Experience Cappadocia & Pamukkale in Three Days

 A Three-day Itinerary for Cappadocia and Pamukkale from Istanbul

Visiting Cappadocia and Pamukkale was one of the highlights of my trip to Turkey. These two iconic destinations are very different—Cappadocia is famous for its surreal rock formations and hot air balloons, while Pamukkale stuns with its white travertine terraces and ancient city of Hierapolis. In this travel guide, I’ll share exactly how to make the most of your time if you only have a few days to see both.

Time wasn’t the main limitation for me, but late November in Turkey can be cold, and I wasn’t eager to spend more time in Cappadocia and Pamukkale than necessary as I didn’t have proper winter clothes. So, I left my big backpack at my hostel in Istanbul and set off with just my small day bag for this whirlwind three-day Cappadocia–Pamukkale itinerary.

Day 1

Travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia

I first checked flight prices, since in Turkey you can sometimes score deals that are as cheap as long-distance bus tickets. I was flexible with my dates and found a €20 flight from Istanbul to Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport. Turkish Airlines flies this route twice daily—one flight in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you fly in the morning, you can spend the rest of the day exploring Göreme or Ürgüp.

You can book the flights here on booking.com.

Tip: Book your hotel in advance and arrange a shuttle pick-up through them. Cappadocia’s airport is small, and arranging transport on arrival can be tricky.

Accommodation

Cappadocia is famous for its cave hotels, carved right into the rock. I booked mine on Booking.com and found a €5 dorm—though I ended up having the room entirely to myself!

There are also a lot of luxury hotels, and I actually regret not booking a little bit more expensive place because it was low season anyway and the prices were down. Some really cool cave hotels I saw were these ones:

Anatolian Houses Cave Hotel & SPA
Housed within eight authentic Fairy Chimneys, Göreme Anatolian Houses – Art Concept is a stunning showcase of traditional Cappadocian rock-cut architecture. This unique property doubles as a museum, featuring over 500 historical artifacts, including ancient pots, tiles, and cases. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool and an indoor pool designed to resemble ancient Roman baths. The garden offers a complimentary wine tap with both red and white wine. Free private parking and Wi-Fi are available on site.

You can book the hotel on booking.com.

Sultan Cave Suites

Perched high on Aydinli Hill, Sultan Cave Suites offers one-of-a-kind cave rooms decorated with handpicked antiques from across Turkey. From its panoramic sun terrace, guests can take in sweeping views over Göreme.

Most rooms are carved directly into the hillside, creating naturally cool and peaceful retreats. Many feature a private terrace or balcony, while all include a cozy seating area and a modern en-suite bathroom.

You can book the hotel on booking.com.

Grand Cave Suites

Housed in a stone-built structure inspired by the region’s ancient cave dwellings and fully renovated in 2013, Grand Cave Suites boasts spacious terraces with stunning views over Göreme. Guests can choose from authentic cave rooms carved into the rock or charming arched rooms with beautiful stone walls.

Each room is individually styled in traditional Turkish décor, complete with rich rugs and elegant furnishings. All feature a private spa bath and free Wi-Fi, while select rooms also include a cozy fireplace for added charm.

You can book the hotel on booking.com.

Mithra Cave Hotel

Located in the heart of Cappadocia, Mithra Cave Hotel boasts a scenic terrace overlooking the region’s picturesque villages and valleys. Guests can enjoy a stay in authentic cave rooms or in beautifully designed spaces reflecting Ottoman and Greek architectural styles.

Each room is thoughtfully decorated with handcrafted details, traditional carpets, and elegant drapery, blending historic charm with modern comforts. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

You can book the hotel on booking.com.

Booking Your Bus Ticket to Pamukkale

I booked an overnight bus to Pamukkale for the following evening. You can simply go to Göreme bus station and ask about available options. Most buses go only as far as Denizli bus station, from where you’ll need to take another bus or shuttle to reach Pamukkale. Luckily, my bus included a shuttle transfer from Denizli to Pamukkale, so I was fine when I arrived in Denizli 5 a.m. in the morning.

I was traveling alone in Turkey as a female traveler and always felt safe, even when taking overnight buses. If you would like to read more about traveling in Turkey as a solo female traveler, read a post Solo Female Travel in Turkey.

Day 2

Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia

Everyone visiting Cappadocia should experience a hot air balloon ride at least once — it’s one of the most iconic activities in the region. I had booked my flight in advance while still in Istanbul, as my hostel managed to get me a great deal for only 99€. I scheduled it for the very next morning, and the balloon company picked me up early at around 5 a.m., ensuring we’d be in the air just in time for the magical sunrise over Cappadocia’s surreal landscape.

This was my very first hot air balloon flight ever, and I had been saving the experience for somewhere truly special — and Cappadocia absolutely delivered. Floating above the fairy chimneys, valleys, and rock formations was unforgettable. However, since I visited in late November, it was freezing. The upside? It had snowed the evening before, covering the landscape in a white blanket that made the views even more magical and the photos turned out beautiful.

For a more comprehensive review of the balloon ride, check out a post Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia by Drifter Planet.

The Green Tour

There are two main sightseeing tours in Cappadocia: the Green Tour and the Red Tour. Since I didn’t have much time, I asked around to see which one was more worthwhile, and the Green Tour came highly recommended by everyone. I booked it through my hotel for the very next morning. After returning from my hot air balloon flight, I had just enough time to check out, enjoy breakfast, and get ready for the day. Traveling light with only a small bag meant I could easily take it along without leaving anything behind.

The Green Tour covers some of Cappadocia’s most fascinating sights, including Derinkuyu Underground City, the scenic Ihlara Valley, and the impressive Selime Monastery. Along the way, we also stopped at a local jewelry workshop and a shop selling traditional Turkish sweets and snacks. The price was 100 TL (around €25) and included all transportation, entrance fees, and lunch. Pretty good deal for a full day tour, I would say.

Overnight Bus to Pamukkale

The tour returned to Göreme just in time for me to grab some dinner before heading to the bus station. I had hoped to sleep on the bus, but the man working onboard made sure that didn’t happen. Throughout the night, he made me change seats not once, but four times, without offering any explanation — and he didn’t speak a single word of English. Every time I was on the verge of falling asleep, he would shake me awake, grab my bags, and insist I move again. To this day, I’m not entirely sure what his actual job was, other than ensuring I stayed awake for the entire journey.

Day 3

Arriving in Pamukkale

After the exhausting bus ordeal and the lack of sleep from the night before (thanks to the early wake-up for the hot air balloon flight), I was absolutely wiped out when I finally arrived in Pamukkale at the crack of dawn. It was freezing, and the entire town seemed shut down. I wandered the quiet streets until I spotted one guesthouse, Kale Hotel, which was open. I grabbed something to eat there and dozed off at the table. I asked the hotel staff about their rates, and they even offered a very cheap option for just a half-day stay. I seriously considered it — I could barely keep my eyes open — but instead, I powered through with copious amounts of Turkish coffee and set out to explore. First on the list, though, was booking my bus back to Istanbul for later that day.

Booking Your Bus to Istanbul

There are plenty of travel agencies in town that can arrange a bus ticket and a shuttle to the station for you. I walked into the first one that opened early, and after chatting for a while about my travel adventures, I was even offered a job there.

I opted for the 4 p.m. bus, but if you want to fit in more activities like paragliding, there are also buses leaving later in the evening. You could book a flight to skip the second night on the bus, but when I was there, flight prices were just too high.

Visit Pamukkale & Hierapolis

Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle,” is known for its brilliant white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich hot springs. At the top lies Hierapolis, an ancient Greco-Roman city with remarkably preserved ruins.

The site opens between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. Check Google Maps for the most up-to-date opening hours. I recommend entering via the North Entrance—it’s further from town but allows you to walk downhill through the terraces and avoids much of the uphill climb. This route also helps you dodge the larger tour groups (not that there were so many people anyway when it was low season).

In conclusion, my schedule was extremely tight, and after three consecutive nights of little to no sleep, I was completely exhausted when I finally arrived back in Istanbul in the early hours of the morning. If you’re short on time, this itinerary is an efficient way to see the highlights of Cappadocia and Pamukkale in just three days.

That said, I have to admit that this style of travel isn’t really for me. I prefer to spend more time in the places I visit, soaking up the atmosphere at a slower pace. The cold weather didn’t help either — I wasn’t prepared for snow in Cappadocia and didn’t even have proper winter shoes — so I definitely didn’t want to stay longer than necessary. Maybe one day I’ll return to Cappadocia in the summer to see it in a whole new light. I’m sure the experience would be completely different!

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