Derinkuyu vs Kaymaklı: Which Underground City Should You Visit?
Última actualización: marzo 2026
Respuesta Rápida
Derinkuyu is the deepest (85 m, 8 floors open) and most impressive in scale; Kaymaklı is the widest, with roomier passages that suit visitors with claustrophobia. If you can only visit one, choose Derinkuyu for awe-factor and Kaymaklı for comfort. Many travelers visit both on a Green Tour from Göreme.
Derinkuyu depth
85 m, 8 floors open
Kaymaklı depth
8 levels, 4 floors open
Derinkuyu passages
Narrower, more dramatic
Kaymaklı passages
Wider, more comfortable
Crowds
Derinkuyu busier
Entry each
450 TL
Guía Detallada
Cappadocia has over 200 known underground cities, but Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the two largest open to tourists. Both share the same general layout — stables on upper levels, churches and food storage middle levels, wine and oil presses, and ventilation shafts reaching the surface. Differences matter for visitors. Derinkuyu goes deeper: 85 meters with 8 open floors. Some passages are narrow and require crouching, which intensifies the experience but stresses anxious visitors. Kaymaklı is shallower (8 levels, 4 open) but wider and more easily walked. Crowds: Derinkuyu attracts about 30% more visitors due to its fame, so Kaymaklı feels less rushed. Distance from Göreme: Kaymaklı 22 km / 30 min, Derinkuyu 31 km / 40 min. Most Green Tours visit both back-to-back, separated by 9 km of road. Visit duration: 45–60 min each.
Preguntas Frecuentes
Should I visit Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı if I only have time for one?
If you want maximum 'wow' and don't mind tight tunnels: Derinkuyu. If you want comfort, fewer crowds, and easier walking: Kaymaklı. Both are UNESCO-quality.
Can I visit both Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı in one day?
Yes — they're 9 km apart and most Green Tours include both, separated by a 10-minute drive. Allow 45–60 minutes inside each. Most tours also add Ihlara Valley hike and Selime Monastery to the same day.
Are Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı connected by a tunnel?
Local legend claims a 9-km tunnel connected them historically, but no continuous passage has been verified by archaeologists. Some sealed-off sections exist in both cities.
Which is better for photography?
Kaymaklı — wider passages and more even lighting make photography easier. Derinkuyu's dramatic vertical shafts are striking but the tight spaces make framing harder.
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Basado en conocimiento local e información verificada de visitantes. Última revisión: marzo 2026. From practical tips to airport transfers and the best coffee in town — our network has you covered.Plan Every Part of Your Trip