CappadociaUrgup and Temenni Hill
Urgup is central Cappadocia's biggest town, known for its wineries, cave hotels and old stone mansions. In the centre, the rock outcrop called Temenni Hill, or "Hill of Wishes", offers a free view of the town and the valleys, and the Three Beauties fairy chimneys are just outside town.
Tours that visit Urgup and Temenni Hill
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride: Standard Sunrise Flight & Transfers
Drift above the fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia at sunrise on a standard balloon flight, with hotel transfers, flight insurance, champagne and a certificate.
Cappadocia Sunrise Balloon Ride, Comfortable Category, Hotel Transfers
Float over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys at sunrise in the Comfortable category, with hotel transfers, a champagne toast and a personal flight certificate.
Balloons and backpackers go to Goreme; Urgup is where everyday Cappadocian life goes on. It is the biggest town in the central region. It has banks, schools, a market, wineries, and old mansions of stone built by Turkish and Greek merchant families. In the middle rises a knob of rock, Temenni Hill, looking over the rooftops towards the valleys. The climb is free and takes ten minutes.
Key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open public viewpoint; the cafe on Temenni Hill keeps its own times |
| Closures | None |
| Entry | No charge for the hill or the town; there may be a small parking fee at the Three Beauties |
| How long | Half a day covers town, hill and Three Beauties |
| Where | Nevsehir province, around 10 km east of Goreme |
| Worth knowing | The lanes are steep, and stairs lead to many hotels |
Some history
People have lived in Urgup since ancient times. Known as Osiana or Assiana under Byzantium, it was a bishopric. Seljuk and Ottoman rule turned it into a trading town. Muslim Turks shared the town with a big Greek Orthodox community until the 1923 population exchange, and many of the handsome stone mansions with carved fronts come from that period. Some are now restored as boutique cave hotels.
On the summit of Temenni Hill is a little Seljuk-period tomb with a dome, traditionally associated with Sultan Kilic Arslan IV. Temenni means "wish", and local people still climb up to make one.
Highlights
- Temenni Hill. Steps and a short path take you to the summit terrace, with views over the cave houses cut into the cliff across from it, the old town and the plateau behind.
- The Three Beauties. A cluster of tall, dark-capped fairy chimneys on a hillside a little outside town, by the road to Ortahisar. Local legend sees them as a father, a mother and a child.
- The old quarters. In the upper streets of Esbelli and Dereler, cut-stone mansions have window frames carved in stone and arched doorways.
- The wineries. Wine has been made in Urgup for generations. Several local producers run tasting rooms pouring wines from grapes of the region such as Kalecik Karasi and Emir.
- Friday market. Every week, stalls of household goods and produce fill the central streets.
Why base yourself in Urgup
Urgup suits travellers who would rather stay in a proper town with shops and restaurants than in a village of tour agencies. Cave hotels are plentiful, many with a view, and Mustafapasa, Ortahisar and Goreme are all a quick drive. Nights are quieter than in Goreme. The downside is that the main valleys are not within walking distance, so you will rely on tours, taxis or a car.
When to go
On Temenni Hill, late afternoon brings soft light over the rooftops. Autumn is harvest time, with grapes and pumpkins at the market and busy wineries. Spring turns the fields and gardens green. Winter snow is lovely on the rock, though it turns the steep lanes slippery.
At sunrise, balloons launched around Goreme often float over the valleys towards Urgup. Our sunrise balloon flights name Urgup among the areas they cross, from US$199 including hotel transfers. For a whole day with a private guide, our private guided Cappadocia tour can include the Three Beauties, Temenni Hill and Urgup, from US$400 a day. The private highlights tour visits the classic sights close by, from US$400.
Tips
- Go up Temenni Hill before dinner and wait there for sunset.
- Try wines before you buy; prices differ widely from shop to shop.
- Cobbled and steep, the old lanes call for shoes with grip.
- Mustafapasa, once a Greek village and known for its painted mansions, lies 15 minutes' drive south and deserves an hour.
- Our page on Ortahisar Castle covers the neighbouring town to the west.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on Temenni Hill?
This rocky hill in central Urgup, called the Hill of Wishes, has a small Seljuk-era tomb, a cafe and a viewpoint over the town that costs nothing.
Should I stay in Urgup when visiting Cappadocia?
It is a good choice if you like the idea of a proper town, more places to eat and calmer nights. Most valleys need transport.
Where can I see the Three Beauties?
On a slope above a valley just outside Urgup, along the Ortahisar road. From the centre it is a short drive, or a longer walk.
Is wine tasting possible in Urgup?
Yes. A number of local wineries run tasting rooms, and town wine shops let you try regional grapes.
Can I see balloons over Urgup?
Often; it depends on the wind. At sunrise, many of the Goreme-area balloons drift across the valleys around Urgup.
More places to see in Cappadocia
- Avanos (Pottery Town)
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
- Goreme Open Air Museum
- Göreme Town
- Ihlara Valley
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Love Valley
- Ortahisar Castle
- Pasabag (Monks Valley)
- Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi)
- Red Valley and Rose Valley
- Selime Monastery
- Uchisar Castle
- Zelve Open Air Museum