Cappadocia, renowned as a tourist favourite, is also a top destination for winter enthusiasts seeking skiing, thermal springs, and hot air balloon adventures.

The combination of Cappadocia, Erciyes, and Kozaklı offers the perfect recipe for an unforgettable holiday.

Cappadocia: Great spot for unique nature

Cappadocia, located in central Anatolia’s Nevşehir province, is a top destination in Türkiye, celebrated for its rock-carved structures, fairy chimney-studded landscapes, historical treasures, and cultural significance. The region attracts visitors year-round with its diverse tourism offerings.

The region’s authentic charm is best experienced from above through hot air balloon tours, a hallmark of Cappadocia, attracting both locals and hundreds of thousands of international visitors annually.

For those exploring on the ground, horse or camel rides and ATV rentals provide exciting ways to navigate the volcanic cones, while hiking through the valleys offers a truly unique adventure.

Cappadocia offers accommodation to suit every budget, providing excellent value for visitors. For a truly unique experience, guests can stay in boutique hotels featuring cave rooms carved into the volcanic tuff rocks.

Winter visitors to Cappadocia can explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Zelve and Paşabağı archaeological sites, as well as the traditional earthenware workshops in the Avanos district.

For a journey back in time, the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı offer a fascinating glimpse into history.

Erciyes: A Hub for Winter Tourism

Just an hour’s drive from Cappadocia, Mount Erciyes beckons visitors with its breathtaking scenery and majestic presence.

The Erciyes Ski Centre is gaining popularity due to its convenient location, easy accessibility, extensive ski slopes, and affordable prices.

Spanning 25 square kilometres, the centre boasts a modern network of 18 mechanical facilities, including chairlifts and a cable car system. These cover a total length of 21,300 metres and have the capacity to transport 25,500 people per hour.

The 34 ski slopes, spanning a total of 102 kilometres, cater to both amateur and professional skiers with varying levels of difficulty across the Tekir, Hacılar, Hisarcık, and Develi gates.

The Healing Hot Springs of Kozaklı

Just an hour’s drive from Mount Erciyes, the Kozaklı district offers a rejuvenating holiday option in Türkiye. Renowned as one of the country’s top thermal tourism destinations, Kozaklı is famous for its therapeutic thermal springs.

The mineral-rich waters, containing radon gas—often referred to as the “elixir of youth” for its cell-regenerating properties—are believed to benefit various conditions, including arthritis and rheumatism.

Kozaklı also boasts numerous pools and aqua parks for children and young visitors, along with a wide range of wellness options, including salt rooms, spas, mud baths, Turkish baths, and beauty and fitness centres.

So, when you’re seeking something a little different this winter, remember that you can experience the unique charm of Cappadocia, enjoy skiing at Erciyes, and unwind at the thermal facilities in Kozaklı to end your day.

Sources: Discover Turkey/Daily Sabah/Wikipedia

This article was first published in January 2019 and updated on 9 December 2024

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Truly spectacular, Pamukkale, literally “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is especially famous for its white limestone travertines shaped by hot springs that flow down the slopes, where the layers of white calcium carbonate have built up in steps on the plateau, earning the phenomenon its name.

It’s no surprise that some of the most familiar images of Türkiye are those of the gleaming white travertines.

To protect them from damage, the terraces are off-limits to visitors.

It is worth spending the night in Pamukkale, especially during a full moon. As the pale light settles on the deserted terraces, one can only sit in silent homage and marvel at its unworldly beauty.

Pamukkale is also the site of the remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis.

Ancient Hierapolis

Many visitors are so focused on the amazing travertines that they barely notice the high plateau is also the site of the ancient spa of Hierapolis.

Founded by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum, the city was ceded to Rome in 133 BC along with the rest of the Pergamene kingdom. 

The city was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60 and was rebuilt and reached its peak in AD 196-215. Hierapolis fell into decline in the 6th century. 

Today, the ruins of Hierapolis still draw visitors who come to swim in its mineral-rich pools.

The ancient springs

The ancient springs at Hierapolis have made the city a popular destination. The water is said to be good for rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases as well as skin and nerve diseases and visitors come to bathe in the antique pool, which was formed naturally after the collapse of a series of columns in an earthquake in A.D. 692 causing thermal water to accumulate. Its water temperature is fixed at 36 degrees Celsius.

Among the ruins of Hierapolis, a Roman bath with high-vaulted ceilings is particularly well preserved. It houses an archaeological museum that is home to ornate sarcophagi.

Karahayıt

Five kilometres north of Pamukkale lies the village of Karahayıt with its own natural wonder, only in colour. Iron and sulfur in the hot springs that flow here have coloured the rocks in bright reds, yellows and greens.

Visitors to Karahayıt can visit the hot springs in the Red-Water Wellness Park, where the water is known as a cure for rheumatism, sciatica, calcification in the bones, renal stone, neural system, dermatological diseases, muscle pains, gynaecological problems, varicose vein and infertility.

With such a unique combination of natural and man-made wonders, it’s no surprise that Pamukkale-Hierapolis was made a Unesco World Heritage site in 1988. 

Source: Daily Sabah

This article was first published on 10 February 2022.

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