Ürgüp

With a central location and a busy (for Cappadocia) town center due to its higher population (17,000) than Göreme or Uçhisar, Ürgüp is a logical base for exploring the surrounding area. In recent years it has become increasingly known for its boutique hotels, many of which are restored cave houses in the Esbelli neighborhood, a 10-minute uphill walk from the center of town. Hotels in this scenic neighborhood often have breathtaking views of the town and the nearby cliffs dotted with man-made caves. Some beautiful old homes formerly owned by Greeks, who were a significant presence in the town until the Greek-Turkish population exchange in 1923, have also been converted into hotels.