Central Anatolia

Provinces/Cities

Sights and Activities

Goreme, Turkey

© kavanadb

Göreme National Park is one of the most beautiful naturally formed sights, located in the Nevsehir Province. Two of the inactive volcanoes surrounding the region used to be active in earlier geological periods and with the eruption of the volcanoes the whole region was covered with tufa. Over the centuries with the rain and the wind several fairy chimneys, caves and rock formations were formed.

Göreme National Park is composed of caves that have 12 churches, a dining room and a kitchen. It is a religious site used by Roman Christians in order to hide themselves. In fact some say that the word Goreme derived from Turkish word gorme which means "don't see". It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting There

By Plane

Ankara's Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) is located 28 kilometres from the centre of Ankara. Turkish Airlines has a secondary hub at the airport and is the dominant airline. Condor Airlines, BMI, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa are among a handful of international airlines that serve the airport.

To/from the airport
The airport is connected with the city centre and Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal by EGO city bus number 442 (from 6:00am to 11:00pm). Transportation to the city center is also by taxi. A taxi ride to the city's centre costs 80 YTL or more one way. Alternatively, Havaş airport buses cost 10 YTL (US$8/€6) and take about 45 minutes to make the journey. Many consider the buses more comfortable than the taxis!

Sleep