Overview
Stretching about 14km along the Melendiz River, this gorge plunges more than 100m deep, earning it the nickname 'Cappadocia's Grand Canyon'. Some 4,000 cave dwellings and over 100 cave churches are hidden in its walls, some preserving Byzantine frescoes from the 8th to 13th centuries. The riverside trek offers lush green scenery strikingly different from the arid Cappadocian plateau, and a trout lunch at a riverside restaurant in the village of Belisırma is a beloved tradition. Admission about TRY 80 (about EUR 2.50). About 1 hour by car from Göreme.
Opening Hours
08:00-19:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Travel Tips
The most popular route is the 3.5km walk from the valley entrance to Belisırma. Wear proper hiking shoes and bring water.
Hotels near Ihlara Valley
Hotels and guesthouses in Cappadocia, Ihlara, Cappadocia
Other attractions in Cappadocia
Hot Air Balloon Tour
A bucket-list sunrise experience as dozens of balloons paint the sky.
Derinkuyu Underground City
An ancient underground city carved into volcanic rock, thought to have housed up to 20,000 people.
Göreme Open-Air Museum
A UNESCO site of rock-cut cave churches preserving vivid Byzantine frescoes.
Uçhisar Castle
The highest point in Cappadocia, offering a sweeping 360-degree panorama.
Pigeon Valley
A scenic trekking route lined with pigeon-hole-carved rock faces.
Paşabağ (Monks Valley)
Cappadocia's signature valley, featuring the most striking mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.
Love Valley
A popular trekking spot with uniquely shaped pillar rocks rising dramatically from the valley floor.