Avanos is a town in Nevşehir Province in the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia, Turkey, located 18 km (11 mi) north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is the seat of Avanos District. Its population is 14,968 (2022). Historically known as Venessa, modern Avanos stands on the banks of the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak, the ancient Halys.