Kayseri
Destinations
Located in the Yeşilhisar district of Kayseri, Soğanlı Valley is one of the calmer and undiscovered natural beauties that carry the enchanting atmosphere of Cappadocia. Surrounded by fairy chimneys, the valley contains churches, monasteries and living spaces carved into the rocks from the Byzantine period. Historical churches decorated with frescoes such as Karabaş, Dome, Yılanlı and St. Barbara Churches reveal the cultural texture of the valley. The famous fairy chimneys and natural rock formations of Cappadocia also offer a fascinating view here. In addition to the many churches and monasteries carved into the rocks in Soğanlı, there are also dovecotes, caves and shelters. In addition, the fairy chimneys located in the archaeological site add a different color to Soğanlı Valley with their natural appearance. Soğanlı Valley is also famous for its traditional handmade Soğanlı dolls. These dolls, which are unique to the region, are made by hand and sold as souvenirs in the valley.
One of the most important cultural centers of Kayseri, Kayseri Archaeology Museum is a museum that exhibits the rich archaeological heritage of the region from the Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Roman and Byzantine periods. Opened in 1969, the museum was renovated in 2019 and moved to its modern building in Kayseri Castle. The most striking works of the museum include cuneiform tablets, Hittite reliefs, sarcophagi, statues and ancient coins found in the Kültepe (Kaniş-Karum) excavations. In particular, cuneiform tablets from the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period are among the oldest written documents in Anatolia and provide important information about trade and the legal system. The museum is open every day of the week except Mondays from 09:00 to 17:00
Erciyes Ski Resort, located in Kayseri, is one of the largest and most modern winter sports resorts in Turkey. Located on Mount Erciyes, the highest volcanic mountain in Turkey at 3,917 meters, this ski resort is a perfect destination for both amateur and professional skiers with its high snow quality, wide slopes and advanced facilities. Appealing to skiers of all levels from professional slopes to family-friendly areas, Erciyes is also equipped with modern facilities, restaurants and accommodation options. The ski resort has more than 30 slopes of different difficulty levels, cable cars and gondola lines, snowboard trails and sledding areas. Offering snow guarantee between December and April, Erciyes draws attention especially with its powder snow feature and makes skiing easier. Offering activities such as snowmobile tours, hiking routes and paragliding in addition to skiing, Erciyes Ski Resort is also in a very advantageous location as it is only 25 minutes away from Kayseri city center.