Cappadocia, the dreamlike region in central Türkiye known for its surreal landscapes and hot-air balloon rides, has received yet another international accolade. Ortahisar, one of Cappadocia’s most picturesque villages, has been named among Forbes’ 2025 list of The World’s 50 Most Beautiful Villages, placing it firmly on the global travel map.
Located just six kilometers from Ürgüp, Ortahisar blends ancient heritage with breathtaking scenery. Its crown jewel, the Ortahisar Castle, dates back to the Hittite period and is carved from a towering fairy chimney. Once home to intricate networks of caves, dovecotes, and tunnels, the castle stands today as one of the region’s highest viewpoints, offering sweeping panoramas of Cappadocia’s otherworldly terrain sculpted by wind and volcanic eruptions over millions of years.
Beyond its striking rock formations, Ortahisar is beloved for its stone-paved alleys, apricot stalls, and tea gardens, which capture the authentic charm of Anatolian village life. Visitors can explore nearby valleys filled with ancient cave churches such as Sarıca, Cambazlı, Tavşanlı, and Hallaç Deresi, each reflecting Cappadocia’s deep religious and cultural history.
Cappadocia continues to enchant travelers with its unique blend of nature, history, and hospitality — from mysterious underground cities and rock-hewn monasteries to luxurious cave hotels that merge ancient architecture with modern comfort. Adventurers can ride horses through dramatic valleys, join pottery workshops, or indulge in local cuisine crafted from the region’s volcanic soil. With dishes slow-cooked in clay pots and fine wines made from Cappadocian grapes, the region’s gastronomy recently earned a nod from the MICHELIN Guide, which officially added Cappadocia to its Türkiye map.
With Ortahisar’s latest recognition from Forbes, Cappadocia further cements its reputation as one of the world’s most enchanting destinations, where every rock, cave, and sunrise tells a story millions of years in the making.
