The sunrise in Uçhisar is not only one of the best things to see in Cappadocia, it’s also one of the top places in the world to experience golden hour! Do you really need to wake up that early to enjoy Uçhisar? Yes!.. The sky is almost always teeming with the most beautiful collections of floating hot air balloons. You will not want to miss any opportunity to be in awe of this spectacle!
Where’s the Best Places for Sunrise in Uçhisar?
This guide will reveal exact locations that are the most spectacular spots to watch sunrise. They are specific to the town, Uçhisar, so you can maximize those earlier hours. These places are also some of the best to capture cracking, and very Instagram-able, photographs!.. So, don’t forget your camera!
Bottom of Uçhisar Castle
Click here for the location on Google Maps
Conveniently so, Uçhisar Castle is in the centre of town. So, provided that your accommodation is in Uçhisar, then this viewpoint will be within a short walking distance.
As you approach the front of the castle, follow the road around to the right (anti-clockwise). This will lead you to a secondary car park that overlooks some of Uçhisar’s more expensive hotels, and the town of Göreme.
Uçhisar Castle is the highest point in the region. Once you’ve taken in the sunrise and allowed time for the ticket office to open, climb the stairs to enjoy a unique 360-degree panoramic view over Cappadocia – it’s the perfect vantage point to map out your plan for the day! Admission tickets for the castle cost 20TL per person.
See Also: Uçhisar or Göreme: Where to Stay in Cappadocia (Turkey)
Pigeon Valley Viewpoint
Pigeon Valley is one of the best trails for walking in Cappadocia. The valley runs between Uçhisar and Goreme. It’s a fairly easy walk.
The beginning of the Pigeon Valley Trail is signposted (see below). Click here for this location on Google Maps. Follow the cobbles, where your walk will pass a car park and turn from a main road with cars to a smaller, side road.
Continue to walk down the hill, past the gardens until you notice a well-trodden foot path leading uphill on the right. This will lead you to a vantage point that overlooks Pigeon Valley and Göreme. The closeness of the balloons will depend on the wind of that day.
If you don’t turn right and continue along the track, you will reach Caglar Tea Garden at the start of the Pigeon Valley trail. Stone landmarks, pictured below, will guide you there.
Looking back at Uchisar 
Pigeon Valley
It’s recommended that you watch the Sunrise in Uçhisar from above the valleys to catch the best glimpse of the balloons. Though if you are lucky, some hot air balloons will descend into the valley, but this is very much weather-permitting.
Are you working remotely from Turkey? Check out this guide to Istanbul for Digital Nomads.
Let’s go!
@katie.maree
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