There’s one Turkish city boasting stunning locales and exquisite food that hasn’t fallen prey to the tourist trap just yet — and you can reach there and back in as little as £104
Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Bodrum: For those who have visited or are planning to visit Türkiye, these are the tourist-famous cities you’ve probably heard of.
But there’s one Turkish city that hasn’t fallen prey to the tourist trap just yet: Kayseri, historically known as Caesarea, is a little-known city bordering Cappadocia. For those in the know, it serves as a gateway to hot-air balloon city, but without the relentless throngs.
Travel expert Selda Bayhan agrees. As a senior SunExpress cabin crew member who has flown all over Turkey for the past 30 years, Bayhan has seen the city go undervisited for years. She said: “Most Brits are completely missing one of Turkey’s most beautiful and affordable cities”.
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Calling it “the gateway to Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, cave hotels and sunrise balloon rides”, Bayhan says Kayseri is “totally under the radar”. Showering high praise on this underrated gem of a city, the travel expert says: “It’s [Kayseri] also one of the best food cities in Turkey, serving up local dishes like manti (spiced dumplings) and pastirma, plus proper Turkish baths and views of Mount Erciyes.”
Kayseri has been the historical capital of Cappadocia since ancient times and sits at the foot of Mount Erciyes — a dormant volcano that reaches the towering altitude of 3,917 metres (12,851 feet), placing it a robust 1,500 metres above the city’s mean altitude.
Tourists often pass through the unassumingly alluring locales of Kayseri en route to the better-known attractions of Cappadocia in the west — and that’s their first mistake.
Bayhan shares: “Many UK travellers still associate Türkiye mostly with sun, sea, and beach resorts — and while our coastline is beautiful, Türkiye is so much more than a sun and sea destination. From vibrant cities to ancient ruins, dramatic mountain landscapes to rich culinary traditions, there’s so much to discover.
“One under-the-radar gem in Türkiye that more people should really experience is Kayseri. It’s often overlooked in favour of nearby Cappadocia, but it has so much to offer without the crowds.”
Here are some of the best things to do Kayseri:
Ski at Mount Erciyes
Looming over Kayseri, the majestic Mount Erciyes serves as the trekking and alpinism centre for the region. The former volcano doubles up as an imposing mountain that has since been transformed into a ski resort used for winter sports. Mountaineers usually attempt climbs in the summer from June through September in a bid to summit before the snow arrives at higher elevations.
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A traveller’s review of Mount Erciyes on TripAdvisor said it was “one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to” while another stated: “This attraction is a must visit if someone is in Kayseri or Cappadocia.”
Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
Very accessible from Kayseri, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning valley dotted with monasteries and rock-carved churches. Originally built during the Byzantine era, this historic settlement once served as a monastic refuge and a revered pilgrimage site. Visitors can marvel at the intricate architecture of cave-carved rooms and churches that are seamlessly embedded in the honeycombed terrain.
The highlight of the museum is the Dark Church (ticketed separately) that’s adorned with vividly preserved frescoes that showcase the artistry of the era. Bayhan advises exploring the “Göreme Open-Air Museum, where ancient rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes transport you back in time.”
Hike around Red and Rose Valleys
Göreme’s Red Valley offers an exhilarating hiking experience. Best known for its vibrant, reddish-hued rock formations that glow magnificently during sunset, travellers wandering through the valley’s serene landscape will encounter hidden cave churches, unique rock formations, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Neighbouring the Red Valley is the Rose Valley — an equally captivating hiking region known for its soft, pink-coloured rock formations. The hiking trails in Rose Valley meander through ancient cave dwellings, lush vineyards, and glorious rock pillars. The Rose Valley is ideal for travellers who are looking to explore the landscape of Cappadocia at a more leisurely pace.
Bayhan recommends wandering “through the Red Valley and Rose Valley” that is “perfect for hiking and nature walks”.
Turkish Baths
Hammams, otherwise known as Turkish baths, offer a relaxing experience steeped in centuries of history and tradition. Kayseri’s popular hammams such as the Gevher Nesibe Hammam and Karatay Hammam, highlight gorgeous Ottoman-era architecture and feature domed ceilings and intricate tilework, providing visitors with the perfect blend of relaxation and cultural heritage. Bayhan advises topping off your Kayseri visit with a trip to a “traditional Turkish bath” and shares that “you’ll walk away feeling like you’ve experienced something truly authentic — and wonderfully Turkish
What to eat
“In terms of food, from famous manti (Turkish dumplings) to pastirma and local desserts, it’s the kind of cuisine that visitors never forget,” claims Bayhan.
Mantı is a small dumpling that’s stuffed with minced meat and is commonly served with spiced butter and yoghurt and spiced butter. It’s undoubtedly one of Kayseri’s signature dishes. Another delicacy served up in Kayseri is Pastırma: a type of air-dried, cured beef, that’s seasoned with a paste made from fenugreek, garlic, and traditionally Turkish spices. It’s usually served as an appetiser or used to elevate other dishes. Sucuk is another specialty dish of Kayseri. A dry, fermented sausage made from ground beef, Sucuk is seasoned with red pepper and garlic and is most commonly included in breakfasts or cooked alongside eggs.
A lip-smacking traditional dessert specific to the Kayseri region is Nevzine. Made from tahini, molasses, and walnuts that are soaked in syrup, Nevzine is typically prepared for special occasions.
Getting there
Traveling to Kayseri from the UK is fairly straightforward. Direct flights to Kayseri Erkilet Airport are available from London, operated by airlines such as Pegasus, Ajet, and SunExpress, with return fares starting at approximately £104 from London Stansted.
On average, flight times from London to Kayseri are about four hours and 20 minutes, according to Skyscanner. There are typically two flights per week between the two cities, with SunExpress offering services from London Stansted Airport.
