Ihlara valley Valley

Address: Ihlara Valley (Ihlara Vadisi), near Ihlara / Güzelyurt, Aksaray Province, Turkey

Hours: Daily (daylight hours; seasonal opening times at some entrances)

Admission: Small entrance fee is usually charged at valley entrances

Ihlara Valley is a steep, volcanic tuff canyon in Aksaray Province in central Turkey, located within the Cappadocia region and famous for its carved churches and canyon landscape. The valley is carved by the Melendiz River and extends for about 14 km.

The valley floor and trails contain dozens of rock-cut Byzantine churches and monastic dwellings with fresco fragments, cliff niches and waterways. Hikes commonly follow the river through wooded canyon sections with footpaths linking churches and small settlements; many visitors walk sections rather than the whole 14 km route. The large rock-cut complex at the valley’s downstream end is a notable endpoint for longer walks.

The carved churches and habitations date mainly to the Byzantine period, used by monastic communities and local Christians between roughly the 8th and 13th centuries. Over time the site saw continued use, later decline, and more recent archaeological recording and conservation efforts.

The valley sits in a rugged, semi-arid volcanic landscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey, with access from local roads via the villages of Ihlara and Belisirma and the Selime area. It lies within Aksaray Province and is set along the Melendiz River corridor.

• Length and depth: About 14 km from the valley entrance near Ihlara village to the rock-cut complex at Selime, with canyon walls reaching roughly 100 m in places.
• River: The Melendiz River runs along the valley floor, forming the valley’s microclimate and riparian corridor.

What to See#

• Selime Monastery: Located at the downstream end of the valley, a large rock-cut monastery complex carved into volcanic tuff with multi-level chambers and a cathedral-sized church dating to the medieval period.
• Belisirma Village: A small riverside settlement roughly midway along the valley where restaurants and access points sit beside several cliff churches carved into the canyon walls.
• Ihlara Village: The traditional start point for many walks through the canyon, adjacent to access trails and parking on the valley rim.

• Start at the Ihlara village (Ihlara Köyü) trailhead early in the morning and walk the gorge downstream toward Belisirma and Selime to avoid the peak-tour times and enjoy cooler temperatures.
• Pause to explore the lesser-known cave churches and their frescoes along the canyon rather than rushing straight to the main viewpoints - many visitors miss these tucked-away interiors.
• Combine a visit with nearby underground cities (Derinkuyu or Kaymakli) or the Selime Monastery to make a full-day circuit of the southern Cappadocia highlights from Aksaray or Göreme.