Ortahisar, a historic village in Cappadocia, Türkiye, has officially joined the International Cittaslow (Slow Cities) Network, becoming the country’s 29th Cittaslow city.

This milestone demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation. With an outstanding evaluation score, Ortahisar was recognised for safeguarding heritage and promoting a mindful way of life. A representative from the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency emphasised that Ortahisar’s inclusion highlights the importance of smaller towns in offering authentic local cultural experiences.

Known for its rock-carved architecture and spectacular hot-air balloon views, Ortahisar is also featured in Forbes’ 2025 list of the World’s 50 Most Beautiful Villages. The Cittaslow movement seeks to oppose globalisation by encouraging towns to focus on local traditions, sustainability, and heritage conservation.