What to Do in Cappadocia When It Rains: 12 Great Activities for a Rainy Day

Cappadocia is known for its stunning landscapes, fairy chimneys, and of course, hot air balloon rides. But what happens when the weather turns gray and rainy? If you are wondering what to do in Cappadocia when it rains, you are not alone - we actually spent almost an entire month there, and had much more rain than anticipated.

The good news is that Cappadocia still has plenty to offer, even when the skies are cloudy or it's raining cats and dogs. From ancient cave churches to local cuisine and cultural experiences, there are tons of activities that do not require perfect weather. In fact, a rainy day might just give you a more relaxed and unique experience of the region.

This guide covers a variety of ideas for what to do in Cappadocia when it rains. Whether you are looking for something indoors, want to explore the area in a different way, or simply need cozy spots to wait out the weather, we've got you covered.

What to Do in Cappadocia When it Rains: a Brief Intro

Before diving into what to do in Cappadocia when it rains, let's go over some of the basics about the weather in Cappadocia, and what to expect depending on when you are visiting.

Does it Rain a lot in Cappadocia?

Cappadocia experiences 4 seasons. It has hot and sunny summers, cold and snowy winters, and a whole mess of stuff in between.

We visited Cappadocia for several weeks from March into April, and honestly it rained much more than we were anticipating. We made a huge itinerary of things to do, but hardly considered what to do in Cappadocia when it rains! 

Cappadocia doesn't rain a lot year round, but it does have certain months which are much wetter than others. Even when it does rain though, the weather can change quickly, so make sure to always be prepared!

What is the Rainiest Month in Cappadocia?

When we decided to have our wedding in Cappadocia, we though April was going to be ideal. Boy, were we wrong! April rained significantly (and hailed!), and apparently May isn't any better. According to locals, May is the rainiest month in Cappadocia, and June is when it starts to dry up.

 Is There Anything to Do in Cappadocia When it Rains?

Most of the best things to do in Cappadocia are certainly in the outdoors. But that doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Cappadocia when it rains! We've actually got plenty of fun activities in Cappadocia for a rainy day, so in case you aren't lucky with the weather, you can still enjoy your visit in a different way.

What to Do in Cappadocia When it Rains

Ready to learn what to do in Cappadocia when it rains? Here are twelve fun ideas for a rainy day, for every traveler type!

Explore the Underground Cities

Hidden underneath the surface, Cappadocia’s underground cities are truly some of the most fascinating attractions you can find in Cappadocia.

Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are the most well-known underground cities, with multi-level tunnels that were once used for shelter during invasions. Additionally, you can also check out Ozhanik Underground City. 

Not only are they really unique places to check out in the region, but they are also one of the most ideal options for a rainy day in Cappadocia.

 Check Out the Pottery Museum

The town of Avanos is one of the most underrated locations in Cappadocia, and a great place to enjoy when it rains in Cappadocia.

The town sits along the Kızılırmak River and is famous for its pottery traditions. While the town itself is great to enjoy, our favorite place to visit when it's raining is the pottery museum.

Not only is the museum really great for seeing pottery through the centuries, but it has a stunning illuminated cave setting, and one of the most impressive gift shops you can visit in Cappadocia. Also, if you're lucky you can see some of the artisans at work!

Take a Pottery Class

Other than the pottery museum, Avanos is also known for having tons of pottery shops, many of which host their own workshops.

While some do demonstrations, many of them also let you create your own souvenir to take home (just be sure to double-check the tour description!). Its fun, affordable, and the perfect way to have something extra special to take home from Cappadocia.

Do a Sand Brewed Turkish Coffee Workshop

There's no better way to spend a rainy day in Cappadocia than to warm up with a hot beverage. While Turkish coffee is not our personal favorite, it's definitely unique to this area of the world, and a cool beverage to try while visiting!

Turkish coffee has a unique preparation, so you can actually learn the art of making it in a hands-on experience - truly one of the most unique activities in Cappadocia!

You'll get to learn about the traditional way of making Turkish Coffee on sand and about its cultural significance, while getting to try a variety of Turkish desserts. Not only is it one of the best things to do in Cappadocia when it rains, but it's also one of the most affordable activities to take part in - a true no-brainer!

 Try an Anatolian Cooking Class

Anatolian food is really damn good- and what better way to enjoy the cuisine on a rainy day than by learning from the locals? There are a variety of cooking classes to choose from in Cappadocia, from doing one in someone's home to whipping up delicacies in a cozy cave.

 Make Your Own Perfume

Turkey is known for their impressive perfume industry, and now instead of just getting to try and purchase them, you can actually make your very own!

This perfume fragrance workshop allows you to craft your own signature perfume using 70+ premium essences, and you'll be able to bring home a travel-sized bottle.

 Craft Your Own Turkish Mosaic Lamp

See those gorgeous colorful lamps all over Turkey? Well, now you can actually learn how to make one yourself!

In a hands-on workshop you'll be making your very own Turkish lamp with colorful mosaic tiles- the ultimate souvenir to take home with you, and one of the best activities in Cappadocia for when it rains.

 Go Shopping

Now you can tell Cappadocia is great for its unique workshops, but if you're looking for a simple activity to enjoy when it rains, then it's a great time to get some shopping done.

Whether you are looking for souvenirs to bring home, the incredible jewelry selection, or handmade leather goods, there really is something for everyone in Cappadocia's shops.

Don't miss out on the Zultanite jewelry! The stone is native to the area, and changes colors with the light making it a really unique and stunning piece of jewelry to take home with you.

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🧖🏻‍♀️ Visit a Turkish Bath/Spa

Wondering what to do when it rains in Cappadocia other than activities? Well, going to Turkish bath is the perfect way to warm up and relax on a miserable day. 

Many spas in Cappadocia offer scrubs, massages, and steam rooms in incredible cave settings. This cultural ritual is a must-try, especially when you want to experience Cappadocia and do something low key at the same time.

You can find plenty of public hammams, but a lot of the best hotels in Cappadocia also have their own included!

 Do a Mermaid Photoshoot

Your first thought when deciding what to do in Cappadocia when it rains is probably not a photoshoot right? Well, we're hear to tell you to think again.

Acuadocia is a brand new activity that brings underwater lovers and photographers together to create some magic in a dreamy underwater photoshoot.

You'll be given a stunning gown to wear, making it an even more unique experience, and a true once-in-a-lifetime activity to try.

 Listen to Live Music in a Cave

Cappadocia's caves are the perfect places to escape bad weather, and luckily, they're all over! You can sleep in a cave, dine in a cave, or even listen to live music in one.

Right upon the entrance of Goreme you'll find Keyf i Ala, a small fairy chimney with a restaurant inside. Each weekend they have live music at night, and plenty of tasty bites to go along with it. 

Have a Traditional Turkish Dinner with Folk Show

If you're a foodie and also love a bit of culture, then we have a treat for you. Cappadocia offers a variety of dinner shows with traditional Turkish performances and dinner included! Many of them are actually in caves, keeping you safe from the rain, and giving you an even more authentic Cappadocian experience all in one.

What to Do in Cappadocia When it Rains: Conclusion

Now you know what expect when visiting central Turkey and what to do in Cappadocia when it rains! Here's a bit of a recap, and a few other tips though:

• Cappadocia's rainiest months are April and May.
• The weather in Cappadocia can change quickly, so it's best to be prepared.
• Cappadocia is known for its caves, so it's best to take advantage of cave hotels in Cappadocia and cave dining experiences when it rains.
• Some of the most unique activities in Cappadocia are the interactive classes you can take.
• We recommend booking a hotel with a spa or Turkish baths to take advantage of.
• Check the weather, but also remember that Cappadocia's weather can change multiple times in a day.
• Always have a plan b prepared, so that you aren't disappointed if you get bad weather.

 What's Next?

Now that you know what to do in Cappadocia when it rains, you'll probably want to know more about visiting! Here are some of our top guides we recommend to help you getting acquainted with this incredible region:

 How to Get to Cappadocia

 The Best Valleys in Cappadocia

 20 of the Best Things to Do in Cappadocia

 29 Fun & Unique Activities in Cappadocia

 The Top Hotels in Cappadocia

 The 22 Best Cave Hotels in Cappadocia

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to experience some fun and unique activities? We hope our guide for what to do in Cappadocia when it rains has helped you enjoy the less-than-ideal weather in the best ways possible!

Want to learn more about traveling around Cappadocia? Don't miss out on our other Cappadocia guides - we also have more coming up each week! Also- don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates, as well as exclusive discounts on our products and services!

Ready to start planning the most incredible trip to Cappadocia? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, carefully curated to make you the perfect itinerary, no matter when you go. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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