In-Depth Cappadocia: Red, Green and South Routes
Stay in Ürgüp with one day each on the Red, Green and South routes, and finish in the Seljuk old town of Kayseri.
A more leisurely, in-depth itinerary. Stay in Ürgüp, which has plenty of dining choices. The balloon day continues to the Göreme Open-Air Museum and Zelve; the Green route covers an underground city and the Ihlara Valley; the South route visits the Greek village of Mustafapaşa and the quiet Soğanlı Valley. The last day goes to Kayseri Castle, the mosque complexes and the Museum of Medical History, before departing from Kayseri Airport. It suits visitors who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy history.
Spring and autumn are best. Summer middays are hot, so schedule hikes for early morning or evening.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Ürgüp and the Three Graces
Cappadocia（Ürgüp、Üç Güzeller (Three Beauties)）
The shuttle from Kayseri Airport to Ürgüp takes about 1 hour. In the evening, take a taxi or walk to the Three Graces rock formations.
Stay: Ürgüp
Day 2 · Balloons and the Northern Open-Air Museum
Cappadocia（Love Valley (Hot Air Balloon Viewpoint)、Göreme Open-Air Museum、Zelve Open-Air Museum、Paşabağ (Monks Valley)、Çavuşin）
Balloon pickup before dawn. During the day, hire a car or join a Red Route tour; Ürgüp to Göreme is about 15 minutes.
The open-air museum is quiet when it first opens, so you can go straight there after the balloon flight.
Stay: Ürgüp
Day 3 · Green Route: Underground City and Ihlara Valley
Cappadocia（Derinkuyu Underground City、Ihlara Valley、Selime Monastery）
Join a Green Route day tour; total driving time is about 3 hours, and the valley hike is about 3.5 km.
The valley has about 400 steps, so wear non-slip shoes.
Stay: Ürgüp
Day 4 · South Route: Greek Village and Soğanlı Valley
Cappadocia（Mustafapaşa (Sinasos)、Soğanlı Valley、Ortahisar Castle）
Self-drive or hire a car. Ürgüp to Mustafapaşa is about 10 minutes, then about 50 minutes on to Soğanlı, returning via Ortahisar.
Soğanlı has very little public transport, so you need to drive or hire a car.
Stay: Ürgüp
Day 5 · Seljuk Kayseri and Departure
Kayseri（Kayseri Castle、Hunat Hatun Complex、Kayseri Grand Bazaar、Gevher Nesibe Museum of Medical History）
Drive about 1 hour from Ürgüp to downtown Kayseri and explore the historic sites on foot. In the evening, the airport is about 20 minutes away.
Museums may be closed on Mondays, so check opening hours before you go.