Rainy day · Cappadocia · Turkey
4 things to do in Cappadocia when it rains
Indoor sights that make a wet day feel planned rather than lost.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nevit Dilmen ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Derinkuyu Underground City, Kaymaklı Underground City and Avanos pottery workshops. Together the 4 picks below take roughly 4–4 hours across 4 areas; all charge for entry. May is usually the wettest month, with about 10 rainy days.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 4
- Free entry
- 0
- Time to see them all
- 4–4 hours
- Areas
- Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı and Avanos
Cappadocia on a rainy day
Historic site · Derinkuyu
1.Derinkuyu Underground City
Avoid it if you are claustrophobic or have back problems; some passages require crouching.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Historic site · Kaymaklı
2.Kaymaklı Underground City
If you can only see one underground city, Kaymaklı is a little easier going for children and older visitors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Experience · Avanos
3.Avanos pottery workshops
Visit independently rather than on a tour stop to avoid pressure to buy, and haggle in the showrooms.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Art
Experience · Ürgüp
4.Wine tasting in Ürgüp
Try an Emir white; it is rarely exported and is the region's signature grape.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Couples
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Derinkuyu | Derinkuyu Underground City | 1 hour |
| Kaymaklı | Kaymaklı Underground City | 1 hour |
| Avanos | Avanos pottery workshops | 1 hour |
| Ürgüp | Wine tasting in Ürgüp | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 4, 2 low cost, 2 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Derinkuyu Underground City; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 1 half-day
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Avanos and Ürgüp): Derinkuyu Underground City → Kaymaklı Underground City → Avanos pottery workshops → Wine tasting in Ürgüp, at least 4 hours.
The wettest months
- May: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 10 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm days and green valleys, with afternoon showers possible; excellent for hiking and balloons.
- April: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 9 rainy days, busy crowds. Spring blossom in the valleys and comfortable hiking weather; one of the busiest balloon months.
- January: highs of 4°C (39°F), about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold, with snow on the fairy chimneys making for spectacular photos; balloon cancellations are frequent and some trails are muddy or icy.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Ürgüp — Larger town with boutique hotels, wineries and a proper town centre
- Avanos — Pottery town on the Kızılırmak river, with good-value hotels
More of Cappadocia
All things to do in Cappadocia · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Cappadocia?
Derinkuyu Underground City. The deepest of Cappadocia's underground cities reaches about 85 metres below ground, with several levels open to visitors.