Underground cities in Cappadocia are one of the most popular destinations. Derinkuyu Underground City is the most famous of them. Cities in Cappadocia are extremely important in terms of knowing the history of the region. You can review our tour programs that we will prepare for you, including the Derinkuyu Underground City Tours program.

Besides its Peri Bacaları (literally “fairy chimneys”), Cappadocia is also famous for its underground cities with an extraordinary history and architecture. The underground cities were built invisible from the outside to hide the people living here, especially from the oppression, persecution and invasion of the Roman Empire, and became the living space of thousands of people.

If you think about the technology and architectural possibilities in the old times when underground cities were built, we are sure that you will be amazed at how these places were built and how the people lived here.

The underground cities, known to be made by carving soft rocks, are connected by air corridors and narrow tunnels. No matter how deep you go, the amount of oxygen on the floors does not change.

There are numerous living quarters in underground cities such as barns, kitchens, wineries, living rooms, burial rooms, churches, food storage areas, cellars and water wells.

The Most Visited Underground Cities of Cappadocia

There are about 200 underground cities in Cappadocia. It’s a pretty high figure. It is one of the most important evidences of the extraordinary life and history that lasted here in time. Only a few of these underground cities are open to visitors. Kaymaklı, Derinkuyu and Mazı Underground Cities rank first among the most visited ones in Cappadocia.

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu Underground City, located in Derinkuyu county, about 35 km from Göreme, is one of the largest, most comprehensive and most visited underground cities in Cappadocia. As in Kaymaklı Underground City, when you think of the technology and architectural possibilities of the period when the city was built, how this extraordinary place was built and how the people lived here is truly extraordinary and it is admirable for those who come here.

What will you see in Derinkuyu Underground City?

Derinkuyu Underground City, which was first discovered in 1967, was built invisible from the outside in order to hide the people living here from the oppression, persecution and invasion of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century, when Christianity began to spread and became a living space for thousands of people.

What you will see in Derinkuyu Underground City, which was built by carving soft tuff rocks on a total of 8 levels underground, may be very interesting.

In the underground city, which consists of interconnected rooms, some rooms are connected by narrow tunnels that only one person can pass through. In addition, there are large stone cylinders used to close the tunnel at the entrance and exit of the tunnels for safety reasons.

Floors in Derinkuyu Underground City

To start touring Derinkuyu Underground City, you first have to pass a passage that allows you to reach the first floor. On the first floor, there are places such as barn, kitchen, winery and living area. On the second floor, there are rooms, cellar, winery and kitchen, as well as the Missionary school and classrooms. On the third floor, there are church, confessional and burial chambers. On the fourth floor; There are water wells, cisterns and burial chambers from which the city is named.

From the fifth floor, the deeper you go, the deeper you encounter narrow tunnels and it becomes more difficult to pass through them. On the fifth floor, there is a section with ventilation areas, on the sixth floor, a tunnel and on the last seventh floor there is a meeting area, church and water well. This is also the largest area of the underground city.

It takes about half an hour to fully tour Derinkuyu Underground City. Those with claustrophobia are not recommended to visit this place.

How To Get To Derinkuyu Underground City?

Derinkuyu Underground City is approximately 35 km from Göreme and 30 km from Nevşehir. It is located within the boundaries of Derinkuyu district at a distance. You can reach here with your private car, by renting a car or by minibuses. The most practical way is to go on a daily tour from Cappadocia.

  • 41.7 km from Ürgüp.
  • 46.2 km from Avanos.
  • It is 35.3 km from Goreme.
  • 31.3 km from Uçhisar.

Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı Underground City, located in Kaymaklı district, about 25 km from Göreme, is also one of the most visited underground cities in Cappadocia. As in the Derinkuyu Underground City, when you consider the technological and architectural possibilities of the period, how this extraordinary place was made and how the people lived here is truly extraordinary and it is admirable for those who visit this place.

What Will You See in Kaymaklı Underground City?

The history of Kaymaklı Underground City goes back to 3000 BC, to the Hittite period. Later, it was expanded in the Roman and Byzantine periods and used again for the people to hide. Kaymaklı Underground City, built by carving soft tuff rocks on a total of 8 levels under the ground, is connected by air corridors and narrow tunnels. 4 floors are still open to visitors.

It is estimated that 5,000 people lived in the underground city, which reaches a depth of about 40 meters.

The first floor of Kaymaklı Underground City was used as a barn for animals. On the second floor, there are the church, baptismal stones and burial chambers. On the third floor, there are cellars, wineries, a cellar where food items such as flour and wheat are placed, and a dining hall area. On the fourth floor, there are areas where supplies are stored.

How To Get To Kaymaklı Underground City?

Kaymaklı Underground City is approximately 25 km from Göreme and 20 km from Nevşehir. It is located within the boundaries of Kaymaklı district at a distance. You can reach here with your private car, by renting a car or by minibuses. The most practical way is to go on a daily tour from Cappadocia.

  • 31.7 km from Ürgüp.
  • 36.2 km from Avanos.
  • It is 25.3 km from Goreme.
  • 21.3 km from Uçhisar.

Mazı Underground City

Mazı Underground City, located within the borders of Mazı village, 18 km away near Ürgüp, is the third most popular underground city in Cappadocia. The city has 4 entrances.

In the underground city, connected by narrow tunnels, there are areas such as rooms, wineries, water wells, dining halls and cellars where the people lived in the period.

If you have a lot of time, we recommend that you also see the following underground cities:

  • Özkonak Underground City
  • Tatlarin (Acıgöl) Underground City
  • Özlüce Underground City
  • Sivasa Gökçetoprak Underground City