Pamukkale village has some charming hotels and pensions, and despite the constant coach parties it’s a good place to get a taste of village life, if you steer clear of the main road. Several other attractions are within easy reach, including Afrodisias, one of Turkey’s most complete and absorbing archaeological sites, and Laodicea, one of the biblical Seven Churches of Asia.
Long before Unesco, the Romans recognised the appeal of the site and built a large spa city, Hierapolis, to take advantage of the water’s curative powers. The tourist boom of the 1980s and 1990s had a detrimental effect on the site, as a line of hotels above the travertines drained away the waters, leaving the travertines dry, dull and dirtied. In a drastic attempt to preserve the site, all the hotels have been demolished and visitors can no longer bathe in the pools; however, the flow of water is still very slow, and it may be that the real culprits are the many swimming pools in the village below.
Calcium’s not just good for bones. If the many habitués of the spa town of Pamukkale are to be believed, it works wonders on muscles and sinews too. ‘Cotton Castle’, 19km north of Denizli, has built a centuries-long reputation on the restorative qualities of its calcium-rich waters. The unique formations of travertine (calcium carbonate) shelves, pools and stalactites, which hug the ridge above town like a white scar, were created by the area’s warm mineral water, which cools as it cascades over the cliff edge and deposits its calcium. It’s a strange piece of landscape unlike anything else you’ll see in Turkey, and it now appears on the Unesco World Heritage list.
The pools of Pamukkale
Pamukkale,
after hiking up the Hireapolis at Denzili, Turkey you reach atop a hill and as you gaze down a wonderful spectacle will memerize you. All along the side of the hill are snow or cotton white deposits with occasional pools holding crystal clear warm waters (appearing turquoise). hiking through these white calcium carbonate deposits flooded with warm water is a…
We went there for a day trip, pamukkale is really really beautiful and unique but it is too crowded. Some advice to enjoy the place, enter through the lower gate to avoid the big tour groups. Also to swim a little bit the pools down the hills are the less crowded because tours stay at the top part of Pamukkale….
It's a must visit once in your life time. It's picturesque, and beautiful. You can spend upto 4 hours here if you don't plan to visit Cleopatra pool. Best to climb up slowly and spend some time at the top visiting the pools, herapolis etc. wait till sunset and walk down the Travines leisurely after sunset. The Travines changes colour…
nothing can prepare you for this huge white mountain of salt with warm water springs and pools everywhere, its the most astonishing natural place I have seen and the way they have modified it for public attraction is even more commendable. we went there on a day trip from selcuk, which was very tiring but the place more than made…
loved the site – well worth the visit.
only negative point is the number of people there – it is very busy with coach loads of tourists.
the entrance fee includes both Pamukkale and Hierapolis
stunning scenery, beautiful setting, very unusual, makes for excellent photographs, excellent small museum with a very good collection, well worth a visit but not worth staying overnight in the town if you can help it
This is why people go to Pamukkale a must see!!! the travertines are a historic marvel as is the ruins but make sure you take sun screen if you go in the summer time as it gets very hot. Start at the top and not the bottom take your swimming gear and expect clean hot water to bath in.
The travertines were beautiful and nothing like I had ever seen before. I'd recommend going just before sunset!
Walk all the way down to the end of the park, away from the tourist area … you will be alone with nature, surrounded by beautiful views. You will also be able to bathe in these natural calcium warm thermal pools, just wonderful !!!
I never knew the pools would be so beautiful. It was a wonderful surprise to discover that there are amazing Roman ruins at Pamukkale too!! My tip is this- wear your swimmers under your clothes. Start at the top and explore the ruins first. Then start walking your way down the pools. The pools are crowded at the top, but…