Cappadocia

Stay in your very own luxury cave room

Sumptuous accommodation – carved out of a rock!

The astonishing region of Cappadocia is like nowhere else on earth, words simply cannot describe the magical lunar landscape and towering rock formations, created after three volcanoes erupted millions of years ago, covering the entire region in a thick layer of volcanic ash. Once the ash solidified, it became a soft, porous rock known locally as ‘tufa’. As time passed, wind and rain eroded the vast expanse of tufa creating surreal pinnacles, known as fairy chimneys.

To understand how this extraordinary landscape was formed — and how its fairy chimneys, underground cities, cave dwellings and rock-cut churches came to shape the identity of the region — read our guide to Cappadocia’s history, geology and culture.

For centuries many communities settled in the villages of Cappadocia and turned the mystical conical formations into troglodyte dwellings, rock churches and created huge labyrinthine underground cities in which to escape the enemy in years of battle.

Nowadays, people travel from far and wide to explore this magical region of natural beauty, one particularly special way to discover Cappadocia is from the air; every day at sunrise dozens of hot air balloons float gently over the enchanting landscape, a truly unforgettable experience.

We have hand-picked some beautiful cave hotels in Cappadocia, all chosen for their location, comfort and above all, friendly and professional service. We are happy to tailor-make your holiday to your needs, so why not combine a few nights in Cappadocia with some time in Istanbul and finish off with a week in the sunshine on the stunning Mediterranean coast.

Not sure which part of Cappadocia would suit you best? From the fairytale hilltop village of Uçhisar to the historic town of Ürgüp, our guide to where to stay in Cappadocia explains the key differences between the region’s most desirable locations and highlights our favourite luxury cave hotels and boutique stays.

Of course, choosing where to stay is only part of the story. From sunrise hot-air balloon flights and ancient underground cities to vineyard lunches, valley walks and the remarkable rock-cut churches of the Goreme Open-Air Museum, there is an extraordinary amount to see and do here. Our guide to the best things to do in Cappadocia highlights the experiences we believe should not be missed.

How To Get The Most Out Of Cappadocia

Private Guided Itineraries – do I need a Private Guide?

There is much to see and do in Cappadocia and to make the most of your stay The Discerning Collection recommends using the service of an expert, private guide during your stay.

Our Reservation Team will tailor a programme to correspond with your specific interests whether cultural, religious, active or any combination of these activities and adventures. Our local guides will then quickly bring you up-to-speed with the history and culture of the region and show you less-known sites and remote corners away from the regular tourist trail.

Our prices include private guiding, however it is also possible to explore independently should you prefer and a reduction to our rates is applicable.