Solo Female Travel In Cappadocia – Is It Safe And Should You Go?

UPDATED FEB 2020. It’s understandable that planning a visit to Turkey might come with some uncertainty about safety. We are going to delve into it today, specifically solo female travel in Cappadocia. Whether you’ve got no friends, your friends can’t travel with you, or you just like to travel alone, I’ve got all the safety tips to set you up for a fun and memorable trip.

Solo Female Travel In Cappadocia – Is It Safe And Should You Go?

Disclaimer

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Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Cappadocia?

I think this is the hardest question to answer for any place I visit because I really just think ‘is anywhere safe’?

For me, America has been the place where I encountered the worst and most intrusive treatment from men, but it’s not like I would call it unsafe for solo female travelers. I would certainly visit again.

For solo female travel in Cappadocia, I’d say yes it is absolutely possible to have a safe and fun visit.

However, like anywhere, you need to take precautions, be aware of your surroundings, and use common sense when it comes to your safety. Here’s my guide on solo female travel safety tips for the basics.

What to wear

Turkey is a place that you are going to want to dress conservatively, meaning cover yourself from shoulders to knees.

I’ve talked about this in my Egypt and Morocco posts, but it’s important because it shows respect for the local culture which has different dress code standards for women.

It also helps to avoid attracting extra unwanted attention.

When you dress skimpy in conservative countries there is a different and specific message you send to those around you.

It gives off a message that you are, let’s say, easy and want that sort of attention, and that is what you will attract.

Did I see people in skimpier clothing? Yes. Did they probably have a great holiday? Maybe.

Would I want to roll the dice like that with my own safety and attract unwanted attention? Absolutely not.

Common sense safety tips

These are really obvious tips but you are going to want to use a lot of common sense when it comes to your safety.

Don’t walk around alone late at night, get written off drunk or accept drinks from strangers.

Keep an eye on your belongings while you are out and don’t have things filling your pockets that could be stolen easily.

Don’t feel bad for saying ‘no’ – firmly if you have to, or for not smiling enough.

Your safety is most important.

It’s important to remember the basics of taking care of yourself so you don’t add extra risk to your travel adventures.

Should you hire a guide?

If you are feeling unsure, then joining a tour or hiring a guide can be a great way to ease any solo travel anxieties you may have.

I love to join a tour experience for at least one day in each place I visit. It’s a good way to see the sights and I always learn more than I would if I visited them by myself. I try to take tours to places that would otherwise be tricky to visit without a car.

For Cappadocia, I took the red tour and green tour which were both a great way to see more of the landscapes and learn about history.

Both tours were only about €30 for the whole day including lunch and hotel pick up and drop off.

My tour guide was Guiding Cappadocia.

Attention from men

The people I met were overwhelmingly kind, hospitable, and friendly, but you should be aware that you might experience a fair amount of catcalling, particularly if you are in a busier area like Göreme.

You should also be aware that friendliness on your part may be taken as an invitation for more.

As with places like Morocco and Egypt, if you are getting advances from males while you are walking around and you don’t want to encourage it, it’s best practice to put on a resting bitch face and just keep walking.

Wearing sunglasses can help as well.

If you’re in a situation where you’re already talking to someone, such as buying something in a store, and the man is getting too friendly or flirty, just keep it civil but not overly friendly.

It might be different from what it’s like wherever you’re from, but be aware that your friendliness is sending a message.

I personally didn’t experience it too much in Cappadocia, and to me, it seemed like a quiet and welcoming place to visit, but keep it in mind if you are experiencing unwanted attention or moving on to a bigger city like Istanbul afterward.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

I stayed at Rox Cappadocia and I highly recommend it as a great accommodation option for a solo female traveler.

The rooms are amazing, the staff are helpful, and there’s an epic rooftop with incredible views.

That’s all a cool bonus but it’s also in a quiet area and walking distance to some markets, stores, and restaurants which is all helpful for someone traveling alone.

For more information, check out my full review on where to stay in Cappadocia.

Should you go to Cappadocia alone?

Cappadocia is truly a magical place.

The food is delicious, the people are for the most part friendly and hospitable, the landscapes are epic and there’s a lot to see and do.

In my opinion, as long as you keep some of these tips in mind, it’s definitely do-able for a solo female traveler to visit and stay safe.

If you’ve never traveled solo before, then I wouldn’t recommend it because I think it’s best to start somewhere with a little less culture shock, but otherwise, I think you can have an extraordinary adventure there.

I certainly did and hope you will too.

Other guides to help you plan your visit

• Cappadocia Travel Tips And A Real Talk Travel Planning Guide

• Green Tour In Cappadocia And Other Unmissable Things To See And Do

• What To Wear In Conservative Countries If You Are A Female Traveler

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