Tickets
Derinkuyu Underground City Tickets and Guide
Derinkuyu plunges many levels underground and once sheltered thousands of people, complete with stables, kitchens, a church and ventilation shafts. Here's how to visit the tunnels comfortably.
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The history beneath your feet
Derinkuyu descends roughly 60 metres through eight or more accessible levels, and could shelter thousands of people along with their livestock during raids. Huge circular stone doors could seal each level from the inside, and a sophisticated ventilation system kept the deepest rooms breathable.
Carved over centuries and expanded by early Christian communities, it connects via tunnels to other underground settlements, making it one of the largest excavated subterranean cities in the world.
Visiting the tunnels
Passages are narrow, low and steep in places, with stairs and crouching sections. It's an unforgettable experience for most, but worth skipping if you're strongly claustrophobic.
- Wear flat, grippy shoes — surfaces can be damp and uneven.
- Bring a light layer; it's cool underground year-round.
- Go early or late to avoid bottlenecks in the narrowest passages.
- A guide greatly enriches the visit by explaining each level's purpose.
Frequently asked questions
- It descends roughly 60 metres through eight or more accessible levels — the deepest excavated underground city in Cappadocia.
- The passages are narrow, low and crowded at peak times, so it can be challenging for those with claustrophobia. Kaymakli is slightly wider and may be more comfortable.