Trip to Avanos, Turkey: how to get there, how many days and when to go

Avanos – Nevşehir Destination Cappadocia

How to get there

Nevşehir Kapadokya Havalimanı (NAV) Gülşehir · 35 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Arrive by road from Göreme, Ürgüp or Nevşehir. Transfers from the airports can go directly to Avanos; check the service available for your lodging.

How many days

One day for the core and one of the nearby sites; two days to split Paşabağ and Zelve.

When to go

In Avanos, April to June and September to October favor walks around town and nearby sites. July and August are hot in exposed areas; winter is usually cold on the plateau.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

In central Avanos, walk along the river and through the streets. For Zelve and Paşabağ, arrange transport outside the town.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Avanos

Morning
Paşabağları
Devote the start of the day to the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ, leaving time to observe the different shapes before heading to Zelve.
Afternoon
Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi
Reserve the afternoon for Zelve Açık Hava Müzesi. From one and a half to two and a half hours.
Late afternoon
Avanos streets and landscape
Return to Avanos town centre with time to observe the streets and the landscape, without adding a long transfer at the end of the outing.
Evening
Overnight in Avanos
Dine in the area where you are staying in Avanos and confirm transport for the next leg.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What makes Avanos different from other Cappadocia bases?

The town is connected to the Kızılırmak River and pottery work. The urban stroll adds that context to the rock ensembles of Paşabağ and Zelve, which lie outside the centre.

Can Paşabağ and Zelve be visited the same day?

They are two nearby stops within the circuit to the north of the central valleys. Allow separate time for the columns of Paşabağ and to walk through Zelve’s former occupation areas.

Do I need to book a workshop to experience Avanos?

The stroll through town and along the river does not require a pottery activity. If you want to try the technique, choose a workshop and its terms as a separate activity, with no obligation to buy.

Can you walk from Avanos centre to all attractions?

Paşabağ and Zelve require a regional leg and their own accesses. Use transport to link the sites and reserve walking for inside each complex and for the urban area by the river.

Your trip to Avanos.