Ozkonak Underground City Guide
A compact underground-city visit near Avanos, known for narrow communication holes between levels, tunnels, rolling-stone doors and practical living spaces.
Ozkonak is the easiest underground-city pairing with Avanos and north Cappadocia.
Ozkonak Underground City is in Ozkonak town, about 14 km from Avanos, on the northern slopes of Mount Idis.
The official description says the underground settlement has not been completely cleared. The accessible galleries spread over a wide area and connect through tunnels. Its most distinctive feature is a system of very narrow, long holes linking levels; the Culture Portal notes that openings of roughly 5 cm also provided ventilation when room entrances were closed.
Allow about 60–90 minutes for a normal first visit. It fits naturally with Avanos, Zelve, Pasabag and Devrent.
Why Ozkonak feels different from Derinkuyu and Kaymakli.
The site shares many classic underground-city features, but its communication holes are the detail most often highlighted by official sources.
Narrow holes between levels
Official information describes long, narrow openings connecting floors. They helped communication and ventilation when spaces were sealed.
Rolling-stone doors
Large stone doors could secure passages from inside, a feature also seen in other Cappadocia underground settlements.
Water, wine and storage
The official site description lists a water well, winery, ventilation shafts and connected galleries among the surviving features.
Only the cleared section is visitable
The Ministry notes that the underground city has not been completely cleaned or opened, so the visitor route is only part of the wider settlement.
Current official hours: 08:00–20:00.
Muze.gov.tr currently lists Ozkonak Underground City as open every day from 08:00 to 20:00, with the ticket office closing at 19:15. The live official listing also says MuseumCard is valid for Turkish citizens.
Older official brochures show different seasonal hours, so use the live Muze.gov.tr page rather than an old timetable.
Check the live official Ozkonak listing →Ozkonak vs Derinkuyu vs Kaymakli vs Mazi.
Choose mainly by route and the kind of underground experience you want.
Best with Avanos and north Cappadocia
Known for its narrow communication holes and a practical location near Avanos.
Best for the dramatic deep-city feeling
Choose Derinkuyu when depth and a more vertical underground experience are your priority.
Best for connected living areas
Kaymakli is useful for understanding storage, kitchens, passages and living spaces across several open levels.
Best for a south-Cappadocia route
Mazi fits naturally with Keslik, Sobesos and Soganli rather than Avanos and the northern valleys.
Three realistic ways to use Ozkonak.
Avanos + Ozkonak
Combine pottery and the Red River in Avanos with one underground-city visit.
Ozkonak + Zelve + Pasabag
A strong north-Cappadocia combination of underground history, cave settlement and fairy chimneys.
Ozkonak + Avanos + Zelve + Devrent
Useful if you want a varied day without travelling south to Derinkuyu, Ihlara or Soganli.
Independent is easy by car. A tour helps connect several north-Cappadocia stops.
Read the live itinerary before booking because many Cappadocia tours use a different underground city.
Best for flexible timing
Drive or arrange a private transfer, visit at your own pace, then continue to Avanos, Zelve or Pasabag.
Tour that specifically lists Ozkonak
The linked Cappadocia highlights tour currently names Ozkonak Underground City and Zelve. Check the current inclusions and entrance-fee wording before paying.
Check Ozkonak tour optionAffiliate link. Going2Turkey may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Build a north Cappadocia route.
Avanos
Pottery workshops, the Red River and an easy town stop before or after Ozkonak.
Zelve Open Air Museum
Walk through a former cave settlement rather than another underground space.
Pasabag
Add the classic multi-cap fairy chimneys and short walking paths.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Choose Derinkuyu instead if the deeper underground-city experience matters more than route convenience.
Ozkonak Underground City questions
Current visitor information was checked against official sources in September 2026.
Is Ozkonak Underground City open to visitors?
Yes. The current official Muze.gov.tr listing marks Ozkonak Underground City as open every day from 08:00 to 20:00, with the ticket office closing at 19:15.
What is special about Ozkonak Underground City?
Its most distinctive feature is the system of narrow, long holes between levels. Official sources say these helped communication and also provided ventilation when room entrances were closed.
How long should I spend at Ozkonak?
About 60–90 minutes is a useful planning range for most first-time visitors. Move slowly if the passages are busy or you are uncomfortable underground.
Is all of Ozkonak Underground City open?
No. The Ministry says the site has not been completely cleared and only the cleaned visitor area is open.
Is Ozkonak better than Derinkuyu or Kaymakli?
Not simply better or worse. Ozkonak is especially convenient with Avanos and north Cappadocia; Derinkuyu gives a deeper-city feeling, while Kaymakli is strong for seeing connected living and storage spaces.
Is Ozkonak suitable for people with claustrophobia?
It may not be. Underground passages can be narrow, low and enclosed. If confined spaces cause serious discomfort, consider a surface attraction instead.
Continue with the wider Turkey guide.
Cappadocia Travel Guide
Return to the travel guide and compare all major Cappadocia attractions.
Antalya
Continue Going2Turkey with Kaleici, waterfalls, ancient cities and Mediterranean day trips.
Avanos
Pottery, riverfront walking and an easy cultural pairing with Ozkonak.
Zelve
Cave-village history and walking near Pasabag.