Zelve Open Air Museum: A Complete Guide to Cappadocia’s Hidden Gem
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If you’re looking to escape the crowds in Cappadocia, head to Zelve Open Air Museum, one of our favourite places in the region.
Zelve is like the wild child of the much more famous Goreme Open Air Museum Cappadocia: what it lacks in well-preserved frescoes, it more than makes up for with its striking valleys full of rock-cut houses, ancient cave churches, wineries, hidden tunnels and even a huge monastery.
We spent a good few hours exploring the Zelve Open Air Museum, following various trails and climbing into different caves to experience troglodyte life (some of them looked quite comfy actually!) And for much of the time, we were completely on our own.
Fewer tourists visit Zelve - those that do typically visit as part of a tour and only explore a small area of the site. This means that you’ll frequently find yourself exploring the museum with hardly anyone around.
It’s also more budget friendly than Göreme Open Air Museum, so if you’re travelling on a budget and struggling to choose between open air museums, Zelve just might be for you.
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Zelve Open Air Museum, an underrated attraction in Cappadocia.
History of Zelve Open Air Museum Cappadocia
Located off the main road between Cavuşin and Avanos, Zelve Open Air Museum (also known as Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi or Zelve Ören Yeri) is one of Cappadocia’s oldest and most fascinating settlements.
Spread across three valleys, two of which are connected by a tunnel (currently closed for safety reasons), it offers a glimpse into the region’s past.
Zelve valley boasts the highest concentration of fairy chimneys in all of Cappadocia, making it a truly magnificent sight. Its origins date back to the Byzantine era, with some of the region’s oldest churches dating as far back as the 500s.
Some historians believe that between the 9th and 13th centuries, Zelve was home to a Christian monastic community.
It was here that some of Cappadocia’s first seminaries trained priests. The monks lived in cave dwellings, worshipped in rock-cut churches, made wine, ground wheat, and raised livestock in underground stables.
Over time, the population of Zelve valley grew, evolving into one of Cappadocia’s largest cave communities.
During the Ottoman era, Turkish Muslims and Greek Christians coexisted peacefully, evidenced by the presence of a rock-cut mosque within the valley.
However, the 1924 population exchange between Greece and Turkey led to significant demographic shifts, making Zelve predominantly Muslim.
By 1952, increasing erosion made it unsafe to live in Zelve. Collapsing caves and falling rocks posed a serious threat (there were actually two deaths) and eventually the remaining inhabitants were relocated 2 km away to Aktepe, also known as Yeni Zelve (New Zelve).
In 1967, the abandoned village was transformed into an open-air museum.
Unlike Göreme Open Air Museum, Zelve doesn’t have stunning, brightly coloured religious frescoes. However, you can explore the numerous cave houses, rock-cut wineries, mills, churches, stables and a mosque that still remain in this surreal, rugged landscape.
Erosion continues to reshape Zelve, and you might find that certain areas are restricted due to restoration efforts aimed at preserving the site for years to come.
Planning a last-minute trip to Cappadocia? Let us help!
🏠 Best Cappadocia Hotels:
Best Budget (and where we stayed!): Rustic Caves Hotel (⭐ 9.5)
Best Rooftop: Sultan Cave Suites (⭐ 9.2)
Best With Pool: Local Cave House Hotel (⭐ 9.4)
🙋 Best Cappadocia Tours
Small-Group Red Tour, Open Air Museum with Lunch (⭐ 4.8/5)
Cappadocia: Guided Red Tour With Lunch & Entrance Ticket (⭐ 4.9/5)
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How to Get to Zelve Cappadocia Open Air Museum
Zelve Open Air Museum is about 8km from Göreme town centre.
We used public transport to get to the Zelve Museum. From Göreme, catch the bus heading to Cavuşin and Avanos - the bus stop is next to the main row of ATMs in Göreme and behind the main bus station where buses head to Nevşehir.
Buses heading towards Zelve depart every hour, at 15 minutes past the hour. They start at 08:15, with the last bus leaving at 20:15.
We had a bit of a wait at the bus stop after missing a bus by about half an hour, but we didn’t mind - a friendly dog kept us company, constantly asking for strokes and leaving dusty paw prints on Vincent’s trousers.
The friendly dog making a dusty mess.
Once on the bus, we told the driver that we were going to Zelve so that he could tell us where to get off. The bus took us all the way to the turn off to Zelve museum and the fare was 50TL per person.
From the turn off, it is a 3km walk to Zelve Open Air Museum which takes about 35 minutes.
We had just started walking when a lovely Turkish couple pulled up and offered us a lift. They were headed to Monk’s Valley (Paşabağ Vadisi), which is just before Zelve, but they kindly took us all the way to the entrance of the open-air museum!
We found public transport super easy to use but if this sounds like too much of a faff, consider renting a car in Cappadocia. It’s cheap and convenient, especially if you’re on a road trip around Turkey.
Zelve Open Air Museum Opening Times
Zelve is open everyday from 08:00 - 17:00 from 31st October to 31st March and 08:00 - 19:00 from 1st April to 30th October. The ticket office shuts 45 minutes before closing time.
Zelve Open Air Museum Entrance Fee
Over the last few years museum entrance fees in Turkey have increased dramatically and most places are now priced in Euros for foreign visitors.
In 2025, the Zelve Open Air Museum price is €12. It’s much cheaper than the Goreme Open Air Museum ticket price which is €20 - if you’re counting the pennies, we’d recommend visiting Zelve instead.
There are only a few signboards scattered around Zelve Vadisi, so if you'd like a deeper understanding of what you're seeing, you can also rent an audio guide for 350 TL.
As we live in Türkiye, we have a special resident’s Müzekart, so we got in free. Yay!
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism offers a Cappadocia Museum Pass for €65, valid for 3 days from the date of your first museum visit. However, the savings compared to buying individual tickets aren’t significant, and the 3-day limit can feel rushed if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
We'd recommend taking a tour instead of buying the pass - we'll explain why below!
Zelve Open Air Museum Tours
On our most recent trip, we spent four days and five nights in Cappadocia, discovering its otherworldly landscapes at our leisure - sometimes on foot (on one day we did a ridiculous 35,000 steps) and sometimes by hopping on a local bus.
We love exploring independently, as it gives us the freedom to wander off course, make new discoveries, and (in my case) snap a thousand photos - all without a rigid itinerary keeping us in check.
However, if you’re short on time, we’d recommend paying for a guided tour that takes you to several sites. This costs you much less than the Cappadocia museum pass and includes your entry fees too!
This small group tour takes you on a guided tour of 9 different attractions and includes Zelve Open Air Museum tickets, entry fees to other museums and sites, lunch and a traditional pottery workshop. Click here to book this tour online.
Another great option is this tour, which includes a guide, lunch, the Zelve Open Air Museum ticket price, other museum entry tickets and 7 other attractions in Cappadocia. Book this tour online here.
Both of these tours are currently cheaper than the Cappadocia Museum pass, even in peak season.
Exploring Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia - What to See
We visited the Zelve Open Air Museum in early March, arriving around 1pm. In total, we spent about 2.5 hours exploring the different trails and enjoying the unique landscapes.
After passing through the turnstiles, we reached a fork in the path - left led to Zelve Valley I and right to Zelve Valley III.
Zelve Valley I is the closest valley to the entrance - we spotted a group tour lingering around the fairy chimneys there and opted to start with Valley III instead. It doesn’t really matter which valley you explore first, as all the trails connect in a loop.
As soon as we started walking, we were surrounded by hills covered with fairy chimneys and numerous cave dwellings.
Zelve’s fairy chimneys have a distinct look, with tall spires that reminded us of witches' hats. Some even have multiple heads and bodies, making them especially striking and quite different from the Göreme fairy chimneys you’ll find at Göreme Open Air Museum.
While there’s a main path to follow, we noticed plenty of smaller dirt trails branching off in different directions. If you’re like us and love to explore, we highly recommend venturing down these side trails - some lead to epic panoramic viewpoints, while others take you right up to rock-cut houses and cave rooms.
Zelve Valley III
We followed the trail into Zelve Valley III, climbing up and down a few sets of stairs before rounding a corner to our first major sight - the rock-cut mosque and the village square.
The beautiful golden-hued mosque, the only one in Zelve Valley, is an interesting mix of natural and man-made construction, with part of it carved directly from the rock and the rest built with cut stone.
The mosque’s unusual minaret immediately caught our eye - its four columns and pointed top give it a striking resemblance to a church bell tower, a design often seen in the early Ottoman period.
The view near the mosque’s minaret and over the village square in Valley III is epic!
The rock-carved mosque in Valley III.
Inside, the mosque is bare and consists of arches of cut stone. Directly opposite lies the village square, where Zelve’s community gathered until 1952.
The grassy clearing and sloped cave once hosted weddings, religious feasts, and social gatherings, but over time, erosion made it too dangerous.
There are houses carved out of the rock and some partly made of cut stone all around the square - it was fun exploring some of these!
The village square - Vincent gives us a bit of perspective as to how huge the surrounding rock formations are.
Above the houses, we spotted rows of small square holes carved into the fairy chimneys. These dovecotes (güvercinlik) were created by sealing off existing rooms and carving small entrance holes on the exterior, providing a roosting space for pigeons.
In return for creating a cosy bedroom for pigeons, the villages collected pigeon poo. This might not sound like a fair trade to you, but it was: the pigeon droppings were used as a natural fertiliser, which was valuable for farming.
Some of the dovecotes in this valley are decorated with Islamic folk art and geometric patterns. Interestingly, the paint wasn’t just for decoration - it also helped attract pigeons to settle there!
Continuing along the trail, we arrived at the third major site in this area—the Cappadocia Zelve Monastery. In the past, you could explore inside, but due to falling rocks and general structural instability, it’s now fenced off for safety.
Zelve Monastery consists of four levels, once connected by a maze of tunnels and shafts. Though access is restricted, you can still see foot and handholds carved into the rock, similar to those found in the hermitages of Monk’s Valley.
Zelve Monastery.
Some sections have heavy millstone doors, similar to those found in Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities.
Crowning the monastery is an amazing natural dome - an architectural touch that feels especially fitting for a religious site.
The upper levels of the monastery were likely used as living quarters and places of worship, while the lower levels served as stables. Around some of the doorways, traces of frescoes are still visible, hinting at the monastery’s past.
Across from the monastery, we found more stables dating back to the Ottoman and Seljuk periods. The troughs and posts where animals were once tied are still visible, carved into the stone.
The dim light inside one of the stables created an eerie double shadow on the wall - it was a little creepy! It would definitely make a great setting for one of Vincent’s horror stories.
Some of the stable walls and ceilings are coated in a thick layer of shiny black soot, suggesting that these spaces may have once also served as kitchens or living quarters.
Vincent and his double shadow in the stables.
Some of the caves were surprisingly spacious!
One of things we loved most about Zelve is that we were free to explore. We spent a lot of time climbing into different caves and searching for the best viewpoints.
One of the cave dwellings we entered had steps going up several levels - when we reached the top we had an incredible view over Valley III and also of the painted dovecotes on the cliffs opposite.
There were some stunning views across Valley III!
We loved looking at these dovecotes - how on earth did people get up there to paint them?
Zelve Valley II
There used to be a tunnel near the remains of a cave barn that connected Valley III to Valley II, accessible via a metal ladder and some steps. When we visited it was closed so we retraced our steps past the mosque and followed the trail through Valley II.
The second valley truly showcases the vast scale of Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia.
It’s also incredibly scenic. Before descending down the steps to the valley floor, we admired the stunning views of the fairy chimneys looking back towards the park entrance.
The spectacular view back towards the park entrance.
The view from the valley floor is equally epic: we were surrounded by greenery and fairy chimneys rising on either side, with a whole forest of them stretching into the distance.
I loved taking photos of the view in Valley II - especially when I spotted people walking on the opposite side, as it really put the sheer size of the cliffs and fairy chimneys into perspective.
While Valley II doesn’t have as many landmarks as Valley III, it’s home to two significant sites. The first is a massive monastery complex, now collapsing and off-limits due to safety concerns.
The second is Holy Cross rock church (Kutsal Haç Kilisesi), where you’ll find large crosses carved into the walls and the remnants of frescoes.
The monastery complex in Valley II.
Inside the Holy Cross rock church (Kutsal Haç Kilisesi).
Zelve Valley I
We continued along the path toward Valley I, with the scenery remaining just as spectacular. I couldn’t resist taking loads of photos of the crisscrossing trails and sweeping views over Valley II. We also spotted the cave in the town square of Valley III from this vantage point!
Love. This. View.
The first landmark we encountered in Valley I was the winery (şaraphane). Here, villagers once stomped grapes underfoot, collecting the juice in jars for fermentation. The resulting wine was used in church ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations, while the leftover grapes were boiled down in large pans to produce molasses.
One of the rooms in the winery.
A few minutes later we saw the sign for three historic churches: Üzümlü Kilise (Grape Church), Balıklı Kilise (Fish Church), and the now completely collapsed Geyikli Kilise (Deer Church). All three date back to the pre-Iconoclast period.
The Grape Church - named for the vine decoration in its northern apse - and the Fish Church, with its images of fish (no surprises there!), both feature frescoes, though most are heavily damaged.
The views in Valley I.
Inside, we found a mix of paintings and carvings: the archangels Michael and Gabriel holding a Maltese cross, the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus and flanked by Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, an image of Jesus framed in red in the church’s apse, and rows of Maltese crosses painted and etched into the walls.
Photography isn’t allowed inside these churches - understandable given how damaged the frescoes are.
Just a short distance from the Grape and Fish churches is another cave containing a massive millstone (seten), once used for grinding wheat - a reminder of the traditional agricultural practices of the community that once thrived in Zelve.
Where to Stay in Cappadocia
Where we stayed: We stayed at Rustic Caves Hotel in Göreme and it was superb. The location was brilliant - we walked everywhere and sometimes took the bus. The buffet breakfast was fantastic - as a vegetarian (and occasional vegan) I found plenty to eat! Our room was also comfortable and very clean.
The staff were so kind and extremely helpful - we loved that they were never pushy with their recommendations.
Click here to see prices and availability at Rustic Caves Hotel .
Our comfortable bedroom at Rustic Caves Hotel.
Other options:
Cave Hotel With the Best Rooftop: Sultan Cave Suites - Possibly the most famous hotel in Göreme for its decorated roof terrace with unbeatable views of the balloons at sunrise. The cave rooms are furnished with antiques - some have their own terrace and a fireplace!
Click here to see prices and availability at Sultan Cave Suites.
Best Cave Hotel With a Pool: Local House Cave Hotel - This hotel has an amazing pool surrounded by fairy chimneys - perfect for cooling off during the summer and it’s heated in winter! The cave rooms are spacious and comfortable and breakfast here is spectacular.
Click here to see prices and availability at Local House Cave Hotel.
FAQs about Zelve Open Air Museum & Tips
Zelve Open Air Museum vs Göreme Open Air Museum?
Zelve and Göreme Open Air Museum offer very different experiences and sights.
Located close to Cappadocia’s main tourist hub, Göreme Open Air Museum is home to some of the region’s best preserved rock cut churches, featuring vividly painted frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The most famous is the Dark Church - the frescoes here are truly stunning.
Göreme Open Air Museum also provides more historical context, offering detailed information about its rock-cut churches, helping you better understand what you’re seeing.
Thanks to its central location and breathtaking frescoes, Göreme naturally attracts larger crowds. Even during the low season, we found ourselves waiting in line to enter some churches, and we were rarely alone.
In contrast, Zelve Open Air Museum is a more off-the-beaten-path experience. While it does have churches - some with faded frescoes - the real draw is the dramatic landscape and unique rock formations.
Here you’re free to explore as you please, following winding trails through the valleys and venturing into abandoned cave dwellings.
Zelve feels rugged, immersive, and adventurous - it doesn’t have the structured feel of a museum at all. With far fewer visitors, it offers a much quieter, more personal experience.
If it’s your first time in Cappadocia and you’re short on time, Göreme Open Air Museum is a fantastic introduction to the region’s history and landscape. But if you’re looking to get away from the crowds or are on a budget and want to visit an open air museum Zelve is a great choice.
Got the time and cash monies? Then we’d recommend visiting both!
What is the best time to visit Zelve Open Air Museum?
Zelve Open Air Museum is open year-round, but keep in mind that there’s very little shade in the valleys. We visited on a sunny day in early March and were glad to have sunscreen on!
For the most comfortable conditions, we’d recommend visiting in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) when temperatures are pleasant.
If you're planning a trip between June and August, try to visit early in the morning when the museum opens at 8:00 AM or later in the afternoon/evening after 5:00 PM to avoid the peak heat.
And don’t forget the essentials - sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes and plenty of water!
How long should you spend at Zelve Open Air Museum?
We’d recommend spending a minimum of 2 hours at Zelve. Yes, you could speed down the main trail and complete it in an hour, but we think this misses the point of the place.
Can I use my drone at Zelve?
Sorry, no drones or tripods are allowed in Zerve Open Air Museum. Keep them tings in your bag!
Toilets and refreshments
There are no toilets inside the Zelve Open Air Museum. The toilets are outside and cost 10TL to use.
There are small cafes serving gözleme (a stuffed Turkish flatbread) just outside the museum. These were closed when we visited in winter (sad face) but are reported to be excellent.
Do some reading before you visit Zelve
Unless you opt for the audio tour, making sense of what you’re seeing at Zelve can be a tad challenging. Hopefully, this guide will help, but we also recommend doing a bit of research before your visit to fully appreciate the history and importance of this incredible site.
And that's a wrap!
We absolutely loved exploring Zelve Open Air Museum - it was peaceful, uncrowded, and we had the freedom to roam wherever we wanted. It felt more like a scenic hike than a typical museum visit, which made the experience even more special.
We hope you enjoyed this Zelve Open Air Museum guide. If you’ve been to Zelve, let us know what you think in the comments below!
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