Avanos

Avanos is besides Ürgüp and Göreme one of the interesting places in Cappadocia one should visit. For example their is still an unopened tumulus called Çeç of 32 m. height 5 km. far away at the banks of the Red River (Kızılırmak) which could be compared to other famous places in Turkey like Gordion, Nemrut or Karakuş.

The Red River being the longest river of Turkey, which divides Avanos into an old and a new part, bears its name of the clay which is being washed into the river in spring times. This clay provides the essence of the Avanos traditional handicrafts: potteries and brickyards. The potteries are producing many different products, some for export, others for daily use in kitchen and garden, and last not least for selling to the tourists which are coming to Cappadocia.

There are many restaurant beside the river, when one can eat fish and local Cappadocian meals or one can drink a çay (tea) in one of the teagardens.

From here you can easily explore the nearby sites like Goreme, Zelve, Cavusin, Urgup, Ortahisar, Uchisar or cave churches and underground cities on your own or with guided tours.