Goreme home of amazing mountains, phallic shaped rocks, and more trails than you can hike in a week. Everyone I met absolutely loved the area after they visited myself included. I went knowingly only that it was a hiking area and really popular. I left with one of the best experiences I have ever had.
I was in Goreme for a full week and each day I hiked a different trail. It was the off season so the city was totally empty. I would be on a trail all day and never see another person. Because of this it felt like anywhere I went or anything I saw I was the first to discover it which felt amazing. But that does not mean that if you go in season you are going to have any less of an amazing time. Of course it would have been awesome to have people to hike with and hang out back at the hostel. Having more people just means you will have more adventures to meet and share your experience with.
The trails are very well marked and usually have maps and markers along them so you don’t get lost. Hidden away in caves all along the trails are ancient churches and sites used by the christians that hide away here hundreds of years ago. You will see a small hole in the side of a hill and then climb in it to find a fully painted wall to wall church. The colors and wall paintings have survived incredibly well and really give you a sense of adventure.
The second most famous thing to do here is ride the hot air balloons. Everyday around the same time hundreds of colored balloons take flight and fly tourists around the canyons. Everyone I met said it was amazing but it wasn’t in my budget so I didn’t get a chance to go (about $150). The next time I go I plan on finally doing it.
