Avanos Pottery & Riverside Walk

Start at the town square with its distinctive pottery sculptures. Avanos has been a pottery center since Hittite times, thanks to the red clay from the Kızılırmak River. The tradition continues in family workshops throughout the town.

Visit a family pottery workshop to watch master potters at work. The techniques have been passed down through generations. You can try the potter's wheel yourself - the red clay is surprisingly smooth and forgiving for beginners.

Walk along Turkey's longest river. The name means 'Red River' for the iron-rich clay that colors its waters and provides the raw material for Avanos pottery. Local fishermen still cast their lines here.

The historic stone bridge offers lovely views up and down the river. Watch the sunset paint the water gold while local life continues on the banks. The bridge has connected the two sides of Avanos for centuries.

End at the world's quirkiest museum - a cave filled with over 16,000 hair samples from visitors worldwide. Master potter Galip started collecting hair in 1979. Add your own sample if you dare!