Derinkuyu, the underground city near Nevşehir in Turkey, is an absolutely incredible place to visit. It was built during the Byzantine era, around the 8th century BCE and could house approximately 20,000 people along with their livestock and food stores. We entered with a museum card, and there was no queue allowing for a relaxed visit. Make sure to bring warm clothes, as temperatures can drop underground. Wear your most comfortable shoes, as the pathways can be uneven. If you have knee or back problems, or if you’re asthmatic, proceed with caution due to the claustrophobic spaces and lower oxygen levels. Visiting Derinkuyu was on our to-do list for Cappadocia, and it did not disappoint. The history, the architecture, and the sheer scale of the underground city make it a must-visit.

this is first underground city which ı visited . so interesting. in summer when outside is hot inside is cold . it is so big ,bigger than ı expected. some parts are closed . ı advice to visit with a guide .who explain all ,our guide was so got for that . ı highly advice to visit here

You only get to see a small portion of this large underground city but the part you see still gives you a sense of it all. This is one of the deeper underground cities and it ends up being about 8 stories deep. The air flow is good and we never felt cramped or claustrophobic. Much of the history is guesswork but still fascinating. Go early to avoid the crowds. The tunnels and narrow and many are too narrow to pass other people going the opposite way. The stone doors that could be rolled into place to block a tunnel were so clever. Probably one hour to see it all.

This is one of the many underground cities in the region and I think to see one of them is enough to get the sense. It is very interesting to see that there is even a stable in the underground. Not recommended for people who have claustrophobia. It seems takes around 30 min to make the tour.

My family drove to Derinkuyu Underground city in a rented car. When we got there we parked in the Ottopark and entered a community park area where there were shops and restaurants. After we had a little lunch we walk across the green area to the entrance to Derinkuyu. We had museum passes so did not need to buy tickets. The entrance is next to the ticket booth. We scanned our passes and descended some steps to the first level of the underground city. Inside there are arrows, blue pointed towards the exit route, Red indicated the way forward through the different levels of the city. As you moved between levels you would see official guides who would answer questions regarding what you were seeing and who were willing to show you things and lead you further into the city. Keep in mind that this underground city is large but the portion they let you visit is very manageable. We would walk to a level, poke around looking in all the spaces we were allowed to visit then follow the arrows down to the next areas. We found most of the underground spaces to be large so as NOT to be claustrophobic, well ventilated and for the most part even a tall person like me did not need to stoop (I could stand up straight. We spent about 60 minutes exploring before we finished and exited. Using our phone/flashlights when we wanted to venture into smaller tunnels or rooms. When we were finished I was physically sore as I had to step over uneven ground and bend over several times and the ground is generally uneven and it was humid in the caves. But if my wife who is 75 years of age, 30 pounds overweight and not that mobile can do this (her words not mine), then so can you. Lastly,much has been made about these cities as there are several of them in the cappadocia area. The cities were not built to permanently live in, rather they were a place to raise/house animals in, store food and make wine and if necessary could be a refuge if a city was attacked. This is why the first level of these cities usually were for the animals. the second or third levels frequently is where you were pressing grapes and making wine or milling grains. Subsequent levels served storage purposes and sleeping quarters and in some cases grave were on the lower levels. We visited this city and Kaymakli on the same day. I found Kaymakli a bit quicker to tour but more taxing as the passages were narrower and I have to bend down more often to traverse them. But again, my wife did this so can you unless you are claustrophobic. Please like this review if you find it helpful.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the underground city of Derinkuyu in Turkey, and it was an unforgettable journey into the depths of history. The city is impressive for its grandeur and the skill of the ancient architects who created this complex underground system. Derinkuyu is one of the largest and best-preserved underground cities in the Cappadocia region. Walking through its narrow tunnels and spacious chambers, you can feel the spirit of antiquity and imagine how thousands of people lived here, protected from external threats. It's fascinating to discover that the city had schools, churches, food storage areas, and even wine cellars!