Ortahisar, a picturesque town in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, has earned global recognition by securing the 40th spot on Forbes’ “World’s 50 Most Beautiful Villages” list for 2025.
It is the only location from Turkey to be featured.
Located in Nevşehir’s Ürgüp district, Ortahisar captivated Forbes editors with its dramatic landscape and rich cultural heritage.
The magazine described the village as rising “like a monument from the Cappadocian soil,” beneath a basalt sky streaked with apricot and ash hues.
Its ancient castle, cave dwellings, dovecotes, and tunnel-like passageways reflect centuries of history. Stone-paved streets wind past apricot stalls and fig trees shading rose-scented tea gardens, where locals share stories over tulip-shaped glasses of tea. At sunrise, hot air balloons drift silently above the surreal spires of Hallacdere Valley.
The listing follows previous international acclaim from outlets such as National Geographic and The Guardian, further solidifying Cappadocia’s reputation as a cultural and natural treasure.
Officials credit the success to strategic promotion efforts led by the Cappadocia Area Directorate and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, both established under the guidance of Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Their initiatives aim to preserve the region’s heritage while boosting its global visibility.