Kaymaklı Underground City
Explore a vast, multi-level underground city carved into rock, once a refuge for thousands. A true marvel of ancient engineering in Cappadocia.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Avoid midday crowds
Kaymaklı Underground City
Best Time
Avoid midday crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a vast, multi-level underground city carved into rock, once a refuge for thousands. A true marvel of ancient engineering in Cappadocia.
"A wow experience and true marvel of ancient engineering throughout the narrow tunnels and caves."
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
The terrain is uneven and the tunnels are narrow. Good footwear is essential for exploring safely.
🤏 Be Mindful of Size
Passages can be very tight and ceilings low. If you're tall or claustrophobic, proceed with caution.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Labyrinthine Tunnels
Throughout the city
Wander through narrow, winding passages connecting ancient living spaces, kitchens, and stables. A true marvel of engineering.
Ancient Living Quarters
Various levels
Explore rooms carved into the rock, including kitchens, wineries, churches, and storage areas, offering a glimpse into past lives.
Ventilation Shafts & Traps
Throughout the city
Discover ingenious ventilation systems and hidden doors designed for defense and survival in this ancient underground metropolis.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigate the Tunnels
Understand the History
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
The terrain is uneven and the tunnels are narrow. Good footwear is essential for exploring safely.
🤏 Be Mindful of Size
Passages can be very tight and ceilings low. If you're tall or claustrophobic, proceed with caution.
📚 Research Before You Go
Limited information inside; enhance your visit with prior knowledge of the city's history.
🚗 Getting There
It's a 30-minute drive from Göreme. Taxis or organized tours are common options.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
The terrain is uneven and the tunnels are narrow. Good footwear is essential for exploring safely.
🤏 Be Mindful of Size
Passages can be very tight and ceilings low. If you're tall or claustrophobic, proceed with caution.
📚 Research Before You Go
Limited information inside; enhance your visit with prior knowledge of the city's history.
🚗 Getting There
It's a 30-minute drive from Göreme. Taxis or organized tours are common options.
💰 Museum Pass Value
If you have a Museum Pass, entry is often included, saving you the entrance fee.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently amazed by the scale and historical significance of Kaymaklı Underground City, marveling at the ancient engineering and the glimpse into past lives. The narrow, winding tunnels offer a unique, albeit sometimes challenging, experience. While some find the lack of detailed information inside a drawback, many agree it's a must-see highlight of Cappadocia.
"This place is amazing! Big underground city which have served people for over 2800 years. You get to see top 4 floors with numerous rooms, storages and passages. Temperature is stable at approx 18-20 degrees. Unfortunately there is nearly no information about the rooms, so you should do some reading online in advance or you can go for a guided tour (we were offered one for 65€ for 4 people, which I believe is a lot)."
Kajetan Narkiewicz
"This incredible multi-level city carved into the rock offers a fascinating glimpse into how people once lived, worked, and took shelter underground. The tunnels are narrow and winding, adding to the sense of adventure, and it's amazing to see rooms like kitchens, wineries, storage areas, and even ventilation systems that are still intact.
The site is well-preserved, and there’s enough signage to guide you through without feeling lost.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, and if you're claustrophobic, be aware that some passages are quite tight. But if you’re up for a bit of exploring, it’s absolutely worth it — a highlight of Cappadocia that you won’t forget. The price of the entrance is 1800 turkish lira, but if you want a guide in order to understand what you are looking at , it will cost you €60 (inside you will not find any information beside description of some of the room you are in) ."
caterina tedioli
"Incredible build under the ground, you will be lost into this labyrinth for around an hour.
You can aprk at the entrance of the site for 50TL. The entrance is included in the museum pass as well. You can get a guided tour for 60 eur that will last 45min to 1h."
Thomas L
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kaymaklı Underground City is located about 20 km south of Nevşehir, and a roughly 30-minute drive from Göreme. You can easily reach it by taking a local taxi from Göreme or by joining one of the many organized tours that frequent Cappadocia.
Yes, there is parking available at the entrance of the site. The fee is typically around 50 Turkish Lira.
Absolutely! Kaymaklı Underground City is a popular stop on many Cappadocia day tours, often included in itineraries that cover other key sites in the region.
For visiting multiple underground cities like Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, renting a car or hiring a private driver offers the most flexibility. Alternatively, many organized tours will handle transportation between sites.
While direct public transport might be limited, you can often find local dolmuş (minibuses) that travel between towns in Cappadocia, which could potentially get you close to Kaymaklı. However, taxis or tours are generally more convenient.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entrance fee for Kaymaklı Underground City is approximately 1800 Turkish Lira. However, if you possess a Museum Pass, entry is often included, which can be a cost-effective option.
It's generally not necessary to book tickets in advance for Kaymaklı Underground City, especially if you are visiting independently. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
Yes, the entrance fee for Kaymaklı Underground City is often covered by the Turkish Museum Pass, making it a great value if you plan to visit multiple historical sites in Turkey.
Kaymaklı Underground City typically opens around 8:00 AM and closes around 7:00 PM during the summer months, with slightly shorter hours in winter. It's always a good idea to check the latest hours before your visit.
Refund policies can vary, but generally, tickets purchased at the entrance are non-refundable. It's advisable to be sure about your visit before purchasing.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Most visitors spend about an hour exploring the accessible parts of Kaymaklı Underground City. The labyrinthine nature of the tunnels can make it feel longer, but the open sections are not excessively vast.
Kaymaklı Underground City features very narrow passages and low ceilings, which can be challenging for those with claustrophobia. It's advisable to be prepared or consider skipping if you have severe anxiety.
Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended due to the uneven terrain and narrow tunnels. Layers of clothing are also advisable, as the temperature inside remains a stable 18-20 degrees Celsius year-round.
Yes, guided tours are offered at the entrance. While they can provide valuable historical context, they can be quite expensive (around 60-65 Euros). Alternatively, you can research the history beforehand.
The accessible parts of Kaymaklı Underground City include areas that served as living quarters, kitchens, wineries, stables, churches, and storage rooms. You'll also see ventilation shafts and defensive traps.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside Kaymaklı Underground City, but be mindful of the narrow spaces and other visitors. Flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to preserve the ancient structures.
Look for interesting architectural details in the carved rooms, the narrow tunnel perspectives, and the unique ventilation shafts. The contrast between the rock and any remaining ancient features can be striking.
Given the potentially low light conditions in the tunnels, a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod might be helpful. Wide-angle lenses can capture the confined spaces effectively.
Drone usage is typically restricted in and around historical and archaeological sites in Turkey. It's best to avoid flying drones to prevent any issues with authorities.
While not explicitly forbidden, it's polite to ask for permission before taking photos of other visitors, especially if they are prominent in your shot.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's advisable to bring snacks and water, as facilities inside are minimal. Consider the child's temperament regarding enclosed spaces; if they are prone to anxiety in tight spots, this might not be the best experience. The historical aspect can be made more engaging by telling stories of ancient peoples seeking refuge.
🚶 Solo Travelers
Be prepared for the physical aspects of the visit – comfortable shoes and awareness of the tight spaces are key. If you prefer a deeper understanding, consider booking a private guide for a more personalized experience, or thoroughly research the site beforehand to enrich your solo journey.
💰 Budget Travelers
To save on guided tours, which can be quite expensive, do your research beforehand using online resources or guidebooks. This will allow you to appreciate the site's history and features without the added cost. Opting for local transport like dolmuş (if available and convenient) can also be cheaper than taxis or organized tours.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A History Carved in Stone
The city is spread across multiple levels, with up to eight believed to exist, though only four are currently open to visitors. This multi-level structure allowed for a complex society to live hidden beneath the surface, complete with homes, churches, wineries, stables, and even communal kitchens. The sheer scale and the intricate network of tunnels are awe-inspiring, showcasing a remarkable level of planning and construction.
Exploring Kaymaklı offers a tangible connection to this ancient past. You can see the remnants of daily life, the defensive mechanisms like sliding stone doors, and the vital ventilation shafts that allowed for long-term habitation. It's a fascinating glimpse into a world where survival depended on clever engineering and communal living.
Navigating the Underground Maze
Comfortable, sturdy footwear is non-negotiable. The rock-cut floors can be uneven, and you'll be doing a fair amount of walking and ducking. If you are tall, be extra cautious and mindful of your head. For those who are claustrophobic, it's important to know that some passages are extremely tight, and it might be best to limit your exploration or skip it altogether.
While there are some signs indicating the purpose of certain rooms (like wineries or stables), the historical information within the city itself is limited. Many visitors find it beneficial to either join a guided tour for detailed explanations or do some research beforehand to fully appreciate the historical context and the ingenious design of this ancient underground settlement.


Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit