Hattusa & Yazilikaya Private Tour from Cappadocia – Hittite Capital
Overview
Hattusa & Yazilikaya Private Tour from Cappadocia – Hittite Capital
The capital of the Hittites, one of the great powers of the ancient world, lies within a day's drive of Cappadocia. On this private tour you visit Hattusa, a Bronze Age city on the UNESCO list, along with its rock-cut sanctuary of carved gods. Massive gates and a reconstructed section of the imperial city tell the story of an empire that once stood as Egypt's rival.
The day begins at Yazilikaya. In Hattusa your guide then takes you through the Lion Gate, the King's Gate and the Sphinx Gate with its tunnel before reaching the Great Temple complex. You also follow the city walls and their watchtowers. Lunch is in the village, and the Bogazkoy Museum rounds off the visit. It is a good choice if you want Hittite history as a change from the volcanic valleys.
Pickup and drop-off at your Cappadocia hotel, a private air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch at a local restaurant and all three entrance fees are included.
Tour Info
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cappadocia
- ✓Private air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle throughout the route
- ✓Licensed English-speaking private guide
- ✓Entrance fees to Hattusa, Yazilikaya, and Bogazkoy Museum
- ✓Lunch at a local restaurant
- ✓Local taxes and service charges
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Drinks during lunch
- ✕Optional visits outside the listed program
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
Hattusa and Yazilikaya tour from Cappadocia: the key facts
This is a full-day trip from Cappadocia north to Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite empire in the Bronze Age and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You are collected from your Cappadocia hotel at 08:00 in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed English-speaking guide. The day starts at the rock sanctuary of Yazilikaya, then covers the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, the Sphinx Gate and its tunnel, the Great Temple and the city walls, with lunch in the village and a final visit to the Bogazkoy Museum. You are back at your hotel around 19:00.
It suits travellers with a real interest in ancient history who are already in Cappadocia and want to see a site few visitors reach, and who are fine with a long day on the road. The price is from $278 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 day, about 08:00 to 19:00 |
| Route | Cappadocia - Yazilikaya - Hattusa - Bogazkale village - Bogazkoy Museum - Cappadocia |
| Style | Guided day trip, described as private (see below) |
| Start / end | Hotel pick-up in Cappadocia / hotel drop-off in Cappadocia |
| Included | Hotel pick-up and drop-off, private air-conditioned non-smoking vehicle, licensed English-speaking guide, entrance fees for Hattusa, Yazilikaya and the Bogazkoy Museum, lunch at a local restaurant, local taxes and service charges |
| Extra | Drinks at lunch, personal expenses, visits outside the program |
Is this tour private or shared?
The page is not consistent. The title calls it a private tour, and the inclusions list a private vehicle and a private guide. The Tour Info line on the same page says "Group Tour", and the FAQ says it runs daily with no minimum group size. The price is shown per person. Before you book, ask us whether your date is private for your party and how the price changes with the number of travellers, and have both written into your confirmation.
How long is the drive?
Hattusa lies near the village of Bogazkale, well north of the Cappadocia valleys. The page gives no drive times, only that the site is within a day's drive and that the day runs from 08:00 to about 19:00. Tour operators commonly put the drive at around three hours or more each way, so a large part of the day is spent in the vehicle. Bring water, snacks and anything you need for the road. Ask us for the planned timings with your confirmation.
What will we see at Hattusa and Yazilikaya?
Yazilikaya is an open-air sanctuary where processions of Hittite gods and a king are carved into the walls of natural rock chambers. At Hattusa you walk or drive between the main points of a large walled city: the Lion Gate and King's Gate, named after their relief carvings, the Sphinx Gate with a long stone tunnel running under the ramparts, the remains of the Great Temple, and the walls and watchtowers. The Bogazkoy Museum holds finds from the site, including tablets and pottery, and gives context for what you have just seen.
How much walking is there?
Hattusa is a hilly site spread over a wide area, and the vehicle moves you between the main gates, but each stop still involves walking on slopes, uneven stone and loose ground. The tunnel at the Sphinx Gate is long and narrow, and climbing up to the gate on the ramparts takes some effort. Yazilikaya is a shorter walk. There is little shade at most stops, so bring a hat, sunscreen and shoes with a firm sole. If anyone has limited mobility, tell us so the guide can plan the order.
What is the best time of year to go?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a long outdoor day in central Anatolia. Summer gives long days but the walking is in full sun, and winter can be cold, with weather that may affect the roads. Whatever the season, dress in layers, as the 08:00 start and the evening return are cooler than midday at the site. For background on seasons, read our best time to visit Turkey guide.
The booking form shows other times. When do we leave?
The FAQ gives an 08:00 departure. The booking form lets you choose any time between 08:00 and 14:00, with 09:00 marked as suggested. A 14:00 start would not fit a round trip of this length. Follow the pick-up time in your written confirmation. The FAQ also compares this tour with the Red Tour using euro prices, which do not match the "from $278 per person" shown in the booking form. Use the booking form price and check the total in your confirmation.
Can we end in Ankara instead of going back to Cappadocia?
Ask us. Hattusa is also reached from Ankara, so if you are travelling on, finishing there could save a day of driving. A night in Ankara lets you add the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which holds many Hittite finds, or Anitkabir. See our Ankara guide and Ankara tours. If you are based in Istanbul instead, the Hattusa day trip from Istanbul includes flights. More options from your base are on Cappadocia tours.
How do we book this tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your date, number of travellers and hotel name. Before you pay, we send you the plan in writing: pick-up time, whether the tour is private for your party, what is included and the total price. Check it, ask about anything unclear, and pay only once you are happy. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TÜRSAB (A-15751).
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the tour begin and end?
Do you collect me from my hotel?
Is food included?
Are the entrance fees covered?
Which sights are on the itinerary?
How does this tour compare with the Cappadocia Red Tour?
What language does the guide speak?
Are there departures every day?
Similar tours
Cappadocia Day Trip from Ankara by Bus: Fairy Chimneys & Zelve
A day trip from Ankara to the northern valleys of Cappadocia by intercity bus, with a licensed guide, lunch and entrance fees. Departs daily at 05:00.
Hattusa Day Trip from Istanbul by Flight: Private Hittite Capital Tour
An 18-hour private day trip from Istanbul to the Hittite capital of Hattusa, with return flights to Ankara, an English-speaking guide and lunch. Departs daily at 04:30.