Cappadocia Traveller Health Guide: Altitude, Cold Mornings, Dry Air and Finding a Doctor
Health guide for visitors to Cappadocia: altitude, cold balloon-flight mornings, dry air, rocky trails, winter weather and how to get an English-speaking doctor in Goreme, Urgup and Uchisar.
Cappadocia lies on the high central plateau of Turkey, at roughly 1,000 metres above sea level, and the health problems visitors face are very different from those on the coast. The air is dry, the temperature swings are large and the landscape of fairy chimneys, rocky valleys and underground cities is wonderful but uneven to walk on.
Dry air and altitude
The dry, high plateau air can cause nosebleeds, dry throats, chapped lips and dry skin, particularly in winter and in centrally heated cave hotels. Drink more than you think you need, use a moisturiser and lip balm, and keep your room humid if you can. Altitude is modest, but visitors with heart or lung disease may notice breathlessness on the steeper trails, so go slowly.
Balloon flights at dawn
Hot-air balloon flights leave before sunrise, when the air is cold even in summer. Bring layers, gloves in the cooler months and a hat, and expect a bumpy landing: sprained ankles and wrists are the most common injuries from balloon landings. If you have back or joint problems, tell the operator in advance.
Summer: hot days, cold nights
Daytime temperatures are high and the sun is strong at altitude, so sunburn and heat exhaustion are common on valley walks. Nights are noticeably cooler, and it is easy to catch a cold when a hot day is followed by a cold terrace dinner. Carry water, sunscreen and a light jacket.
Rocky trails, quad bikes and underground cities
Valley walks involve loose stones, steep steps and narrow paths, so ankle sprains and scraped knees are frequent. Quad bike and horse-riding tours add falls and dust to the list. Underground cities are cool, narrow and enclosed; visitors who are claustrophobic or have asthma should be cautious.
Traveller’s diarrhoea in Cappadocia
Pottery kebab, local wine and tasting menus are central to a visit, and most food is safe and well prepared. In summer, avoid food that has been out in the sun at roadside stops, drink bottled water, and wash your hands before eating. Rehydrate with oral rehydration salts if you do get a stomach bug; seek a doctor if it lasts more than a few days or if you are weak and dizzy.
Winter
Winters are cold and often snowy, with temperatures well below freezing at night. Roads can be icy and the usual winter colds, flu and chest infections are common. Cave hotels are well heated but dry, so keep fluids up.
Getting medical help in Cappadocia
Clinics and hospitals are in Nevsehir, Urgup and Avanos, with smaller services in Goreme and Uchisar. In an emergency call 112. A video doctor is available around the clock and can send an e-prescription to a nearby pharmacy; ask us on WhatsApp whether a visit is possible in your area. Choose your town below.