Note: I wish I had more photos to share, but we only had one morning to see the balloons and ended up in the wrong spots because we didn’t know the best locations beforehand. I’ve since researched all the options thoroughly so you won’t make the same mistakes we did.
How to know if the balloons are flying
It’s important to remember that balloon flights are not guaranteed and are dependent on the weather. We visited Türkiye in April and out of our three mornings the balloons only flew once due to the wind.
If you’re wanting to see the balloons yourself you’ll need to use this official website to know if the balloons are flying.
The site is really easy to understand – it shows green flags when balloons can fly and red flags when they’re cancelled due to weather.
I kept this open in a tab during our time in Cappadocia so I could easily check the status. On the day we did see the balloons, I woke at 5am to check if they were running and it still showed red flags. I set another alarm for 30 minutes later and when I checked again they had changed to green!
My advice is to check multiple times if you see red flags initially, especially between 30 – 60 minutes before sunrise when they’re making the call for that day’s flights.
What time do the balloons fly?
The balloon flights have two departure times: the first is before sunrise so balloons are in the air when the sun comes up, and the second departs around sunrise itself.
As sunrise times vary throughout the year, check the exact time during your visit. When we visited in May, sunrise was at 6:50am, but it can be as early as 5:15am in June or as late as 8am in December and January.
Where do the balloons launch?
As I mentioned at the start the wind is what determines the whole experience, just as it determines if they do fly the wind’s direction determines the flight path. there isn’t one fixed launch area, with the pilots using different open fields around the Göreme, Çavuşin and Avanos area.
The goal however is to get the balloons to drift over Goreme and the main valleys (Love, Pigeon, Red and Sword) – for example, if the wind is blowing south, they’ll launch from a field in the north.
This can make it a bit harder for you to plan if you’re wanting to watch them launch but this can be something your hotel may be able to find out for you.
4 Car-free ways to watch the hot air balloons in Cappadocia
1. View from town
Chances are you’re staying in one of Cappadocia’s most popular towns: Göreme or Uçhisar (that’s where we were based). Both towns are perfectly positioned for balloon watching since most balloon companies launch from the open fields northeast of Göreme, meaning the balloons will be floating in the distance and right overhead.
Now, my partner and I definitely learnt some things the hard way about timing and positioning, so I’ve done the research to make sure you can get the perfect shots we missed out on.
Where to see the hot air balloons in Göreme
Lovers Hill / Sunset Point
This is the easiest viewpoint to reach from the centre of Göreme – just 15 minutes on foot (this is uphill also), but it does have a 30 TL entry fee. The lookout goes by several names (Lovers Hill, Sunset Point, or Aşıklar Tepesi in Turkish), so don’t be confused if you see different signs.
From here, you get clear views of the balloons floating over the village (sometimes even directly overhead), plus panoramic views across Pigeon Valley and Rose Valley in the distance.
You’ll find some shops at the top, but they charge outrageously higher prices than in town – something we noticed at most tourist viewpoints across Cappadocia. I’d recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks.
Save the Lovers Hill Lookout on Google Maps
Göreme Panorama View
This viewpoint sits along the main road between Göreme to Uçhisar, about a 20-minute walk from Göreme’s centre. There’s no entry fee, but the walk is along a busy road, so be careful of oncoming traffic. The walk is uphill, but remember the higher position will give you better views.
From here, you get views of the balloons over the eastern end of Pigeon Valley and Uçhisar Castle in the distance – though you’ll see less of Göreme itself. The balloons often pass directly overhead as they drift toward Love Valley, making this spot particularly good for overhead shots.
Save the Göreme Panorama Viewpoint on Google Maps
Hotels located on the northern & southern edges
Hotels positioned on the northern and southern edges of Göreme sit higher up the hillside, giving you unobstructed views over the valleys where the balloons launch and drift. The northern edge is closest to Love Valley, while the southern edge is toward Sunset Point.
Here you’ll find hotels featuring rooftop terraces or private balconies specifically designed for balloon watching. The terraces are guest-only, so you avoid the crowds and skip the early morning walk to public viewpoints.
A few options to consider:
Hotels with these views typically cost more, especially for rooms with direct window views of the balloons. I recommend booking well in advance during peak season (April-October), as these rooms fill up quickly.
Where to see the hot air balloons in Uçhisar
Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle is the highest natural viewpoint in the entire region, making it perfect for panoramic shots. From here you can watch the entire balloon experience unfold across Pigeon Valley, Love Valley, Red Valley, Rose Valley.
The castle opens at 7am with an entrance fee of 320 TL, but depending on the season, this might be when the balloon flights are finishing. If the castle isn’t open yet, don’t worry – you can still get great views from the western area outside without entering.
If balloons are drifting close to the castle, you can also head downhill to the Uçhisar Photo Spot for shots looking up at the castle surrounded by the balloons.
Save Uçhisar Castle on Google Maps
Tığraz Castle
You can find Tığraz Castle just a short walk downhill from Uçhisar Castle. This castle is a smaller but similar ancient structure positioned on the hillside overlooking Pigeon Valley. Although it isn’t as high, you can use the castle ruins as natural frames for your photos.
The biggest advantage is the peaceful atmosphere – it’s much less crowded than Uçhisar Castle, offering a quieter, more contemplative balloon-watching experience.
The location is also close enough that you can easily visit both viewpoints in one morning for different perspectives.
Save Tığraz Castle on Google Maps
Hotels located on the eastern slope
Similar to those in Göreme, these accommodations will cost more, but you can’t beat waking up and watching the balloons from your hotel’s private rooftop terrace (or directly from your window).
Look specifically for hotels on the eastern side of Uçhisar – the part of town that faces Göreme. From here, you can get panoramic views of Pigeon Valley, Göreme, and Love Valley. Other hotels in Uçhisar might get occasional balloon views, but the balloons don’t typically float directly overhead the village.
Here are some hotels to add to your shortlist:
Wandering the streets
Don’t underestimate just walking around either village. The narrow streets offer some incredible angles and backdrops you won’t get from the main viewpoints. Try heading uphill when you can – the higher you go, the better your view. We stumbled upon a deserted rooftop in Uçhisar which gave us a lovely view of the balloons over town.
2. Hike to the viewpoints
Outside of the towns the most iconic balloon viewpoints in cappadocia are in Love Valley and Red Valley. While these are typically the most accessible via car, if you don’t mind some early morning exercise, you can hike to these viewpoints. It’s especially good in summer because you’ll be done before it gets really hot outside.
These hikes are best suited for those staying in Göreme as it’s quicker to walk to both valleys from there. If you’re staying somewhere else, you could ask a driver to drop you off in Göreme.
You’ll also need to start much earlier to reach the viewpoint before the balloons take off. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you’ll be walking in the dark, since the paths are rocky and difficult to see before sunrise.
Love Valley Viewpoint
Distance from Göreme: 3.6km
Hiking Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
This is the most famous valley in Cappadocia, known for its “fairy chimneys” – tall, column-shaped rock formations that resemble male anatomy (where the valley gets its name from). The viewpoint offers the iconic Cappadocia view of balloons floating over and down into the valley.
Because of it’s popularity it’s the most developed for tourism, with cafes and organised photo areas, though these will be expensive. You can also walk along the ridge to find quieter viewing spots and different photo angles.
Save Love Valley Viewpoint on Google Maps
Red Valley Lookout
Distance from Göreme: 3.6km
Hiking Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Red Valley is the same distance from Göreme as Love Valley but provides a different experience. Being closer to the typical balloon launch sites, you’ll get the opportunity to watch them rise into the sky.
At sunrise, the valley’s rocks glow with pink and red hues – giving the valley its name. When balloons drift above these colourful ridges, it looks like something from a painting.
The best viewing spot is located on the hill above the Red Valley ATV parking area, I’ve linked this below.
Save Red Valley Lookout on Google Maps
Sword Valley Sunset Point
Distance from Göreme: 4km
Hiking Time: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Sword Valley is slightly further from Göreme than the other valleys but offers a quieter, less touristy experience. Named for its sword-like rock spires, it’s ideal if you want to see panoramic views of the balloons from a peaceful location away from the crowds.
Save Sword Valley Sunset Point on Google Maps
3. Book a balloon chasing tour
We actually heard about these tours from another traveller we met, and I wish we had booked one. These tours follow the balloons wherever they drift, taking you to multiple viewpoints and remote spots that would be tough to reach on foot.
The couple we spoke with said their guide also doubled as a photographer, helping take those perfect shots of the two of them with the balloons in the background.
I recommend Balloons Chase in Göreme, which gets consistently great reviews. You can book either group or private tours through Expedia or Viator. You’ll find other tour operators offering similar experiences, or you can ask your hotel to recommend one.
If we get a chance to return to Cappadocia, we’d definitely book this tour to ensure we can see the best viewing locations for the route the balloons take that day.
4. Hire a taxi or private driver
If the group tours aren’t your thing, booking a taxi or private driver is a great alternative. This will give you complete flexibility over the route and how long you stay at each spot, plus local drivers may take you to other areas outside of the touristy viewpoints.
Since you’ll be setting out so early, I’d definitely ask your hotel to arrange a pickup rather than trying to find a taxi at dawn. Most hotels would be able to connect you with a driver, or you can find private drivers on TripAdvisor if you prefer to arrange this yourself.
