Turkey's Cappadocia hosts International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Colorful giant figure hot air balloons dot the sky in Cappadocia as the third International Hot Air Balloon Festival begins with balloon pilots from all over Europe participating.

Balloon pilots have come from England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Brazil, Spain, North Macedonia and Slovenia as well as Turkey for the festival.

The "third International Hot Air Balloon Festival" (BALONFEST 2022) held in Cappadocia started with the participation of figure balloons from various countries.

After completing their preparations, the pilots rise to the sky and fly over the valleys covered with mystical fairy chimneys and natural rock formations.

People take photos of two giant figure hot air ballons at the festival in Cappadocia.

Colorful hot air balloons float above Cappadocia's world-famous fairy chimneys.

Organizers of the festival believe that it will greatly contribute to the already-thriving tourism sector in the city.

They hope that Cappadocia, known for its colorful balloons, will also be the home of the balloon festival worldwide. The festival is expected to last four days and welcomes local and foreign tourists.

Some 150 hot air balloons take off in Cappadocia on a daily basis.