Choosing a Guided Tour in Göreme

Guided tours are the easy way to see the places around Göreme that are far apart, and the choice comes down to which side of the region you want and how much you want explained.

Two day-tour styles

Local agencies sell a “Red Tour” and a “Green Tour”. These are informal industry names, and the stops vary by operator, so ask for the exact list. A typical Red Tour covers Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar, Paşabağ, Devrent and Avanos. A typical Green Tour covers Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city, the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery. The Red Tour is gentler, while the Green Tour has more driving and a canyon walk. If this is your first day, the Red Tour is a good orientation because its stops are close together. If your priority is an underground city, the Green Tour or a half-day city tour is the better fit. Both days involve walking on uneven ground, so wear sturdy shoes and carry water.

Guided visits to the Open-Air Museum

In the museum, a guide explains who is in the frescoes and what the churches were used for. Flash is banned inside the churches, so leave the flash off. Do not touch the paintings. Opening hours are daily 08:00 to 17:45, and the ticket office closes at 17:15 (see the ministry page ). The Dark Church needs its own ticket, and tour prices often leave entry fees out.

Underground-city half days

Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are commonly sold as a half-day tour. At Derinkuyu the open section reaches about 55 m, and Kaymaklı has 4 open levels out of 8. The passages are low and narrow, so claustrophobic visitors and people with bad knees or backs, or heart or breathing conditions, should skip them.

Sema evenings

The whirling dervish (Sema) ceremony is shown at Saruhan Caravanserai near Avanos and at cave and hall venues sold as tours. It is not a Göreme Open-Air Museum or Dark Church event. It is also a religious ritual, so dress and behave with respect.

Five questions for an agency

  1. Is the agency licensed, and is it listed with TÜRSAB, the Turkish travel agency association?
  2. Which stops are included, and how long is each?
  3. Are entrance fees included?
  4. How big is the group, and where is pickup?
  5. What happens if the weather or a closure changes the day?

Ask these before paying. You can compare tour listings on Viator and read the UK travel advice for the current picture.

Read more: Day trips and Sightseeing .