Red and Green Tours from Göreme
How guided touring works in Göreme
Most guided sightseeing around Göreme is sold as one of two day tours. Their names, “Red Tour” and “Green Tour”, are informal labels used by the local tour trade, and the stops vary by operator, so treat the lists below as typical rather than fixed. Ask what is included before you book, because two itineraries that sound identical can differ in their stops.
The Red Tour
The Red Tour usually covers the north side of the region: the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Paşabağ (Monks Valley) with its double and triple-headed fairy chimneys, the Devrent Valley with its animal-shaped rocks, and the pottery town of Avanos on the Kızılırmak. It is a good first-day option because the stops are close together and several are short photo or walking stops.
The Green Tour
The Green Tour usually heads south to an underground city, either Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, then continues to the Ihlara Valley and the Selime Monastery. The day is longer and involves more driving and more walking, including the canyon path in Ihlara. Wear shoes with grip, and remember that the underground passages are low and narrow.
Guided Open-Air Museum visits
A guide helps in the painted churches, where the frescoes are hard to read without context. The museum is open daily 08:00 to 17:45, and the ticket office closes at 17:15. Flash photography is not allowed inside the churches, and you should never touch the paintings. The Dark Church needs its own ticket on top of the main entrance. Check ticket details at the gate or on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism museum page .
Underground city half days
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are often sold as a half-day outing from Göreme. Only part of each city is open, with about 55 m of depth at Derinkuyu and 4 levels at Kaymaklı. Passages are low and narrow, so skip it if you have claustrophobia, bad knees or back problems, or a heart or breathing condition. Stay on the lit, marked route.
Whirling dervish (Sema) evenings
Sema evenings are held at cave and hall venues sold as tours and at Saruhan Caravanserai near Avanos. They are not held at the Göreme Open-Air Museum or at the Dark Church. The Sema is a religious ritual, so dress and behave respectfully.
Choosing an agency
Book with a licensed agency, ideally one registered with TÜRSAB, the Turkish travel agency association. Ask about group size, pickup from your cave hotel, entrance fees (which are often extra) and the refund policy.
You can compare listings on Viator before choosing, and read the official UK travel advice for Turkey for current guidance.
Read more: Day trips and Sightseeing .