Things to Do in Acıgöl: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Acıgöl

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature
• 1 Other

While you are in Acıgöl, you can also see the highlights of Nevşehir province. These places are in other districts.

• Göreme Open-Air Museum — An open-air museum made up of rock-cut monasteries and churches, famous for its Byzantine frescoes of the 10th to 12th centuries; the Dark Church, the Apple Church and the Snake Church are the main buildings.
• Uçhisar Castle — A natural fortress at Uçhisar with hundreds of rooms carved into the rock; it is one of the highest points in Cappadocia, and the whole region can be seen from its summit.
• Derinkuyu Underground City — A multi-storey underground city carved into the rock, 30 km from Nevşehir, with ventilation shafts, stables, wine workshops, churches and doors closed by rolling stones; it was discovered in 1963 and opened to visitors in 1967.
• Kaymaklı Underground City — An underground city at Kaymaklı thought to have eight storeys, four of which are open to visitors; it has been open to visitors since 1964.
• Zelve Open-Air Museum — An abandoned rock village spread across three valleys on the slopes of Aktepe, 5 km from Avanos; it was an important monastic centre in the 9th to 13th centuries, and people lived here until the 1950s.
• Paşabağ (Monks Valley) — On the road to Zelve, one of the most photogenic spots in Cappadocia, with mushroom-shaped, multi-headed fairy chimneys.

Practical Information for Visiting Acıgöl

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn

Places to visit

5 places

• 🥟

  Acıgöl Mantısı

  Mantı made from small hand-rolled pieces of dough filled with minced meat and boiled. It is served with a yoghurt and butter sauce.

• 🥣

  Arabaşı

  A thick soup made from chicken broth and flour, served with butter and red pepper.

• 🥔

  Potato Kebab

  Potatoes grown in the region, baked in the oven with minced meat and onion.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Acıgöl

• 🪨

  Obsidian Trade Heritage

  The Acıgöl area was one of Anatolia's most important obsidian sources in the Neolithic period (7000 BC). Obsidian extracted here reached as far as Mesopotamia through trade routes.

• 🌾

  Cappadocian Farming Culture

  Farming has been carried on in Acıgöl for thousands of years thanks to the fertility of the volcanic soils. Potatoes, grain and viticulture form the basis of the traditional farming culture.

Local Products

• Acıgöl Potatoes — Potatoes grown in volcanic soil, known for their starch content and flavour. They are the most important agricultural product of the district.
• Acıgöl Obsidian — Obsidian, a volcanic glass, was used to make tools in prehistoric times and is today worked for decorative purposes.

Economy

Acıgöl's economy is based on farming. Potatoes, wheat and barley are the main agricultural products. Viticulture and livestock farming are also traditional sources of livelihood. The underground city at Tatlarin generates tourism income.

How to Get to Acıgöl

Acıgöl is 20 km from Nevşehir. Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport is 10 km away. There are regular minibus services from Nevşehir.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Nevşehir

Acıgöl: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Acıgöl Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Nevşehir The province's 14 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Nevşehir

• Nevşehir Central District 6 places Nevşehir Castle, Damat İbrahim Paşa Complex and Nevşehir Museum
• Avanos 9 places Kızılırmak Riverbank, Avanos Pottery Workshops and Zelve Open-Air Museum
• Derinkuyu 4 places Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri (Derinkuyu Underground City), Derinkuyu-Kaymaklı Yeraltı Tüneli (Derinkuyu-Kaymaklı Underground Tunnel) and Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri (Özkonak Underground City)
• Gülşehir 6 places Açıksaray (Açık Saray) Ruins, Saint John Church (Karşı Kilise, the Church Opposite) and Kızılırmak Valley
• Hacıbektaş 11 places Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum and Complex, Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum and Hacı Bektaş Veli Tomb
• Kozaklı 4 places Kozaklı Thermal Baths, Kozaklı Castle and Thermal Park and Walking Areas
• Ürgüp 10 places Three Graces Fairy Chimneys, Devrent (Imagination) Valley and Temenni Hill