Beneath the sun-baked plains of Cappadocia lies one of history’s most astounding feats of engineering: a network of subterranean cities carved entirely by hand from soft volcanic tuff. These underground cities sheltered thousands of people for centuries — and today, they remain among the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world.
Why Did People Build Underground Cities in Cappadocia?
The underground cities were primarily built as places of refuge. Early Christian communities in Cappadocia carved these networks starting around the 7th–8th centuries AD to hide from Arab raids sweeping across Anatolia. Some tunnels and chambers, however, date back to the Hittite era — as far as 2000 BC — suggesting the region’s volcanic rock was recognised as a building material long before the Byzantine period.
The cities could sustain thousands of people for months at a time. They featured ventilation shafts, wells, food storage rooms, stables, wineries, churches, and even schools. Massive stone “millstone” doors — up to 500 kg — could be rolled across tunnels from the inside to seal off attackers.
Derinkuyu: The Deepest Underground City
Derinkuyu is the largest and deepest underground city open to visitors in Cappadocia. It reaches 85 metres below the surface across 18 storeys and could reportedly shelter up to 20,000 people, along with their livestock and food supplies.
Rediscovered in 1963 when a local man knocked through a wall during renovation work, Derinkuyu has been open to visitors since 1969. Today, around half of its known levels are accessible to the public. As you descend, you’ll pass through:
- Stables on the upper levels (note the tethering rings still carved into the walls)
- A large communal meeting room and dining hall
- Wine and oil presses with large stone containers
- A barrel-vaulted church on the lowest accessible level
- A missionary school with a crucifix-shaped ceiling
- A 55-metre-deep ventilation shaft that also served as a well
Derinkuyu is located 30 km south of Nevşehir. Our cultural tours include a guided visit to Derinkuyu as part of a full-day itinerary covering the region’s most significant historical sites.
Kaymaklı: Wider, More Accessible
Kaymaklı underground city, located 20 km south of Nevşehir (and 10 km north of Derinkuyu), is shallower but wider. Its eight-storey network spreads horizontally across a broader area, and many visitors find its corridors slightly less claustrophobic than Derinkuyu’s deep vertical shafts. Four levels are currently open to the public.
Kaymaklı was inhabited by local villagers right up until the 20th century — some rooms were used for storage as recently as a few decades ago. Look out for the large storage jars (pithoi) still sitting in the food storage chambers, and the sophisticated ventilation system that kept air circulating through the entire network.
A 9-km tunnel is believed to connect Kaymaklı to Derinkuyu — though this section has not been fully excavated or opened to visitors.
Özkonak and Other Underground Cities
Cappadocia has at least 36 documented underground cities, though only a handful are open to visitors. Özkonak, near Avanos, is smaller and less visited than Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı — which makes it a great option if you prefer to explore without the crowds. It has 10 known levels, of which four are accessible.
Practical Information: Visiting the Underground Cities
Getting there: Both Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are best reached by car or tour. A taxi from Göreme costs around 300–400 TRY each way. The most convenient option is to join a guided tour — ask about our full-day tours that combine the underground city with Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and the Pigeon Valley.
Opening hours: Generally 8 am–7 pm in summer, 8 am–5 pm in winter. Check locally for current times as they vary seasonally.
What to wear: The temperature inside stays a constant 7–13°C year-round — bring a light jacket regardless of the season. Wear flat, closed-toe shoes as the floors are uneven and sometimes slippery. Some passages require crouching or walking bent over.
Claustrophobia warning: The tunnels are genuinely narrow and can feel quite confined. If you suffer from claustrophobia, proceed slowly and stay close to the exit route. Most people find the experience manageable with a guide leading the way.
Photography: Photography is permitted inside both cities. Flash is acceptable but try to be respectful of other visitors in the narrow passages.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Visit early in the morning (opening time) or late afternoon to avoid the largest tour groups, which tend to arrive mid-morning. A guided tour adds enormous value — a knowledgeable local guide will explain the social structure, engineering techniques, and historical context in ways that bring the silent stone chambers to life. Private tours allow you to set your own pace and spend as much time as you like in each section.
Combine your underground city visit with Ihlara Valley — a dramatic canyon carved by the Melendiz River, lined with rock-cut Byzantine churches. The contrast between the enclosed underground darkness and the open canyon is one of the most memorable experiences Cappadocia offers.
Ready to explore beneath the surface? Browse our Cappadocia cultural tours and book your underground city adventure with Katpatuka Tours — your direct-operator guide to the best of Cappadocia.