Overview
Avanos centers Cappadocia’s pottery tradition on the Kızılırmak, with workshops, showrooms, and a walkable old town. It offers a quieter base for fairy chimneys, river scenery, and nearby underground sites.
Culture · River · Day Trips · Off The Trail · Shopping
Did you know?
- A narrow metal footbridge sways when crowds cross the river.
- At Chez Galip, visitors can make their own mug in a ceramics studio.
- Red silt from the Kızılırmak fuels the town’s long ceramics tradition.
Why Go?
Avanos is Cappadocia's pottery capital, sitting on the Kızılırmak (Red River) where ancient underground dwellings carved into volcanic tuff date back to the 8th century BC. The town's red silt fuels a ceramics tradition that fills its streets with workshops and showrooms. It serves as a quieter, cheaper alternative base to touristy Göreme, with the iconic fairy chimney landscape starting just 15 km south.
Getting In
Long-distance travel routes through Nevşehir, which has flights from Istanbul and buses from all directions. Dolmuşes buzz constantly between Nevşehir and the smaller Cappadocia towns; Avanos lies just off Highway D300. The bus station is central, an open square along Kapadokya Cd ringed by cafes and ticket agencies. Southbound buses for Göreme may stop across the street without entering the square.
Getting Around
The old town north of the river is compact and walkable. The newer south-bank sprawl requires wheels, particularly to reach Zelve and the fairy chimneys. You can join organized tours or negotiate with a taxi driver to take you around for a few hours at a set price.
When to Go
Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) offer mild temperatures ideal for walking and outdoor activities. Summer can be hot but the underground cities provide cool refuge. Winter sees fewer tourists and occasional snow on the fairy chimneys, though some facilities may have reduced hours.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options range from cave hotels to modern mid-range chains. Budget-conscious travelers find good value at Saklı Cave House (B&B double 1500 TL) on 112nd Sk, while mid-range options like Kirkit Hotel (B&B double 3000 TL) offer charming rooms in converted old houses. The DoubleTree by Hilton on Kızılırmak Cd serves tour groups with consistent chain amenities.
Food and Drink
The main eating strip lies just north of the footbridge with restaurants including Kapadokya Lezzet Sofrası, Öz Bereket, Taşevim, Dürümcü Dayi, Ciğercan Avanos, Kumsal & Inci, Usta, and Ocakbaşı Urfa Sofrası. Ürgüp Cd leading from the bus station has Köfteci Yusuf, Big Chef's, and Fatima's. For drinks, wine houses (Şarap Evi) along Edip Akbayram Sk include Salkım, Aryatus, and Vanessa, while cafes throughout town serve alcohol.
Things to Do
Pottery workshops fill the town—Chez Galip Hair Museum doubles as a ceramics studio where you can make your own mug (daily 09:00-20:00). The Güray Museum displays art in a cave setting (adult 200 TL, daily 09:00-18:30). For wellness, Avrasya Spa offers traditional Turkish baths and massage at Kızılırmak Cd 12, open daily 14:00-00:00. Hot-air balloon rides are available through Voyager, Rainbow, and Turkiye Balloons agencies. Horse riding operators cluster south around Çavuşin.
Sights
The Kızılırmak Bridge is a modern metal footbridge over the river—narrow and swaying when congested. The New Central Mosque (Merkez Yeni Cami) stands on Vatan Cd at the north end of the footbridge. The 1302 AD Underground Mosque (Kebir Çukur Cami) is on 107th Sk, 100 m north. Kapadokya Church is a former Greek Orthodox chapel 100 m further east. Richly tiled Yeşilbaş Mosque sits on Edip Akbayram Sk by Duru Hotel. Zelve village (adult 400 TL, daily 08:00-20:00) is carved from rocks near Paşabağ valley, with an ancient mill, winery, and churches possibly dating to Hittite times.
Connectivity
Avanos and its approach highways have 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.
Day Trips
Göreme lies just 18 km south at the heart of the fairy chimney landscape—easily visited as a day trip. Uçhisar "castle" is a fantastically carved pinnacle. South of Nevşehir, the extensive underground cities at Kaymakli and Derinkuyu offer unforgettable subterranean exploration. Özkonak Underground City sits 14 km northeast with adult tickets at 200 TL (daily 08:00-20:00 April-October, 08:00-17:00 November-March).
Go Next
Göreme (18 km south) is the iconic fairy chimney base. Uçhisar features a dramatically carved pinnacle. South of Nevşehir lie the vast underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Kayseri to the east serves as the transport hub with museums and historic buildings, while Konya lies west with its famous whirling dervishes. The D300 highway connects these destinations.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Double Tree by Hilton
Decent mid-price chain hotel often used by tour groups.
Price when recorded: B&B double 3000 TL
Sleep
Duru Hotel
Pleasant hotel on the slopes north of town, with great views.
Sleep
Kirkit Hotel
Charming central hotel in a knock-through of four old houses.
Price when recorded: B&B double 3000 TL
Sleep
Mira Cappadocia Hotel
Great reviews for comfort and service at this hotel on the north slopes.
Price when recorded: B&B double 3000 TL
Sleep
Saklı Cave House
Good value small hotel.
Price when recorded: B&B double 1500 TL
Sleep
Signature Garden Hotel
Comfy modern hotel with pool by D300, handy for motorists.
Price when recorded: B&B double 3000 TL
Sleep
Sofa Hotel
Atmospheric hotel, some rooms are rock-cut.
Price when recorded: B&B double 2000 TL
Sleep
Suhan Cappadocia Hotel
Big boxy hotel a short walk to town centre. It got bad reviews in winter 23 / 24 but looks like management have got a grip and smartened the place up. Bland catering, but secretly you were yearning for a respite from full-on Turkish.
Price when recorded: B&B double 3000 TL
Before you go
Accommodation
B&B doubles range from 1500-3000 TL. Cave hotels offer unique experiences. Book ahead in peak season (spring and fall).
Connectivity
4G available from all Turkish carriers. 5G not yet available in Turkey as of July 2024.
Food
Restaurants cluster north of the footbridge. Main strip has Turkish fare from 100-200 TL per meal. Wine houses on Edip Akbayram Sk serve local Cappadocian wines.
Money
Currency is Turkish Lira (TL). Prices quoted are in TL. Cards accepted at hotels and larger restaurants but cash preferred at markets and local establishments.
Safety
Avanos is a quiet tourist town. Standard precautions apply. Some outlying areas near closed attractions may be poorly maintained.
Transport
Dolmuşes run frequently between Nevşehir and Cappadocia towns including Avanos. The bus station is central on Kapadokya Cd.
Weather
Summers are hot, winters cold with occasional snow. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for sightseeing.