Avanos

Avanos, which is 20 km away from Nevşehir and 60 km away from Kayseri, has been renamed as Avanos in the Ottoman Period and has been known by various names such as Vanessa, Nenassa, Zu-Vinessa, Enez, Evenez, Uvenez, Vanote and Evranos Avanos, which stands out with its pottery, carpets and winemaking, is located on both sides of Kızılırmak in the east of Nevşehir.

Avanos is one of the important touristic regions of the Cappadocia with fairy chimneys, churches and valleys. Some of the places that can be seen in Avanos are Güray Ceramics Museum, Cavusin Village, Devrent Valley, Saç Museum and Paşabağ.

For those who want to go to Avanos, there is a daily bus departing from Nevsehir between 07:30 and 21:00. 

Güray Ceramics Museum

In the museum, the development of pottery and ceramic art in the historical process is explained to the visitors and shown in the exhibition hall. In addition to the works of world-famous ceramic artists, ceramic and pottery works of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, which were discovered during the excavations in the region, are also exhibited in the exhibition hall. In addition, all stages of ceramic and pottery production are shown to the visitors while visitors to the museum are given the opportunity to make pottery free of charge if they wish. The museum, which is the largest production and sales workshop in Cappadocia, has been built in two-storey underground style in accordance with the architecture of the region. International exhibitions, events and concerts are also organized in the museum.

Cavusin Village

Çavuşin village, one of the oldest settlements of Cappadocia, is on the Göreme-Avanos road and 2 km from Göreme. The oldest structure of the village, where Christian dervishes and communities lived in the old period, was the Church of John the Baptist dated to the 5th century AD. Starting from Çavuşin village and extending to the depths of Cappadocia, 12 churches along with Çavuşin church and Kızılçukur and Güllüdere valleys are also located within the borders of Çavuşin village. Those who want to see the village of Cavusincan take the Nevsehir-Göreme buses.

Vaftizci Yahya Church

The building, which was dedicated to John the Baptist, remains the only building in the region with a certain stereotype. The church, which was built to be seen from Göreme and Uçhisar and is the oldest building in Çavuşin, has been affected by earthquakes and erosions that have occurred throughout history and has survived to the present day without preserving its originality. The facade of the church, which has a single apse and square plan, is completely collapsed. In the church where the holy relics are kept during the Byzantine period, flash photography is not allowed to prevent damage to the paintings on the walls. Entrance to the church is for a fee and museum cardholders can visit free of charge.

Visiting Hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.

Church of Cavusin

The entrance to the church is somewhat challenging and has the most beautiful painting examples of early Christianity. The necropolis of the church, which has a single nave, barrel vault and three apses, has been demolished. Sections of Jesus’ life are depicted in the church. Admission to the church is for a fee and museum cardholders can visit free of charge.

Çavuşin Church Visiting Hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.

Kizilcukur( Red ) Valley

Kizilcukur valley, where the sunset is best viewed in Cappadocia, also has the oldest churches of the region. You can enter the valley which is entered for a small fee or with a tour. Kizilcukur valley, which is a great walking route, is also provided with a guide service for those who do not like to walk alone. While the passage of motor vehicles into the valley is strictly forbidden, only hiking and cycling are allowed.

It is possible to drive to the viewing terrace area near the valley to watch the sunset, and a fee is paid upon entry to the terrace. It is recommended that those who go to the cruise terrace with their vehicles to watch the sunset, bring food, drinks and chairs with them and watch the sunset with that magnificent landscape. Kızılçukur valley is 3 km to Göreme open-air museum, 5 km to Ürgüp district centre, 2 km to Ortahisar and 1 km to Çavuşin village. There are buses from Nevşehir and Ürgüp for those who want to go to Kızıl Çukur Valley.  

Güllüdere valley

There are many churches, monasteries and living area ruins within the Güllüdere valley, which is located in the region between Çavuşin and Göreme. The fairy chimney formations are best viewed at the point where the Güllüdere valley has a walking path of approximately 4 km. Along the trail, apricot trees, vineyards and pigeon nests create a different look. There are many churches and monasteries built in different periods throughout history along the way of the walk, including the Three Crusaders and the Ayvali Church.

The Güllüdere valley is also home to the moonlight walk, which has become popular in recent years. This activity, which is held between April and October on the days of the full moon, starts at 21:00 and ends at 24:00 with the transfer of the participants to the Güllüdere valley. During the walking ( Moonlight Cappadocia) tour, music breaks and refreshments are provided to the participants. In order to make the tours more fun and beautiful, walking shoes, trousers, headlamps or flashlights, long-sleeved clothing with extra coats and small backpacks are recommended to be brought. 

Devrent Valley

The Devrent Valley, also known as the Dream valley or the Haunted Valley, is a ten-minute walk from Görem. There are fairy chimneys in the valley that resemble different kinds of animals and human shapes and thousands of different objects. The most famous of the fairy chimneys of different shapes are the camel-like fairy chimney, and the open-handed nun-like fairy chimney. One end of the Devrent Valley, which has a U-shaped structure, is in Devrent and the other in Kızılçukur. There is also a walking path in the Devrent valley, which has no settlement. Devrent valley is not accessible by public transport and can be reached by renting a car or by taxi.

Saç (Hair) Museum

Although called a museum, it is actually a part of the pottery shop. The Saç museum, which is mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records as an interesting museum, also has a very romantic story. Galip, a shop owner, cuts a lock of his hair and hangs it on the wall as his French girlfriend returns home. Those who hear the story of the remarkable hair cut their own hair and begin to write their names under them. As a result of the hair cutting and glueing over time, there are currently 16 thousand different women’s hairs in the museum. Participants in the raffles, which are held twice a year, are entitled to a one-week holiday in Cappadocia by writing the contact address under their hair.

The museum is open to visitors from 08:00 to 19:30 seven days a week. The museum is located in Avanos Square and it is forbidden to take pictures.   

Museum address: Yeni Neighborhood, Hasan Castle Mevkii 3 / Avanos -Nevsehir 

Paşabag

Located near Grove-Avanos road near Zelve and also known as the Priests valley, it is one of the places where interesting fairy chimneys of Pashabag has hat type, conical, mushroom-shaped, columnar, pointed rock form and different sizes. It is possible to see and examine the old fairy chimneys and new fairy chimneys in Paşabağ and take pictures.The area is very convenient for walking and there are small and cute shops selling souvenirs around the area.
Paşabağ and fairy chimneys, which host different events in summer, are illuminated during the events and offer a magnificent view to the visitors. Those who want to go to Paşabağ valley can go to Nevşehir-Uçhisar-Göreme and follow the Paşabağ direction. Access to the Paşabağ valley is free and there are also free parking spaces for visitors.

Cec Tumulus and Sarcophagus Grave

The Tumulus of Chech, which is 32 meters high, is located 15 km west of Avanos and is thought to be the tomb of a king. Due to the lack of excavation, the tumulus, which does not offer much information, can be seen even from Avanos. The peak is often likened to cowboy hats or funnels.

Sarcophagus Tomb:

The sarcophagus on the edge of Kızılırmak is also the only sarcophagus in Cappadocia. The bones found in the sarcophagus in 1971 revealed that the owner was a lady.  The sarcophagus is exhibited in the Kayseri Archaeological Museum.