One of the most common questions in Cappadocia is: Green Tour or Red Tour? Both are day tours with hotel pick-up and drop-off, run in groups of up to 15 people; the difference is in the route, the length of the day and the distances covered.
Below we compare the two tours using Best Premium Travel's current details, then explain which one suits you.
The day tours at a glance
| Tour | Stops | Times | Price (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Tour | Pigeon Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Paşabağ, Avanos pottery and handicraft workshop, Devrent Valley | 09:00 hotel pickup – 17:00 hotel drop-off | €45 |
| Green Tour | Göreme Panorama, Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Belisırma Church, Yaprakhisar Panorama, Nar Lake, Pigeon Valley, onyx show | 09:00 hotel pickup – 18:00 hotel drop-off | €55 |
| Mix Tour | Üç Güzeller fairy chimneys, Pigeon Valley, Rock City, Virgin Mary Church, Love Valley, pottery, leather store | 09:00 hotel pickup – 17:00 hotel drop-off | €45 |
| Blue Tour | Mustafapaşa Greek Village, Konstantin-Eleni Church, St. Nicholas Monastery, Keşlik Monastery, Sobesos Ancient City, Soğanlı Valley | 09:00 hotel pickup – 17:00 hotel drop-off | €70 |
Red Tour: the classic stops around Göreme
The Red Tour visits well-known stops in the heart of Cappadocia: Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Paşabağ, Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley, and a pottery and handicraft workshop in Avanos. Göreme Open Air Museum is part of Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The day starts with hotel pick-up at 09:00 and ends with drop-off at 17:00. Lunch, museum entrance fees, a professional guide and refreshments in the vehicle are included in the price.
Green Tour: underground city and valley
The Green Tour goes further afield: Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Belisırma Church, the Yaprakhisar panorama, Nar Lake, Pigeon Valley and an onyx show. Ihlara Valley is about 90 km from our hotel in Ürgüp; because of the longer drive the day ends at 18:00, an hour later than the Red Tour.
Hotel pick-up at 09:00, lunch, museum entrance fees, a guide and refreshments in the vehicle are included in the price of the Green Tour.
Which one should you choose?
- First time in Cappadocia with only one day to spare: the Red Tour brings the best-known places in the centre together.
- You want to see an underground city and a valley and do not mind a longer day: the Green Tour.
- If you have time for both: do them on different days. The routes are largely different; only Pigeon Valley appears in both.
- If you want something different: also look at the Mix Tour and Blue Tour routes.
What is included and practical details
- Included (Red and Green tours): lunch, museum entrance fees, a professional guide, refreshments in the vehicle. Not included: drinks with lunch, personal expenses, private shopping.
- Groups are limited to 15 people; pick-up is at 09:00.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle; mornings can be cool and afternoons warm, so dress in layers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Red Tour take?
The day starts with hotel pick-up at 09:00 and ends with drop-off at 17:00.
How long does the Green Tour take?
The day starts with hotel pick-up at 09:00 and ends with drop-off at 18:00.
How much is the Red Tour and what is included?
€45 per person. Lunch, museum entrance fees, a professional guide and refreshments in the vehicle are included.
How much is the Green Tour and what is included?
€55 per person. Lunch, museum entrance fees, a professional guide and refreshments in the vehicle are included.
Should I do both tours?
The routes are largely different; only Pigeon Valley appears in both. If you have the time, put them on different days.
