Göreme Open Air Museum

A very unique place. A fair bit to explore. Take your time. There are many interesting caves. Make sure you walk all the way to the end and back. It was really beautiful and worth the walk. We visited in winter, the weather was nice and it was not overcrowded.

Wonderful open air museum. Amazing landscape and rock formations. We went there with an organised tour so our time was limited. We would have liked to spend more time there. If you are walking slowly then give more time there. If

Unique and unusual fascade of the museum appeared as if it came out of a science fiction or fantasy story. This is a Unesco Heritage Site and well worth visiting. The astonishing Dark Church is stunning as the cave church has colourful splendid painted Byzantine frescoes

Cappadocia summarized. I just wish there was more information about the amazing cave churches in the area. All of the available information seem very loose and not supported by credible research.

Extremely interesting and unique place to explore.

Came here in September with a tour group.
Since it is a large area allow about 2 hours to see the whole place at leisurely pace.
The caves with stairs access may require a slight wait because of the narrow stairs.
Only saw a cave with fresco, a few others were under restoration.

Definitely the place to visit when in Cappadocia!
We visited at the end of the day (just before 6pm) and were the last people to be admitted. As such we did not have much time to spend, however, we were not met with congestion and loads of tourists around and we got great sunset views! We decided to get a tour guide for 25 euros (discounted price as we were last and he would not be spending much time with us) who was courteous and eager. Nevertheless, I have to admit his knowledge was not extending beyond the information we could find on the signs outside each monastery, church and monument. So it was a little waste of money, but a great company nonetheless!
Tips:
(1) go either first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon - but allow yourself time for visiting all places of interest.
(2) do your research with hiring a tour guide and ensure you find someone knowledgeable with good reviews online. The price can always be negotiated on the spot depending on the type of tourist you are - wanting pics and a story for your friends and family or wanting the full blown historic facts tour with a bit of the rest too!
(3) DO NOT TAKE PICTURES IN CHURCHES WHERE NOT ALLOWED- I could not stress enough how hostile the staff/security are when they see you holding a phone, camera upon entry. We had a terrible experience with a particular security staff who did not speak a word of English and was shouting and threatening us for making the mistake of walking in with the camera on after taking pics outside. They are rude, (clearly) dislike tourists (and their job as they appeared bored to say the least) and you won't be able to win an argument with them.
(4) wear comfortable shoes as some of the points of climbing are slippery. Comfortable clothing and a hat are also recommended. Take your bottle of water too as there is a cafeteria only at the entrance/exit.

An awe inspiring site. The geographic landscape the the artistry with which the dwellings and chapels have been carved is amazing. The frescos are beautiful.

A walk through history: The ancient cave dwellings of Cappadocia stand as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience, sculpted by time and tradition.

I visited it on April 2023.

I reached it from the centre of Goreme by public bus.

When you arrive you buy ticket and then you can “enter” in the park.

Here you can see the beautiful rocks of Goreme and also go inside them.

I like it very much even if the public bus never came back to take us.
Some guys help us, but there were lots of taxis in the parking area.

About a 20min walk from Göreme city center. It was a nice stride. If you don’t go on a tour but want to know about the place more in depth, you have the option of paying one of the official guides at the entrance. We decided to not get a guide and just wandered around and took in the stunning views.

Superb!! Superb!! Superb!!

We absolutely loved the Goreme Open air museum. Along with the unique geographical structures, it amazed us how the people in ancient times made it their home. There were multiple churches, living quarters of the monks and nuns, dining halls and the most extraordinary wall paintings.

Goreme is the by far best location to reach other famous places in Cappadocia. By walking, you can reach to Zelve, Goreme OA Museum, Valleys , and so on.

Need to provide some ID for getting the free audio guide, gave my home country's Driver's License. They do not provide the audio guide with the ticket, so make sure to ask for it. Lots of stairs. No lineup at the ticket counter. Local Guides are available at the location if required.

Breathtaking place! Smells like history, simply as it is. seeing such a ancient monuments is really one-in-a-life experience. Absolute recomandations,anybody who can.

Interesting place to visit. Went around 1030 and it took less than 3 hours to go all around. Lots of climbing up and down stairs to look at cave rooms, chapels, kitchens etc. Make an early start and be done before 11 am.

Amazing view of the Fairy Chimneys and stone Churches. So much to look at. Frescoes visible in 3 churches and very interesting designs. Area surrounded by lots of other stone cave rooms, homes or Churches. Thoroughly engaging and steeped in history.

This museum is jam-packed with gorgeous views! The fee is worth getting up close and personal with the history of Goreme. Yoy can enter several cave dwellings and chapels in the open-air museum. There are even preserved murals from the 11th and 12th centuries!

Incredible place! Like going back in time to see how people lived. Cristians were hiding here from persecutions.

A gift to the world humanity. A must see from your bucketlist. Ultimate Balloon Experience!

It took us an hour from our cave hotel to arrive. That day was hot but so many interesting things along the way …
We had to return right away so we weren’t able to go explore inside 😥