Picolo recommends · Cave hotel in Uçhisar
Argos in Cappadocia
Old caves and stone houses below the rock castle in Uçhisar, with a pool on the edge of the valleys and balloons drifting past at eye level.
It is still dark when you hear them. A deep whoosh, then another, and when you step onto the terrace with a blanket round your shoulders, the first hot air balloons are lifting off the valley floor. Below you lies a landscape of pointed rock pillars, and the room you just slept in is carved straight into the hillside.
Argos sits in the village of Uçhisar, just below the old rock castle, and is built into a cluster of old stone houses and caves stepping down the slope. The paths between rooms wind through gardens and stairways, so it feels more like living in a village than staying in a hotel.
What stays with you is the terraces. The pool sits right on the edge above the valleys, and in the morning you sit with your coffee watching balloons drift past at eye level. Choose a room with its own terrace and you will not have to share the sunrise with anyone.
The balloons: what you should know
Cappadocia balloons take off just after sunrise, but only when the wind and weather allow. Flights can be cancelled at short notice, so stay at least three nights to improve your chances, both of flying yourself and of watching from the terrace. In high season, book your balloon flight early.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Argos in Cappadocia
Argos is built into old stone houses and caves in Uçhisar, right below the rock castle. The paths run through gardens and stairways, so it feels more like living in a village than in a hotel.
What you remember is the terraces. The pool sits on the edge above the valleys, and in the morning the balloons drift past at eye level. Choose a room with its own terrace.
What you get
- Rooms in caves and old stone houses
- Many rooms with a private terrace facing the valleys
- Pool on the edge above the valleys
- Morning coffee with the balloons at eye level
A day at Argos in Cappadocia
- Dawn
- Out on the terrace with a blanket as the first balloons lift off the valley floor.
- Morning
- A hike through the valleys below Uçhisar.
- Afternoon
- The pool on the edge, with the valleys spread out beneath you.
- Evening
- Dinner in Uçhisar or Göreme, then the quiet of the old stone paths.
Location
Uçhisar, Nevşehir, Turkey
Open in MapsWhen is the best time to visit Cappadocia?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking in the valleys. Summer is dry and busy. Winter is quiet, and snow on the rock pillars is a sight few expect in Turkey. The nearest airports are Kayseri and Nevşehir. Read more in our Turkey travel guide.
April to June and September to October: book a room with a terrace several months ahead.
Winter: fewer visitors and often easier to get the best rooms.
Balloon flight: book it together with the hotel and early in your stay, so you have spare mornings if it is cancelled.
Questions about Argos in Cappadocia
Is Argos in Cappadocia worth it?
Yes, if you choose a room with its own terrace. That is where the balloons drift past at eye level in the morning, and that is what you pay for. Rooms without a view give you less, so spend a little more on the right room rather than saving.
What is a cave hotel in Cappadocia?
A cave hotel is a hotel where the rooms are carved into the soft volcanic rock, often in old homes and storerooms used for centuries. Many hotels mix caves and stone houses, and the rooms keep an even temperature all year.
Where should I stay in Cappadocia?
Stay in Uçhisar for peace and wide views, or in Göreme to be close to the balloons, restaurants and the open-air museum. Argos in Cappadocia and Museum Hotel are in Uçhisar, Sultan Cave Suites is in Göreme.
Can I see the balloons from my hotel?
Yes, from most hotels with a terrace facing the valleys you will see the balloons at sunrise when they fly. Ask for a room with a terrace when you book, and remember that flights depend on the weather.
How many nights should I spend in Cappadocia?
Three nights is a good minimum. That gives you time to hike the valleys, see the Göreme open-air museum and several mornings to try for the balloons.
Are cave rooms dark?
Some are, because the windows are small. Choose a room with a terrace or large openings onto the valley if you want daylight.
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
Two other cave hotels in Cappadocia, chosen for different reasons.
Museum Hotel
For the view and the antiques: an infinity pool with the balloons right above.
Sultan Cave Suites
For the balloon photo: a cave hotel in Göreme with a roof terrace facing the balloons.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
Topics
