Özkonak Underground City sits about 14 km northeast of Avanos, near the village of Özkonak, and is the quietest of Cappadocia's accessible underground cities. There is no regular tourist bus, so the practical ways to reach it are a private taxi/transfer, a guided tour that includes it, or a self-drive car. From Göreme it is roughly a 25–30 minute drive; from Avanos, about 15 minutes. Entry is budget-friendly at €3, and because few day-tours stop here, you often have the tunnels almost to yourself.
Where is Özkonak and why visit it?
Özkonak Underground City lies on the northern edge of Cappadocia, in the Özkonak district of Avanos, dug into the slopes of Mount Idiş. It is one of the oldest known underground refuges in the region: locals carved it from soft volcanic tuff, and it was later expanded and used as a hiding place during Roman-era and Byzantine raids. A farmer rediscovered the modern entrance in 1972.
Compared with the famous, deep, multi-level Derinkuyu and Kaymakli sites, Özkonak is smaller and shallower, with fewer open levels for visitors. That is exactly its appeal: it is easy to get around, rarely crowded, and gives you the same engineering story (ventilation shafts, rolling stone doors, communication holes between rooms) without the queues and bottlenecks. It pairs perfectly with the pottery workshops of Avanos and the Red River, since you are already on that side of the valley.
- Region: Avanos district, ~14 km northeast of Avanos town centre.
- Drive time: ~15 min from Avanos, ~25–30 min from Göreme, ~30–35 min from Ürgüp.
- Entry fee: Özkonak Underground City (€3) per person.
- Crowd level: Low. One of the least-visited underground cities in Cappadocia.
- Inside temperature: Cool and constant year-round (bring a light layer).
How to get to Özkonak Underground City
Özkonak is off the main tourist circuit, so public transport is impractical: there is no direct tourist shuttle, and the few village dolmuşes (minibuses) toward Özkonak run on local schedules that rarely line up with sightseeing. For most travellers a private taxi or transfer is the simplest, most reliable option, because the driver waits while you explore and then continues to your next stop.
Private taxi or transfer (recommended)
A private transfer means door-to-door pickup from your hotel in Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp or Uçhisar, a short scenic drive past the Red River, and a driver who stays with you at the site. This is the easiest way to combine Özkonak with nearby stops such as Avanos pottery workshops or Saruhan Caravanserai. Because Özkonak is a fixed point-to-point route, fares depend on your pickup town and vehicle size. For the current price, check the Cappadocia taxi price calculator — it gives a live quote in seconds. If you are starting from Avanos, our Avanos taxi page covers local pickups.
Self-drive car
If you have a rental car, Özkonak is a straightforward drive: head north out of Avanos toward Özkonak village and follow the brown heritage signs. The road is paved and well surfaced, and there is a free car park at the entrance. This option gives you total flexibility, but you will be navigating on your own and parking can be tight if a tour bus happens to arrive at the same time.
Guided tour
Özkonak is not on the standard "Green Tour" route (which usually visits Derinkuyu), so it appears mainly on custom or private-guide itineraries. A guide adds historical context inside the tunnels, but you trade away flexibility on timing and pickup. For just the visit and transport, a private transfer is usually the better value.
Driver tip: Go mid-morning. The mid-day tour groups that fill Derinkuyu and Kaymakli almost never reach Özkonak, so you can walk the tunnels in near silence.
What to expect inside
Özkonak is compact, so a visit typically takes 30–45 minutes. The passages are narrow and low in places, meaning you will crouch or stoop through some sections — keep that in mind if you have back problems or claustrophobia. Footing is uneven and the rock can be slick, so wear closed, grippy shoes. The interior stays cool even in summer, so a light jacket is welcome.
- Rolling stone doors: Heavy circular slabs that sealed off levels against intruders from the inside.
- Ventilation shafts: A network of air channels that kept the lower rooms breathable.
- Communication holes: Small bored tunnels let people speak between rooms and levels — a defensive early-warning system.
- Storage rooms & a winery: Spaces for grain, water and wine production, showing it was built for long stays underground.
- Lighting: Dim throughout — a phone torch helps for photos.
Combine Özkonak with nearby stops
Since Özkonak is short, build it into a half-day on the northern side of Cappadocia. Avanos town (pottery and the Red River) is right next door, and Saruhan Caravanserai sits on the way back. If you want to compare underground cities, pair it with one of the bigger sites on another day — see our guides to Göreme to Derinkuyu by taxi, Göreme to Kaymaklı by taxi, and the lesser-known Mazı Underground City. With a private driver you can chain several of these into one efficient loop instead of backtracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Özkonak Underground City?
The most reliable way is a private taxi or transfer, since there is no direct tourist bus to Özkonak. It is about 15 minutes from Avanos and 25–30 minutes from Göreme. A private driver picks you up at your hotel, waits while you explore, and can add nearby stops like Avanos pottery workshops. For a live fare, use the Cappadocia taxi price calculator.
How much is the entrance fee for Özkonak Underground City?
Entry to Özkonak Underground City costs €3 per person, making it one of the cheapest underground cities to visit in Cappadocia. The Museum Pass for Cappadocia is generally not needed for such a low-cost site, so paying at the gate is simplest.
Is Özkonak worth visiting compared to Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı?
Yes, if you value quiet over scale. Özkonak is smaller and shallower than Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, but it shows the same defensive features (rolling stone doors, ventilation shafts, communication holes) with a fraction of the crowds. Many visitors prefer it precisely because they can explore without the tour-bus congestion of the bigger sites.
How long does it take to visit Özkonak Underground City?
Plan on 30–45 minutes inside. The site is compact with limited open levels, so it does not require the hour-plus that larger underground cities can take. This makes it easy to pair with Avanos or Saruhan Caravanserai in a single half-day outing.
Is Özkonak suitable for people with claustrophobia?
It is more manageable than the deeper cities, but some passages are still narrow and low, requiring you to crouch. Visitors with strong claustrophobia or limited mobility should be cautious. The cool, dim interior and tight tunnels are the same character as other Cappadocian underground cities, just on a smaller scale.
