Around ten years ago, I stumbled upon a photo on an Instagram post of the hot air balloons in Cappadocia from the terrace of Sultan Cave Suites. I have had that post in my favorites since then, and last week, I finally got to visit the place I had dreamed of visiting for so long with one of my closest friends since college. As it got closer to the trip, I again was met with a bit of trepidation and was curious if this place would live up to the hype it had been given on social media or be completely overrated. Read and find out.

*Views from the terrace of* *Sultan Cave Suites*

Getting to Cappadocia

You can get direct flights through Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and A Jet from Istanbul directly into Cappadocia. The airport (NEV) is tiny and about thirty minutes from the heart of Cappadocia. The cheapest option to get from the airport to your hotel is via shuttle, which costs 15 euros per person.

Where to Stay

If you go to Cappadocia, staying at a cave hotel is a must. There are many great options, but since Sultan Cave Suites lured me in all those years ago, it was a given that we would stay there. The location was fantastic for walking into town and viewing the balloons in the morning from the terrace (of note, if you are not staying at the hotel they will not allow you on the terrace in the morning). They have a restaurant and bar on-site, two pools (shared with their sister properties next door), and a spa where you can get the whole Turkish hammam experience and massage.

*Queen room at Sultan Cave Suites. Bathroom, additional bed and sitting area behind.*

We stayed in a Queen room and were blown away by its size. It had an additional twin bed, a small fireplace, a sitting area, and a large bathroom. It was perfect for my friend and me and would have comfortably fit a third person.

What to Do

*Views on horseback during a sunset ride in Cappadocia. Tour cost €40.*

While the hot air balloons are a must-see, Cappadocia offers many other activities. Full-day tour options cover three routes (green, red, and blue) that include visits to Kaymakli Underground City, Selime Monastery, Uchisar Panoramic View Point, a pottery demonstration at Avanos, Ihlara Valley, and an Onyx factory. In the evenings, you can rent ATVs for a sunset ride or opt for a leisurely horseback or foot exploration. If the weather isn't on your side, there are also cooking classes where you can delve into the secrets of Turkish cuisine. And don't miss the chance to attend a dervish ceremony or a Turkish Nights show-it's a combination of dinner, performances, and dancing that will surely get you on your feet (but for real, they will pull you from your seats and make you hit the dance floor).

Hot Air Balloon Information

There are 500 hot air balloon pilots in Cappadocia, and it takes about three years of school and training before a pilot is certified to fly independently. Up to 150 hot air balloons take to the sky daily, weather dependent. If I remember correctly, if the winds exceed 15 kilometers, the balloons will not go up. We were on the cutoff the day we flew, and glad we just made it. Some balloons can hold up to 32 people on board; I recommend getting a balloon that holds 16 people or fewer for less unobstructed views around you during your flight.

*Views from our balloon. Use code* ***RPT10*** *when booking with Turquaz Balloons and save 10%!*

We were picked up from our hotel at 4:45 and driven just down the road to the offices of Turquaz Balloons. When we arrived, we checked in, were given our assigned pilot, and then paid the balance for the flight in cash. A light breakfast of fruit, pastries, tea, coffee, and juices was provided, and they had restrooms on site you could use before you departed in the shuttle for your launch site. The launch site varies each day depending on the direction of the wind.

*Views from above with Turquaz Balloons*

Where to Eat

Old Cappadocia Restaurant: This was hands down the BEST food we had in Cappadocia. Their pottery kebab (testi kebab) was out of this world and packed with flavor. I could not put my fork down, and that is not an exaggeration. We tried it at a few other places, but nothing came close.

Seten: Seten was the restaurant inside our hotel and a popular destination for many who weren't staying at Sultan Cave Suites. Our breakfast each day was excellent, with a buffet and options to add eggs, omelets, or French toast. They have a robust food and drink menu with lovely views of the city at any time of day. They do not make reservations, and it's first come, first served, so I suggest arriving early to get your name on the list and then enjoying a beverage while watching the sunset.

Hopper Coffee: We found this place on our last day and spent several hours watching the rain while waiting for our airport ride. The cups are covered in hot air balloons, the coffee is superb, and the Nutella cookie cake was the best sweet treat I had on the trip. I am still kicking myself that I did not buy one of the adorable ceramic coffee mugs with a hot air balloon on it. Next time.

Currency

While Turkey operates on the Turkish Lira, you'll find that USD and Euro are widely accepted. However, due to Turkey's high credit card processing fees, many places and cabs impose a surcharge for card payments. To avoid these additional charges, we paid in cash for all our excursions, so I recommend keeping some handy, especially for souvenirs at smaller shops.

Is it worth the hype?

*Sunrise on the terrace of Sultan Cave Suites*

We visited during the shoulder season from late April into early May. Despite some rain, the weather was relatively mild. Though we saw many people on the evenings of our sunset excursions, it wasn't terribly busy in town during the day. We never had to wait for things (except the restaurant at our hotel one evening). Each morning, we woke up between 3:45 and 4:45 to watch the sunrise from the terrace or take our balloon ride. There is nothing like standing below a hundred hot balloons with the scenic backdrop of Cappadocia, it’s truly an experience of a lifetime.

Speaking to the locals, June and September seem like they get wildly busy, with the summer months of July and August bringing unbearable heat. Though the weather can get more unpredictable in the shoulder months when going up in the hot air balloon, I recommend planning a visit around those times if you do not enjoy crowds. Give yourself a few days there if you have your heart set on going up in a balloon, so you have an extra day or two in case it gets canceled due to weather.

It was worth the hype, and I would gladly visit again. The people were welcoming, and there was much to do besides seeing the balloons. My friend and I had gone up before in a hot air balloon over Napa Valley, CA, and we both agreed this ride blew the Napa one out of the water. It was so fun being in the air surrounded by other balloons and we both had smiles on our faces the entire time. So, what are you waiting for? Book that trip to Cappadocia!

* I am going to add a quick note about smoking there. The majority of the population in Turkey smokes, you can’t escape it. Sitting outside you will be surrounded by smokers and grabbing a random cab it will more than likely be inundated with the smell. Most hotels have ash trays on the balconies (we did not smell it in our hotel rooms thankfully). Just something to be aware of before your trip.

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