Pasabag, also known as Monks Valley, is a small open area just outside Goreme famous for Cappadocia's tallest and most unusual fairy chimneys — cones topped with two or three separate “caps” found almost nowhere else in the region. It is one of the easiest valleys to visit: a flat, free-to-enter site with a paved path, about 10 minutes by road from Goreme, and it pairs naturally with the nearby Zelve Open-Air Museum and Devrent (Imagination) Valley.
“Monks Valley” refers to the Christian hermits who once lived in the chimneys, carving chapels and cells directly into the soft volcanic rock. The most distinctive monument is the rock-cut hermitage dedicated to St Simeon (Simeon Stylites), built into a three-headed fairy chimney near the centre of the site.
Why the fairy chimneys here are special
Cappadocia's fairy chimneys formed when erosion stripped away soft volcanic tuff, leaving cones protected by harder basalt caprock on top. At Pasabag the geology produced unusually tall cones — and, rarely, single columns crowned with two or even three caps. Locals nickname the best-known shapes the “Mushroom,” the “Camel,” and the “Pasha,” and they are some of the most photographed rock formations in the whole region. For more on how these forms came to be, see our guide to Cappadocia's fairy chimneys.
How to get to Pasabag from Goreme
Pasabag sits roughly 5 km from Goreme and about 7 km from Urgup, on the Goreme–Avanos road just before Zelve. You have several options:
- By car: the easiest choice — a paved road runs to a free car park at the entrance, around 10 minutes from Goreme.
- By tour: Pasabag is a standard stop on the “Red Tour,” usually combined with Zelve, Devrent and the Avanos pottery workshops.
- By local bus/dolmus: services running between Goreme, Avanos and Urgup pass the turn-off; ask the driver for Pasabag or Zelve and walk in from the road.
- By taxi: a quick, flexible option if you are short on time — check the live Cappadocia transfer price calculator for the current fare rather than relying on a quoted figure.
- On foot: it is possible to walk over from Goreme or Urgup, but it is a long, exposed hike and best done with a guide and plenty of water.
Opening hours, fees and what to expect
Pasabag is an open-air site rather than a fenced museum, so entry to the valley itself is free and access is essentially all day; the small souvenir stalls and the wine/juice sellers near the car park keep daytime hours. There are basic toilets and a few shaded benches, but little else, so bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes. The paved central path is short and largely flat, which makes Pasabag one of the more accessible valleys for families and older visitors — it features in our Cappadocia with kids guide for exactly that reason.
Note that the neighbouring Zelve Open-Air Museum, a short drive away, is a ticketed site (entrance €12), as is the Goreme Open-Air Museum (€20) back towards town — useful to know when budgeting a half-day in this area.
The monks: St Simeon and the rock-cut chapels
The valley earns its English name from the hermits who withdrew here in the early Christian centuries. The standout monument is the hermitage of St Simeon, carved into a tall three-capped chimney: reclusive monks cut living quarters and a small chapel into the cone, climbing up to escape the world below. Smaller cells and chapels associated with hermit life are scattered around the site. The frescoes are weathered, but the sense of solitary devotion in such a strange landscape is what makes Pasabag memorable. To place it in the wider story of the region's cave churches, read our history and churches heritage guide.
Best time to visit and photography tips
Early morning and late afternoon give the warmest light and the longest shadows across the cones, and they help you beat the mid-morning tour-bus crowds. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures; summer middays are hot and exposed. Shoot the multi-capped chimneys from the path with a person in frame for scale, and walk a little off the main loop for cleaner backgrounds. For more on timing and angles, see our best time to visit Cappadocia and Cappadocia photography guide.
What to combine with Pasabag
- Zelve Open-Air Museum — a deep, cave-honeycombed monastic valley a few minutes away (ticketed, €12).
- Devrent (Imagination) Valley — free, ticketless field of animal-shaped rocks, just across the road.
- Avanos — the pottery town on the Red River, ideal for an afternoon stop.
- Goreme Open-Air Museum — the region's most famous painted cave churches, on the way back to Goreme (€20).
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Pasabag (Monks Valley)?
No — Pasabag is an open-air valley and entry is free. The nearby Zelve Open-Air Museum is a separate ticketed site (entrance €12).
How long do you need at Pasabag?
Around 30 to 45 minutes is enough to walk the central path, see the St Simeon hermitage and photograph the multi-capped chimneys. Add more time if you combine it with Zelve and Devrent.
How do I get to Pasabag from Goreme?
It is about 5 km from Goreme on the Avanos road. The simplest options are to drive (free car park), join a Red Tour, or take a taxi — check the live Cappadocia transfer price calculator for the current fare.
Why is it called Monks Valley?
Because early Christian monks lived as hermits in the fairy chimneys here, cutting cells and chapels into the rock — most notably the hermitage of St Simeon in a three-headed chimney.
With its free entry, easy access and one-of-a-kind multi-capped chimneys, Pasabag is one of the most rewarding short stops in Cappadocia. Pair it with a valley walk from our best hiking trails guide to round out a half-day in the Goreme–Avanos area.
