Mazı Underground City: A Quiet, Crowd-Free Cave Settlement Near Ürgüp
Mazı Underground City is a multi-level cave settlement in the village of Mazıköy, roughly 18 km south of Ürgüp in Cappadocia. Carved into volcanic tuff and expanded by early Christian communities, it once sheltered villagers and their livestock from raiders. It is far smaller and far quieter than the famous Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı cities, which is exactly why many independent travellers love it: you can often explore its stables, kitchens, wine presses and a rare underground chapel almost alone.
Where is Mazı and how do you get there?
Mazı sits in Mazıköy village in the Ürgüp district, about 18 km (a 25–30 minute drive) south of Ürgüp and roughly 30–35 minutes from Göreme. There is no regular public bus right to the entrance, so the practical options are: join an organised tour, drive a rented car, or take a taxi. The road from Ürgüp is paved and easy, winding gently down through farmland to the village square where the entrance sits beside the old houses. If you want to compare transfer costs before you go, check the live Cappadocia transfer price calculator rather than relying on a quoted figure, as taxi fares change with season and distance.
Because Mazı is genuinely off the main loop, it pairs well with a half-day in the Ürgüp area or with the larger underground cities to the west. See our Cappadocia day-trips and combinations guide for itinerary ideas, and our practical travel tips for getting around the region without a tour.
What you'll see inside
Unlike the deep vertical cities, Mazı spreads more horizontally and feels closer to a working village dug into the rock. The site is known for several distinct features that make the visit memorable:
- Large rock-cut stables — among the clearest livestock areas of any Cappadocian underground city, complete with feeding troughs and tethering holes carved into the walls.
- A small underground chapel, a relatively rare feature, with simple carvings that hint at the religious life of the community.
- Communal kitchens, storage rooms and wine/grape-pressing areas that show how an entire village could survive below ground for extended periods.
- Massive circular millstone doors that could be rolled across passages to seal sections off from intruders.
- Narrow connecting tunnels and ventilation shafts linking the levels and keeping the air breathable far underground.
Tickets, hours and what it costs
Mazı charges a modest entrance fee paid at the small ticket point in the village; it is one of the cheapest underground sites in Cappadocia and not covered by the standard Museum Pass at the time of writing, so bring a little cash. It is generally open through daylight hours, with shorter winter hours, so aim to arrive well before late afternoon. As a small, locally run site, hours can vary — it is worth confirming on the day if you are travelling out specially.
If you would rather visit the larger, fully developed cities, the two big draws nearby are {{price:kaymakli-underground-city|Kaymaklı Underground City}} and {{price:derinkuyu-underground-city|Derinkuyu Underground City}}, both deeper and more elaborate but much busier. Mazı works beautifully as a quieter alternative or as an add-on for travellers who want to escape the crowds.
Practical tips for visiting Mazı
- Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes — some passages are uneven, low and require crouching.
- It can be tight and dimly lit in places, so it is not ideal for anyone with claustrophobia or limited mobility.
- Bring a small torch or use your phone light to pick out carvings in darker corners.
- It is cooler underground year-round; a light layer is useful even in summer.
- Go early or late in the day for the best chance of having the tunnels almost to yourself.
- Combine it with Ürgüp's old town and a stay in one of the area's best cave hotels to round out a low-key, authentic day.
For deeper background on how and why these subterranean towns were built, our guide to Cappadocia's history, churches and heritage explains the early-Christian story behind the chapels and millstone doors you'll see at Mazı.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mazı Underground City worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you have already seen Göreme's headline sights and want something quieter and more atmospheric. It is small, cheap and rarely crowded, and the stables, wine presses and underground chapel give a vivid picture of village life below ground.
How is Mazı different from Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı?
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are far larger, deeper and more developed for tourism, with lit walkways and steady crowds. Mazı is shallower, more horizontal and feels more like a real village carved into rock, with standout stables and very few visitors.
How long do you need at Mazı?
Most visitors spend around 30–45 minutes inside. With the drive from Ürgüp, allow about half a day if you are combining it with other stops in the area.
