🕳️ Cappadocia Underground Cities – Kaymaklı & Derinkuyu Guide

Cappadocia is famous for its fairy chimneys and hot air balloons, but beneath the ground lies another world waiting to be explored: its underground cities. These vast subterranean networks were carved into soft volcanic rock thousands of years ago, creating entire hidden towns with tunnels, storage rooms, stables, churches, and ventilation systems.

The two most famous and impressive are Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, both open to visitors today. Exploring them is like stepping into a real-life labyrinth where history, survival, and ingenuity come together.

🌍 The Origins of Cappadocia’s Underground Cities

Archaeologists believe the first underground settlements were created during the Hittite period (around 2000 BC). Over centuries, these simple caves were expanded by Phrygians, Persians, Byzantines, and early Christians.

• 🛡️ During times of war and invasion, entire communities moved underground.
• ⛪ Early Christians used them as hidden sanctuaries to avoid persecution.
• 🌾 Storage rooms allowed people to survive underground for months.
• 🌬️ Sophisticated ventilation shafts provided fresh air even deep below the surface.

In total, Cappadocia is believed to have over 200 underground cities, but only a few are fully excavated. Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu are the largest and most famous.

📌 Kaymaklı Underground City – A Subterranean Village

Located 20 km from Nevşehir, Kaymaklı Underground City is known for its easy accessibility and spacious tunnels.

🔦 Highlights of Kaymaklı:

• 🏠 8 Levels Deep, though only 4 are open to visitors.
• 🐑 Stables on the first floor, where animals were kept for survival.
• 🍷 Wine Cellars & Storage Rooms, showing Cappadocia’s ancient wine tradition.
• ⛪ Chapel with a carved cross, a reminder of early Christian life underground.
• 🚪 Rolling Stone Doors used to seal entrances during attacks.

The wide corridors of Kaymaklı make it less claustrophobic than Derinkuyu, and it is ideal for first-time explorers.

📌 Derinkuyu Underground City – A Hidden Metropolis

Just 10 km further south lies Derinkuyu Underground City, the deepest in Cappadocia. It’s a true engineering marvel.

🔦 Highlights of Derinkuyu:

• 🏰 Depth: 85 meters, with 8 levels open to visitors.
• 👥 Capacity: Could house up to 20,000 people with livestock.
• 🏫 Missionary School: A large vaulted room used for teaching.
• ⛪ Church & Baptismal Font carved deep into the rock.
• 🌬️ Ventilation Shafts: Over 50 shafts ensured fresh air throughout.
• 🛡️ Defense Systems: Narrow tunnels and hidden doors slowed invaders.

Walking through Derinkuyu is an awe-inspiring experience – it feels like entering a hidden underground city that once thrived with life.

🕯️ Daily Life Underground

Life underground was carefully organized:

• Families lived in small rock-carved rooms.
• Kitchens had blackened ceilings from smoke.
• Communal chapels allowed worship even in hiding.
• Wine and food were stored in large clay jars.
• Animals were kept near the surface for warmth and food.

It was a complete ecosystem, designed for survival.

🔍 Kaymaklı vs. Derinkuyu – Which Should You Visit?

• Kaymaklı is easier to explore, with wider passages, perfect for families.
• Derinkuyu is deeper, more dramatic, and ideal for history enthusiasts.
• 👉 The best choice? Visit both – together they show the full scale of Cappadocia’s underground heritage.

🌟 Myths & Legends

Local legends say that Cappadocia’s underground cities were connected by tunnels stretching dozens of kilometers, allowing people to move unseen across the region. Some stories even suggest they were inspired by “otherworldly knowledge” because of their complexity.

While these tales remain unproven, they add mystery to Cappadocia’s underground world.

🚶 How to Visit the Underground Cities

There are several ways to explore:

• 🚐 Green Tour: Includes Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı + Ihlara Valley + Selime Monastery.
• 🚖 Private Tours: A licensed guide explains history, culture, and hidden details.
• 🚙 Self-Drive: Easy to reach by car, with clear road signs from Nevşehir.

Guides can explain symbols, religious meanings, and architectural secrets you might otherwise miss.

🎟️ Entrance & Practical Info

• Entrance Fee: ~250 TL per city (subject to change).
• Opening Hours: 08:00 – 19:00 (summer), 08:00 – 17:00 (winter).
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours per site.
• Facilities: Parking, ticket offices, small souvenir shops.

🍴 Food & Drink Nearby

After exploring, enjoy local Cappadocian dishes in nearby towns:

• Testi Kebab (Pottery Kebab): A clay pot stew broken open at your table.
• Çömlek Fasulye: Slow-cooked beans in a clay pot.
• Local Wine: Cappadocia’s volcanic soil produces unique flavors.

Restaurants in Nevşehir, Güzelyurt, or nearby villages serve authentic meals.

🏨 Where to Stay

Stay in Cappadocia’s main towns and take day tours to the underground cities:

• Göreme: Cave hotels in the heart of Cappadocia.
• Ürgüp: Upscale stays with wine cellars.
• Avanos: Riverside town with pottery workshops.

💡 Travel Tips

• 🥾 Wear sturdy shoes – floors are uneven.
• 😮 Not recommended for severe claustrophobia.
• 👕 Dress lightly – temperatures underground are cool.
• 📸 Photography allowed, but flash may be restricted.
• ⏱️ Visit early morning for fewer crowds.

🏆 Conclusion – Secrets Beneath Cappadocia

The underground cities of Cappadocia are some of the most impressive historical sites in Turkey. They reveal how communities survived, thrived, and worshiped in times of danger – creating entire worlds beneath the earth.

✨ From Kaymaklı’s wide halls to Derinkuyu’s deep labyrinths, a journey underground is a journey into Cappadocia’s soul.

🎫 Book Your Cappadocia Underground City Tour

Ready to step below the surface?

👉 Explore our Cappadocia Underground City Tours, including Kaymaklı, Derinkuyu, and full-day Green Tour packages with guides, transfers, and meals.