Güzelyurt & the Ihlara Region: Cappadocia's Greek-Turkish...

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Güzelyurt is a historic village in the Aksaray province of Cappadocia , offering a quieter and deeply authentic alternative to the main tourist hubs. It is absolutely worth visiting for its stunning cut-stone Greek houses, a unique monastery valley, and its proximity to the magnificent Ihlara Valley . For travellers seeking the soul of old Cappadocia away from the crowds, Guzelyurt is an unmissable destination. Fact Detail Location Aksaray province, Türkiye . Approx. 45 km southeast of Aksaray city. Period / Type Byzantine , Ottoman , Turkish Republican / Historic Village, Monastic Valleys. What It Is A former Greek village ( Gelveri ) with stone houses, rock-cut churches, an underground city, and a monastery valley, set on the slopes of Hasan Dağı . Entry Free to walk around the village. Small fees for specific sites like the Underground City. Last checked September 2026 , confirm locally. Typical Visit Length 1-2 days to fully explore Güzelyurt and the nearby Ihlara region. Nearest Airport Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR). Driving Time from Göreme Approx. 1.5 hours (85 km). Best Months April-June and September-October for pleasant walking temperatures. What Is the Story of Güzelyurt (Gelveri)? The story of Güzelyurt , whose name translates to "Beautiful Land" , is a poignant chapter in the history of Anatolia . For centuries, this village was known as Karvala , or more commonly Gelveri , and was home to a thriving community of Cappadocian Greeks living alongside their Turkish neighbours. The village is built with a distinctive honey-coloured stone, and its grand houses are a testament to the prosperity of its former inhabitants. The fate of Gelveri was sealed with the 1923