Pamukkale, Turkey – Description and Photos

Turkey boasts a vast array of attractions that draw tourists from around the globe, and one such destination is the Pamukkale resort in Turkey. It is entirely appropriate to call this area a resort since, in ancient times, wealthy nobles from the nearby regions would come here to relax. So, what exactly is Pamukkale and what makes it so famous? Let’s explore.

Contents

What is Pamukkale?
Where is Pamukkale Located: Distances from Nearby Resorts
Cleopatra’s Pool
Ruins of the Ancient City of Hierapolis, Turkey
Opening Hours
Tour Price
Best Time to Visit
Tips for Tourists
Legends of Pamukkale

What is Pamukkale?

Anyone who has heard of this region probably knows that Pamukkale is often referred to as the “Cotton Castle” in Turkey. However, there is nothing castle-like about this mountain (and yes, it is indeed a mountain), nor has there ever been any cotton growing here. So, what is the secret?

In fact, the region’s name translates from Turkish as “Cotton Castle.” As is known, during the cotton bloom the area takes on a distinctive white hue. The mountain is covered with travertines, which transform Pamukkale visually into a real cotton field, especially when seen from afar.

Travertine is a delicate type of limestone formed by mineral-rich water that once flowed down Mount Chal Dag from springs located higher up, gradually transforming an ordinary elevation into a site of global heritage (the region is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list).

The thermal springs emerged as a result of frequent earthquakes that once swept through this area.

The entire mountain consists of small, snow-white terraces filled with water. The view from a distance is simply mind-blowing, and up close there is plenty to admire.

However, traveling to the region (which, by the way, is not exactly nearby) solely for a few snapshots on your camera or phone would be a pity. That is why visitors are encouraged to explore several attractions in one go (for example, the Demre – Mira Kekova tour). It is best to check the complete itinerary with a local guide who organizes the Pamukkale tour, as different tour operators may include or exclude certain stops. In a standard itinerary, the attractions are as follows:

Mount Chal Dag;
Cleopatra’s Pool;
The ancient city of Hierapolis.

Pamukkale has earned its reputation thanks to online reviews that conscientious travelers leave on forums and specialized blogs. Enthusiastic entries win you over with their sincerity, and the breathtaking photographs ignite the imagination.

This makes you want to touch the pristine white water, to stroll barefoot across the travertine carpet, and simply breathe in the fresh air.

By the way, regarding walking barefoot – it is mandatory to enter the small pool and walk along the white travertine carpet without shoes, and this is closely monitored by the staff. Moreover, the route for the tourist group is strictly controlled; no one is allowed to stray off the designated path. Who knows – perhaps the Turks guard this area so zealously because there might actually be cotton fields or even one of the giants mentioned in local legends… Oops, that slipped out! Well, more on that later…

Where is Pamukkale Located: Distances from Nearby Resorts

The easiest way to get acquainted with Pamukkale is to study the map below. For those who might find maps challenging, here’s a written explanation.

Pamukkale is located on the map of Turkey in Denizli Province, in the southwest. As you can see, the typical beach resorts are not in the immediate vicinity – they are situated elsewhere.

The distances to various destinations are approximately as follows:

Fethiye and Antalya – 175 km.
Marmaris – 194 km.
Kemer and Belek – around 260 km.
Cappadocia and Istanbul – about 600 km.

However, the distance from Kemer to Pamukkale or even from Istanbul should not deter tourists, as transportation in Turkey is incredibly efficient.

If you are traveling by land, you can reach the province where Pamukkale is located by bus – Kemer, Antalya, and Belek are well-connected by bus services.

For longer distances, flying is preferable. In fact, a flight from Istanbul to Pamukkale takes only about an hour, and from there you can take a bus or taxi at a reasonable cost.

Consider the flight option. Istanbul has two airports with flights to Pamukkale. Specifically, from Atatürk Airport there are three flights, and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport there are two flights.

Please note that tickets are purchased to Denizli city to avoid lengthy hassles with connections. Ticket prices range from 40 to 113 Turkish Lira (approximately 6 to 22 dollars), which is a bargain compared to bus fares.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also purchase tickets on the official website – here. However, we strongly recommend using an aggregator available in your language.

Upon arrival in Denizli, take a bus to the central bus station, and from there continue on to Pamukkale, which on average will cost about 1.5–2 dollars.

Note that bus tickets cannot be purchased online and must be bought directly from the driver.

There is an even simpler option – a transfer from the airport directly to your destination.

Let’s briefly touch on the bus option, starting with the most distant one – traveling from Istanbul or Cappadocia. In the latter case, you will still need to get to Istanbul.

From Istanbul, three carriers operate services to Pamukkale, namely:

Metroturizm (Metroturizm).
Pamukkale (Pamukkale).
Kamil Koc (Kamil Koc).

In terms of comfort, they are quite similar – the main difference is in the departure times. The easiest option is to head to Istanbul’s central bus station and buy a ticket for your preferred departure time on the spot.

The ticket price is around 100 Turkish Lira (approximately 20 dollars), although prices may vary slightly between companies.

In addition to the central bus station, you can catch a bus toward Denizli at the Istanbul-Anadolu (Kurtköy) stop.

From Kemer, two buses depart at 11:30 and 22:45, with the journey taking around 5 hours. Moreover, the bus only goes to Denizli, from where a bus to Pamukkale departs every 30 minutes. The ticket on the Kemer–Denizli route costs 40 Turkish Lira (approximately 5 dollars). You can also opt for a route with two transfers via Antalya, which might save you 1–2 hours.

A ticket from Antalya costs around 3 dollars, and from Antalya to Denizli – about 10 dollars, with frequent departures from the bus station.

The trip from Marmaris takes about three hours and costs between 28 and 34 Turkish Lira. There are many buses – roughly five companies operate on this route – so you won’t have to wait long. Departures are from the central bus station.

Although Belek, one of the nearby resorts, does not offer direct services to Denizli, you will have to travel via Antalya. You can try your luck at the local bus station, but a shared minibus (dolmuş) is a faster option. You ride to the center of Antalya, and then proceed to the bus station.

If you are confident in your driving skills, you can also rent a car and enjoy a breezy ride along the Turkish roads – especially in Antalya, where there are countless interesting spots that are virtually impossible to visit by bus.

Cleopatra’s Pool

Pamukkale is the place where, thanks to tectonic shifts, mineral water has burst forth, forming 17 thermal springs. Among these, Cleopatra’s Pool is the most famous, as legend has it that Cleopatra herself bathed here. It is a must-visit attraction, if only to tick another destination off your travel diary.

This remote spring attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. What is it about this spring that draws so many?

The pool is a ten-meter deep basin with crystal-clear water at 35°C. Considering that the human body’s temperature is only about 1.5 degrees higher, one can easily imagine the pleasure of immersing oneself in this bath.

The depth of the thermal spring is 10 meters, although there are shallower sections as well. In fact, there is only one deep spot, which is marked by a special rope. Children are not allowed there, even when accompanied by an adult.

So, shall we visit the thermal spring? Admission to the park where Cleopatra’s Pool is located is free, but do not be misled – access to the water itself is not free. The entrance fee to the pool is 18 dollars per person, while children under 6 are admitted for free.

The area where you can stroll is well-maintained and provides plenty of places to sit and relax, but what’s the point of traveling all this way just to look at the pool, right?

For the convenience of guests, there are special lockers with keys attached to a lanyard so that you always have your key with you.

By the way, if you’re curious about which minerals are present in the water, there is a plaque at the entrance detailing this information. Do take a moment to read it.

Nevertheless, it is not recommended to stay in the water for more than 2 hours (if you can even manage that), and in general, 30–40 minutes is plenty to enjoy the radon bath.

Before entering the spring itself, you must walk along a special channel, and even at the entrance it becomes clear that it won’t be cool – the water is quite hot, and you can feel tiny bubbles on your skin, much like being in a half-powered jacuzzi.

If you’re not strictly committed to a seaside summer vacation, consider visiting Pamukkale in November or even in January. Winter is the perfect time for a dip in a hot thermal spring – trust our experience. And if you are traveling for the experience, it is best when the weather is quite cool. Plus, there will be very few people – only true enthusiasts of Turkey in any season.

But I digress. Let’s continue. The resort staff closely monitor the visitors and are ready to help if anyone feels unwell.

There have been incidents, as the minerals present in the water can sometimes play tricks on the body.

By the way, you can also sign up for a treatment course in the salt pool, as the water has healing properties. However, one session of 40–50 minutes is clearly not enough – you would need about a week, if not more. That is why some tourists end up staying for a week or longer; beauty is a demanding mistress that requires sacrifice.

And the most important and useful tip in our opinion – visit the pool in the morning, when it is less crowded and not as hot.

Photos and videos from the last spring can be viewed below.

Ruins of the Ancient City of Hierapolis, Turkey

To say that the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis (also known as Hiereapolis) are wildly popular would be an understatement – the main attraction is the pool, and rightly so. Tourists come for the experience, and the idea of being under the scorching sun in a ruined city, even an ancient one like Hierapolis, is quite daunting.

Nonetheless, this attraction is outstanding despite its somewhat lower popularity. The earliest mentions of the city date back to 133 BC, when the Romans established a spa here that attracted the elite.

Over time, however, a powerful earthquake turned the city into ruins, which have been preserved to this day. The amphitheater, which once held about 8,500 spectators, remains a highlight and is still in use today during the Pamukkale festival.

Most importantly, it was here that the tomb of one of Christ’s 12 apostles was discovered, marking the beginning of a pilgrimage route.

The area is quite extensive, and it is difficult to fully absorb the spirit of antiquity in just one day. If you love ancient history, consider visiting on your own – you won’t regret it.

By the way, most city maps shown in Google searcher re in foreign languages. Below, we offer a map and its accompanying description in English for reference.

Tourist Attractions on the Map

Roman Antique Theater (Roma Antik Tiyatro)
Hellenistic Antique Theater (Hellenistik Antik Tiyatro)
Frontinus Gate (Frontinus Kapısı)
Northern Byzantine Gate (Kuzey Bizans Kapısı), Domitian Arch, Ancient Latrine (Latrina)
Temple of Apollo (Apollon Tapınağı)
Monumental Nymphaeum Fountain (Antik Çeşme)
Gymnasium (Gymnasion) and Agora (Gymnasion Agorası)
Byzantine Church (Bizans Kilise)
Basilica of St. Philip (Aziz Philip Kilise), Tomb of St. Philip
Grand Byzantine Basilica (Katedral Kilise)
Roman Baths and Byzantine Basilica (Hamam Bazilika)
Southern Great Baths (Güney Büyük Hamamı), Archaeological Museum (Hierapolis Örenyeri Müzesi)
Colonnaded Street (Frontinus Caddesi)
Domitian Street (Domitianus Caddesi)
Southern Great Baths (Kuzey Büyük Hamamı)
Southern Gate (Güney Kapısı)
Market Agora (Ticaret Agorası)
Defensive City Walls (Ortaçağ Sur Duvarı)

Opening Hours

The site operates according to a seasonal schedule, divided into summer and winter hours. From April 15 to October 2, the grounds are open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

From October 3 to April 15, the resort operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Tour Price

What is the cost of a tour to Pamukkale? Prices vary depending on the departure city, but on average the pricing is as follows:

Street vendors – 35–45 dollars (in Kemer, around 60 dollars).
Hotel guides – 50–70 dollars (up to 90 dollars in Kemer).

Keep in mind that the further you are from Pamukkale, the more expensive it will be. For example, from Side the price is roughly equivalent to a package from Kemer, but higher than from Antalya.

Also note that many street vendors do not include entrance to the site in the tour price, so be prepared to pay an extra 30 to 60 Turkish Lira.

Best Time to Visit

As for the best time to visit Pamukkale, there are two ideal periods: from April to June and from September to November. At other times, the crowds and intense heat can make the experience quite challenging – especially if you are traveling with a small child.

Tips for Tourists

There are a few tricks you should know before booking a tour, including a tale about Pamukkale being closed for renovations. We have never encountered such brazen and blatant misinformation anywhere else. In the rush to sell an extra tour to a tourist, some guides might even lie. Yes, if you don’t book the tour immediately, it might be “too late” the next day. How absurd that sounds!

Don’t be fooled.

Secondly, you can reach Pamukkale independently. The simplest and most cost-effective approach is as follows:

Rent an economical car – approximately €15–20 per day.
Book a hotel room (or arrange for one upon arrival) – up to around €70 for the entire stay.
Purchase a guidebook (or better yet, use a GPS navigation app).
Plan for a 2–3 day trip.
Profit!

There aren’t many queues here, so don’t be overly frightened by the scary stories some guides might tell (if you opt for a guided tour).

If you can break away a bit from the group, you’ll have a better chance to take photos without the distraction of a crowded tour – otherwise, you risk missing out on the chance to capture a piece of history in your own unique way.

After all, Pamukkale in Turkey is famous for the photos that tourists take.

Legends of Pamukkale

Are there any enchanting legends associated with this place? Certainly, and one tale is even more captivating than the official explanation of how the travertines were formed.

According to mythological theory, long ago giants once lived here and cultivated cotton. One fine day, they spread the cotton out on the slopes of the mountain to dry and then forgot about it. Since then, the giant’s cotton has delighted the eyes of tourists and filled Instagram feeds with its charm.

So, Pamukkale is a destination worth visiting – ideally for at least 2 days, especially if you are traveling from afar.