The Cappadocia region is located in Central Anatolia and covers a much larger area than commonly assumed. In the past, it had even broader boundaries compared to today. Historically, Cappadocia stretched from the Taurus Mountains in the south to the Eastern Black Sea coast in the north, and from Aksaray in the west to Malatya in the east.
Today, its boundaries are defined by natural formations and cultural heritage, centering around the province of Nevşehir. The region also includes parts of Aksaray, Kırşehir, Kayseri, and Niğde.
Within the boundaries of modern-day Cappadocia, not every corner reflects the intense natural and cultural characteristics the region is renowned for. The areas most densely featuring natural formations such as fairy chimneys, valleys, and badlands, along with cultural landmarks like mansions built from local stone, rock churches adorned with frescoes, and multi-layered underground cities, are concentrated in the districts of Ürgüp, Avanos, Uçhisar, Göreme, Ortahisar, Çavuşin, Mustafapaşa, Kaymaklı, and Derinkuyu, all of which are part of Nevşehir.
In addition to these, the Güzelyurt district in Aksaray, along with the Ihlara Valley and its settlements such as Ihlara, Yaprakhisar, Belisırma, and Selime, also stands out. Other notable parts of Cappadocia include Hacıbektaş, Kozaklı, and Bayramhacılı in Nevşehir; Soğanlı Valley, Sultansazlığı, Kapuzbaşı, Mount Erciyes, and the Kültepe Ruins in Kayseri; as well as Mount Hasan in Aksaray. Each of these areas possesses its own unique features that contribute to the rich tapestry of Cappadocia.
Airports in the Cappadocia Region
The Cappadocia region is served by two airports within its boundaries: Cappadocia Airport (NAV) in Nevşehir and Kayseri Airport (ASR) in Kayseri. Both airports provide direct and connecting flights to the region.
Cappadocia Airport (NAV)
Cappadocia Airport is located in the Gülşehir district of Nevşehir, 10 kilometers from the district center and 30 kilometers from the city center. Opened in 1998, the airport operates domestic and international flights from its 3,500-square-meter terminal building. It underwent maintenance and renovations in 2017.
Direct flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Cappadocia Airport take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are no direct flights from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Cappadocia Airport; however, single-stop connecting flights are available, with total travel times ranging from 3 to 9 hours. Connecting flights from other cities in Turkey to Cappadocia Airport are also available.
To travel from Cappadocia Airport to the city center and other nearby towns, you can utilize the paid passenger shuttle services, taxis, or Rent A Car companies available at the airport.
Kayseri Airport (ASR)
Kayseri Airport is located in Kayseri province, 10 kilometers north of the city center. It began serving domestic and international flights in 1998. In 2007, an extension was added to the terminal building, and in 2010, the old building was demolished and replaced with a new one. Today, the airport operates with two separate terminals spread across a total area of 22,000 square meters.
Direct flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kayseri Airport take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, direct flights to Kayseri Airport are not daily but take around 1 hour and 30 minutes when available. Similarly, direct flights from Antalya to Kayseri Airport are available, with an average flight time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Travelers from other cities can reach Kayseri Airport via connecting flights
Additionally, direct flights to Kayseri Airport from Germany are typically available on Sundays, while direct flights from the Netherlands are usually scheduled on Wednesdays.
To travel from Kayseri Airport to the city center and nearby towns, you can make use of the paid passenger shuttle services, taxis, and bus companies operating at the airport.
