Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Vadisi
A gorge over 100 m deep and 14 km long. A trail along the Melendiz River passes more than a dozen rock-cut churches with wall paintings, and a tea stall in the riverside shade is the highlight of the Green Tour.
Ihlara Valley lies in southwestern Cappadocia within Aksaray Province, about 80 km from Göreme. The Melendiz River has carved this gorge through volcanic rock, creating a canyon about 14 km long and 100-150 m deep. Unlike arid Göreme, the valley floor has a babbling stream and shady poplars. Byzantine-era monks carved over a hundred churches into the cliff walls. About ten are open today, with paintings influenced by Syrian and Egyptian Coptic styles. The most worthwhile are the Ağaçaltı Church near the entrance, whose ceiling mural depicts the Ascension of Christ, the Snake Church, and the Sun Churches (Yılanlı and Sümbüllü) about halfway along the route. The standard visit descends about 380 steps from the main entrance to the valley floor, then walks about 4 km along the river to the village of Belisırma, taking 1.5-2 hours. At the village, a riverside platform café serves grilled trout and tea, and this is where most Green Tour hikes end. Fitter visitors can continue to Selime Monastery, a vast rock-cut monastery with a separate ticket. Legend says it inspired some of the settings in Star Wars. Admission is about €10-15 (priced in lira; the museum pass is valid). Getting there independently is inconvenient, so most visitors join a Green Tour that includes Derinkuyu Underground City and Pigeon Valley (about €50-70 with lunch). The trail has gravel and slippery wooden bridges, so wear hiking shoes. Bring insect repellent. Flash photography is prohibited inside the churches.
Opening hours
08:00–19:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Selime Monastery
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Kaymaklı Underground City
- Gülşehir Open-Air Museum (Karşı Kilise)
- Uçhisar Castle
- Pigeon Valley
- Göreme Town & Cave Hotels
- Love Valley (Hot Air Balloon Viewpoint)