Things to see and do on a trip to Pamukkale

Pamukkale is a beautiful town and natural area in the southwestern province of Denizli, Turkey, and a jewel of the country’s tourism industry. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the Pamukkale site has two entrances, one to the south and one to the north. The northern entrance leads to the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a key archaeological site in Turkey. Read on to discover all things to do in Pamukkale, from its impressive travertines, unique geological formations, to the beautiful Cleopatra’s Pool.

3 Essential Things to Do in Pamukkale

1. Travertines of Pamukkale

Many people know these impressive rock formations as “the Cotton Castle of Pamukkale” and while the name may sound like a fairytale, it’s perfectly understandable when you see a picture of the travertines. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the travertines of Pamukkale have become Denizli’s flagship and one of the most visited sites in Turkey. These unique geological formations are the result of the sedimentation of travertine rock by the waters of thermal springs that were formed by tectonic movements and which today form a landscape that is unique in the world. The Cotton Castle alone is a marvellous sight, but if you are travelling to Pamukkale in summer or on a hot day, we recommend that you enjoy the thermal waters and take a dip in the hot springs, which are full of health benefits.

The entrance fee to Pamukkale is 110 lira (about €6) and includes a visit to the travertines, the Hierapolis and the theatre.

2. Ancient Hierapolis, a jewel to see in Pamukkale

In the precincts of Pamukkale is also another impressive city, the ancient Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive things to see in Pamukkale. Although today only the ruins of what was once this beautiful city remain, a stroll through its streets brings you back in time and gives you a glimpse of what life was like in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, when it became a popular summer destination for nobles.

On your walk through Hierapolis, you will come across impressive ruins such as the Temple of Apollo. The Plutonium, a grotto considered the gateway to the underworld where sacrifices were made in the name of Pluto; the Martyrdom of St Philip, a monument in honour of the apostle Philip; and its three Necropolises among others… However, the absolute star of Hierapolis is its Amphitheatre, which is absolutely impressive and very well-preserved.

3. Cleopatra’s Pool

Another of Pamukkale’s most famous and important attractions is its Cleopatra’s Pool. Located inside a restaurant enclosure, it is one of the most beautiful thermal pools to be seen in Pamukkale and in the world. Its totally crystalline and warm waters are already surprisingly beautiful. But they are not the only things that make Cleopatra’s Pool a unique place in the world. The floor of this millenary hot spring is full of ancient ruins and pieces of authentic Roman columns. It’s usually quite crowded, though, because bathing amidst the remnants of history is an experience that every visitor to Pamukkale wants to have.

Price: 100 lira (about €6) Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Places to see in and around Pamukkale

Laodicea

Just 10 km away is the beautiful city of Laodicea, one of the most beautiful places to see around Pamukkale. It is an ancient city of the Seleucid Empire and one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. The city, which dates back to the 3rd century BC, has experienced moments of commercial and religious success throughout its history, becoming one of the most important cities in the region during the Roman Empire and later during the Byzantine period. After being destroyed for the second time by an earthquake in the 5th century AD, the ruins of the city of Laodicea are one of the most impressive remnants of times past to be seen in Turkey near Pamukkale.

The Eastern Byzantine Gate, the impressive Temple A on Syria Street, the Church of Laodicea, two ancient theatres and the Great Stadium which held up to 25,000 people, among others, are among the ruins to be seen within its 5 square kilometres.

You can visit it by taxi, the journey takes just 15 minutes and the price ranges from 4 to 6€.

Where and what to eat in Pamukkale?

Surely, when you think of Turkish food, the first thing that pops into your head is the image of the fast-food doner kebab. However, Turkish cuisine is very varied and encompasses many more delicious dishes, such as lüfer (oily fish), lahmacun (Turkish “pizza”) and its many çorbas (soups), among others.

• Hiera Coffee & Tea House: One of the best places to eat in Pamukkale. This reservation-only restaurant offers traditional Turkish cuisine, as well as dishes to suit all tastes such as pasta and burgers, plus vegetarian options. Price range: €2-10.
• Kayaç Wine House Restaurant Bar: One of the best value-for-money restaurants possible. With a price range of €1-4, you can enjoy hearty traditional Turkish dishes and good beers, with exquisite service.

Where to sleep in Pamukkale?

• Pamukkale Melrose Viewpoint Suites: A fabulous hotel 700 metres from the travertine formations with swimming pool, garden and solarium, plus attentive and friendly service. Excellent breakfast included. Price range according to season: €40-60 per night.
• Venus Suite Hotel: A luxurious hotel 300 metres from ancient Hierapolis and with free transfer to the centre of Pamukkale. They serve a delicious buffet breakfast (included) every morning, as well as traditional dishes and grilled meats in their restaurant. Comfortable and elegant rooms with garden or city views. Price range according to season: €50-85 per night.
•  Do?a Thermal Health & Spa: Slightly further from Pamukkae, 7km from the centre, is this luxury resort with spa, sauna, Turkish bath, thermal bath, massage treatments and a fitness centre. Buffet breakfast included. Average price: €150 per night.

What should I consider before travelling to Pamukkale Turkey?

• The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
• Bring a swimming costume, towel, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for touring Pamukkale.
• Always carry some cash, not all shops accept credit cards.
• Avoid changing money at the airport, as the exchange rate is often high.
• In Turkey, tap water is generally not safe to drink, so always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
• From Europe, it is not necessary to have a visa if you are travelling for less than 90 days. But you must have a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months) and be able to justify with hotel reservations that the trip is a tourist trip.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally safe, but you should always be careful with your belongings in crowded, touristy areas.
• Download Passporter and create your itinerary with the places to see in Pamukkale.

What to do in Pamukkale in a day?

Pamukkale is a small place that can easily be seen in a day. Of course, if you have more time and can take a longer trip to Pamukkale, you’ll enjoy your holiday and all the attractions this Turkish town has to offer more at your leisure. But if your idea is to make a one-day trip to Pamukkale, don’t worry, because you’ll have enough time to visit all the places we mentioned, such as Cotton Castle, the ancient Hierapolis, the Cleopatra’s Pools.

If you have more time, you can continue to enjoy Pamukkale at your own pace or take one of our suggested excursions, such as a visit to Laodicea

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Pamukkale?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make. And you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Pamukkale Turkey.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Pamukkale