About Pamukkale

Pamukkale, also known as the “Cotton Castle” in the Turkish language, is the town of an ancient city, Hierapolis, and is estimated to be in existence for thousands of years. The place is best known for its calcium deposited terraces, thermal springs, minerals forests, and waterfalls. The natural mineral-bath spa is known to be in use since the Romans built the city of Hierapolis around a thermal spring. It is still a question of how the water in the thermal springs is heated, but some believe that the massive water source beneath the earth gets heat from the volcanic lava present at the earth’s crust. Before entering the hot spring, the water is filled with essential minerals carrying numerous health benefits along. 

Pamukkale was just a local destination for people in Turkey until the mid of the 20th century when the authorities started to market the land as a natural spa center. With added benefits of the mineral water, tourists began flooding into the place in no time. However, when Pamukkale was recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the access to the terrace was restricted, and tourists were made to follow a central pathway. Today, visitors are allowed to swim, dive, relax, and walk inside the pools with spectacular views displayed against the sky in a series of 17 hot springs. The water of these springs ranges from 35 to 100 degrees Celcius. The otherworldly landscape and glittering pools combined with the sunset at Pamukkale has an everlasting magical effect unlike any other. Pamukkale is a must-visit site for its astonishing beauty and awestruck wonders, rare to find anywhere in the world. No doubt, it makes its way on the “Not to miss” sites before you die.

Must See

  • The Travertines of Pamukkale
  • Roman amphitheater of Hierapolis
  • Karahayit
  • Natural swimming pools
  • Roman Baht House
  • Magnificient sunrise and sunset

How to reach

By air: The Denizli Airport is closest to Pamukkale at a distance of 69.9 kilometers. A taxi can be hired to reach the destination in 1 hour 4 minutes for a price of around 350 TL to 420 TL

A taxi ride from Denizli city would take 20 minutes, and 98.59 TL approximately for covering a distance of 18.8 kilometers

From Denizli, One can also take a dolmuş from platform 76 (lower level of the station). The ride will take 20 minutes and 4.50 TL per trip

Tips

  • Pamukkale is very hot during summers, hence do carry a hat and sunglasses along
  • During winters, climbing up the cascades barefoot can be a difficult task as water running downstream is very cold
  • The best months in terms of weather in Pamukkale are March to May and October to November 
  • Carry your swimwear along to enjoy in the springs
  • Pamukkale is still a less-visited site, hence do not harm its natural beauty by littering around
  • Take extra care of your kids around the water springs
  • Learning a few essential communicable Turkish words would help you explore around more conveniently 
  • Carry a waterproof bag along to keep your essentials safe from getting wet in any case
     

Visit Time

During summers

Sunday:         6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Monday:        6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Tuesday:       6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Wednesday:  6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Thursday:      6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Friday:           6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Saturday:      6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

During the rest of the year:

Sunday:        6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Monday:       6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Tuesday:      6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Wednesday: 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Thursday:     6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Friday:          6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Saturday:     6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

Hierapolis and Pamukkale: 80 TL (Turkish Lira)

Thermal pools: 32 TL

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

4 to 5 hours or up to 2 days

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Broken Clouds 18.5°C

 

Local Services in Pamukkale (Contact directly)

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