Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle is a giant rock, not a building, and the steps up to the top are partly carved from the stone and partly made of it. The summit looks out over nearly all of central Cappadocia: Goreme and its valleys, Pigeon Valley beneath you, Ortahisar to the east and, when the air is clear, the snowy volcano of Mount Erciyes on the skyline. Getting up takes around 15 minutes.

Quick facts

A short history

For centuries people cut rooms, storerooms and tombs into this rock. The name means three fortresses, and in the Byzantine period, when raiders crossed the region, the outcrop was used as a refuge and lookout. Many of the little holes in the rock face were dovecotes. Farmers gathered the pigeon droppings as fertiliser for orchards and vineyards, which is why nearby Pigeon Valley has so many dovecotes. Erosion and safety concerns keep most of the carved rooms inside the castle closed to the public.

What to see

• The view from the summit, with a flagpole and views all around. Mount Erciyes stands to the east and Mount Hasan to the south-west.
• The rock face seen from below, pierced with windows and doorways; the lanes at its base give the best look.
• Pigeon Valley, beginning just under the village; a waymarked path of roughly 4 kilometres runs to Goreme.
• The old village, where stone houses, some turned into boutique hotels, sit between small viewpoints.

Best time to visit

Come late in the afternoon for warm light on the Goreme valleys, or at sunset, when the summit fills up. Early morning, after the balloons have flown, is calmer, and balloons are often still drifting far off. Winter can leave the steps icy, and the municipality may shut the top. At midday in summer it is hot, and the summit has no shade.

Uchisar is a regular stop on the Red Tour and on most private days. Our Private Cappadocia Highlights Tour with Open-Air Museum begins at Uchisar Castle, then visits Goreme and an underground city, six to eight hours with a private guide. On the Best of Cappadocia: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Cappadocia Tour you can plan the castle for the best light, and the Cappadocia Day Trip from Istanbul with Flights & Private Guide fits it into a single day by air.

Tips

• The steps are uneven with gaps; near the top, where the railings are low, keep hold of children's hands.
• Even when the day feels calm, the summit can be very windy. Keep a grip on phones and hats.
• On the road beneath the castle, a free viewpoint with cafés faces back towards the rock and is good for photos of the castle.
• Some days the ticket booth accepts only cash, so bring lira.
• Pair Uchisar with a walk through Pigeon Valley: go down the valley to Goreme and return by taxi.
• If heights bother you, the lower viewpoints around the village may suit you better.

Who will enjoy it

For very little money, Uchisar offers the best overview of Cappadocia, so it works for nearly anyone able to climb stairs. Families like it, though young children need watching at the top. If you can't climb, the terraces at the base of the rock give a similar, lower view over the Goreme valleys.

Our Cappadocia destination page covers more valleys and viewpoints.

Frequently Asked Questions