2025 Selime Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

Deep in the rocky heart of Cappadocia, the majestic Selime Cathedral rises straight from the stone — a vast monastery carved into cliffs that once echoed with monks’ prayers and travelers’ footsteps. At its center lies the Church of the Virgin Mary, one of the most sacred spaces in the complex. Dating back to the 8th–9th centuries, it’s believed to have been a key worship site during the early Christian era — a place of refuge, devotion, and awe. Climb through narrow tunnels, explore ancient frescoes, and stand where centuries of silent faith still linger. With views over the dramatic Ihlara Valley, this site is not just history — it’s pure wonder. #SelimeCathedral #VirginMaryChurch #Cappadocia #AncientMonastery #HiddenGemsTurkey #IhlaraValley #SpiritualJourney #RockCutChurch #ChristianHeritage #ExploreCappadocia

I booked through Real Turkey. The balloon tour started with a pickup around 4 AM and returned to the accommodation around 6:30 AM. The flight time was approximately 1 hour! At first, when ascending into the sky, it was scarier than I imagined, but later, I enjoyed taking photos and the experience. (As of June 25, 2010, the cost was 105 euros, and payment via lira was also possible!) The Green Tour ran from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, covering valleys, mountain ranges, underground caves, and more. Lunch was provided during the tour. Essentials include a parasol, sunscreen, and water, as it requires more physical stamina than expected. If you prefer a comfortable tour over renting a car due to the distances involved, I highly recommend it.

We are going up a lot, you are always climbing while walking around :) When you get to the top, you will see 3 places of worship. On the way to the places of worship, there is a road where they put a gate to lock when the museum is closed, it is said that caravanserais pass through there. Here is the view from above; the gate of the fairy chimneys; #5월여행지원금

Selime Cathedral is the largest in Cappadocia and it doesn’t disappoint. You may enter this site with the All Turkey MuseumPass card (1000 TL) and parking (15 TL) (2022 prices) This is my second visit to this cathedral. Just East of the Cathedral and a short climb is a little known highlight. The St. Mary Chapel that has frescos of the Jesus’ mother Marry with Christ child and a representation of Mary‘s funeral. Mary is said to have died in Cappadocia. Estimated amount of time I would give to explore this site is 2 hours #5월여행지원금

The cathedral, carved into the rock mass, has a huge magnificent view. You experience the historical mystical atmosphere. It was not difficult to climb, they made stairs, it is not tiring. It is definitely a must see #5월여행지원금

We visited on a green tour. You have to climb uphill, but it's not very difficult. Some frescoes remain inside the walls. You will enjoy it a little better if you know the story of priests who fled from persecution. It is also a place that became the motif of the Star Wars movie. #5월여행지원금

We came here as part of a "green" tour. This was my second favorite stop after the underground city. I really enjoyed that we were able to just explore the space, climb up stairs and go through dark tunnels. Would have also been nice it have a good guide here that can explain the history. #5월여행지원금

One of the best complex in Cappadocia. Same ticket for ilhara valley to visit this beautiful place. Easy to climb up to the top and wonder around the chimneys. Lovely #5월여행지원금

This was probably the highlight of my visit to Cappadocia. We visited in the off season and had the place completely to ourselves. The history and heritage of the site is incredible and climbing up through the area is extremely rewarding with fantastic views and picture perfect vistas. Give yourself time here if you can. We had about an hour here but I wish I had more time. Fantastic experience. #5월여행지원금

enjoyable.. we explore the space. Beautiful caves and tunnels We came here as part of a "green" tour. You should be fit for climbing up stairs and go through dark tunnels. Would have also been nice it have a good guide here that can explain the history. In front of cathedral or castle there is Selime's tomb and behind it there is a river. Amazing view from top.. #5월여행지원금

It's magnificent. It's a monastery built by priests who fled Christian persecution. It has a restaurant, a chapel, and even a winery, making it a charming and cool space. The rocky forest can be seen in the distance, which is also really cool. The hole in the chapel's ceiling is impressive, and the labyrinthine path is dangerous, so I recommend preparing trekking shoes or gloves. #May Travel Support Fund

You can enter for free with the Eulala Valley admission ticket. The scenery is truly unique. It is smaller than the outdoor museum, but it is still worth visiting!! Ignore the merchants around you who try to take you somewhere else as if they are guides. Please note that you have to pay for the restroom and parking separately. #MayTravelSupportFund

I went to the Selime Monastery through the Green Tour. It was difficult because I had to climb the stairs, but I could see a view that I couldn't see anywhere else. It was a great place to take pictures and it was really cool. It was so different from what I'd seen before in the buildings/terrain that I was really curious. #MayTravelSupport

Even if you go to Eulala, you can enter with a museum pass. It's not hard, but it's steep to climb up and down, so make sure to wear sneakers. Even if you're not religious, it's fun to go up to the top and look at the scenery. There are a lot of merchants who try to solicit customers, saying things like there's a Maria Church nearby, so be careful. #MayTravelSupport

🏜️ Cappadocia Travel Guide | A fantasy secret place like the surface of the moon 🌄 Opening: A fairytale kingdom in an alien world Cappadocia, Turkey’s “lunar landscape”, is famous for its peculiar rock groups, thousand-year-old cave churches and sky-high hot air balloons. It’s a Star Wars set and synonymous with romance and adventure – an early morning hot air balloon ride overlooking the “elf chimneys”, an afternoon hike in a Martian-like canyon, a night stay at a cave hotel… Cappadocia, satisfy all your extraterrestrial fantasies! 🌤️ Best time to travel ✅ Spring (April-June): Temperatures 10-25°C, wildflowers in full bloom, hot air balloon takeoff rate is high. ✅ Autumn (September-October): Stable weather, fewer tourists, suitable for photography and hiking. ⛔ Summer (July-August): Hot and dry (over 30°C), but you can experience open-air concerts and night activities. ⛔ Winter (November-March): Some hotels are closed, but hot air balloons in the snow are unique (lower takeoff rate). 🏞️ Must-see attractions and activities 1. Natural wonders and historical sites Göreme Open-Air Museum: United Nations Heritage Site, explore the Byzantine frescoes of the Rockwall Church. Derinkuyu Underground City: Feel the wisdom of ancient shelters in an underground maze up to 60 meters deep. Fairy Chimneys: A cluster of mushroom-like rocks in Paşabağ that glow with gold at sunset. 2. Adventure and Romantic Experiences Hot air balloon first flight: Early morning liftoff, overlooking the canyon at sunrise with a thousand balls (recommended Royal or Butterfly companies). ATV/Jeep off-road: Chase the setting sun. Ride across the canyon: A local racecourse offers guided tours to feel the romance of the nomadic wilderness. 3. Culture and niche experience Cave Hotel Accommodation: Experience the “cave life” in a cave suite in Goreme or in Ürgüp. Pottery Workshop (Avanos): Make a handmade red pottery and visit the oldest pottery tradition in Turkey. Turkish Night Performance: Enjoy carousel dancing and folk song and dance in the cave restaurant (Sultan Cave Suites in Göreme is recommended). 🚗 Transportation guide 1. How to get to Cappadocia By air: Istanbul/Ankara to Nevshehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseli Airport (ASR), which has a shuttle to Goreme (about 1 hour). 2. Local transportation Charter: A day tour of the Red and Green Lines (with guide, transportation and tickets) for easy exploration of scattered attractions. Rent a car and drive: Suitable for free travel, but be familiar with driving on mountain roads (note some gravel road conditions). Hiking/Bike: Hiking in valleys around Goreme (such as Red Valley) or renting an e-bike. 📅 Classic 3 day itinerary Day 1|Hot Air Balloon and Goreme Core Area 05:00: Hot air balloon flight (1.5 hours) → Return to hotel to catch up on sleep Afternoon: Goreme Open Air Museum → Pigeon Valley Observation Deck Evening: ATV Cross Country Sunset Tour (2 hours) → Dinner at Cave Restaurant Day 2 | Red Line Day Trip (Nature & Humanities) AM: Uçhisar Castle → Pashabe Elf Chimney Afternoon: Devrent Valley → Avanos Pottery Workshop Night: Türkiye Night Performance Day 3|Green Line Day Trip (Dungeons & Canyons) Morning: Delincuyu Underground → Hiking in the Ihlara Valley Afternoon: Selime Monastery → Return to Goreme Evening: Watch the sunset in Rose Valley → Tasting wine on the terrace of the Cave Hotel 💡 Practical Tips 1. Hot Air Balloon Booking: Book peak season seats 1-2 months in advance (especially for top companies like Royal/Butterfly). Choose your first flight (at sunrise) with the best views and prepare a backup date in case of weather cancellation. 2. Accommodation options: Goreme: Convenient transportation, concentrated hotels, but higher prices. Urjup/Uchihisar: Great value for money and quieter. Be sure to choose a cave hotel with a terrace for easy hot air balloon photography! 3. Wear and Equipment: Hot air balloons are cold in the early morning, wear a windproof jacket; choose non-slip shoes when hiking, wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. ATV off-road will produce sand, it is recommended to wear a mask or scarf. 4. Dietary Recommendations: Must-try: Testi Kebab, Turkish dumplings (Mantı), crock pot stew. Avoid pits: Scenic restaurant prices are on the high side, more authentic outside the main street of the town of Goreme. 5. Other reminders: Bring cash: Some attractions, small shops charge only lira. Respect culture: Avoid revealing clothing when entering churches and mosques. Be environmentally conscious: Don’t engrave on rocks to protect fragile landscapes. ✨The magic of Cappadocia lies in the blending of surreal landscapes and ancient civilizations. Whether it’s chasing the light and shadow of a hot air balloon or touching a thousand-year-old rock wall, there’s always a moment here that makes you believe – beyond Earth, fairy tales remain!

📍Address of the attraction: 2 km south of the Selime Monastery scenic area, in the Güzelyurt/Selime area of ​​Aksaray Province, Turkey, Kayaaltı, 68500 Selime/Güzelyurt/Aksaray. 🚗 Transportation to attractions: Self-driving Starting from Nevşehir in Cappadocia, using Amap Navigation, it is about 90 kilometers away from Nevşehir, and it usually takes 1 and a half hours to drive. There are also many tour groups in Cappadocia that offer day trips to Selime Monastery, which also include visits to the Star Wars filming locations. Public transportation is not recommended. Friends who want to experience it in depth can take a bus from Nevşehir to Selime Village and then walk there. 👍️Must-see attractions: The filming location was not ultimately selected for the Star Wars feature film, but the unique terrain is definitely worth seeing. [One] Grotto Complex: Caves are carved out from the inside of the rocky mountains. Churches, colonnades, dormitories and other buildings are scattered around, forming a unique landscape. [Two] Maria Church: Follow the signs to get there. This area has not been systematically developed and is relatively primitive, suitable for tourists who like to explore. It will be introduced in the next travelogue. 🎟️Ticket related: The filming locations of Star Wars are located on the hillsides near the Selime Monastery. If you do not enter the Selime Monastery scenic area, there are also some good check-in spots. 💗Other tips: You need to climb throughout the whole process, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes or hiking shoes, and avoid wearing slippers, high heels and other shoes that are inconvenient for climbing.