Turkiye is a beautiful country and a delight to visit, with diverse landscapes made up of gorgeous beaches, idyllic villages, ancient ruins, and impressive mountains. We also found the Turkish one of the most hospitable people we have met on our travels around the world.
Pamukkale, home to the white terraced thermal pools and a UNESCO site, is situated in southwestern Turkey and 28 miles from Denizli.
Pamukkale “Cotton Castle” is made up of white travertine terraces which hold mineral-rich water which flows from the hot springs above. It is a beautiful sight, and we were lucky enough to be camped alone upon a hill facing this natural wonder one evening in our Land Rover Defender.
We watched the sunset over the pools as the last Instragammer snapped a shot of its beauty and were left to the sight of a depopulated Pamukkale lit up all night. It was memorable and magical, but unfortunately, the quiet would not last long as large tourist buses arrived after sunrise, and the pools became the playground for small children splashing in very shallow waters. Although more of the famous images of Pamukkale show beautiful deep white travertine pools, unfortunately, these pools are off-limits. Due to the vast number of visitors annually, the natural areas of Pamakkale need to be preserved due to the fragile and relatively rapid deterioration of the pools.
If you’re interested in making your visit even more spectacular for that special occasion, why not paraglide or ride in a hot air balloon over the Pamukkale pools and grab a mandatory selfie, then head down to dip your toes into the shallow pools, and take a quick swim in Cleopatra’s Pool before heading off to visit Hierapolis.
Hierapolis, the “Holy City,” was a Greek city used as a spa for many centuries and rebuilt on several occasions due to significant earthquakes but was abandoned in the 14th century. The impressive Theatre is 300 feet long with 50 rows of seats with a seating capacity of 15,00 facing a 12-foot high stage with ten marble columns where aquatic shows were presented, the orchestra played, and venatio games with gladiators were held.
A ticket to visit both Pamukkale and Hierapolis will cost approximately $10.
How to get there
Pamukkale is a top tourist destination in Turkiye, and as such, several transport options are available from Istanbul, Fethiye, and Ankara. A return flight from Istanbul to Denizli will set you back approximately $50 with a quick cab drive from Denizli to Pamukkale.
Best time to visit
Turkiye’s summer months can be uncomfortably hot, reaching a balmy 98˚F and with it come the crowds. It would be best to visit Pamukkale in either Spring (April to May) or Autumn (September and October).
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