Zelve Valley Open Air Museum Cappadocia (What to See? Tickets)

Zelve Valley is one of the most popular open air museum areas of Cappadocia, situated between Avanos and Goreme, nearby Pasabag Monks Valley. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia that travelers may experience sharp pointed and wide fairy chimneys.

Top Facts

• There used to be a lively community of Christian monks living in Zelve Valley Open Air Museum. They used the unique rock formations to build a network of underground homes, chapels, and storage spaces.
• The museum is spread out over three main valleys and has many cave homes, tunnels, and churches.
• People can go into the caves and tunnels on their own, or they can take a tour with a guide to learn more about the past of the area and the people who used to live there.
• Beautiful paintings on the chapel walls make the museum famous. They show how the monks who lived in the valley practiced their religion and culture in a way that no one else could.
• UNESCO has named Zelve Valley Open Air Museum a World Heritage Site. It is thought to be one of the most important historic places in the Cappadocia area.
• The museum is open all year, but during certain times of the year, some of the rooms and tunnels may be closed for repairs.
• The close town of Goreme makes it easy to get to the valley. Visitors can either drive or take a local bus to get there.
• Hikers and people who love nature love going to Zelve Valley Open Air Museum to explore the rough terrain and take in the stunning views of the mountains and rivers nearby.
• In the summer, the site can get very hot and dusty, so visitors should wear shoes that are easy to walk in and bring a lot of water and sunscreen.
• The Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is a must-see for anyone traveling in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. It has a lot of history, beautiful scenery, and unique culture offerings.

Quick History

The Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is one of a kind. It’s an outdoor museum that lets people see the area’s rich culture and historical history. There is a lot of history in the valley. The Hittites lived there first, more than 4,000 years ago.

Zelve Valley was a major hub for Christian monks during the Byzantine era. They lived there and carved out rock buildings and homes. A thriving community of farmers and craftspeople lived in the valley. They made the most of the rich land and plenty of resources.

In the 20th century, people who lived in Zelve Valley had to leave their houses and move to nearby towns because erosion and earthquakes made the ground unstable. The valley is now a well-kept outdoor museum that shows off the area’s unique culture and historical history.

Things to Do & See

Zelve Valley is one of the best places to explore and enjoy the most intensive fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. The valley attracts travelers not only with its fairy chimneys but also with its magnificent nature. We highly recommend you to visit the Zelve Valley on your Cappadocia trip.

Visitors to Zelve Valley Open Air Museum can explore the numerous rock-cut churches, houses, and chapels, as well as the cave dwellings and tunnels that were once used by the local inhabitants. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the people who lived in the valley, and the unique architecture and cultural practices that have been passed down through the generations.

Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is a very peaceful area that travelers may see variety of both natural and human made formations and best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia such as churches, tunnels, mills, houses and monastery.

You’ll see many monasteries, churches, settlements and fairy chimneys that have been formed naturally in this region, where you will find many traces of life here. The region has been one of the most important residential and worship places for Christianity between the 8th and 13th centuries.

One of the best activities in Zelve Valley is to enjoy nature and unique beauties by walking or hiking among the fairy chimneys. You’ll need at least 3-4 hours to explore the valley literally.

The valley consist of three valleys. In the first one you’ll a rock-cut mosque. In the second valley, you’ll find living spaces used in the past. And in the third valley, you’ll find the ancient rock-cut settlements and churches.

You’ll find an impressive fountain at the entrance of the valley, that will fascinate you when you enter the valley. You’ll find a total of 15 churches in the valley.

The churches of Uzumlu (the Church with Grapes), Balikli (the Church with Fishes) and Geyikli (the Church with the Deer) are the most popular fairy chimney churches that worth a visit and see in Cappadocia.

Hiking

Zelve Valley is also a very ideal place for trekking lovers. You can take a nice walk around the valley and during the walk, you can take a closer look at the rock-cut monasteries and their habitats.

You can also go up to the higher hills and watch the valley from above, and take lots of photos.

What to Eat?

There is a small buffet at the entrance of the Valley. Here you can eat pancakes, toast or drink tea from the local artisans.

Shopping

There are a few small shops selling souvenirs at the entrance of the valley.

Handmade towels, woven rugs, carpets and bags, as well as miniatures of the region’s famous fairy chimneys, stone sculptures and magnets can be a good option for a gift.

Visiting Hours & Admissions

Opening Hours

Open every day between 08:00-17:00.

Ticket Price

* €12 at ticket window on location

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

Best Sightseeing Tours to See Zelve Valley

Private Cappadocia Tours

Private Cappadocia Tours are the most preferred daily excursions in Cappadocia, as well as the best way to explore and enjoy Cappadocia within a well-planned and custom itinerary along with a private vehicle, driver and professional guide.

We recommend the below tour options for the great value for money.

Wanna learn more about Private Tours in Cappadocia?

More Info & Private Cappadocia Tour Booking

The Red Tour

The Red Tour is the most popular tour in Cappadocia, and it covers the highlights of the region. A popular way to explore this fascinating destination is by taking one of the many sightseeing tours available, such as the Cappadocia Red Tour.

It is a full-day tour, usually starting at 9 am and ending at 5 pm. The tour covers popular attractions such as Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Devrent Valley, Love Valley, and Avanos. The tour also includes a visit to a pottery factory where you can see how the famous Cappadocian pottery is made.

Good for: The Cappadocia Red Tour is a great option for those who want to see the top sights of Cappadocia in a convenient and informative way, and in a single day. Below are some of best Red Tour experiences you can find!

We recommend the below ticket options for the great value for money.

More Info & Booking Red Tour

How to Get There?

Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is situated between Avanos and Goreme. There is a parking area with souvenir shops and cafes at the entrance. About;

• 1 km. from Pasabag Valley
• 6,1 km. from Avanos
• 7,2 km. from Goreme
• 11,6 km. from Uchisar
• 10,5 km. from Urgup

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