- Aladağlar national park is one of Turkey's top trekking and climbing areas
- Gümüşler Monastery has exceptional frescoes
- Niğde Museum holds mummies and regional finds
- Far quieter than central Cappadocia
- Airports
- Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR) via Istanbul
- Best time to go
- June-September for mountains, April-May and October for sightseeing
- Type
- Province
Niğde is a province of orchards, apple groves and mountains at the southern edge of Cappadocia. Its capital is a modest market town with a Seljuk castle, but the real draws are the rock monastery at Gümüşler and the Aladağlar range on its eastern side. It is part of Central Anatolia.
UK visitors who reach here tend to be walkers and climbers, or travellers who have seen central Cappadocia and want something quieter. See our Turkey guide for general planning.
Things to do
- Aladağlar national park – jagged limestone peaks rising to over 3,700 metres, with trekking, climbing and the village of Çukurbağ as a base.
- Gümüşler Monastery – a rock-cut monastery with some of the finest-preserved Byzantine frescoes in Cappadocia.
- Niğde castle and old town – the Seljuk citadel, the Alaeddin Mosque and the Ak Madrasa.
- Niğde Museum – archaeological finds and a small collection of mummies.
- Tyana – the remains of a Roman aqueduct near Kemerhisar.
- Bolkar mountains – another range to the south, with high plateaus and glacial lakes.
- Derinkuyu – the famous underground city is just over the border in Nevşehir.
Where to stay
- Çukurbağ and Demirkazık – small guesthouses for trekkers in Aladağlar.
- Niğde town – a few hotels near the centre.
- Central Cappadocia – Göreme or Ürgüp, roughly an hour and a half away.
Getting there
Fly from the UK via Istanbul to Nevşehir or Kayseri, each roughly an hour to an hour and a half from Niğde. The town is on the main road and railway towards Adana. Aladağlar is about an hour and a half east of Niğde, and a car or transfer is needed.
Best time to visit
June to September for trekking in the mountains, when the high passes are clear. Spring and autumn for sightseeing. Winter brings heavy snow to the peaks.
Top attractions in Niğde
Niğde on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Aladağlar suitable for beginners?
There are easier valley walks, but the high routes need experience or a local guide.
Is Gümüşler worth visiting?
Yes, if you love frescoes. It is quiet and its paintings are among the best preserved in the region.
Can I visit Niğde from Göreme?
Yes, as a day trip by car, combining Gümüşler with Derinkuyu on the way.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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