Where in Turkey is Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is in central Turkey, about an hour’s flight east of Istanbul. Two airports are within an hour’s drive of the region: Nevşehir Cappadocia (NAV) and Kayseri Erkilet (ASR). Both offer direct internal flights from Istanbul Atatürk (IST), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB), and Antalya (AYT).
Most visitors spend between three and five nights in the area, often combining it with a longer trip to Istanbul, Izmir or Antalya. The area is slightly off the beaten track, so it feels quieter and less crowded. That makes the internal flight well worth it.
Why is Cappadocia such a wedding hot-spot?
It’s all about the hot air balloons!
Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia started relatively recently, in the late 1980s, when hotel owners used hot air balloons to get promotional photos of the region. At that time, it was the mysterious and magical fairy chimneys of the area that were the main attraction. In 1991, an enterprising British couple were credited with starting to offer balloon rides to tourists. Throughout the 1990s, the popularity increased, with tourists keen to see the incredible rock formations of Cappadocia from the unique airborne viewpoint themselves. From this the commercial hot air balloon industry developed.
Today, around 32 hot air balloon companies operate in Cappadocia, with roughly 160 balloons launching most mornings. Those taking a balloon ride don’t just get to see the incredible hills and valleys of magical fairy chimney rock formations from above. They can also enjoy the spectacle of being amid so many other colourful hot air balloons.
Can you get married in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia?
Yes, you can. It’s possible to legally marry in a hot air balloon, but most couples choose a symbolic ceremony for flexibility. They complete the legal paperwork before or after their trip.
Each balloon can hold up to 12 people, leaving plenty of space for the officiant, witnesses, and a few guests.
What documents do you need to get married in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia?
The documents required for a hot air balloon wedding are the same as for any other legal wedding in Turkey. The following points should be useful guidance, but please check with the consulate for the most up to date information.
You must be legally eligible to marry in your home country. Once all checks are complete and paperwork is in order, you can marry in Turkey after three days.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- An Attested Certificate of No Impediment (equivalent to an affidavit of eligibility to marry) from your own country.
- Six passport photos, your birth certificates, and valid ID (such as passports).
- A health check report from a government hospital or private clinic. The health tests check for infectious diseases.
- If applicable; decree absolute or divorce papers, and a copy of the deed poll if your name has changed
- A Marriage Petition Form filed at the local registry office in the region of Turkey that you plan to marry.
If you have any difficulties with obtaining the correct documents, you can opt for a legal wedding ceremony in your own country, and just have a symbolic ceremony while you are in Turkey.
Is same sex-marriage legal in Turkey?
Turkey is considered the most tolerant of all Middle Eastern countries. However, same sex marriages are not recognised so it is not currently possible to have a gay wedding in Turkey. LGBTQIA+ couples are able to have a symbolic ceremony, so a hot air balloon wedding ceremony is still possible. However, the legal marriage will have to take place elsewhere.
Is Cappadocia a good choice for disabled or elderly wedding guests
Cappadocia is beautiful, but its terrain can be challenging for those with mobility issues. The area has many steep slopes, steps, and uneven ground which may prove challenging for elderly or physically disabled guests.
Hoteliers have worked hard to make hotels as accessible as possible with lifts. However, a lot of buildings are within the original rock formations, and the terrain is naturally hilly and uneven. For guests needing easier access, we would advise considering modern hotels such as Crowne Plaza Cappadocia.
Can you propose in hot air balloon?
Absolutely. Hot air balloon proposals are one of Cappadocia’s most romantic experiences. Balloons range in size to fit between 2 to 12 people, plus the balloon operator. You could book a 12 person balloon for 2 people to give you space, stability and privacy for a really special marriage proposal. Speak to the company you are booking with in advance so that they can help with arrangements and a suitable balloon.
Our Top Tip; for a hot air balloon marriage proposal
Our top tip for keeping the engagement ring safe at height: Take the same precautions used for high-level wedding proposals on Sydney Harbour Bridge. Put the engagement ring on a piece of ribbon with a wrist-sized loop at each end. Both loops can be worn on your wrist before you propose, with the ring secure on the ribbon, hidden up your sleeve. When you propose, pass one loop onto your partner’s wrist, slide the ring onto their finger, then pass the second loop onto their wrist. This will reduce the chance of you dropping the ring, and keep it secure on their finger until you land if it isn’t a perfect fit.
Do the hot air balloons in Cappadocia operate every day?
No, the hot air balloons in Cappadocia do not operate every day, however they normally fly on 260 days of the year so you would be unlucky to miss out whilst you are there. They are dependant on weather and will be cancelled due to high winds, rain or thick fog. In this case it is deemed unsafe and the government doesn’t allow any to take of. Meaning, if one flies, they all fly.
When is the best time of the year to visit Cappadocia
The region is relatively dry year round, but gets hot in the summer months of July and August. From November to March it can get cold, particularly at night. We visited in early December and there had been snow the week before which can give an even more magical effect. Temperatures were around 3-8 degrees which was still comfortable for sightseeing. We were able to enjoy evenings outside around a fire pit.
April to May and September to October are perhaps the best times to visit. This is when you will enjoy the most comfortable temperatures day and night, and the most reliable balloon flights.
What can you do in Cappadocia other than hot air ballooning?
Ironically, commercial hot air ballooning only became popular as a means of seeing Cappadocia’s more natural wonders. This includes the extraordinary rock formations that look like valleys and hills of fairy chimneys. These unique formations were created by volcanic eruptions and subsequent erosion. The extraordinary landscapes can be explored by car, on foot, on horseback and on quad bikes, as well as by hot air balloon.
The best place to see and experience the full wonder of these formations is in the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area features well over 100 tiny cave churches and monasteries. Their frescoes reveal stunning examples of Byzantine and local art, offering a glimpse into Cappadocia’s Christian history.
Where else can you get married in Cappadocia?
In keeping with the unique setting there’s a choice of unusual hotels and restaurants for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as some more conventional choices. If you are planning a hot air balloon wedding, you’ll need a back up plan if the weather isn’t perfect.
You may also want somewhere for a reception after you’ve landed, unless it’s a very small wedding. Information on a few of the venues we visited are below. Each venue offers a totally different experience to suit different styles of wedding and a range of wedding budgets.
Argos
Argos is a resort hotel made up of nine buildings, reached by narrow cobbled streets and alleys along the hillside that overlooks a spectacular valley of fairy chimneys. It offers 71 rooms, including jacuzzi suites and pool villas. Six of these feature indoor pools, and several include private terraces with views across the extraordinary valley.
Much of the hotel’s charm comes from its integration with the landscape. Many public areas and guest rooms are carved directly into the original rock formations. This includes a beautiful private dining room set within a chapel-like structure. Here, we enjoyed delicious fresh sharing platters and traditional Turkish cuisine.
For exceptional cuisine, ambience and its setting, Argos is hard to beat either for a small wedding or for a honeymoon. The suites with terraces overlooking the valley would be a great choice if you are coming to Cappadocia to propose.
The Sacred House
This is a hotel that you’ll either love, or not! I absolutely loved its rich colours and decadently romantic and dramatic gothic decor. The main steps lead to a baroque-style lobby, with a welcoming drawing room to one side. A central staircase winds from floor to floor, and leads to one of the most extraordinary honeymoon suites you will ever imagine, complete with a huge round copper bathtub.
There’s a restaurant and bar which serves as their indoor event space. It is adjacent to a beautifully lit fairy chimney and a large terrace that can be used for receptions of around 50-100 guests. For large events, the hotel can access adjacent land for a marquee surrounded with fairy chimneys. The hotel also boasts a below-ground chapel-like spa. This has a tiled crucifix pattern on the floor of the pool, again appealing to those who love slightly edgy designs.
The Avantgarde Refined Caves of Cappadocia
Carved into the hillside, with 46 contemporary rooms and suites, this hotel was opened in 2024. It was then further enhanced in 2025 with the addition of a spa, restaurant and additional accommodation in a self-contained villa, again appearing to be carved into the hillside. This would be a great venue for a buy-out. Your wedding guests could all stay close together, but with rooms on split levels opening onto little courtyards, giving everyone a sense of space and privacy. The new villa, added in 2025, will give added privacy for the couple and their closest family and friends.
The rooms and terraces look out over a peaceful Mediterranean courtyard. This creates a social central gathering space with a fire pit and rugs keeping guests warm, even on the coldest winter evenings. Climb to the highest rooms to find a path leading to the hilltop. This is where you can find the most perfect spot for sun-downers with a 360 degree view, and views for miles. You could choose to host your wedding on this hilltop spot. However, it’s also the most magical place for a pre-wedding BBQ under the stars, with live music and dancing.
Those wanting to ensure that their wedding is as sustainable as possible will be delighted by the little touches in the rooms to reduce plastic and waste, without compromising on quality. This is a gem of a hotel in a peaceful location, with an incredibly hospitable team, and I’m looking forward to visiting again.
Crowne Plaza Cappadocia
Most of the hotel wedding venues in the Cappadocia region are ideal for around 20-120 guests. However, for larger weddings there is an obvious choice. The new Crowne Plaza Cappadocia is a modern hotel with a ballroom suitable for seating up to 750 wedding guests. It also boats 178 guest bedrooms, a spa, plus an indoor and outdoor pool.
What is the best time of year for weddings in Cappadocia?
As the climate and terrain is well suited to hot air ballooning in this area, the hot air balloons in Cappadocia operate on approximately 250 days of the year. Meaning if you are staying for more than a day you would be unlucky not to be able to take off. However, if like us you visit when there is an unusual amount of fog, combined with strong winds the balloons can be grounded for 2 or more days. Importantly, it isn’t then simply a case of finding an operator who is prepared to take the risk when the weather isn’t ideal. For everyone’s safety the government dictate whether the balloons can operate each day, so if one can go up, they can all go up. 
Have a look at our hand-picked wedding venues in Turkey.