Pamukkale translates to “Cotton Castle” and is located in southwestern Turkey. When you look up the must-do things on a trip to Turkey, you’ll likely find Pamukkale close to the top. Known for the carbonate mineral left by the flowing of thermal spring water, Pamukkale is a site to be seen with its gorgeous, out-of-this-world, white mineral formations that run down a mountainside and are filled with bright blue waters at the top. Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pamukkale is a natural wonder that is unlike anything you’ll ever see and it’s worth a visit. This guide has everything you need to know to make the most of your time there.
History of Pamukkale
Pamukkale was used as a spa in the 2nd century BC with its seventeen hot springs that ranged in temperature. The thermal pools were part of the ancient city of Hierapolis which was founded on top of the travertine terraces. It’s rumored that the waters of the thermal pools were said to be a gift from Apollo and people would come from all over to bathe in them to reap the rewards of the healing properties of the waters.
When visiting Pamukkale, you can still visit the ruins of Hierapolis with its temples and incredible amphitheater. Despite the city not being in its glory days like it once was (due to earthquakes and natural disasters over the many years), the incredible travertine terraces remain.
In 1988 the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world.
Visiting Pamukkale
One thing that may come as a surprise to visitors today is that you’ll find many of the travertines empty. They often divert the water only to certain travertines throughout the site at a time vs. all of them at once. This is to help preserve the pools. Although this may disappoint many visitors when they see the reality of Pamukkale Hot Springs, it still is incredible to see.
Swimming: If you plan to swim, it’s important to note that only certain areas are designated for swimming, and they get busy so it’s best to arrive first thing when the site is opening for the day. I didn’t personally feel I needed to swim. The water is shallow and I enjoyed roaming around the less busy areas and dipping my toes in more. Note that there isn’t a changeroom so if you do want to swim, you should wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
Entrances: There are three different entrances to Pamukkale (North, South & Town). The town entrance is accessible by foot if you are staying in town. What we did was arrive at the North entrance, and then when we were leaving we walked down through the Town entrance to get different viewpoints on the way. Note that hours vary during off-season and peak season but generally open at around 6:30 am.
Entrance fee is €30. There is a separate entrance fee for the Hierapolis Antique Pool.
What Else to Do at Pamukkale
There is more than just the hot springs to visit, the city of Hierapolis is at the top of the mountainside. Walk through the ruins and visit the incredible amphitheater.
You can also visit the Hierapolis Antique Pool, known as Cleopatra’s Pool. This isn’t a travertine but is filled with clear, warm water. It’s believed that Cleopatra from Egypt bathed in this exact pool. The Roman Temple of Apollo used to surround the pool but due to an earthquake, the columns fell into the pool and remain there today. This makes for a unique swimming experience as you swim above the ancient ruins.
Lastly, visit the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum where you’ll find artifacts from several ancient cities exhibited.
How Do You Get to Pamukkale
Fly: You can fly to Pamukkale from Istanbul which is only about a 1-hour flight.
Bus: It’s possible to go by bus but this can be way more time-consuming as the bus from Istanbul can take up to 12 hours.
Car: Rent a car to get to Pamukkale. This will take about 7 hours from Istanbul.
Train: We took the train to Pamukkale from Selcuk which was about a 2.5-hour journey.
FAQ
When is the best time of year to visit Pamukkale?
Spring and fall are the best time of year (April-June or September-October). The weather is great this time of year, not too hot, and not very rainy.
How much time do you need to Pamukkale?
You only need about 1 day and 1 night in Pamukkale. Outside of the hot springs, and ancient city, there really isn’t too much to do in the town.
What to wear to Pamukkale?
To walk on the travertine terraces, you’ll need to remove your shoes in order to help preserve the Cotton Castle. Outside of this, there aren’t many rules in terms of what to wear. However, if you’d like to swim in the hot springs, there aren’t change rooms so dress accordingly.
How much time is enough at Pamukkale?
Allow for about 4-5 hours to properly visit the entire site and not be rushed.
Is Pamukkale worth the hype?
Absolutely! However, many people arrive here expecting every travertine to be overflowing with bright blue water and can be disappointed when they realize it’s only flowing in sections. This doesn’t mean that seeing the dry travertines isn’t still spectacular, it’s just important to set your expectations. Most of the photos you see online of all the pools filled are not the reality.
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