Cappadocia's Underground Cities: Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, and Beyond
Cappadocia is home to numerous underground settlements, although the exact number depends on how smaller excavated sites and shelters are counted, carved by hand over centuries and used as refuges during invasions going back to the Byzantine era and possibly earlier. Only a handful are open to visitors, and two dominate most itineraries.
Derinkuyu: the deepest and most complete
Derinkuyu is the largest excavated underground city in the region, plunging roughly eight stories beneath the surface and estimated to have sheltered thousands of people at once, complete with ventilation shafts, wells, stables, wine and oil presses, churches, and heavy rolling stone doors that could seal off sections from the inside. It's the more physically demanding of the two main sites, with some genuinely narrow, low-ceilinged passages. Entrance fees and opening hours change, so check the official site before you go rather than relying on a figure from any guide.
Kaymaklı: shallower, more spread out
Kaymaklı is shallower but spreads out more horizontally, generally considered slightly more comfortable for visitors uneasy about tight spaces, though 'comfortable' is relative — this is still an underground cave city, not a shopping mall. It sees fewer visitors than Derinkuyu on any given day, which some travelers prefer for a quieter, less rushed walk through.
If you're claustrophobic or traveling with kids
It's worth being honest with yourself before booking — both sites involve stooping through low passages and moving through narrow corridors, sometimes with other visitors coming the other direction. Neither is technically dangerous, but neither is comfortable if enclosed spaces genuinely bother you. Kaymaklı's more horizontal layout tends to feel less intense than Derinkuyu's deeper, more vertical descent, for what that's worth if you're deciding between the two.
Pairing an underground city with the rest of your day
Most day tours pair one underground city with a valley hike and the Göreme Open Air Museum, which is a sensible way to see the region's three very different kinds of rock-cut history in a single day without backtracking. Morning visits tend to be quieter than afternoon tour-bus traffic, which is worth considering if the crowds at Derinkuyu specifically are a concern.
Other, lesser-known sites
Özkonak and Mazı are smaller underground cities that see a fraction of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı's visitor numbers, appealing if you'd rather explore somewhere quieter even at the cost of a less polished visitor experience.
What to bring
A light jacket, comfortable shoes, and a small flashlight or phone light are worth having, even though most sections are lit — a backup light source helps in the dimmer connecting passages.
Pair a visit here with a valley hike or the Göreme Open Air Museum — see our full things-to-do guide for how to fit it all in.