Cappadocia Underground Cities: Derinkuyu vs Kaymaklı

Derinkuyu vs Kaymakli Underground City: Which One Should You Visit?

Cappadocia’s underground cities are among the most surprising historical sites in the region. These multi-level settlements were carved into soft volcanic rock and used as protected living spaces during periods of conflict.

Around 35 underground cities are known across Cappadocia, but Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are the two best-known and largest examples visited by travellers. Both contain living areas, kitchens, storage rooms, stables, wineries, ventilation shafts and defensive tunnels.

Their entrance fees and overall visitor experiences are quite similar. For most travellers, visiting one underground city is enough. The main decision is whether you prefer the deeper and more intense atmosphere of Derinkuyu or the wider, quieter layout of Kaymakli.

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu is known for its depth and vertical structure. The underground city extends through multiple levels, with the visitor route descending through stone stairways, narrow tunnels and confined passages.

Some deeper sections are not open to visitors, but the accessible route still gives a strong impression of how large and complex the settlement was.

Inside Derinkuyu, visitors can see:

• Living quarters
• Stables
• Food-storage rooms
• Kitchens
• Wine and oil production areas
• Religious spaces
• Ventilation shafts
• Water wells
• Large circular stone doors used for defence

The scale and depth are the main attractions. Derinkuyu feels darker, more vertical and more adventurous than Kaymakli. Some passages are low enough that visitors need to bend or walk in a crouched position.

Derinkuyu Is Best For

• Travellers seeking a deeper underground experience
• Visitors interested in defensive architecture
• People who enjoy more adventurous historical sites
• Active travellers comfortable with stairs
• Visitors who do not mind narrow or enclosed passages

Things to Consider

Derinkuyu has more vertical transitions, steps and confined sections. It may be difficult for young children, older visitors, people with knee or back problems, and travellers with significant claustrophobia.

Kaymakli Underground City

Kaymakli spreads across a wider and more horizontal layout. Rather than feeling like a continuous descent, the visitor route passes through interconnected rooms, tunnels and living spaces arranged across a broader area.

Kaymakli still contains narrow and low passages, but the overall route usually feels easier to follow and slightly more comfortable than Derinkuyu.

Its rooms are arranged in clusters, helping visitors understand how daily life may have been organised underground. Different sections were used for families, livestock, food preparation, storage and wine production.

Inside Kaymakli, visitors can see:

• Family living areas
• Kitchens
• Storage rooms
• Stables
• Wineries
• Food-production spaces
• Ventilation shafts
• Defensive tunnels
• Circular stone doors

Kaymakli Is Best For

• First-time visitors
• Families and mixed-age groups
• Travellers who prefer a wider layout
• Visitors with mild concerns about confined spaces
• People who want a calmer and less crowded visit
• Travellers who prefer to explore at a comfortable pace

Things to Consider

Kaymakli is easier than Derinkuyu for many visitors, but it is not completely open or spacious. You will still need to bend while passing through some low and narrow tunnels.

Main Differences Between Derinkuyu and Kaymakli

Derinkuyu and Kaymakli share many architectural features, but their layouts create different visitor experiences.

• Derinkuyu is deeper and more vertical.
• Kaymakli is wider and more horizontal.
• Derinkuyu has more stairs and level changes.
• Kaymakli usually feels easier to navigate.
• Derinkuyu offers a more intense underground atmosphere.
• Kaymakli is generally quieter and less crowded.
• Both contain low ceilings, narrow tunnels and uneven steps.
• Both generally have the same official entrance fee.

Because the ticket prices are usually the same, cost should not be the main factor when choosing between them.

Check our compare table

Which One Is Better to Visit?

There is no single correct choice because both underground cities are impressive.

Choose Derinkuyu if you want:

• A deeper and more dramatic experience
• More vertical exploration
• A stronger sense of descending underground
• A slightly more adventurous visit

Choose Kaymakli if you want:

• A wider and easier-to-follow layout
• A quieter atmosphere
• A more comfortable visit
• A better option for families
• Fewer demanding vertical transitions

For most first-time visitors, I recommend Kaymakli Underground City. It is generally calmer, easier to understand and more comfortable to explore.

However, travellers specifically looking for depth, scale and a more intense underground atmosphere may prefer Derinkuyu.

Do You Need to Visit Both?

For most travellers, visiting one underground city is enough.

Both sites offer a similar general experience, including underground living areas, storage rooms, ventilation systems, defensive passages and narrow tunnels.

Visiting both may be worthwhile for:

• Archaeology enthusiasts
• Travellers interested in underground architecture
• Visitors taking a private or customised tour
• People staying several days in Cappadocia
• Travellers who want to compare the two layouts personally

For a typical two- or three-day Cappadocia itinerary, choosing one underground city leaves more time for valleys, open-air museums, panoramic viewpoints and other regional attractions.

Entrance Fees and Museum Passes

Derinkuyu and Kaymakli generally have the same official entrance fee, so price should not determine which one you visit.

Entrance fees may be updated seasonally. Check the current official ticket price before your visit.

Museum passes may be accepted according to the current pass conditions. When joining a guided tour, also confirm whether the underground-city entrance ticket is included in the tour price.

Physical Difficulty

Both underground cities require visitors to move through historic spaces that were not designed for modern accessibility.

Expect to encounter:

• Low ceilings
• Narrow tunnels
• Uneven stone floors
• Worn steps
• Steep sections
• Dim lighting
• Passages that require bending
• Cool underground temperatures

Derinkuyu is generally more physically demanding because of its deeper and more vertical route. Kaymakli is usually easier, but it still contains confined passages.

Neither underground city is wheelchair accessible.

Visitors with serious mobility limitations, knee problems, back problems, breathing difficulties or severe claustrophobia should speak with their guide before entering.

What Should You Wear?

Comfortable clothing is strongly recommended.

During the visit, you may need to bend, crouch and move through low tunnels. Wear clothes that allow you to move easily.

Recommended clothing and footwear:

• Comfortable trousers or flexible clothing
• A light layer or jacket
• Closed-toe shoes
• Non-slip soles
• Shoes suitable for uneven stone surfaces

Avoid:

• High heels
• Slippery shoes
• Open sandals
• Restrictive clothing
• Long garments that may catch on steps
• Formal outfits that make bending difficult

Underground temperatures usually remain cool throughout the year, often around 13–15°C. This can feel refreshing during summer but cold during winter, so carrying a light layer is useful.

Claustrophobia

Both Derinkuyu and Kaymakli contain narrow and enclosed sections.

Kaymakliis generally the better option for travellers with mild claustrophobia because its layout feels wider and more horizontal. However, it still includes low tunnels and confined passages.

Derinkuyumay feel more challenging because of its depth, stairs and vertical descents.

Travellers with severe claustrophobia may prefer to avoid both underground cities or discuss an alternative route with their guide.

How Long Does a Visit Take?

Most visitors spend approximately 45 to 90 minutes inside one underground city.

The exact duration depends on:

• Crowd levels
• Walking speed
• Tour-group size
• Time spent listening to the guide
• Photography stops
• The sections open on the day

Kaymaklican often be explored slightly faster because of its wider and more horizontal layout. It is also generally quieter, making it easier to move through the site at your own pace.

Derinkuyumay take longer because of the stairs, deeper levels and vertical transitions.

Should You Visit With a Guide?

A guided visit is highly recommended.

Without historical explanations, many underground rooms can look similar. A guide helps explain how the settlement functioned and why each section was important.

A guide can explain:

• How ventilation shafts supplied fresh air
• How food was stored underground
• Where livestock was kept
• How kitchens and wineries operated
• Why tunnels were deliberately narrow
• How circular stone doors were used
• How water was protected
• How families lived underground
• Why communities needed underground shelters

You can visit independently, but the historical context makes the experience much more meaningful.

Check guided Green Tour

Can You Visit Both in One Day?

Yes. Derinkuyu and Kaymakli can be visited on the same day with a private vehicle or customised tour.

However, most standard Green Tour programmes include only one underground city. The exact underground city may depend on the operator, route, crowd conditions and seasonal arrangements.

Unless underground history is one of your main interests, visiting both in one day may feel repetitive.

Are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli Connected?

Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are believed to have been connected by a long underground tunnel system.

The connecting passage is not open to visitors. It should therefore be understood as a historical feature rather than part of the current visitor route.

Our Local Recommendation

Both underground cities are beautiful and historically important, but I personally prefer Kaymakli Underground City.

Kaymakli is usually quieter, wider and easier to explore. Its layout also makes it easier to understand how daily life may have been organised underground.

Derinkuyu is the better option for travellers who specifically want a deeper, darker and more adventurous experience.

For a standard Cappadocia itinerary:

• Choose Kaymakli for comfort, a calmer atmosphere and easier exploration.
• Choose Derinkuyu for depth, vertical scale and a more intense experience.
• Visit only one unless you have a particular interest in underground settlements.

Whichever one you choose, wear comfortable clothing, closed-toe non-slip shoes and be prepared to bend while moving through narrow underground tunnels.