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Read more →Turkey / Cappadocia / Derinkuyu Underground City
— Ancient Ruin
Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu is a multi-level underground city in Cappadocia, carved into volcanic rock to a depth of around 85 metres and capable of sheltering thousands of people along with their livestock.
Last updated: July 2026
Read time: 2 min
Location
Derinkuyu, 30km from Göreme
Hours
08:00–19:00 (Apr–Oct)
08:00–17:00 (Nov–Mar)
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Ticket price
from $20
Typical visit
1 hour
Nearest transport
Dolmuş from Nevşehir, or by tour
Why visit Derinkuyu Underground City?
Underground cities are scattered across Cappadocia, but Derinkuyu is the deepest excavated so far — eight levels are open to visitors, and more are believed to exist below. It was not a hiding hole so much as functioning infrastructure: ventilation shafts running the full depth, a well sunk from the lowest level so the water supply could not be poisoned from above, stables near the surface, and a cruciform church far below. Circular stone doors, up to half a tonne each, could be rolled across passages from the inside only. Communities sheltered here during Arab–Byzantine raids and later periods of instability, sometimes for months.
Interesting Facts
- Eight levels are open to visitors, reaching about 85 metres down.
- A well was sunk from the lowest level so the water supply could not be poisoned from above.
- Circular stone doors weighing up to half a tonne could only be rolled shut from the inside.
What should I know before visiting?
- Skip it if you are seriously claustrophobic — several connecting passages require bending double for ten metres or more.
- The temperature stays around 13°C year-round, so take a layer even in August.
- The route is one-way and narrow; once committed to a descent you cannot easily turn back against the flow.
- A guide is genuinely useful here, since almost nothing is labelled underground.
- Not suitable for anyone with mobility limitations.
How much are tickets and what are the hours?
Entry is around $20. Open 08:00–19:00 in summer and 08:00–17:00 in winter. Most visitors arrive as part of a Green Tour, which bundles entry with transport from Göreme.
How do I get to Derinkuyu Underground City from Cappadocia center?
Derinkuyu is about 30km from Göreme. Dolmuş minibuses run via Nevşehir, but the connection is slow; most people come on an organised Green Tour or by rental car, which takes around 40 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It reaches roughly 85 metres, with eight levels currently open to the public.
Not really — several passages are low and narrow enough to require crouching, with limited room to turn around.
Not required, but recommended: there is very little signage underground and the layout is hard to interpret alone.
Book a Green Tour including Derinkuyu
Prices and availability are handled by the ticket provider — we just point you there.
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