Pamukkale, or Cotton Castle (meaning in Turkish), is, along with Istanbul and Cappadocia, a must-see on a holiday in Turkey. I guarantee that after a trip to Pamukkale nothing will be the same. Located next to the Ancient City of Hierapolis and just a few kilometres from Denizli, Pamukkale (and its travertine terraces) is unforgettable.
Pamukkale has been protected since 1988 by UNESCO, which declared the area a World Heritage Site. At the time, Pamukkale was being swallowed up by hotels that, fortunately, were later demolished.
At the time, a series of artificial limestone pools were built to hide the damage caused. Nowadays, there are strict controls on any tourist project.
At the moment, the only problem with a trip to Pamukkale is dealing with the excess of tourists, as you can read in the article I wrote after visiting this amazing place during my trip From Portugal to Macau.
How was Pamukkale formed?
Before I tell you everything you need for a trip to Pamukkale, it's interesting to know how this surreal scenery came to be. Briefly, it's a joint effort between man and nature, although most of it is the result of natural action over the millennia.
The thermal springs occur due to a seismic fault in Western Anatolia, being heated by underground heat. Tectonic movements have triggered frequent earthquakes in this area of Turkey and led to the emergence of several thermal springs. The water temperature ranges between 35 and 100 degrees Celsius.
Hot springs deposit limestone in crescent-shaped pools as the water slides down the hill. The water from the springs created Pamukkale with the essential contribution of this mineral content.
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What is there to see in Pamukkale?
On a trip to Pamukkale, in addition to the natural limestone pools, where you can walk around and snorkel, you can visit and relax in Cleopatra's pools. In my opinion, I don't think it's worth the extra investment.
In addition, the ticket to Pamukkale includes access to the Greek ruins of Hierapolis. This is an ancient city that was founded around 190 BC and was popular for its sacred thermal waters. What remains are the ruins of the castle, a Byzantine church, necropolis, city walls and a colonnaded street.
You can also visit a fantastic amphitheatre, as the site is very well preserved and the views are worth the effort of climbing the steep hill. When you visit this area, you'll walk along the main street of the ancient city, through the Fontinus Gate, past the Temple of Apollo, the Pluto Gate, the Nymphaeum, the Necropolis and finally the amphitheatre.
Tips for a trip to Pamukkale
Go early...
Most tourists visit Pamukkale on a day trip from elsewhere in Turkey, which means they arrive in the middle of the morning or early afternoon. It is therefore advisable to stay overnight in Pamukkale or Denizli and take a bus there.
As more than two million people visit Pamukkale every year, it's wise not to go at the same time as most of them.
Most people start coming down to the pools at around 9.30am. Believe me, you don't want to be there at that time. Some doors open earlier (which I only found out later). When I arrived at around 8.30am, there was no queue and the atmosphere was relaxed.
Or go late...
I probably witnessed one of the best sunsets I can remember in Pamukkale. Firstly, there are far fewer people at the end of the day and secondly, the sunset is fabulous. Perhaps you'll be advised at the hotel to enjoy the sunset in the natural limestone pools - thank them for the tip and really take the advice on a trip to Pamukkale.
Which way to Pamukkale?
If you want to get in earlier than everyone else, then opt for the south gate - which opens at 6.30am. However, you'll need a car or a taxi to drop you off, as it's a long way from town.
If you're travelling from Denizli, public transport should drop you off at the lower gate - at ground level with the town. This is the so-called entrance to Pamukkale or "town entrance" and that's where I went. You could count on your fingers the number of people entering from there.
The only downside is that this gate opens later than the southern one - it opens at 8.00am. On the other hand, at the north entrance there are queues of buses leaving masses of tourists.
My suggestion is that you go to "town entrance" and take a lift back to the town from the top of Pamukkale. There are minibus regularly hanging out by the pools of Hierapolis.
Footwear and weight are important
No trainers, sandals or flip-flops. Barefoot. All visitors, without exception, must visit Pamukkale's natural pools barefoot. You can enter the site with your shoes on, but you must be barefoot when you enter the pool area.
In some places, the ground is softer, but in most it is hard and uncomfortable and, in places, slippery. However, this is for a good reason: to avoid damaging this natural attraction in Turkey.
In the "town entrance", you'll go barefoot practically as soon as you enter, while from the other doors you'll have to walk for some time until you reach the pools. I recommend that you take good slippers or comfortable shoes so that you can visit the archaeological sites without any problems. Also take a light rucksack, as you'll be walking for several hours. Alternatively, you can pay and leave it in the lockers.
Bikini: yes or no?
Turkey is liberal compared to other countries in the region and there's no problem in taking a bikini or swimming trunks. In fact, it's recommended that you do, as the heat in Pamukkale is high - from spring until the end of summer - and you'll want to take a dip in the limestone pools. Fortunately, I took swimming trunks to cool down from the 30-plus degree temperatures.
How much does the ticket to Pamukkale cost?
There are three different entrances to Pamukkale: the village entrance, the north entrance and the south entrance. The ticket gives you access to the thermal pools and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Please note that the ticket only allows access to the travertines and the archaeological areas, but Cleopatra's pools have an additional cost.
The entrance ticket to Pamukkale is 1130 Turkish Liras (around 30€). You will also have to pay for parking (5 Turkish Liras) if you arrive by car and park at the north or south entrances.
It is not possible to book a ticket and you can only buy it on the day at the ticket office. This ticket does not allow you to leave and re-enter, so if you leave and want to re-enter you will have to buy a new ticket.
If you want to dive into Cleopatra's pools, you'll have to shell out 200 Turkish lira.
Entry times to Pamukkale
Pamukkale's opening hours are difficult to know and sometimes you can't be sure even on site. I visited during the spring and the hours were from 8am to 9pm, in the "town entrance"The south entrance can be accessed from 6.30am.
It is possible to stay past closing time. That's what I did and it allowed me to stay there a little longer (in peace, without other visitors).
How long does it take to visit Pamukkale
One of the questions I had before travelling to Pamukkale was to understand how big the place was and how much I needed to see everything. The answer is simple: one day is enough to see everything, if you get up early. What's more, as the ticket is only valid for one day, it's essential to make sure you have time to see everything in 24 hours.
The travertines extend over an area 2.7 kilometres long, 0.6 kilometres wide and 160 metres high and can be seen from several kilometres away.
If you want to see Pamukkale in a hurry, then one hour is enough. If you want to enjoy the thermal pools, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the archaeological sites, then allow at least three to four hours.
I was inside for 12 hours and could have stayed longer. It's a unique place and at sunset it's unforgettable.
More time in Pamukkale?
If you have more time in the Anatolian region, take the opportunity to visit the ancient civilisation of Laodicea. Located just off the main road between Pamukkale and Denizli, you can take the opportunity to visit this ancient civilisation, which has been the subject of much excavation and restoration work. Laodicea is an important archaeological site and one of the cities mentioned in the Bible as one of the 7 churches of the Apocalypse.
Follow the journey: I visited Pamukkale as part of the my long journey by train, From Portugal to Macau.
Extra information
Other places in the world (like Pamukkale) to visit
Pamukkale is a unique place, although it is not the only one of its kind on the planet. On various continents, there are similar sites, although less impressive, such as Danau Kaolin in Indonesia, Egerszalók in Hungary, Hierve el Água in Mexico, and Huanglong in China.
Visas for Turkey
Most citizens do not need a visa to enter Turkey for stays of up to 90 days.
Save time (and money)
If you want to immerse yourself even more in the local culture, optimise your trip and even save money, take guided tours and experiences in Pamukkale. Book the best tours and activities in advance. Skip the queues and get your entrances to monumentsYou'll have more time to enjoy your trip.
Restaurants in Pamukkale
There are several restaurants in Pamukkale, but none of them are fantastic. During my trip to Pamukkale, I visited several, but only two were satisfactory: Mustafa, where the food is good and the portions are large. Another (slightly more expensive) option is the Kayaş restaurant. The kebabs, for example, are good, but the portions are smaller.
How to get to Pamukkale
The best way to get to Pamukkale is to hire a car. Use the Discovercars to compare the prices of all the operators. However, you can also get to Pamukkale by public transport and it was in this convenient way that I travelled to Pamukkale.
How to get from Istanbul to Pamukkale
You can travel by train from Istanbul, a modern and comfortable train. The total journey time (with one change) is 12 hours. Here's how to buy train tickets between Istanbul and Pamukkale.
Another way to get to Pamukkale is to fly from Istanbul or Ankara. You can check flight times and prices on SkyscannerThese flights are usually operated by Turkish Airlines or Pegasus. Prefer the former, as it's more comfortable and includes hold luggage in the price. The flight takes around an hour.
How to get from Denizli to Pamukkale
When you arrive in Denizli by train or aeroplane, you'll need to take a minibus that will take you to Pamukkale. These leave from either the airport or the bus station. If you arrive in Denizli by train, just cross the road on arrival and you'll find the bus station.
The journey from minibus (Domus) takes around 20 minutes and costs 5 lira (around 1.40€). The minibus have no fixed timetables and leave when they are full - which happens quite regularly. They depart from the ground floor of the bus station.
To go the other way, between Denizli and Pamukkale, ask at the hotel or in the town centre and you'll easily find transport to Denizli.
A taxi between Denizli and Pamukkale should cost around 500 Turkish Liras (13.50€).
How to get from Cappadocia to Pamukkale (or vice versa)
There are no direct flights from Cappadocia to Denizli, so the best way to get from Cappadocia to Pamukkale (or vice versa) is by bus. Here's how buy bus tickets in Turkey. There are several bus companies, but in my experience the service is similar in terms of price and comfort.
However, there is an important distinction: there are buses with rows of three seats (2+1), i.e. with more space, or the more common ones with four seats (2+2). Some have USB connections and offer snacks, tea or coffee. However, it's best not to trust them and to bring your own supplies.
What's more, almost none of these buses have toilets, so you have to wait for a stop to go to the loo - and you never know when that will happen (or if it will).
Buses on this route usually leave around 8pm and arrive the next day. If you're travelling during the high season, book your bus or train tickets in advance.
Hotel in Pamukkale
There are not many options to stay overnight in Pamukkale, although it is possible to find something comfortable. I stayed at the Bellamaritimo Hotel and had comfortable nights. Some rooms have views of the Cotton Castle from the balcony. The hotel also has a pool (although it was under maintenance when I visited), breakfast is good, and the staff is attentive.
Other options within a more budget-friendly range include the Ozbay Hotel, with prices starting at €25. The rooms are spacious, internet is free, and breakfast is included in the rate. The hotel also has a bar and restaurant.
Within the same budget, another recommended hotel in Pamukkale is the Hotel Sahin, located just 20 meters from the thermal pools. From the room balcony, you have a privileged view in the comfort of air conditioning.
Finally, if you want something more luxurious, the preferred option for visitors to Pamukkale is Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Besides a garden and indoor and outdoor pools, the hotel has a physiotherapy clinic. Wi-Fi access is free.
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