Uçhisar, Cappadocia, Turkey

The natural rock citadel of Uçhisar is the tallest point in Cappadocia, visible for a great distance from the region's other towns such as Ürgüp and Avanos (map).

The popular backpacker base of Göreme Town is a short distance downhill from Uçhisar (OOCH-hee-sahr, "tiptop castle").

Uçhisar has numerous hotels, inns, rental houses and pensions, some of them with cave rooms, such as the Kale Konak Hotel, but the main reason visitors go there is to climb to the top of the hisar, the tall rock outcrop via tunnels and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view, the best view of Cappadocia except for that which you get from a hot-air balloon.

Another reason to go is to have a fine dinner at an Uçhisar restaurant.

The main transportation point for the region is the provincial capital of Nevşehir, with its busy bus station and not-so-busy airport. The closest train station and busy airport are at Kayseri.