Introduction to Urgup, Turkey Ürgüp

ÜRGÜP is a pretty old town with its own cave dwellings 5km east of Göreme. In some ways, this can make a more sophisticated alternative to Göreme as it has managed to accommodate tourism much better and still allows access to the more traditional aspects of Turkish life. Ürgüp's tourist office (Mon–Fri 8am–5/7pm; summer also Sat & Sun; tel 0384/341 4059) on the main shopping street, Kayseri Cad, maintains an up-to-date price list of hotels and pensions. Hotel Hitit (tel 0384 341 4481, www.hitithotel.com; £20–30/$32–48 [€29–44]) has decent rooms, as well as a lovely rose garden and cave bar; Asia Minor (tel 0384/341 4645; www.cappadociahouse.com; £20–30/$32–48 [€29–44]), with its courtyard, is one of Ürgüp's most attractive buildings; the Otel Melis, out of the centre on the Nevşehir road (tel 0384/341 2495, www.melishotel.com; £20–30/$32–48 [€29–44]), has a variety of pleasant en-suite rooms ranged around a swimming pool; Sun Pansiyon, behind the hamam on İstiklâl Cad (tel 0384/341 4493; £10–20/$16–32 [€15–29]), has a few cave rooms reputed to be a thousand years old; and the Yıldız Hotel, just past the police station on the Kayseri road (tel 0384/341 4610; £10–20/$16–32 [€15–29]), has basic, spacious en suites. There are numerous tour operators in Ürgüp; try Magic Valley, next to the bus station at Güllüce Cad 7 (tel 0384/341 2145). Eftelya, near the bus station, offers Internet access. Eating options include Cirahan Restaurant, in the central square, Cumhuriyet Meydani, beside the hamam, which serves traditional Turkish dishes. Also in the square is Şömine, serving well-prepared specialities. Another excellent, affordable choice is the Kervan courtyard restaurant, for quality home cooking. Kardeşler 2 dishes up an excellent vegetarian casserole (güveç), while Kent serves excellent saç kavurma (fried beef). The Prokopi Bar, Istikal Cad 46, provides an atmospheric place for a drink.

Information by Rough Guides

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