Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı: choosing an underground city
These two underground cities work best as alternatives when you want time to understand the rooms and passages. Choose one for a relaxed excursion, or deliberately reserve the day for both. The main constraint is comfort underground: low ceilings, narrow corridors and queues can matter more than the drive from Göreme.
At a glance
- Getting there
- Hire car, about 40 to 50 minutes from Göreme to either city
- Book ahead
- Driver or guided tour
- Tours
- Day trips on Viator
How to get to Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı from Cappadocia
Hire car, about 40 to 50 minutes from Göreme to either city
Choose your first underground city before setting out and use its official visitor entrance as your destination. Arrive early, then decide whether you have the energy and time for the second site.
Driver, about 40 to 50 minutes from Göreme to either city
Ask your hotel to arrange a driver and specify Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı or both. Agree waiting time and the return plan before departure, rather than assuming the booking includes unlimited stops.
Organized tour, depends on the operator's route and other stops
Check which underground city the tour visits and how much time is allocated there. Ask whether the guide accompanies the group inside, and review the remaining stops before choosing a full-day route.
What to see in Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı
Derinkuyu underground city
Follow the marked visitor route through the underground rooms and connecting passages. Pause before narrow sections if you need space, and keep clear of people moving through.
Kaymaklı underground city
Explore the rooms and low passages at a comfortable pace. Treat it as a separate visit if combining both cities, allowing a break above ground between them.
Stone doors and ventilation shafts
Look for the defensive stone doors and shafts that helped these underground spaces function. A guide can explain their purpose without requiring you to enter every passage.
Go on your own, or take a tour?
Go independently if you want control over your pace and the option to leave early. A guide adds context to rooms that can otherwise look similar. A driver helps if you plan both cities, but one careful visit is usually a better use of time than rushing through two.
Tips for the day
- Check official visitor information for access restrictions before traveling, particularly if stairs or confined spaces concern you.
- Carry a light layer for the cool underground rooms and keep bags small enough for narrow passages.
- If visiting both cities, take a proper break above ground and reassess your comfort before entering the second.
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı: choosing an underground city
Should I visit Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı?
Either gives you an underground city visit. Choose according to your route and current access information, and allow time to explore one without rushing.
Can I visit both in one day?
Yes, with a car or driver and an early start. Leave time for a break between visits, since low passages and stairs can be tiring.
Are the underground cities suitable for claustrophobia?
Narrow passages and low ceilings can be difficult if confined spaces make you uncomfortable. Check the visitor route before entering and choose an above-ground outing if necessary.