Best Underground City to Visit in Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is famous for its fairy chimneys, hot-air balloons, and cave hotelsโbut beneath the surface lies an equally fascinating world: the underground cities. Carved into volcanic rock, these vast subterranean complexes once sheltered entire communities from invasions and raids. With more than 200 underground cities scattered across the region, each one tells a story of survival, engineering, and faith. Choosing which to visit can be overwhelming, so hereโs a comprehensive guide to the most notable underground citiesโDerinkuyu, Kaymaklฤฑ, รzkonak, and Mazฤฑโto help you decide where to go and what to expect.
Table Of Content
These cities were not just temporary shelters. They were complete underground civilizations with homes, schools, chapels, wineries, kitchens, ventilation systems, and elaborate defense mechanisms. Visiting them today is a chance to walk in the footsteps of people who built an extraordinary hidden world to survive centuries of conflict and uncertainty.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu is the largest and deepest underground city in Cappadocia, plunging 85 meters into the earth with eight levels open to visitors. Historians believe it could accommodate around 20,000 people, including livestock and food storage. Walking through Derinkuyu feels like entering a hidden fortress beneath the ground.
Highlights
- ๐ A massive vertical ventilation shaft that runs like a backbone through the city, keeping the air fresh
- ๐ชจ Gigantic rolling stone doors used to seal off tunnels during attacks
- ๐ A chamber believed to have been a religious school, with classrooms and chapels
- ๐ท Wine presses and storage areas showing how daily life was sustained underground
- ๐ Stables for livestock and connected food supply areas
Why visit? Derinkuyu offers the most dramatic experience and is the best introduction for first-time visitors. Itโs the crown jewel of Cappadociaโs subterranean world, combining size, history, and architectural brilliance.
Visitor Info:
- ๐๏ธ Ticket: ~โฌ13 (children under 8 free; Museum Pass valid)
- โฐ Hours: 08:00โ17:00 (last entry 16:15)
- ๐ก Tip: Go early or late in the day to avoid heavy crowds, especially in peak season. Bring a flashlight to peek into side passages.
Kaymaklฤฑ Underground City
Kaymaklฤฑ is slightly smaller than Derinkuyu but equally impressive. Known for its compact, maze-like structure, it has four levels open to the public and was once one of the busiest underground settlements in the region. Many of its tunnels and chambers are arranged around large ventilation shafts, making it an excellent example of Cappadocian engineering.
Highlights
- ๐ฝ Narrower and lower tunnels compared to Derinkuyu, requiring some crouching
- ๐ Stables for livestock, showing the importance of animals in underground life
- โช A small church with a baptismal font carved into the rock
- ๐ Wineries and kitchens that highlight the communityโs self-sufficient lifestyle
- ๐ฆ Hidden passageways connecting different areas and levels
- ๐ Storage rooms and living spaces with niches for daily tools
Why visit? Kaymaklฤฑ feels more intimate and less crowded than Derinkuyu. Its design gives a clear sense of how families lived, worked, and worshiped underground. Itโs also historically linked to Derinkuyu by tunnels that once connected the two cities, creating a vast subterranean network.
Visitor Info:
- ๐๏ธ Ticket: ~โฌ13 (Museum Pass valid)
- โฐ Hours: 08:00โ17:00
- ๐ก Tip: Hire a guide or audio guide to fully appreciate the hidden features. Allow 1โ1.5 hours to explore comfortably.
รzkonak Underground City
รzkonak is a smaller, quieter site that often gets overlookedโbut it has some of the most fascinating defensive features, making it unique among Cappadociaโs underground wonders.
Highlights
- ๐ฅ Narrow tunnels with carved holes above entrances used to pour boiling oil or sand on invaders
- ๐ก A unique communication system of small pipes between levels, allowing residents to talk across floors
- ๐ฝ Four floors open to visitors (out of a total of ten)
- ๐ก๏ธ Clever defensive traps, including hidden stone doors, that make รzkonak stand out from the others
- ๐ง Freshwater wells and storage rooms that supported long-term survival
Why visit? รzkonak is perfect for travelers who love adventure and want to explore a less-touristy site. The booby-traps and communication system make it especially interesting for those curious about military history and ancient innovation.
Visitor Info:
- ๐๏ธ Ticket: ~โฌ10
- โฐ Hours: 08:00โ17:00
- ๐ก Tip: Bring a flashlight for dimly lit tunnels and consider a local guide to explain the hidden details. Expect narrow passages and some steep climbs.
Mazฤฑ Underground City
Mazฤฑ (near รrgรผp) is smaller, shallower, and more peaceful. While less dramatic in scale, it offers unique glimpses into underground daily life and has one of the most charming layouts of all the Cappadocian cities.
Highlights
- ๐ Carved animal troughs and barns at the entrance, reflecting its agricultural base
- ๐ A rock-carved winery with a grape chute that drops fruit directly into a vat for pressing
- ๐ฅ Space for around 6,000 people, indicating it was a thriving settlement
- โช A small chapel with decorative reliefs and stone doors that could seal off sections
- ๐บ Food storage areas and cisterns that show how residents planned for survival
Why visit? Mazฤฑ is an off-the-beaten-path gem. With fewer visitors, you can explore at your own pace and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Itโs an excellent complement to Kaymaklฤฑ, offering a calmer experience while still revealing the ingenuity of Cappadocian life.
Visitor Info:
- ๐๏ธ Ticket: ~25 TL (Museum Pass valid)
- โฐ Hours: 08:00โ19:00 (longer hours than other sites)
- ๐ก Tip: Combine with Kaymaklฤฑ in a single trip for a rich comparison. Visit in the late afternoon for an even quieter experience.
Recommendations
- ๐ First-time visitors: Start with Derinkuyu for its scale and jaw-dropping architecture.
- ๐ Crowd-avoiders: Head to รzkonak or Mazฤฑ for a calmer, less touristy experience.
- ๐ History enthusiasts: Pair Kaymaklฤฑ and Mazฤฑ to see contrasting layouts and get a fuller picture of underground life.
- ๐งญ Adventurers: Explore รzkonak for its traps and tunnels that feel like a subterranean labyrinth.
- ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Families: Kaymaklฤฑ is often the easiest to navigate with kids, thanks to its more compact design.
Insider Tips
- ๐ Wear sturdy shoesโfloors are uneven and slippery in some spots.
- ๐งฅ Carry a light jacketโtemperatures underground stay cool year-round, even in summer.
- ๐ง Consider a guide or audio guide for deeper insights into history and architecture.
- โ ๏ธ These cities are not suitable for those with claustrophobia or serious mobility issues.
- ๐ง Bring water, as stair climbing and narrow passages can be tiring.
- ๐ธ Photography is allowed (without flash), and the stone doors and tunnels make great shots.
- ๐ Plan about half a day to explore two cities if you want to combine visits.
FAQ
Q: Which underground city is the most impressive?
A: Derinkuyu, thanks to its depth, size, and wide variety of chambers.
Q: Are these sites safe?
A: Yes, they are official museum sites with lighting and pathways. Still, expect stairs, low ceilings, and uneven terrain.
Q: Can I use the Museum Pass?
A: Yes, it covers all major underground cities in Cappadocia, including Derinkuyu, Kaymaklฤฑ, รzkonak, and Mazฤฑ.
Q: How long should I spend?
A: โฑ๏ธ Derinkuyu and Kaymaklฤฑ each need 1โ2 hours, while รzkonak and Mazฤฑ can be explored in about 1 hour each. If you plan carefully, you can see two in one day.
Q: What should I bring?
A: ๐ Comfortable shoes, ๐งฅ a light jacket, ๐ง water, and optionally a ๐ฆ flashlight. A camera is highly recommended for the unique photo opportunities.
Q: Can children visit underground cities?
A: Yes, but supervision is essential. Some passages are very narrow and may be challenging for young kids.
Final Word
Exploring Cappadociaโs underground cities is like stepping into another world. These extraordinary networks of tunnels, chapels, wineries, and homes reveal how ancient civilizations survived invasions and thrived underground. Whether you choose the grandeur of Derinkuyu, the historic charm of Kaymaklฤฑ, or the quiet adventure of รzkonak and Mazฤฑ, youโll leave with a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience of Cappadociaโs people.
For the best experience, plan your visit around crowd levels, wear comfortable clothing, and donโt rush. Each underground city offers a different perspective on life below the surface, and together they paint a vivid picture of human determination and creativity. Take your time, explore carefully, and let these subterranean wonders transport you back in time.
