In my opinion, the Panoramic Viewpoint of Esentepe, Goreme is a tacky, touristic spider web. Tourism agencies regularly visit it while taking customers on excursions around Cappadocia. It is marketed as a toilet stop; place for refreshments and of course a wonderful landscape view.
Located between the small towns of Uchisar and Goreme, what the guides forget to mention is the dozen or so tacky tourist shops that all sell the same souvenirs but just market them a different way.
To be fair, most of the sellers are gentle in their sales approach and I have experienced harder sales patter in other places of Turkey.
Once they had established I was not in the market for buying anything, the conversation turned to general topics about Cappadocia, Turkey and the view.
Returning to Panoramic Viewpoint
It was my third time to Panoramic Viewpoint and the assortment of souvenirs for sale always baffles me. I call it pure junk, something that would end up in a box never to see the light of day again. People must be buying the junk though as these shops have been around for many years.
Overlooking the small, quaint town of Goreme and Pigeon Valley, Esentepe Viewpoint is one of my favorite places in Cappadocia despite the tacky touristic crap they promote.
Small lanterns and evil eyes hang off the bare leaf trees, refreshments shops readily serve up cheap food and drink and once the large coaches have pulled out, the moment becomes quite surreal and peaceful.
On a clear day, you can even see Mount Erciyes in the distance. I could sit there all day and never grow tired of the view.
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Nat says
atThe balloons follow a different course every morning Tania depending on the wind directions and speed, so it would more or less be hoping for pot luck
Tania says
atGreat post! If you go there at sunrise, will you be able to see the hot air balloons up close? Thank you 🙂
Natalie says
atMichael, it shows us a red dot on the map – do you see it? On the road between Goreme and Uchisar.
Michael says
atHi Natalie,
Would you please point out the Panoramic Viewpoint on the Google Maps? Thanks.
Michael
Natalie says
atYou are welcome Jeff – hope you make it soon
Jeff Dobbins says
atAh, Cappadocia is SO on my list, and this has made it harder to wait. Thanks for the inspiration.
Natalie says
atMakes me realize that we are but just a little speck in this massive universe.
Laura @Travelocafe says
atWonderful photography. It’s interesting to see the world from a different perspective.
Natalie says
atHa ha – be sure to get them out again Derek – I suppose for some people they are good memories of the places they have been in life
Natalie says
atIt is quite surreal Sophie
Natalie says
atMe too – would tempted to set up a tent as well!
Natalie says
atExactly. More than makes up for it
Derek says
atI could definitely enjoy that view all day too 🙂 But I will say that I do have a drawer full of random trinkets just like that which I’ve amassed along my journeys. Although I sold all of my possessions for this RTW trek, I did throw all those li’l souvenirs into a big box and tossed it in my buddy’s attic (again, where they won’t see the light of day for years to come LOL) 😉
Sophie says
atSuch a beautiful, unearthly landscape.
Derek says
atI could definitely enjoy that view all day too 🙂
Kenin Bassart says
atBeautiful! I could sit there for hours.
Jack Scott says
atWhat a view. Helps you forget the tat!