Kaymakli Underground City Place guide

The underground city of Kaymakli is second only to Derinkuyu, its more popular counterpart. However, that makes it less crowded with plenty to marvel at with at least five levels excavated to date! 

Contained within the citadel of Kaymakli in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, this underground city is a must-visit attraction when in Cappadocia. It contains constructed houses, storage areas, stables, and cellars connected through low, narrow, and steeply inclined tunnels. 

The layout is quite similar to Derinkuyu, showcasing ingenuities such as a winery, with its 30m-deep winepress and 60m-deep ventilation shaft if you look through the footholds along the wall. Small living spaces open into underground plazas and storage spaces; most adults may have to duck to get through the low passageways. 

The floors open are ventilated enough for tourists to explore, to see how ancient settlements lived their lives beneath the soil. Moreover, the small size of Kaymakli means the streets are navigable without a guide; however, the added information you get from a tour helps to bring the place to life!

How to get there: 

• It is easy to take public transport to the Kaymakli Underground City. Start from the Goreme bus station, and get on a mini-bus heading toward Nevşehir (approximately 30 minutes). Tell the driver that you’re heading to Kaymakli, so the driver will know where to drop you off. Once you reach your stop, you’ll see a sign for the underground city. Walk through the market to reach the entrance. 
  
  
• You can also drive yourself via rented car or scooter. Parking is available at the entrance.

Open daily from 8am-7pm from March to September; 8am-5pm from October to February