Complete Guide to Pamukkale

This content was last updated on 24.01.2024 22:20

With its white texture, healing waters and magnificent ancient city, Pamukkale is one of the most important tourism centers not only in Turkey but also in the world. Pamukkale, which managed to enter the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1988, is a pure white paradise. Turkey is a country that can offer many natural beauties and if you haven't seen this rare beauty, which is at the top of the places to visit, don't waste any more time.

We have listed the must-see places for you during your Pamukkale trip.

Where are Pamukkale Travertines?

To reach Pamukkale, you first need to go to Denizli.

After reaching the city, which can be reached by air, road or train, all you have to do is take the Pamukkale shuttles, which run every 20 minutes from Denizli Bus Station.

At the end of this transportation, which is provided at both comfortable and affordable prices, you can reach Pamukkale district.

You can reach Denizli Çardak Airport, which is 63 km from Denizli city center, with direct or connecting flights of Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet and Pegasus Airlines.

Transportation from Denizli Çardak Airport to the city center is provided by BAY-TUR Airport shuttles. You can check the current flight times and service times on the official website of BAY-TUR Airport shuttles.

If they prefer the highway, Metro, Pamukkale Turizm, Kamil Koç, Ulusoy etc., which organizes frequent flights to Denizli. You can choose any of the companies you want.

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Where to Stay in Pamukkale?

There are many options for accommodation in Pamukkale, which is especially famous for its thermal hotels.

Although the first choice of tourists is thermal hotels, there are also boutique and luxury hotel options, and the cost of accommodation for one night can vary between 800 - 1,000 Turkish Liras on average.

To talk about the most preferred hotels for Pamukkale, Venus Suite, Richmond Pamukkale Thermal and Ayapam are at the top.

If you want to stay in the city center of Denizli, you will have more options and the hotels here charge an average accommodation fee of 1,000 - 1,500 Turkish Liras per night.

The most preferred hotels in the center are Konakk Residence, North Point Hotel and Anemon Denizli.

Places to Visit in Pamukkale

Travertines of Pamukkale

This white natural beauty that comes to mind as soon as Pamukkale is mentioned should be at the top of your list.

You can both walk barefoot and enjoy the scenery in the healing waters in the place, which welcomes tourists every season of the year.

When you come to Denizli, Pamukkale Travertines will probably be in the first place of your route. When you first see these formations, which are formed by precipitation as a result of chemical reaction, you may feel like you are in the middle of the snow.

When you first step on soft-looking hard rocks, you may be surprised and wonder how these rocks are so hard.

We would like to warn that it is forbidden to enter with shoes. For this reason, you have to take off your shoes at the entrance and take them in your hand.

If you want to enter these small pools formed by travertines, you need to take spare clothes with you.

You can enjoy the view by climbing the hill after the walk, which can be a bit difficult. There is also a cafe where you can relax at the end of the travertines. Here you can sip your tea against the view.

It is quite easy to reach the travertines, which are among the most famous formations of Turkey. There are minibuses departing every half an hour to Pamukkale Travertines, which are located close to the city center. You can get on these minibuses from Denizli bus station or from the stops in the center.

If you are coming from outside the city with your own vehicle, after entering Denizli, you have to reach the city center and go to Ankara Boulevard. After you get to Ankara Boulevard, you can continue on your way by following your Develi route. You can reach Pamukkale Travertines after a 20-kilometer journey.

Pamukkale Travertines entrance fee is 200 TL as of 2023.

Cleopatra Pool (Hierapolis Antique Pool)

Located in the Ancient City of Hierapolis, this pool is literally a repository of healing. According to the legend often told about the pool where many people come and swim in the summer and winter periods, even the Beauty Queen Cleopatra came to swim in this pool at that time.

The history of this pool, which is the subject of legends, dates back to the 7th century AD. The Antique Pool, which was formed by the filling of the water in the pit formed after an earthquake in this period, has been a frequent destination for those who want to find healing since then.

The ruins, which are under the thermal water and take people to prehistoric times while swimming, attract a lot of attention.

To reach the Ancient Pool, it is enough to enter the area where Hierapolis, Travertines and the pool are together. After logging in here, you can swim as you wish in the Ancient Pool.

You can visit the Hierapolis Antique Pool, which has Summer and Winter time applications, between 08:00 - 21:00 every day between April 15th and October 2nd. Between 3 October and 14 April, the winter time program is started and the pool closing time is stated as 17:00.

Hierapolis Ancient City

Hierapolis Ancient City, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has a mystical atmosphere. The ruins, known as the "Holy City", contain many religious temples.

Known to have been built by Eumenes II, King of Pergamon in the 2nd century BC, this ancient city is one of the places where you can take wonderful photos and wander for hours.

The buildings you should definitely see when you come here are:

• Frontinus Street
• Northern Byzantine Gate
• Triton Fountain Building
• Agora
• Southern Byzantine Gate
• Gymnasium
• Apollon Sanctuary
• Water Channels

The "Gate of Hell" found in recent excavations is among the most curious structures here. This discovery brought with it the entrance to the land of the dead and helped to illuminate the mystery of the Holy City, which is the subject of legends.

You can visit the ancient city of Hierapolis between 08.00 - 21.00 in the summer period. In winter, visiting hours change from 08.00 to 17.00. You can visit the ancient city every day of the week.

St. Philippe Martyrion Church

This historical church, which is very close to Hierapolis, is another important structure thought to belong to the 4th or 5th century AD. This is considered to be one of the oldest ruins Pamukkale has.

It is a structure built in memory of Saint Philippe, who set out to spread Christianity all over the world, died in this region before he could fulfill his duty.

The church got its name from one of Jesus' 12 apostles. This place, which has a high religious and cultural value, resembles an abandoned village at first glance.

It is thought that the tomb of Saint Philippe died here before he could fulfill his duty, but there is no definite information about this.

Laodicea Ancient City

Located very close to the city center of Denizli, the Ancient City of Laodicea consists of ruins dating back to 260 BC.

The Romans attached great importance to Laodicea and did their best to make it more beautiful. However, after an earthquake in the 60th year AD, great damage occurred in the city. After this earthquake, the stadium, churches, theaters and baths, which are now famous, remained.

You should not leave the city without seeing this valuable ancient city with the largest stadium in Anatolia, churches, theaters, baths and many other structures.

The Church of Laodicea located here has a great meaning for Christianity. Because this church is among the oldest and most important sacred structures of the Christian world.

As of 2023, the entrance fee to the Laodicea Ancient City is 75 Turkish Liras.