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by Drifter Planet | Aug 12, 2017 | Turkey
“Can you tell me the EXACT location of this photo?”
Yup, that’s the most frequently asked question when people see my Cappadocia pictures. In fact, this question comes to me so often that I decided the easiest thing to do would be to just write a post about my favorite Instagram spots of Cappadocia. Also, the fact that I’m still obsessing over this place helps.
This is my fourth blog post about this gorgeous destination in Turkey. You can’t really blame me for still being fixated, just look at the photos! Yes, Cappadocia in Turkey is perhaps the most magical place that I have ever seen.
Anyway, if you’re a new here and have not been following me on social media, I must confess that my visit to Cappadocia got me a lot of attention on Instagram. Suddenly I had a lot of new followers and they wanted to see more pictures of Cappadocia. Some of them even booked their tickets and are in touch with me about booking a hot air balloon ride, hotel and what not.
If you’re heading to Cappadocia as well [you should], and want to know some of the best photography spots, then you’re going to probably bookmark this post. Be sure to read our travel tips for Turkey and this travel guide, which will help you plan your trip. This part of Turkey is really pretty and there are definitely way more than ten beautiful spots in Cappadocia. It was very difficult just to choose 10 spots, but here you go.
Cappadocia’s Most Beautiful Spots –
01 | Sunset Point in Red Valley, Near Ortahisar
If red valley wasn’t red enough, things get a little crazy as the sunsets. There are no typical fairy chimneys here but you will get to witness a sight so epic that it will spoil your future sunset experiences. Don’t just leave this spot after the sunset; it gets even better after it because it gets a little empty.
Red valley’s sunset point overlooks the entire valley and you can find your own spot up on the rocks. It is is near Ortahisar and is famous – but you can’t really reach here on public transport. Get yourself a rental car or hire a taxi to reach here.
This spot is so pretty that I saw three newly wedded couples that were here for their wedding shoot.
Here are a few other pictures of this same spot that I found on Instagram.
Here’s how awesome it looks when it snows!
BTW: If you’re near Red Valley, then don’t miss the nearby Pink Valley. I missed, but you shouldn’t. I want you to check THIS picture out.
Here is one last picture before I talk about the next spot.
Suggested Post – Pamukkale – Spectacular White and Blue Thermal Pools in Turkey
02 | Sultan Cave Suites
As much as I hate putting a hotel’s balcony so high on my list, I have to admit Sultan Cave Suites deserves this mention because it’s too darn gorgeous. This spot became one of the most popular locations in Cappadocia after Instagram superstars – DoYouTravel and Gypsy_lust did a photo shoot here.
If it wasn’t for my friend Eva (who is an amazing photographer), I was not going to make an effort to wake up at 4 am and walk to Sultan Cave Suites for a few sunrise photos. I had to gather a lot of courage for these pictures because I’m very shy when it comes to posing. Oh, you must know that I did not stay in this hotel and neither do I know if it is a good place to stay, but it sure is pretty. Due to the extreme popularity, I think they now only allow guests to this spot for photos. Here is an epic sunrise shot with balloons all around. This was at Sultan Caves Suites. That is my friend Eva and me. Here are some of our best photos:
Here’s Izmir – the real Sultan of Sultan cave suites. He’s the resident cutie of this place.
03 | Sunset Point in Göreme
Holy shit, this is Planet Tatooine!
Yep, that’s exactly what I said when I reached the famous sunset point in Göreme. I sat next to the edge and stared at the distant caves that were carved inside the fairy chimneys. It felt that at any moment, little Anakin Skywalker was going to appear out of nowhere before he became a Jedi.
As much as this looks like Tatooine, I hate to tell you that Star Wars was not shot here. Some say that George Lucas wanted Göreme as the shooting location but it was never approved because of fairy chimneys (they look like penises). But hey, this could all be a made up story but who cares when it looks as pretty as this.
04 | Fairy Chimneys in Zemi Valley or Love Valley
Yes we all know that they look like penises, but a polite way to refer to them is “fairy chimneys” or “peri bacalari” in Turkish.
It took Mother Nature around a million years to carve out these fairy chimneys and they are all over Cappadocia. I saw them for the first time when I went for a hot air balloon ride with Turkiye Balloons and our balloon kind of flew very close to these giant mushrooms. [You can read about my Hot Air Balloon ride experience here].
There is not just one place where you can see these Fairy Chimneys because they are all over Goreme. If you’re looking at some of the best places to photograph the Fairy Chimneys, I’d recommend you go to is Zemi Valley, which is smaller than the bigger and more popular Bagli Dere Love Valley. In fact, the locals say that even a part of Zemi valey is also called Love Valley.
Zemi valley is very close to Goreme open-air museum and Bagli Dere is 6-ish KMs away. By the way, I have been told that Love Vallay has been named so because of the abundance of penis shaped formations.
06 | Uchisar Castle [or Uçhisar Castle]
If Cappadocia’s landscape couldn’t get weirder, Uchisar Castle is the cherry on the icing. This castle is on the highest point in Uchisar and overlooks the nearby towns. Uchisar castle looks like the aliens hurriedly created it and did not pay attention to the symmetry.
The entrance fee to Uchisar castle is 5 TL and it is easy to explore everything inside this castle in less than 30 minutes. The best part according to me is the view from the top, which is obviously better around the sunset.
07 | Museum Hotel, Uchisar
How can I not put this spot on this list when the pool from the view looks like THAT. I’d love to go back to Cappadocia, just to take an early morning dip in this swimming pool. Museum Hotel, Uchisar is a boutique hotel where the room prices generally shoot up to $300 per night. This hotel is perfect for those who are looking for the ultimate luxury experience in Cappadocia. This hotel was built out of thousand-year-old cave houses.
08 | Üçgüzeller or Three Sister Rocks Panorama Point near Ürgüp
Three Sister Rocks in Ürgüp is actually a free place to visit that’s along the road. There is a panorama viewpoint here, which is free to visit. There are three giant rocks that are cone shaped with smaller rocks on each tip. This spot is also called Peri Bacalari and there are a few stories associated with these three rocks.
Some say that these rocks can be imagined as a family – mother, father and a child. Others say that there is a legend that is associated with a father trying to marry off his three daughters, who later turned to rocks. Here’s a picture from Mesut from New Goreme tours, who was our tour guide and took us to this place along with many other places in Cappadocia.
Here are a few more that I found on Instagram.
09 | Kale Konak Hotel, Uchisar
Kale Konak Hotel in Uchisar is not as popular on social media as many other hotels are, but it doesn’t mean it is not better. This hotel has Uchisar castle on one side and lower level scenery the other, resulting in stunning views. I stayed in two different hotels while I was in Cappadocia and Kale Konak absolutely took my breath away.
I had a cave suite to myself while I was here, and it was more like a cave house because it had two bedrooms, one toilet, one sitting room, two levels of private terraces and what not. I had the luxury of watching the sunrise [and sunset] in my own private terrace.
The sunrise here looks amazing because in the distance you can see the lone Mt. Erciyes and on the other side there is the strange Uchisar castle. Here’s a picture that will tell you how close Uchisar castle is from here.
10 | Soganli Valley
One of the first places that I visited in Cappadocia was Soganli Valley, which has abandoned churches and monasteries inside caves. There are little pigeon windows that are carved on these caves as well, that adds to the mystery.
Even though the structures here were really interesting, I was surprised to see that there was no one around except for our group. Yes, Sognali valley is indeed gorgeous but I loved learning about its history as well. Some of the cave churches date back to the 9th centaury and you can even see some intricate paintings inside them. Sadly, some of these frescos were damaged.
PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us reduce the costs of keeping this site active. Thanks for reading!
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Beautiful Spots in Cappadocia, Turkey – that are Instagram Worthy
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Swimming pool with a view of hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey
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Swimming pool with a view of hot air balloons in Uchisar, Cappadocia, Turkey
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by Drifter Planet | Mar 1, 2017 | Indonesia, Islands, Most Popular Blog Posts
Bali, the island of Gods needs no introduction. After all, it is the most visited island in South East. In fact, I had almost written Bali off my travel bucket list assuming that every corner here will be touristy, but I couldn’t help being excited when I received an invitation by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia.
Late one night in November 2016, I landed here after changing two airplanes from Raja Ampat – tired but ready to fall in love with Bali.
You know what’s the best part about Bali? It is jaw dropping gorgeous! My excitement started right from the airport where I saw an elaborate Hindu temple. It continued as soon as I reached my hotel – De Vins Sky Hotel in Seminyak and saw a roof top pool and yet another temple!
As we travelled around the island the next morning, I was happy to notice that the typical Balinese temple like architecture is everywhere, even at the gas stations. (Btw, the name of the hotel was earlier Golden Tulup but has changed to De Vin Sky Hotel Seminyak. If you want to book the same place, you can click here to check the availability and the best deals)
I visited Bali as a social media influencer, so of course Instagram was very high on my list. I did a little bit of research about a few spots to visit and want to share them with you. No doubt there are more than ten beautiful spots in Bali (obviously), but here are ten of our favorites.
UPDATE in 2018:
I recently discovered that there is a very popular “Instagram tour of Bali” that includes some of the best places that I have mentioned here, waterfalls and also the Instagram-famous jungle swing!
This tour includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, water, etc. This tour makes it super easy for you to visit most of the places on this list and a few more. Check it out and make your Bali pictures memorable to rock your Instagram.
Bali’s most beautiful spots –
01 | “Doors of Heaven” at Pura Lempuyang
Not just in Bali, but this is definitely one of the most beautiful temples of South East Asia. There are total seven temples in this complex, out of which the first one is the biggest and the most beautiful one. They all offer good views but the first one is the most photographed one, for obvious reasons.
All the shots below are pretty similar, but the lighting is different, which causes a dramatic effect. To know more about Pura Lempuyang, you can click here check the details on TripAdvisor.
02 | Penglipuran Village
Penglipuran in North of Bali is a beautifully preserved village which appeared to be unaffected by modernization. For me, this was the most beautiful spot in Bali and I did not want to leave.
It is the perfect place for photos because of the backdrop of little houses that are lined up next to the main street. What makes it even better is that the street is sloped and provides a view till the end.
Out of all the places that I visited, my pictures in Penglipuran Village turned out to be the best ones. Here’s my picture which was clicked by the talented Japanese photographer, Genta. If you ever wonder where to stay in Bali, i’d recommend you pick the North or Ubud area, just so that you’re close to this spot.
03 | Bamboo Forest in Bangli
Don’t you just love the roads that are surrounded by perfectly arched trees resulting in a “tunnel” effect? Well, you can find a few of these streets in the village of Kubu Bangli regency. This forest area is very close to Penglipuran village, so you can do #2 and #3 together on the same day! Planning on visiting? Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor before you go.
The below picture is by one of my favorite photographers, Larissa Dening:
Here’s another one by Hikari – a talented Japanese photographer, who is as beautiful as the pictures she clicks.
The next one was clicked by Trishita (Overrated Outcast), who’s just 20 but does some serious magic with her GoPro. She’s also a GoPro brand ambassador.
Here’s one by Daniel Tran. I love how all of his pictures have a lot of magic, that they look surreal.
04 | Ubud’s Rice Paddies and Cafes with views
You can’t leave out Ubud’s pretty rice paddies when you visit Bali. Some people rent bicycles to explore the paddy fields, while others just find a chic café with a view to enjoy Ubud’s beauty. I recommend Desa Tegalalang or Kampung Café for your dose of Ubud.
To make the most of it, you can also book yourself a room at Kampung Resort. This place is in a stunning location on a height and with an exceptionally breathtaking view of the rice paddies. A room here is usually between 40 − 50 USD. If you’re not staying here, then at lease consider visiting this place for an amazing lunch with a view of the paddy fields.
Here’s a picture from Kampung Cafe by Jongbeom Lee:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMWTYHzDdEI/?taken-by=picn2k
I love this bird’s eye view of the rice paddies by Will Cho.
Or this green overdose by Michael Turtle:
This shot by Emily makes me want to want to get lost in these rice paddies!
05 | Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is perhaps the most iconic landmark of Bali. It has been used for years as a cover image for Bali related things such as in flyers, travel articles, picture postcards, etc. This temple is located at the edge of Beratan Lake and you can often catch the reflection of it in the water.
Everything is perfect about this shot, specially the reflection.
Here’s the same temple but from a different angle. Don’t you just love the sky?
06 | Pura Tirta Empul
Yes, you must have guessed it by now that everything that starts with “Pura” is a temple. This temple is famous for its bathing area and a dip in its waters is supposed to cleanse you spiritually. The words “Tirta Empul” stand for holy spring in Balinese language.
If you want to know more about Tirta Empur temple, you can read the discussions on Tripadvisor about this place. Here’s a shot of Tirta Empul Temple’s stunning door.
This is inside the temple, where people bathe inside the water for ritual purification.
07 | Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
What’s better than a waterfall? Two waterfalls together. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls waterfalls are in North Central part of Bali and getting there is definitely not easy. Many people say that these are the best waterfalls in Bali, but why don’t you see the pictures and decide for yourself?
Look how green everything around this waterfall is!
How blue is that water!
08 | Tanah lot temple
Yes, another temple on the list, but I promise it’s the last one. Visit Tanah Lot temple a little before the sunset and find a nearby café that overlooks the temple for some stunning photos! Doesn’t the ocean backdrop look stunning?
09 | Tibumana Waterfall
This waterfall is in Bangli area and not so far from the Bamboo forest in point 3. Getting here is not as difficult as Banyumala Waterfalls. The trail that leads to the waterfall is small and is a delight in itself.
What makes the Tibuamana waterfall stunning is the jungle around. You will hear the sounds of birds and the water – how cool is that! Tibumana waterfall itself is small but it is the green area around that makes it very special.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYmkDRGl0wH/
10 | Ku-De-Ta Lounge and Around
Ku-De-Ta is one of the most famous bars in Bali. The view of the ocean from here is breathtaking, especially around the sunset time. There is a swimming pool inside Ku-De-Ta, which looks very beautiful when the sky turns orange before it gets dark. Not just the bar, but even the beach right outside this place gave us many photo opportunities.
Here’s a picture of the bar and swimming pool inside Ku-De-Ta:
The below three pictures were shot right outside Ku-De-Ta. Look how beautiful this spot looks when sun goes down.
And this!
Where to stay in Bali
I stayed in Golden Tulip Devins, which is in Seminyak. It is a very beautiful hotel with a rooftop pool and bar. The rooftop area is amazing for watching sunsets. Some of the rooms here also feature an outdoor Jacuzzis. My room was very comfortable and had everything that I needed (like a hairdryer). The hotel is less than 5 minutes walk from Seminyak beach and the nearby Petitenget Temple. This temple is right on the beach and I got to watch a colorful prayer ceremony here one morning.
Seminyak is Bali’s hip and upscale area and is famous for its nightlife but thankfully is not as crowded as Kuta. To be honest, I didn’t party much except on just one occasion and we found a very cool nightclub near our hotel. If you’re heading to Bali, I strongly recommend you stay here. If you like big breakfasts (like I do), you will really enjoy their buffet – especially strawberry waffles, eggs Benedict, and coffee.
You can read the reviews about Golden Tulip Devins on TripAdvisor and find the best deal to book a room. Or, you can click here to find deals for Golden Tulip Devins, Seminyak in Bali on Booking.com. I generally prefer Booking.com because of their free cancellation (on most of the hotels) that has saved my life many times. A room at Golden Tulip Devins, Seminyak can cost you anything between $100 to $200 depending on your choice. Or, you can check on Agoda where I usually find prices that are cheaper than the other websites.
Have you ever been to Bali? If so, I would love to know about your favorite photo spots, so please do let me know in the comments.
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10 Beautiful Spots in Bali that are Instagram Worthy
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Beautiful Spots in Bali that are Instagram Worthy
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Instagram Worthy Spots in Bali
PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us reduce the costs of keeping this site active. Thanks for reading!
Where to go after Bali?
Check out Yogyakarta and Lombok.
Disclaimer: I was paid and invited by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia to their beautiful country on a content creation campaign called “Trip of Wonders”, but as always, all thoughts in this article are mine.
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