I travelled to Türkiye with my cousins, six of them, on a trip that took us through three incredible cities: Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya.

We used internal flights to make the most of our time. In this post, I’ll tell you all about our magical two days in Cappadocia.

Getting to Cappadocia wasn’t the easiest journey, but it was definitely worth it. We flew into Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport, the closest one to Göreme, which is the heart of Cappadocia. From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to the city, and that’s where the fairytale began.

We arrived just before sunrise, tired but excited. We stopped at a small café for tea and sütlaç (Turkish rice pudding). By pure luck, we ended up right next to a viewpoint, and moments later, the hot air balloons started rising into the sky. Watching them float above the surreal landscape felt like stepping into a dream. The colours, the quiet, the morning light, it didn’t even look real.

If you ever visit, the best time to see the balloons is around 5–8 AM. The best spot is Sunrise Point, although there are plenty of cafés and viewpoints to enjoy the view from.

After the show, we checked into our hostel, a cosy rooftop room we all shared, which made the experience even more fun. Later, we tried to book a balloon ride for the next morning but, unfortunately, it got cancelled due to weather. Still, we decided to make the most of our time.

Göreme is small and full of charm, surrounded by cave houses, little shops, and restaurants serving delicious Turkish food. Everything is within walking distance, though the streets can be uneven! One of our favourite discoveries was Nazar Börek & Cafe, a small, beautiful spot with the best view in town. We stopped in for tea and künefe, loved it so much, and came back for dinner the next night.

The next day, we set off on foot to explore the surrounding area. Our first stop was Love Valley, famous for its unusual rock formations, you’ll see why it’s called that when you get there! Then we continued on to Uçhisar, a nearby town known for its castle and panoramic views. It’s small but so picturesque that every corner feels like a photo waiting to happen.

Even the walk back was unforgettable, a bit of rain, music, laughter, and the best company. That evening, we returned to Nazar Börek & Cafe for our farewell dinner, seated outside with a stunning view over the city. It was the perfect way to end our time in Cappadocia.

I know I’ll go back one day. This place truly feels otherworldly, peaceful, mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful. I hope everyone gets to see it at least once in their life.

After Cappadocia, our journey continued to Istanbul and Antalya, click on the names to read more about those cities!