The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Secret Locations, Epic Hotels, & Fun Photoshoots

Looking for the best photo spots in Cappadocia? This region in central Turkey is one of the most breathtaking places to photograph, with its fairytale landscapes, cave dwellings, and iconic hot air balloons floating through the sky. From sunrise lookouts to surreal valleys, Cappadocia is packed with dreamlike scenes waiting to be captured.

We spent several weeks exploring the area, waking up early to catch golden hour and searching for the most scenic and unique angles. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just want to level up your travel photos, this list will help you find all the most photogenic places.

Keep reading to discover the best photo spots in Cappadocia, plus tips for visiting each one and making the most of your time behind the lens.

Cappadocia Photography Guide: A Brief Intro

Are you ready to learn all about taking the perfect pictures in Cappadocia? Before diving into the top photo spots in the region, let’s go over some of the basics so you can plan your trip just right.

What is Cappadocia Known For?

While Istanbul is known for its rich history, and the Turkish Riviera is famous for its beaches, Cappadocia is all about surreal landscapes. This region is best known for its unique rock formations, cave dwellings, and most importantly, the famous hot air balloons that float through the sky at sunrise.

Goreme is the heart of Cappadocia and is where most people base themselves. But there’s so much more to discover across the valleys and towns scattered throughout the region.

Is Cappadocia Worth Going to for Photography?

If you're a photographer, Cappadocia is a dream come true. There are few places in the world where you can capture such otherworldly scenery. From sunrise balloon shots to fairy chimneys and underground cities, every corner of this region offers something unique.

It’s also fairly easy to get around, which means you can visit multiple photo spots in a single day without too much effort. Whether you’re into landscapes, portraits, or drone shots, Cappadocia has endless opportunities.

When is the Best Time to Visit Cappadocia for Photography?

The best time to visit Cappadocia for photography is from late spring through early fall. July to October usually offers the clearest skies, lush valley colors, and the best chances for the balloons to fly. We also love July in particular because there are fewer crowds, and the lavender fields are in full bloom.

That being said, there is NO bad time to capture the magic of Cappadocia. It is stunning year-round, even in winter with the pretty blanket of snow over the valleys.

Sunrise is the most magical time of day to shoot, especially if you're hoping to capture the golden light over the fairy chimneys or colorful skies filled with balloons. Golden hour is also an ideal time to take photos, as there are some really incredible sunset spots in Cappadocia.

Can I Use a Drone in Cappadocia?

Drones are allowed in Cappadocia! Please do be mindful when you are flying though, especially with in the morning with the balloons flying. They're currently allowed, but if tourists start to push the limits getting close to the balloons then we wouldn't be surprised if the government then makes stricter rules.

Where is the Best Place to Take Pictures in Cappadocia?

The most famous picture spots in Cappadocia are ones that have incredible views of the hot air balloons. But there is so much more to photograph in Cappadocia! (although of course the balloons are some of the most magical shots).

There are some beautiful valleys in Cappadocia, along with charming towns, cool caves, and some truly epic hotels to experience. The opportunities are endless for amazing pictures in Cappadocia, but we're here to share some of our absolute favorites with you.

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia

Now that you know a bit about the region, let's explore all of the best photo spots in Cappadocia to capture!

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Iconic Valleys

Cappadocia's valleys are truly a work of art. Each one is unique and has something special to offer, and while we have an entire guide for the best valleys in Cappadocia to explore, here we're going to highlight some of our favorites for photos.

Above Love Valley

Love Valley is prbably the most iconic location in all of Cappadocia, and is famous for its "love" shaped rock formations.

It's where you'll see most of the hot air balloon rides being taken place each morning, and there is seriously no better place to appreciate the valley from right above it.

Inside Love Valley

While most people appreciate Love Valley from the top, you can actually walk all through the valley! It takes little effort, and you can stroll through enjoying the unique formations and simple paths, with endless opportunities for fun photos.

Red Valley

Red Valley is probably the most scenic valley in Cappadocia, with its colorful rock formations, making it particularly one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the region.

There is a small entrance fee of 70 TL to enter, with a paved lot you can drive right up to.

Many people will set up their chairs right next to the parking lot, but you can also wander to right into the valley or above the formations inside. It takes little effort, and the photo opportunities are just breathtaking.

In Front of Red Valley

While most visitors to Red Valley go through the main entrance, many people don't know that there are some really cool viewpoints nearby which are less crowded and free of charge! 

Venture down the dirt roads before the official entrance, and you'll be rewarded with some of the most unique photos spots in Cappadocia, without having to pay a cent.

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: The Coolest Hotels

Some of our favorite photos we've taken in Cappadocia have been during our many stays in Goreme and Uchisar.

Whether you're staying at one of the unique cave hotels of Cappadocia, or checking into a luxury hotel with a stunning spa, there are endless opportunities for amazing pictures in the top hotels in Cappadocia.

Kingdom of Cappadocia

Kingdom of Cappadocia is the ultimate luxury escape, and a photographer's dream. From their epic pools in their suites and stunning spa to the vast terraces and rooftop pool, you could easily spend a full day taking pictures in this incredible hotel.

Aza Cave Hotel

Aza is another supper Instagrammable hotel in Cappadocia. Located right in Goreme, it's known for its fairy chimney on site, along with its incredible pool.

Local Cave House

Local Cave House is one of those pictures you end up seeing all of Instagram, and with good reason! They have a beautiful pool with fairy chimneys as its backdrop. Want a bonus for your pool shot? You can also have a floating breakfast here!

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Incredible Rooftops for Balloon Photos

Now you know that Cappadocia has some incredible hotels, but you really want to miss out on these ones, which feature the coolest terraces with the best views of the hot air balloons.

Sultan Cave Suites

This is probably the number one hotel in Cappadocia when it comes to iconic Instagram-worthy hot air balloon views. With multiple terraces and even a breakfast setup, it truly is one o fthe top places for photos in Goreme.

 Psst! Don't quite have the budget to stay at Sultan Cave Suites? You can also stay at Aza Cave Hotel, which is their sister property, and they'll let you enjoy their terrace.

Mithra Cave Hotel

Mithra was one of our favorite places for Instagrammable shots in Cappadocia. Not only does the hotel have various terraces you can enjoy and some cool cave rooms, but they also have a private terrace that you can rent out for the morning, and get incredible views to yourself!

Koza Cave Hotel

This family-run gem is situated right next to Mithra, and is also has amazing rooftop views, with just a few rooms. If you get the chance, try to secure the Queen Suite, which has its own separate rooftop that includes a jacuzzi!

This is definitely one of the most bucket-list worthy hotels in Cappadocia, and also one you'll want to book well in advance.

Henna Hotel

Henna Hotel was one of our favorite hotels in Cappadocia we stayed at, and has plenty of great photo opportunities. Although we didn't get to see them ourselves (we already had a hot air balloon ride booked), they have prime real estate for balloon viewing.

Not only do they have several terraces you can enjoy, but they also have three different paid experiences with breakfast or a jacuzzi for a totally exclusive morning.

Seki Cave Suites

Another hotel of the Kelebek Group, Seki Cave Suites has the fun rooftop vibes of its sister properties, but a more exclusive feel to it.

It has incredible views of the hot air balloons and Cavusin castle, and also has a rooftop jacuzzi experience you can have for sunrise or sunset! (It costs 60 euros extra).

Note: In order to book the experience, you'll have to be a guest there, or at one of their sister properties.

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Caves & Cathedrals

Ready to explore more fun photo spots in Cappadocia? Well, here are some free ones, but it may take some work finding them, which makes them even that more rewarding!

The Cave

This spot is commonly known by photographers in Cappadocia as "the cave". It's located in Rose Valley, and is popularly visited on both ATV and jeep tours in Cappadocia.

The Cathedral

This is a fun and totally underrated photo spot in Cappadocia, and honestly, one that not many people know about! We had to do a TON of research to find this one, but ended up stumbling upon a guide who was leading his clients there.

The Secret Cathedral

The other cathedral was pretty secret, but this one was so hidden that we honestly tried getting here multiple times. It wasn't until we hired a professional photographer that we were able to reach here. It was a little walk into Rose Valley and a tiny climb, but totally worth it!

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Other Epic Spots

You've seen a lot of cool photo spots in Cappadocia, but we have a few more for you!

Galerie Ikman

Cappadocia is known for its carpets, and their shops are some of the most fun to photograph. Located in the ehart of Goreme, Galerie Ikman is one of the most popular. You can pay just a few dollars to take some photos on your own, or you can hire a photographer to capture an awesome drone shot from above!

Sultan Carpets

Another incredible carpet shop in Goreme is Sultan Carpets. They have an entire gallery of carpets to photograph, and also a gorgeous entrance adorned with traditional Turkish lanterns!

Dalton Brothers

One of the most unique activities in Cappadocia we experienced was doing a running horse photoshoot! While you can do them in a variety of locations, Dalton Brothers certainly has the most iconic backdrop.

The Lavender Fields

Get ready to teleport to France, because Cappadocia has some incredible lavender fields! If you're visiting in summer (particularly in July), then this is definitely one of the best places to take pictures in the area.

The lavender field we went to is Cappadocia Lavender Garden, which is located just 20 minutes from Goreme.

Uchisar Castle

Uchisar Castle has to be one of our most photographed locations in Cappadocia. It's the heart of Uchisar town, and can be seen by many surrounding areas.

Whether you plan on climbing to the top or exploring the foot paths below it, there are so many fun photo opportunities you can find at Uchisar Castle.

Don't miss out on the cute cafe in the valley facing Uchisar Castle!

Ortahisar Panorama

We like to think of this one as a bit of a hidden gem. Ortahisar is a pretty underrated town in Cappadocia, and it looks really beautiful from the distance. Head to the viewpoint and you'll get stunning panoramas, especially if you go at sunset!

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How to Capture the Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia

Now that you know all of the most Instagrammable spots in Cappadocia, let's help you capture the moments with the best gear and unique photoshoots you can sign up for.

Capturing the Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Gear (& What We Use)

Want to capture photos similar to ours? Here is the gear we used in the different locations around Cappadocia.

• Mirrorless Camera: Sony Alpha 7riii
• Wide Lens: Ideal for the different caves (We use the Sony GM 14")
• Wide-Range Lens: Good for capturing most shots (We use the Sony GM 24-70).
• Telephoto Lens: Good for bringing the balloons closer (We use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Drone: We use the Mavic Mini Pro 4 because it's super light, shoots vertically, and has amazing quality.
• Action Camera: We use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & can be used with an extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots where you can't use one.
• Tripod: We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod
• Presets: We use our own Scratch Your Mapa Presets (these ones are mostly with the Into the Wild Preset Collection)

 Is a Cappadocia Photoshoot Worth it?

99% of the time we are taking our own photos, but Cappadocia is one of the places where moments are fleeting and time is of the essence. It's definitely one of the best locations in the world to splurge a bit to have a professional photoshoot.

Local photographers are absolute experts of catching the most iconic moments, and also offer elegant dress rentals, professional hair & makeup, and more!

The Coolest Photo Shoots in Cappadocia

One of the best ways to capture the magic of Cappadocia is not only to visit the most photographic spots, but to have a professional join you!

Cappadocia has some truly unique and fun photoshoot opportunities, allowing you to take home some of the most epic memories, and without the stress of doing it on your own. Here are some of our favorites you can sign up for.

 Flying Dress Photo Shoot

Looking to add a touch of glam to your photo shoot in Cappadocia? There are a quite a few photographers and dress rental companies in the region - whether you want a silky flying dress, or a ruffly dress to make you look like the true goddess you are.

Flying dress photo shoots are one of the most unique activities in Cappadocia, and are something that can only be found in a few places around the world, so it's a great place to sign up for one!

 Pssst! Did you know that we offer flying dress photo shoots in New York City? Check out Flying Dresses New York for a fun photo shoot next time you're visiting the Big Apple!

Swing Photoshoot

If you love a flying dress photo shoot, then prepared to be blown away - this is one of the most epic photo shoot opportunities in the world!

If hot air balloons and flying dresses weren't enough as it was, this swing photo shoot in Cappadocia truly is here to bring all of the magic together in one frame.

Carpet Shop Photo Shoot

Colorful Turkish carpets are truly iconic in this region, and Cappadocia is full of vibrant shops selling them. Our personal favorites (and the most beautiful for photos) are Sultan Carpets and Galerie Ikman, both of which are in the heart of Goreme.

They work with a local photographer to capture travelers in gorgeous dresses draped against the colorful rugs and against the colorful lanterns, even offering the photo shoots with drone shoots from through the roof!

Classic Car Photo Shoot

Want something a little unique but equally special to Cappadocia? Classic car photo shoots are one of the most fun and iconic ways to create beautiful photos in this gorgeous destination. You can get them at sunrise with the balloons, or opt for a later shoot at sunset.

Running Horse Photo Shoot

This amazing experience blends local culture and photography, making it truly one of the most epic photo shoots you'll ever have - galloping horses are released around you as a professional photographer captures the action.

It was one of our favorite moments in Cappadocia, and we couldn't recommend booking a photoshoot with Selim enough.

Psst! Want to do the incredibly famous running horse photoshoot in Cappadocia? We're partnering directly with the photographer to offer you a special discount!

Mermaid Photo Shoot

Just when you thought Cappadocia didn't have enough unbelievable photo opportunities, this brand new photoshoot experience decided to come along.

Join an expert underwater photographer to make your aquatic dreams come true. They'll capture underwater shots of you in a variety of gowns! It's truly one of the most most unique photo opportunities in Cappadocia, and definitely one you'll want to add to your bucket list.

The Best Photo Spots in Cappadocia: Final Tips & What's Next

Now you know everything you need to capture the magic of Cappadocia! Before you head out with your camera, here are a few extra tips to make the most of your photography adventure:

 What's Next?

Now you know all of the best photo spots in Cappadocia, and probably want to know all of the other great things to see and do around the area! Here are some other guides we've written which will help you plan an epic trip to Cappadocia:

 13 Reasons to Visit Cappadocia

 How to Get to Cappadocia

 20 of the Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

 29 Unique Activities & Tours in Cappadocia

 The Top Hotels in Cappadocia

 22 Best Cave Hotels in Cappadocia

 The Best Valleys in Cappadocia

 What to Do in Cappadocia When it Rains

 What to Expect on a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia

 The Best Places for Hot Air Balloon Views in Cappadocia

 Cappadocia Food Guide

 The Best Time to Visit Cappadocia

 The Best Sunset Spots in Cappadocia

 How to Do a Cappadocia Horse Photoshoot

 Avanos Travel Guide

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to snap your way around the most Instagrammable locations in Cappadocia? It definitely is one of the most photogenic regions in the world, so make sure to go with an empty camera roll!

Want to learn about all of the other cool things to do and see in Cappadocia? We have a ton of other Cappadocia travel guides for you to read - with more coming each week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates, as well as exclusive discounts we offer on our shop.

Ready to start planning the most unbelievable trip to Cappadocia? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, delivering you specially-curated itineraries, hand-picked stays, and epic activities for you. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email so we can get started with your free consultation!

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