolls from Turkey and all over the world in their unique costumes, the wall paintings of Kostas Meletiyadis, the mansion’s historical star windows, yards, rooms, doors and accessories can be admired at the museum.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of traditional textiles, including kilims, carpets, and other woven items. Visitors can learn about the techniques used in the production of these textiles and admire the intricate designs and patterns that reflect the region’s unique culture.
- Address: Yukari dist. Gazi Str. No: 6 Mustafapasa, Urgup, Cappadocia
- Tel: +90 384 353 52 21
Ortahisar Castle
Ortahisar Castle is a rock castle situated in Ortahisar town and offers a magnificent panorama over the fairy chimneys of Hallacdere and the snowy peak of Mount Erciyes. Today the castle has been restored and the peak is accessible by a staircase.
With a height of 110 meters (south side) and 80 meters (north side), Ortahisar Castle is also one of the highest peaks of the Cappadocia region.
Urgup Vintage Festival
Urgup is also famous for its vineyards and grapes. If you are planning a visit to this fantastic town in autumn, you can attend to Vintage Festival organized by the Urgpp Municipality in the second week of September every year. During the festival, you can enjoy the variety of great wine tasting.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Hot air balloon ride is one of the most attended tours in Cappadocia. It is also as one of the most interesting and exciting attractions in the world.
Going on a balloon tour and watching the valleys from the sky is another fantastic attraction that we recommend during your Urgup holidays. With a hot air balloon, you can see the unique beautiful valleys of Cappadocia from a bird’s eye view and enjoy the magnificent views.
Sightseeing Tours
If you want to discover the popular sights, fairy chimneys, valleys, underground cities and the most beautiful spots of Cappadocia, than you should take take the sightseeing tours.
There are variety of sightseeing tours that covers all regions of Cappadocia. Most of the sightseeing tours are named in colors like Red Tour, Green Tour and Blue Tour.
Eating Out – What to Eat?
Urgup has a magnificent cuisine. While the pottery tradition is famous in the region, the pot dishes cooked in casserole are at the top of the list. Among the local dishes of the region, there are dishes made of various legumes, dishes cooked with meat and in casseroles.
You can taste local dishes such as wedding soup, milk soup, wedding soup, tandoori soup, stuffed apple, stuffed apricot, stuffed apple, slurry and dolaz. Another dish you can taste in the town is the pitas made with minced meat on a special thin dough.
Shopping – What to Buy?
Since it is a touristic area, you’ll find shops mostly selling souvenirs in general. You can buy and present hand-woven carpets, rugs or runners to your loved ones from the Urgup region, which is famous for its hand-woven.
You can also choose fairy chimney sculptures and magnets, which are a miniature of the architectural structure of the region, as gifts. You can find many local shops and markets selling these unique and authentic items. Haggling is expected, so don’t be afraid to negotiate for the best price.
And since Urgup is famous for its grapes and has its own vintage festival, the most beautiful wines of Cappadocia are also found here. You can buy delicious wines of Urgup.
Accommodation in Urgup – Where to Stay?
Urgup is considered one of the most developed regions of Cappadocia and is great for those who enjoy nightlife. Many of the accommodations are the historical mansions, restored from the Seljuk period, and now turned into boutique hotels or luxurious apartments.
This is the second-most preferred place to stay in Cappadocia, due to it’s close proximity to the popular tourist attractions. Although this area is famous for it’s rich architecture, it is also a great space for enjoying a traditional meal or experiencing the magical nightlife of Cappadocia.
In this area, you can find many boutique hotels with a variety of price ranges suitable for any budget. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, reserve one of the mansions from the Seljuk period which have been resorted and turned into businesses. Additionally, sleeping overnight in one of the famous caves is also another popular option during weather appropriate seasons.
How to Get to Urgup?
Urgup is a popular town located in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey, and is easily accessible from nearby towns and cities. Whether you’re traveling by car, taxi, or local bus, you can easily reach this charming town and explore its many historic and cultural landmarks, including the Temenni Hill and the Urgup Museum.
How to get to Urgup from Goreme, Uchisar, and Avanos?
Getting to Urgup is easy and convenient, with a range of transportation options available from nearby towns and cities.
- From Goreme: The easiest way to get to Urgup from Goreme is by car or taxi. The town is located approximately 10 kilometers from Goreme, and the journey takes around 20 minutes by car. Alternatively, you can take a local bus from Goreme to Urgup, which runs regularly throughout the day.
- From Uchisar: If you’re staying in Uchisar, the best way to get to Urgup is by car or taxi. The town is located approximately 7 kilometers from Uchisar, and the journey takes around 15 minutes by car. You can also take a local bus from Uchisar to Urgup, which operates on a regular schedule throughout the day.
- From Avanos: To get to Urgup from Avanos, you can take a car or taxi. The town is located approximately 18 kilometers from Avanos, and the journey takes around 25 minutes by car. There are also local buses that run from Avanos to Urgup, which operate on a regular schedule throughout the day.
Traveling to Urgup
Urgup is situated about 300 km. from Ankara, 750 km. from Istanbul, 790 km. from Izmir, 60 km. from Kayseri, and 20 km. from Nevsehir.
There are NO direct international flights for Cappadocia region. Nearest local airports are situated in Nevsehir and Kayseri. You can find direct domestic flights to these cities from Istanbul and Izmir.
Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) is the closest one (44 km.) to the Cappadocia, while you can find more flights to Kayseri Airport (ASR) (75 km.).
After reaching Kayseri or Nevsehir by land or plane, you can reach Urgup by minibuses in about 30 minutes from the airports. But this would be a hard way. Taking a taxi from the center, bus station or airport is another option.
As Cappadocia region is NOT a metropolitan one, mostly has a rural life, we highly recommend you take airport transfers to get to your hotel in Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar or Urgup town of Cappadocia. So that you can have a safe, comfortable and easy transport option to your hotel.
The Shared Shuttle (about €8 per person) or Private shuttle (about €80 per person) is the most comfortable and convenient way to travel between the airports and Cappadocia and all neighboring regions.
Book your Private/Shared Shuttle
These are the other options for those who would like a shared shuttle transfer