Cappadocia Fairy Chimney Inn
A Cave Hotel That Rocks
By Mackenzie Lowry
Göreme, UNESCO World Heritage site, is a town in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey. It is in the Nevşehir Province in Central Anatolia and has a population of around 2,000 people. To the north, the landscape at Paşabağ Valley is known for Cappadocia’s “fairy chimneys”.
The Fairy Chimney Inn gives off a magical feeling with just the name alone. Although the “fairy chimneys” are actually tufa rock cones that have been converted into guesthouses.
Literally carved out of the odd-shaped rock cones populating the area, on the outside, the fairy chimneys look like leftover ruins from a centuries-old civilization.
Yet, on the inside, they are decorated with traditional Turkish furniture but also have perfectly modern amenities including heating and wi-fi.
For convenience, the post office, ATMs, restaurants, and bars of the village are just a 10-minute walk away. All of this provides guests with the feeling of sleeping in an ancient world, sans rough it.
Instead of rising early to hunt for the day’s food like in the age of antiquity, today, guests at the Fairy Chimney Inn are provided with a breakfast buffet that includes Turkish coffee, homemade bread and fruit jams, set on a terrace with one of the best views in the area.
For a bird’s eye view of Goreme valley, you can gaze down from a hot air balloon to view the “lunar landscapes,” tufa caves, and the “Open Air Museum”.
If you step inside, you can visit old Byzantine cave churches and frescoes from the 10th to 12th centuries, that cover the village.
Hot air balloon rides are actually a common attraction in Göreme. The adventurer’s alternative would be to explore the land by biking, horseback, hiking, or maybe even taking advantage of the scooter rentals.
Guests at Fairy Chimney Inn will quickly learn that the locals know how to have fun. Turkish Night is a happy hour of the local color with an evening of folklore dances, free drinks, and belly-dancing.
Dinner is prepared in the very old traditional, way on top of the tandir or in traditional Güvec clay pots.
Once a month, Turkish Night is skipped in exchange for full moon parties. These events are dotted across the Cappadocia valleys to celebrate the moon and the local lunar landscape.
The full moon parties are overflowing with good food, plenty of wine, and traditional music. You are welcome to gather around the bonfire with festive foreigners and hospital Turks who are more than willing to light your fire.
Photos © Allturkeytours, Gezilecek Yerler, inhores, fairy chimney inn, airbnb, booking.com, geont tours, the honey baked hammocks, bored panda, hotel room search, turkey journeys, avanos suites.