Home to one of Cappadocia’s two airports, Kayseri has long served as the gateway to the fairy chimneys, but the historic city is more than just a transport hub. Serving as the capital of Cappadocia since ancient times, Kayseri’s sprawling downtown is embellished with Seljuk monuments, medieval mosques, and ethnographic museums. Once you’ve admired the black-basalt fortress of Kayseri Castle and browsed the bazaars, escape to the surrounding countryside. Some of the most rewarding things to do in Kayseri are hiking the snow-hatted Mount Erciyes and bird-watching at Sultan Sazlığı National Park.
Thanks to its proximity to Cappadocia’s only ski resort, Kayseri enjoys two peak seasons. Come between December and April to hit the ski slopes at Mount Erciyes or from May through October to enjoy sightseeing and other outdoor activities. Cappadocia can get crowded in July and August, so avoid the peak months if possible. Consider traveling during the shoulder seasons if you plan to hike—the cooler weather will make trekking much more pleasant.
Kayseri’s central sights are within easy walking distance, but trams and buses also run through the city. The main villages and attractions of Cappadocia are about a 1.5-hour drive from Kayseri, so it’s not the most convenient hub for sightseeing. However, frequent shuttle buses, dolmus minibuses, and taxis will take you wherever you need to go, and the city can be a strategic spot for exploring eastern and southern Cappadocia.
The mist-shrouded peak of Mount Erciyes volcano, Cappadocia’s highest mountain, is omnipresent on the horizon around Kayseri. Famous for its ski resort, the 12,848-foot (3,916-meter) peak also has great hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing trails, plus plenty of backcountry camping opportunities. In the summer months, the neighboring peaks are popular for paragliding, affording views of Mount Erciyes from the air.
