Cappadocia's underground cities are multi-level rock-cut tunnel networks carved into soft volcanic tuff, where early Christian communities sheltered from raids. The two main visitor sites are Derinkuyu (the deepest, reaching about 60 metres over roughly eight open levels) and Kaymaklı (wider, shallower and easier to walk). Both are open daily, year-round, and entry to each costs €13. A guided visit is the best way to understand what you are looking at, but independent visits are perfectly doable if you read up first.
Derinkuyu vs Kaymaklı: which one should you visit?
If you only have time for one, the choice comes down to depth versus comfort. Derinkuyu is the largest excavated underground city in Cappadocia, descending around 60 metres with ventilation shafts, a cruciform church on a lower level, stables, wineries and heavy circular stone doors that could seal each level from the inside. Kaymaklı sits about 10 km north on the same road; it is broader and more horizontal, so there is less steep climbing — the better pick if you have children, knee trouble, or mild claustrophobia.
- Pick Derinkuyu if you want the deepest, most dramatic descent and don't mind narrow, stooping passages and steep stairs.
- Pick Kaymaklı if you prefer a shorter, gentler route or are travelling with kids or older relatives.
- Do both only if you're a real enthusiast — they tell a similar story, so most travellers find one is enough.
Local tip: arrive right at opening (around 08:00) or in the last hour before closing. Mid-morning, the narrow tunnels back up with groups and the air gets warm and stuffy.
Ticket prices and opening hours in 2026
Entry to Derinkuyu costs Derinkuyu Underground City (€13) and entry to Kaymaklı costs Kaymakli Underground City (€13); tickets are bought at the site gate. Both sites generally open from 08:00, with longer summer hours (roughly to 19:00) and shorter winter hours (roughly to 17:00) — always check on the day, as official hours shift seasonally. The Müzekart annual pass covers both for residents but not most foreign visitors, so budget for two separate tickets if you plan to see both.
Prices above are pulled live from our venue database, so they reflect the current 2026 fee rather than a number that quietly goes out of date.
The quieter alternatives: Özkonak and Mazı
Two smaller underground cities reward travellers who want history without the crowds. Özkonak, north of Avanos, is famous for its narrow communication holes that let inhabitants relay messages between levels; entry is just €3. Mazı, southeast of the main sites, feels closer to a working village dug into the rock, with church and stable areas and almost no coach groups. Neither is on the standard route, which is exactly why they stay peaceful.
Should you take a guided visit or go independently?
A good guide transforms a maze of empty rooms into a story — explaining how 8th-century communities ventilated air 60 metres down, stored a year of grain, pressed wine and rolled stone doors shut against invaders. That context is hard to get from signage alone. The trade-off is pace: group visits move on a schedule and pair the underground city with other stops, so you don't linger.
What a typical underground-city visit includes
- A licensed guide and the historical context behind each chamber, shaft and stone door.
- Usually paired with the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery on a classic 'Green Route' day.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Göreme, Ürgüp or Uçhisar, plus lunch on full-day trips.
- Entrance fees are often not included — confirm before booking so you can budget the gate tickets.
Choosing a visit you won't regret
- Favour small-group visits (8–12 people) over large coaches — tunnels are tight and big groups crawl.
- Read recent reviews for the guide's storytelling, not just the itinerary.
- Check whether entrance tickets, lunch and pickup are included or extra.
- Ask about physical demands: there are steep, low passages that are unsuitable for serious mobility limits.
How to get to the underground cities
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı lie on the Nevşehir–Niğde road, roughly a 30–40 minute drive south of Göreme. You have three options: a full-day Green Route (cheapest per person, but fixed schedule), the local dolmuş minibus from Nevşehir (slow and infrequent), or a private taxi that lets you set your own pace and beat the coach crowds. If you'd rather skip the early-morning convoy and arrive when the tunnels are quiet, a private car is the most flexible choice — see live rates on the Cappadocia taxi price calculator before you decide.
For door-to-door logistics across the region, our Göreme taxi service and the wider Cappadocia travel guide cover routes, timings and pickup points. If you're combining the underground cities with the deep-south sites, the Göreme to Derinkuyu by taxi route guide breaks down the journey in detail.
What to bring and know before you go
- Sturdy, grippy shoes — floors are uneven rock and stairs are steep and sometimes slick.
- A light layer — the tunnels stay cool (around 13–15°C) year-round, even in summer.
- Water, since there are no facilities once you're underground.
- A small day pack only — wide bags snag in the narrowest crouch-passages.
- Skip the visit if you have severe claustrophobia; some sections require ducking through tight tunnels single-file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit the Cappadocia underground cities?
Entry to Derinkuyu costs €13 and Kaymaklı costs €13, paid at the gate. The smaller Özkonak Underground City is cheaper at €3. Each site is a separate ticket, so seeing two means paying twice.
Which underground city is better, Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı?
Derinkuyu is the deepest and most dramatic, descending about 60 metres with steep stairs and narrow passages. Kaymaklı is wider, shallower and easier to walk, making it the better choice for families, older travellers, or anyone uneasy in tight spaces. Most visitors find one is enough.
How do you get from Göreme to the underground cities?
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are about a 30–40 minute drive south of Göreme on the Nevşehir–Niğde road. You can join a full-day Green Route, take the slow local dolmuş from Nevşehir, or book a private taxi for flexibility and earlier, crowd-free arrival. Check current fares on the Cappadocia taxi price calculator.
Are the underground cities suitable for people with claustrophobia?
They can be challenging. Several passages are narrow and low enough to require crouching and single-file movement, and the lower levels feel enclosed. Kaymaklı is the more open of the two, but anyone with severe claustrophobia or significant mobility issues should plan carefully or choose a shorter route.
Do I need a guide for the Cappadocia underground cities?
No, you can visit independently — the routes are marked and lit. But a knowledgeable guide adds the historical context that empty rooms can't convey, explaining the ventilation, food storage, churches and defensive stone doors. If you go solo, reading about the site beforehand makes the visit far more rewarding.
