Nevsehir has a full calendar of cultural and religious events throughout the year. Cappadox Festival in May/June is one of the region's newest, hosting live music and food over three days. Other Cappadocia-centric events include the Cappadocia Ultra Trail, an international marathon across the region's plateaus and valleys. The spiritual icon, Haji Bektash Veli, is also commemorated every August with local festivities.
Nevsehir's local soccer team, Nevşehir Belediye Spor, plays in the TFF Third League. There are also plenty of sports facilities across the city, including the iconic University Sports Hall of Nevsehir. By far the most popular sports, however, are based outdoors. Hiking, mountain biking, running and even skiing are exciting activities in the surrounding hills and mountains.
Nevsehir is a central location for exploring Cappadocia, with many alluring attractions nearby. Nevsehir Museum hosts the city's archeological and ethnographic collections. The Nevsehir Underground City, a newly discovered and restored area of rock dwellings, is also located to the south. With settlements carved into a hillside, it is marked by Nevsehir Castle on the top, thought to be built by Seljuks in the 12th century.
Nevsehir's food scene is reflective of much of Cappadocia, boasting a wide variety of grilled and skewered meat dishes, stews and meatballs. One of Nevsehir's signature dishes is Manti, a type of Turkish ravioli stuffed with meat, often lamb, and served in a tomato sauce. Taste Turkish dishes at Kanti Café, Areni Cappadocia and Sakli Kahve, or enjoy Western flavors at BBQ House and Paprika Burger.
Nevsehir has a number of indoor shopping malls for gifts or fashion sprees. Forum Kapadokua is located in north Nevsehir and provides a one-stop store for food and shopping. Another highlight is Nissara AVM, a shopping complex with stalls and a movie theater. There are no traditional or grand bazaars in Nevsehir, but there are a wealth of small market stalls for fabrics, gifts and jewelery.
Nevsehir is located in the heart of Cappadocia, providing an array of day trips and excursions by car. Göreme and its spectacular open-air museum are just 12 km east of Nevsehir. Here, visitors can explore the famous Dark Church, a beautiful monastic cave church constructed in the 11th century. Another highlight of Cappadocia sits just 20 km south of Nevsehir; Kaymaklı Underground City is an underground maze of cave dwellings and one of the best preserved in the country. Whether you're exploring these subterranean structures or heading out on rocky hikes and air balloon rides, renting a car or van in Nebsehir is a convenient way to explore this magical region.