Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City: Which Is Better to Visit in 2024?
The underground cities of Cappadocia are some of the most famous landmarks in Turkey.
But which should you visit, Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground city?
When I visited Cappadocia in December, I was fortunate to visit these remarkable underground cities. In this post, I compare Kaymamli vs Derinkuyu underground cities to help you decide which to visit during your trip to Cappadocia.
If you have the time and interest, you can opt to visit both. The underground cities are interesting, and if you travel with kids they’re a great family-friendly activity in Cappadocia. However, if you’re visiting Cappadocia as part of a larger trip to Turkey, you may be limited on time and need to choose between the two.
Honestly, I don’t think it matters which underground city you visit. While the cities are slightly different from each other, you’ll get a similar experience at both. Whichever you choose, they’re both worth visiting.
Below I’ll outline the differences between Derinkuyu and Kaymakli underground cities, and what you can expect when visiting each of them. I also talk about the best ways to visit the underground cities of Cappadocia to help you make the best and most informed decision for your upcoming trip.
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Quick Comparison: Kaymakli vs Derinkuyu Underground City
| Kaymakli Underground City | Derinkuyu Underground City |
|---|---|
| More shallow with 8 levels | Deeper with 18 levels |
| Overall smaller area | Much larger with more to explore |
| Visited by fewer organized tours | Common stop of the Green Tour |
| Less crowded, especially during peak season | Can get crowded in peak season |
| Smaller passageways require hunching over to walk through | Larger passageways; better for claustrophobic individuals |
| One-way system means no lines forms | Two-way traffic often results in bottlenecks |
| Oldest underground city in Cappadocia | Biggest underground city in Cappadocia |
Where are Kaymakli and Derinkuyu Underground Cities?
Kaymakli Underground City is located in the town of Kaymakli, about 27 km south of Goreme and a 30-minute drive away.
The Underground City of Derinkuyu is located in the town of Derinkuyu, 35 km south of Goreme and a 40-minute drive away.
The map below shows the locations of both underground cities.
The Underground Cities of Cappadocia: A Brief History
The underground cities of Cappadocia are a bit of a mystery. No one knows exactly when they were constructed or why, but the first known reference to the cities comes from the Greek historian Xenophon in the 5th century BCE.
Lost to time, Kaymakli and Derinkuyu were rediscovered in the 20th century. Since their rediscovery, archaeologists have made many key discoveries that help us piece together the importance of these structures.
Excavations have revealed Hittite artifacts in some of the underground cities, suggesting they may date as far back as 1800 BCE. Archaeologists have also found evidence that the original underground networks were expanded by early Christian settlers in the Byzantine era, who used the subterranean rooms as churches and would hide in the vaults to avoid persecution from Persian and Arab armies.
The underground cities are marvels of engineering and equipped with everything people would need to hide out for lengthy periods of time. There were animal stalls, storage facilities, kitchens, wineries, and latrines. Air shafts, disguised as wells, provided fresh air for the underground inhabitants.
The Lost City of Derinkuyu
What’s It Like Inside Derinkuyu Underground City?
Wondering what it’s like to visit the underground city of Derinkuyu? Check out this video!
Reasons to Visit Derinkuyu Underground City
Here are the main reasons to visit Derinkuyu Underground City.
- It is the largest underground city in Cappadocia: While you can only visit 4 of the 8 levels, this is the largest underground city in Cappadocia. At its peak, Derinkuyu housed 20,000 people. Inside you will see churches, schools, and storage facilities.
- Wider passageways: While both underground cities require being in confined, underground spaces, the passageways and rooms in Derinkuyu are larger than those in Kaymakli. Therefore, if you suffer from claustrophobia or have difficulty bending over and walking, then Derinkuyu is better.
- Easy to visit on a tour: Derinkuyu is a stop on the Cappadocia Green Tour, which is one of the most popular tours in the region. If you’re not renting a car in Cappadocia, then you’ll need to visit the underground cities via a guided tour. For that reason, Derinkuyu would be the easiest option.
- It’s open year-round: You can visit Derinkuyu year-round, which is great if you’re visiting Cappadocia in winter. Also, if you come during the off-season, there are fewer crowds in the underground cities.
Reasons Not to Visit Derinkuyu Underground City
Here are some reasons why you may not want to visit the underground city of Derinkuyu.
- Crowds: Derinkuyu is a stop on the Cappadocia Green Tour, one of the most popular tours in the region. As a result, the small space quickly fills with people. Also, there are some lengthy tunnels with two-way traffic in them, and you may get stuck on one side as people walk through. If you want to avoid crowds, visit Kaymali instead.
- Physically challenging: Since Derinkuyu is larger than Kaymakli, with four levels to explore, navigating between levels is more challenging. If you have any sort of mobility issues or health concerns, opt instead for Kaymakli which only has two levels.
- Easy to get lost: Unlike Kaymakli, which has a sign-posted route, in Derinkuyu you’re free to wander in and out of rooms and tunnels. Unless you have a guide, it’s easy to get lost and turned around down there! There are also very few signs to read and learn from, so I definitely recommend booking a guide for your visit!
Kaymakli Underground City
What’s It Like to Visit Kaymakli Underground City?
This video shows you what it’s like to visit Kaymakli Underground City:
Reasons to Visit The Underground City of Kaymakli
Here are some reasons to visit Kaymakli Underground City.
- Fewer crowds: Kaymakli is not part of the major organized tours like Derinkuyu is. Therefore the passageways and rooms are less crowded and easier to explore.
- Closer to Goreme: Since most visitors to Cappadocia stay in Goreme, it’s good to know that Kaymakli is slightly closer than Derinkuyu. If you’re driving yourself you can get between the two in about 30 minutes. Otherwise, during the tourist season, there are regular mini-buses running between the two towns.
- Feels more “underground”: While Derinkuyu is technically deeper, Kaymakli’s narrow passageways and lower ceilings really make you feel more like you’re underground. I personally preferred this as it added to the feeling of adventure while exploring the underground city.
- Better signed: Once inside, Kaymakli is well signed with arrows directing you where to go. There are also more interpretive signs telling you what the rooms were used for. I felt this made the experience at Kaymakli better overall.
Reasons Not to Visit Kaymakli Underground City
- Not good for claustrophobes: The tunnels and passageways in Kaymakli get very small. While my four- and two-year-olds were able to walk fully upright, we adults had to double over to walk through the tunnels. If you can’t handle small spaces or this would be physically taxing for you, head to Derinkuyu instead.
- Smaller than Derinkuyu: If exploring an underground city will be the pinnacle of your trip to Cappadocia, then you may want to visit Derinkuyu, which is bigger.
- Hard to get to without renting a car: Since Kaymakli is not featured on many Cappadocia tours, it can be harder to reach. You can get there on public transit from Goreme, but it’s not the most efficient use of your time. If you don’t plan to rent a car and would rather book a tour, then you’ll probably end up seeing Derinkuyu.
What to See Near Kaymakli and Derinkuyu Underground Cities
Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are only a 10-minute drive from each other. When planning your trip, you can pair these underground cities with any of the following sights nearby.
Uchisar Castle: This is the highest fairy chimney in Cappadocia and a must-see in the region. The rock was used as a fortress during the late Byzantine and early Ottoman periods, and once you get to the top you’ll see why! Here you’ll find some of the best views of Cappadocia you can get without taking a hot air balloon ride.
Goreme Open Air Museum: A Unesco World Heritage Site and a must-see in Cappadocia, the Goreme Open-Air Museum contains a series of Byzantine cave churches and monastic quarters carved into rock outcroppings.
Ihlara Valley: The Ihlara Valley, just a 45-minute drive from the underground cities, is the perfect place to go after exploring Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. Nestled within a canyon, this green valley contains river-side hiking trails and hidden rock churches.
Zelve Open-Air Museum: This former village, which was occupied until the 1950s, provides a glimpse of the traditional Cappadocian lifestyle. Explore rock-carved dwellings and caves that once comprised an entire village.
FAQ: Kaymakli Underground City vs Derinkuyu
Both Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are impressive underground cities. Kaymakli, with its small tunnels and tighter spaces, is a more thrilling choice for adventurous individuals. On the other hand, Derinkuyu is a better option for those who are claustrophobic, offering a more spacious layout and a more comfortable underground experience.
Derinkuyu is the larger of the two, with 18 levels compared to only eight levels in Kaymakli.
Absolutely, Derinkuyu is definitely worth a visit for anyone intrigued by historical marvels. Its impressive underground architecture, featuring multi-level chambers and intricate passageways, offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient living spaces and the ingenuity of the past.
The closest underground city to Göreme is Kaymakli. Just 26 km away (about a 30-minute drive), Kaymakli offers a convenient opportunity to explore the remarkable subterranean architecture and history of the Cappadocia region.
The deepest underground city in Cappadocia is Derinkuyu. It boasts an intricate network of tunnels and chambers that extend 18 stories underground, providing a unique insight into the ancient underground living spaces of the region.
Absolutely, Derinkuyu is open to visitors and allows exploration of its fascinating underground chambers and passages. It offers a remarkable opportunity to step back in time and experience an ancient subterranean city firsthand.
Expect to spend about one-hour exploring Derinkuyu Underground City.
Both underground cities are similar and provide an interesting experience. Kaymakli has smaller rooms and tunnels, which will excite adventurous travelers. Derinkuyu’s larger areas are better for people who suffer from claustrophobia.
Final Thoughts: Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground Cities
So which is better, Kaymakli or Derinkuyu?
No matter which of Cappadocia’s underground cities you see, you’ll have an incredible and unique experience. In both Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, you’ll learn about the ancient civilizations that lived there. You’ll see the incredible innovation of the ventilation shafts, the storage rooms used to hold grain and other foods, and even the latrines.
Kaymakli is smaller than Derinkuyu and the tight spaces may not be good for claustrophobes. However, Kaymakli is not as crowded, doesn’t get clogged due to its one-way system, and has better signage.
Derinkuyu is larger, meaning more to explore, and also larger rooms and passages. However, it gets more crowded than Kaymakli and often has bottle-necks in the passageways. Being larger and containing more stairwells, exploring Derinkuyu may be difficult for people with mobility issues and poor health.
While I recommend Kaymakli Underground City, you can’t go wrong with either. Whatever you decide, make sure you visit at least one of these incredible marvels while in Cappadocia.