- Explore the Zelve Open-Air Museum, a cave town carved into three valleys and lived in until the 20th century (ticket included)
- Walk among the fairy chimneys of Pasabag (Monks Valley)
- Spot camels and other shapes in Devrent Valley, Cappadocia's "Imagination Valley"
- See Cavusin, one of the oldest cave villages in the region
- Finish with a pottery workshop in Avanos, a town famous for its pottery for thousands of years
- Lunch at a local restaurant and hotel pickup included, with no hidden entrance fees
- English-speaking guide, with a Spanish-speaking guide available at extra cost
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Transportation
What is the Red Tour in Cappadocia?
The Red Tour, also called the North Tour, is Cappadocia's classic full-day sightseeing route. It covers the valleys and villages between Göreme, Cavusin and Avanos. It's the best first day in Cappadocia: short drives, iconic fairy chimneys and the Zelve Open-Air Museum, where you can walk through a whole cave town. The name comes from the reddish tones of the rock formations in this northern part of the region.
Why the Zelve Open-Air Museum?
Zelve is one of the most atmospheric sites in Cappadocia. Across three valleys, people carved homes, churches, chapels and even a mosque into the rock, and the village was lived in until the 1950s, when erosion made it unsafe and families moved to a new settlement nearby. Today you can wander between the empty cave houses and imagine daily life in a rock-cut town. It's quieter than many of the region's busier museums, which makes it easier to explore at your own pace. The site is part of the UNESCO-listed Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia.
Why book this Cappadocia Red Tour?
- No hidden costs. Entrance tickets, lunch at a local restaurant and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included.
- Fairy chimneys, cave towns and local craft in one day. Pasabag, Zelve, Devrent Valley and Cavusin, finishing with a hands-on look at Avanos pottery.
- Expert guiding. A professional licensed guide explains the geology, the early Christian history and life in the cave villages, not just the photo spots.
- Language choice. Tours run in English, with a Spanish-speaking guide available on request at extra cost.
Red Tour or Green Tour?
Most visitors to Cappadocia do both, on separate days. The Red Tour stays in the north, with short drives, fairy chimneys and cave villages. The Cappadocia Green Tour heads south to the underground cities and other sights further out, with more time on the road. If you only have one day, start with the Red Tour.
- Hotel pickup: Your driver collects you from your hotel in Göreme, Uchisar, Ürgüp or Avanos.
- Pigeon Valley viewpoint: Your first panorama of the day: a deep valley lined with dovecotes carved into the soft rock, once used to collect pigeon droppings as fertiliser for the vineyards.
- Cavusin village: One of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia. Walk below the old cliff village and see cave houses and rock-cut churches from the early Christian period.
- Pasabag (Monks Valley): Cappadocia's most photographed fairy chimneys, many with two or three "caps". Hermit monks once lived inside them, and one chimney still holds a small chapel dedicated to St Simeon.
- Zelve Open-Air Museum: Explore a cave town spread across three valleys, with rock-cut houses, churches and a mosque carved into the cliffs. People lived here until the 1950s. Your entrance ticket is included, and your guide explains how the village worked and why it was abandoned.
- Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley): No churches or houses here, just wind-sculpted rock. Your guide will help you spot the famous camel and other animal shapes. It's a short, easy stop and great for photos.
- Lunch at a local restaurant: A set lunch of regional dishes. Drinks are extra.
- Pottery workshop in Avanos: End the day in Avanos, a town on the Kızılırmak (Red River) that has made pottery from the river's red clay since ancient times. Watch a potter shape clay on a traditional kick wheel, and you may get the chance to try it yourself. There's no obligation to buy.
- Hotel drop-off: Return to your hotel after the tour.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional licensed English-speaking tour guide
- Entrance tickets to all visited sites, including the Zelve Open-Air Museum
- Pottery workshop visit
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- Drinks during lunch
- Personal expenses and purchases (for example at the pottery workshop)
- Spanish-speaking guide (available at extra cost)
- Tips (optional)
- Please be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen in summer, and warm layers from November to March, when the valleys can be cold and icy.
- Shopping at the pottery workshop is optional. There's no obligation to buy.
- The itinerary may change because of weather, crowds or operational reasons. Every stop listed is still visited.
- The tour is suitable for most ages.
- Booking: reserve with 27.50 USD now and pay the rest.
Tip: doing the hot air balloon ride? Book it for a different morning from the Red Tour, or for the morning of the tour if pickup times allow. Add the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
Frequently asked questions About Red Tour Cappadocia
What is the difference between the Red and Green tours in Cappadocia?
The Red Tour covers the north of the region, with short drives, fairy chimneys, the Zelve Open-Air Museum and Avanos pottery. The Green Tour goes south to an underground city and sights further out, with longer drives. Many travellers do the Red Tour on day one and the Green Tour on day two.
Is the Zelve Open-Air Museum entrance fee included?
Yes. Entrance tickets to all the sites visited, including the Zelve Open-Air Museum, are included in the price.
What is the Zelve Open-Air Museum?
Zelve is a former cave town spread across three valleys, with houses, churches and a mosque carved into the rock. People lived there until the 1950s, when erosion made the village unsafe. Today it's an open-air museum where you can walk among the abandoned cave dwellings.
Do I have to buy anything at the pottery workshop?
No. The visit is a demonstration of Avanos's traditional pottery making. Buying is completely optional.
How long is the Cappadocia Red Tour?
It's a full-day tour of about 7 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off and lunch.
What is Pasabag famous for?
Pasabag, also called Monks Valley, is famous for its fairy chimneys with two or three stone caps. Hermit monks once lived inside them, which gives the valley its name.
What can you see in Devrent Valley?
Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, is known for rock formations shaped by erosion that look like animals and figures. The most famous is the camel rock.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking. Most stops involve short walks on uneven paths, and some sites, including parts of Zelve, have stairs or short climbs. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Can I book a Spanish-speaking guide?
Yes. A Spanish-speaking guide is available on request at extra cost. Choose your language when booking.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A hat and sunscreen in summer
- Warm layers from November to March
