Cappadocia is the world’s best destination for watching the sunset

Cappadocia, situated in inland Turkey and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been recognised as the world’s best destination for watching the sunset after scoring 86.1 in an international survey on tourism. The region outranked world-famous destinations such as Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, the Grand Canyon in Colorado and the Taj Mahal in India, thanks to its natural beauty and its unique landscapes.

The Cappadocia region achieved this recognition in an international study conducted by the British firm AllClear Travel Insurance, in which it scored 86.1 out of 100, according to reports in the Turkish media. The report placed Cappadocia – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – in first place thanks to its unique combination of historical heritage, incredible landscapes and spectacular views at sunset.

The study analysed factors such as weather conditions in the region, the quality of the landscape, the visitor experience and its impact on social media. Thanks to the score achieved by combining these criteria, this famous Turkish tourist destination managed to come out on top against such well-known locations as Waikiki Beach, the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal, all of which it outscored.

Europe, America top global ranking of best destinations for watching the sunset

Other places in Europe featured in the ranking – which includes a total of 25 ranked locations – are Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence (7th), Arthur’s Seat in Scotland (10th), the Trocadéro Gardens in Paris (13th), the Duomo in Milan (14th), the town of Positano in Italy (16th), the Grand Canal in Venice (20th), the village of Oia on the Greek island of Santorini (21st), the island of Mykonos in Greece (23rd) and the walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia (24th).

In total, Europe tops the list with 9 locations amongst the best places in the world to watch the sunset, followed by America (8) and Asia (6); Africa is represented only by the Moroccan Sahara desert – in 25th place – whilst Oceania is also represented by just one location: Uluru (or Ayers Rock) in Australia.

The best places in Cappadocia to watch the sunset

As for Turkish Cappadocia, the favourite spots for watching the sunset include the Kızılçukur Valley, Göreme, Uçhisar and Ortahisar. Furthermore, off-road vehicle tours, horse riding and camel rides, as well as the panoramic glass terraces and, of course, hot-air balloon tours, are other major attractions that allow visitors to enjoy the fabulous landscapes of Cappadocia and its incredible sunsets.

“I think everyone should come and discover Cappadocia. Experiencing the sunset here is a very special moment,” said a Turkish tourist quoted by the local press. Another Turkish tourist living in the Netherlands commented that “we came to Cappadocia to watch the most beautiful sunset in the world. The atmosphere here really is as incredible as they say.” For her part, a Russian tourist visiting the region for the first time confessed: “It’s my first time here. It’s a very beautiful place; the scenery is breathtaking. I cried when I saw it for the first time. Cappadocia is a very romantic place and everything revolves around love.”

Known for its hot-air balloon flights at dawn and its mysterious underground cities, Cappadocia has also, in recent years, become something of a social trend, with watching its landscapes at sunset now a must-do experience. Indeed, its fairy chimneys, its valleys and its rock formations, sculpted over millions of years, offer a spectacular view when the sky is bathed in shades of red, orange and gold as the sun sets. An unmissable destination for lovers of spectacular and romantic sunsets, it has rightly been recognised as the world’s number one destination.

🧿 TOP TOURS IN CAPPADOCIA