If you follow any travel bloggers on Instagram, there’s a good chance you’ve come across some stunning pictures of a sunrise over a valley peppered with colorful hot air balloons. This popular spot is Cappadocia, a region in central Turkey. About four hours by car outside the capital of Ankara, Cappadocia is famous for its cave and rock formations. It’s a truly unique and breathtaking site to see and no pictures can do it justice. Here are some of our favorite things to do whenever we’re in the region:
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Rise with the sun and take in the view on a hot air balloon ride. There are numerous companies that offer flights, but they usually require advanced booking and fill up quickly. If you’re planning a trip to the region, hot air ballooning should be at the top of your list.
Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum
Ancient caves and paintings abound at this outdoor museum. It’s best to go through with a tour guide who can explain the history of each location and artifact in a way that does them justice.
Lover’s Hill
This is where most of the iconic photos of Cappadocia are taken. It’s a vista like no other and the best place to be for anyone for whom photography is an important part of travel.