Major city · Türkiye (Turkey)
Güzelyurt
Stay one night in Güzelyurt only if you want Ihlara Valley and cave churches without crowds; otherwise base in Göreme and visit as a day trip.
Güzelyurt is a small Cappadocia village on the western edge, 48 km southeast of Aksaray, with a population of about 2,570. Its draw is the Ihlara Valley, rock-cut churches and cave dwellings in soft volcanic tufa, left behind by Greek residents who were deported in 1923. It is quieter and cheaper than Göreme, but you need a vehicle to move between the three main sites, and long-distance coaches do not stop here.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TRY
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, some closures)
- Airports
- NAV · ASR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Güzelyurt112 ▾
- All emergencies112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Güzelyurt, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Turkish lira (₺, TRY).Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTurkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs at airports (passport needed); they are dearer than in town shops — check.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated and chlorinated but tastes of it; locals buy bottled or 19-litre dispenser water.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- TippingcheckSit-down restaurant: 5–10% in cash, even if the card machine does not offer a tip; check for a 'servis' charge first.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- SafetyGüzelyurt is a small, quiet village and feels safe; the real risks are unlit paths after dark, steep canyon descents and limited mobile signal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets (alaturka) in older mosques and bus stops.Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMany museums close Monday (Topkapı closes Tuesday) — check; mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers and Friday midday…Türkiye (Turkey)-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNAV Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (About 1 h 30 min by road; limited flights, check schedules).
- Getting aroundThe three main sites are each explored on foot, but you need a vehicle to move between them.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea₺40–80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealPide or döner₺100–180 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beer₺80–150 (≈ US$2–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₺200–400 (≈ US$5–10)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₺400 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedCave or stone hotel double room, a night, per room₺1,800 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedCave or stone hotel double room, a night, per room₺3,500 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₺700 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₺1,400 (≈ US$35) · High ₺2,500 (≈ US$65)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NAV Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (About 1 h 30 min by road; limited flights, check schedules) · ASR Kayseri Erkilet Airport (About 2 h by road; more flight options)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Güzelyurt: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The three main sites are each explored on foot, but you need a vehicle to move between them. Local buses run from Aksaray every two hours (about 45 min) and to Ihlara hourly. Hiking down Ihlara canyon is fine, but arrange a second vehicle or taxi at the foot rather than walking back up to retrieve your car.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ihlara Valley
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Local bus or car to Ihlara, then walk the canyon
The main reason to come; allow 3–4 h for the full walk.
Aksaray
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Local bus every two hours
Useful hub for buses onward and for Tuz Gölü.
Göreme
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car or bus via Aksaray/Nevşehir
Doable as a day trip but long; better as a transfer.
Derinkuyu underground city
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via Gülağaç-Derinkuyu road
Combine with Güzelyurt on the same drive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (Çarşıiçi Sk)
Walk to cafés, shops and several cave hotels; best for one night without a car.
Akropol Sk area
Cluster of cave and stone hotels; quieter, still walkable to the centre.
Edge of village
Cheaper guesthouses; you will want a car or taxi for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₺700–1,200 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₺1,200–2,200 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
- High
- ₺2,200 (≈ US$55)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cave or stone hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₺1,800 | ₺1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₺1,400 | ₺2,800 |
| Local bus Aksaray ↔ Güzelyurt, both ways2 × ₺120 · check | ₺240 |
| Ihlara Valley entrance2 × ₺200 · check | ₺400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₺250 | ₺500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₺574 |
| Trip total≈ ₺3,157 per person per day, bed included | ₺6,314≈ US$160 |
2026 estimate in lira; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea | ₺40–80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Pide or döner | ₺100–180 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer | ₺80–150 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Local bus Güzelyurt → Aksaray | ₺50–80 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₺200–400 (≈ US$5–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No long-distance coaches stop in Güzelyurt; you connect via Aksaray.
- Mobile signal is basic in the village; coverage is better on approach roads.
- Some hotels use similar names (Cappadocia/Ihlara/cave); confirm exactly which property you booked.
- Ihlara Valley has a separate entrance fee and a steep descent; check current hours and price.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
Pocket card
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GüzelyurtGüzelyurt
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Bu adrese lütfenTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
Embassy
Most embassies are in Ankara; consulates-general in Istanbul. Check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local bus Güzelyurt → Aksaray: about ₺50–80 (≈ US$2), 45 min (check)
- Taxi Güzelyurt → Ihlara: ₺300–500 (≈ US$8–13) (check)
- Ihlara Valley entrance: about ₺200 (≈ US$5) (check)
Say or show
- Merhaba — Hello (mer-hah-BAH)
- Teşekkürler — Thank you (teh-shek-kewr-LER)
- Ne kadar? — How much is it? (neh kah-DAR)
- Tuvalet nerede? — Where is the toilet? (too-vah-LET neh-reh-DEH)
- Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? — Can I pay by card? (kart-LAH ur-deh-yeh-bee-LEER mee-yim)
- İmdat — Help (eem-DAHT)
Güzelyurt has basic mobile signal; download offline maps before you arrive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Güzelyurt. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NAV and ASR: last transfer times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Akropol Sk, Ihlara trailheads.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Ihlara Valley, cave churches, underground city) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bus and transfer fixtures so gates A–D can go green.