Family Days in Göreme

October 31, 2026

Göreme works for families when the plan is short and flexible. Here are the stops that suit children, and what to watch for at each.

Free and easy: balloons from a hilltop

On a flying morning, balloons rise over the valleys at dawn, and you can see them from a hilltop at no cost. Nobody needs a flight ticket for this. Flights depend on the weather, so if the balloons stay down one day, try again the next.

Good for all ages: Devrent Valley

Devrent Valley, near Ürgüp and off the Avanos road, has fairy chimneys in animal-like shapes. Children can spot them from the paths. Stay on the paths and keep everyone off the rock, which is soft and crumbly.

Hands-on: pottery in Avanos

Avanos is a pottery town on the Kızılırmak river, with studios that show kick-wheel work. Hours and workshop times vary, so ask first. Turkish press has also described 15-minute gondola rides on the river, reported between 2020 and 2022, so check whether they currently run.

For older children: the Open-Air Museum

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is about 1.5 km from town. Steps are uneven and the church interiors are dim, which suits school-age children better than toddlers. Flash is banned and the frescoes must not be touched. Opening hours are 08:00 to 17:45 daily, with the ticket office closing at 17:15, according to the official museum page .

With care: Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı opens 4 of its 8 levels to visitors. The passages are low and narrow, so it is unsuitable for very young children and for anyone who is claustrophobic. Read the Wikipedia entry first if you are unsure, and let an older child decide whether to go.

Keeping children safe on the rock

The tuff around Göreme is soft and crumbly, trails can be loose, and some spots drop away steeply. Keep young children close at viewpoints, and make a rule that nobody climbs on the fairy chimneys or goes into the dovecotes carved in the cliffs. In summer, bring water and hats, because summer can be hot.

Tips for the whole trip

Pace the days with one main outing each, and leave afternoons free after early starts. Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip. Check government travel advice before you leave, such as the UK page for Turkey .

Find family-friendly tours on GetYourGuide .