The area of Pasabag, also known as Pasabaglari, is popularly referred to as Love Valley Cappadocia Turkey, and it hosts some of the region’s most stunning fairy chimneys, towering up to 15 to 20 meters in height. These iconic formations often feature multiple cones, with two or three chimneys merging into a single breathtaking structure. The valley itself stretches for 4 kilometers, making it a must-visit for those exploring this enchanting landscape.
Love Valley Cappadocia Turkey
Or Cappadocia Monks Valley
As you follow the path into one of the triple-coned fairy chimneys in Pasabag, you’ll come across two small chambers. One of these served as a seclusion room for St. Simeon, a 5th-century hermit. Hence, the name Cappadocia Monks Valley.
You can climb up to the room via a ladder, but be prepared to wait your turn, as the climb is steep, narrow, and only safe for a small group—typically no more than six or seven people at a time. Still, given the number of tourists, anything is possible.
If you’re puzzled by the name Pasabag, there’s a simple explanation. According to a book I purchased locally, this area once belonged to a man named Pasha, hence the name. Alternatively, I heard that in Turkish, Pasabag means “Monk’s Valley,” a reference to St. Simeon.
Wine Festival in Urgup
The town of Urgup is another destination you shouldn’t miss. Known for its authentic accommodations, it offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and shops, all nestled at an altitude of 1,800 meters.
If you’d like to stay in a hotel that resembles a cave, click on this link for an amazing view from the hotel. If you’re looking for something more romantic, about 700 meters from the center of Urgup, click and check out this charming hotel, which is also quite affordable.
Urgup is one of the wealthiest areas in the Nevsehir province and played a pivotal role in promoting Cappadocia’s rich history and natural wonders.
At the town’s highest point, Temeni Hill, you’ll find the tomb of the Seljuk Sultan Kilicharslan. Around Urgup, you’ll also come across Turkish baths, charming fountains, mosques, and a renowned library.
But what really stands out is the town’s tradition of wine production (and carpets making but I already bought one of the Cappadocia carpets, remember?). If you have a taste for wine, plan to visit in October, when Urgup hosts a festival dedicated to its local wines.
Underground Cities
Approximately 30 kilometers from Nevsehir, the town of Derinkuyu is famous for its underground city, discovered by chance and opened to the public in 1965.
This ancient, eight-story wonder is believed to have housed Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines, and it’s often referred to as the ninth wonder of the ancient world.
Cappadocia is home to 36 other underground cities, built as sanctuaries where early Christians could worship in secret, safe from persecution. These cities were later used as shelters during the Arab raids in the 6th and 7th centuries. One particularly fascinating feature of Derinkuyu is its underground tunnels, including one on the third floor that is believed to have connected to Kaymakli, another underground city located 9 kilometers away.
Click here and book a tour inside the underground cities with a guide. This is a great way and a rare opportunity to safely visit the hidden areas of this spectacular place.
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Love Valley Cappadocia Turkey :: Byzantine Chapel
If time allows, head to Sahinefendi, where you can explore the remains of a Roman bath and a mosaic-covered meeting room. Research suggests that the room was demolished during the early Byzantine period, and in its place, a simple chapel was built in the 6th or 7th century.
Nearby, around 100 Byzantine tombs were discovered, with all the bodies buried in the same manner—right hands resting over their hearts.
The Roman bath includes all the expected features: a boiler room, hot, cold, and warm rooms, pools, and dressing rooms. Be sure to look out for the sandal-shaped figure in the dressing room, which closely resembles today’s flip-flops.
A Journey to Remember
As our trip comes to a close, it feels as though we’ve only scratched the surface of Things to do in Cappadocia, its rich history and natural wonders. We’ve marveled at the fairy chimneys of Love Valley Cappadocia Turkey, tasted local wine, and picked up a small carpet as a souvenir of this unforgettable adventure.
And though the bumpy roads to get here from Antalya to Cappadocia are now a distant memory, the stories of this remarkable place will stay with me forever.
The balloon ride is another interesting story (click the link below).
Next: JOSTLING OVER A BALLOON SEAT
The full Cappadocia SERIES
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We were in Goreme and Kaymakli (spelt it right we hope) to visit the underground cities. It is incredible that these places that had been inhabited for so long was still home to some till 50 years ago!
Had the same impression, just imagine!
What a fascinating place. ????
It is, not that often to come across in the world. Thanks!
We had never heard of this location, but now we want to experience it. It looks like a truly historical visit, and we hope you enjoyed your wine purchase. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading it, thank you. 🙂
I think my favorite is the underground city! It’s such an interesting facet of history. Religion has always been an important part of history and seeing a place like that makes the freedoms we have today a lot more real.
Oh yes, agree, it makes us appreciate the conditions we live in nowadays. Thanks!
One more historical place. Cappadocia. Would love to know about its history. Thanks for sharing but it will be amazing if you share some information about this.
This is part of Cappadocia series, it’s been out for the whole February. You are welcome to browse the blog, you’ll find some interesting facts, photos and stories about the place. Thanks!
The wine festival sounds like a great experience, especially in such a unique environment. Id also love to see the crafts and carpets, love finding local crafts like that and how the locals made them.
You won’t be able to miss it when you go there, since visits to winery and craft stores are also available. Thanks!
I remember seeing your photo on Instagram of the chimneys, they could be the 9th wonder of the world (or even the 7th or 8th!). I am inspired to visit these, you photographed them so well and I would love to spend some hours photographing them. The history with the baths and the tombs is interesting too.
Oh, thank you so much for your kind words! You’ll have great time there and bunch of amazing photos afterwards, it’s such an inspiring area. Thanks again! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to Cappadocia. But I never realized that there is so much to be discovered (36 underground cities! – Wow!). I guess I’ll have to plan more time for it then 🙂
Happy continued travels!
C
A lot to see, but five days or so would be enough though. You’ll have great time! 😉
I think this is the first time I’ve ever read about Cappadocia without a photo of a balloon! As breathtaking as those photos are, thank you for sharing more about the are beyond this. Underground cities sound amazing, I’d love to explore some some day.
Slight typo – *are should be area!
Understood, don’t worry. 😉
Thank you so much! February was dedicated to Cappadocia, so I’ve covered a lot of issues in the series regarding the valley. Glad you like it! 🙂
I can make out it must have been fun exploring the underground cities. I would love to spend time there and click loads of pictures. Your pictures have come out so well.
It’s easy to have good pics, when you have such a great scenery! 🙂 Thanks!
How fascinating! The ruins are such a unique shape and I love the underground. When most think of Cappadocia, they instantly think of all the hot air balloons all over, but this was a nice refreshing viewpoint of another landmark of interest.
You are right – so many things to explore and see there! And feel free to check out the last Glimpse in the upper menu, regarding the balloon ride. It’s not what you might expect. 😉
Your triple-coned “fairy chimney” in Pashalgari looks so mind-boggling! That photo of yours got me interested from the first moment on… I think I really have to visit Cappadocia some time really soon! And by the way, how’s the ocal wine???
It was great, thanks for asking! 😀 The whole feel to the winery tour in such a place was just a thing to remember. The taste of white, crispy wine, made out of grape exclusive to Cappadocia region… You get the picture! 😀
Ahhh, perfect. White wine is my favourite… you just convinced me to put Cappadocia on my list 😉
Hehehe, there – a lot of reasons to go! 😉
Cappadocia is amazingly beautiful! This is definitely on my list and I would love visit one day. I hope you had an amazing time~
Oh yes, some great memories from that journey! Hope you get to visit the place. 🙂