Pamukkale, the thermal "cotton castle

One of Turkey's most photogenic tourist sites, Pamukkale was already well known centuries before the invention of tourism and the development of the site, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pamukkale lies inland, away from the Aegean coast and its beaches and large seaside resorts. And yet the site attracts a huge number of visitors, if only for the day. The reason: an almost unique landscape of dazzling white tufa rock, set in the middle of the green but dry, sun-drenched Anatolian countryside.

In this area of high seismic activity, hot springs, laden with mineral salts and carbon dioxide, have been flowing incessantly since the dawn of time. There are around 17 thermal springs in Pamukkale, which discharge their calcium carbonate, gradually hardening in the open air. The result is the formation of basins filled with hot water, whose temperature fluctuates around 36°C and can reach up to 45°C!

These natural pools, resembling a frozen waterfall with a cottony appearance, were named "Pamukkale" in Turkish, which translates as "cotton castle": a fitting name!

Pamukkale has been known as Hierapolis since ancient times. A small city was founded as early as the 2nd century BC, under the leadership of the kingdom of Pergamon, the powerhouse of the time. But it was not until the arrival of the Romans that Hierapolis developed: the Romans, at least the wealthiest among them, greatly appreciated taking the waters here, reputed for their curative qualities.

It is said that Cleopatra herself took her bath in Hierapolis!

Today, crowds of visitors flock to Pamukkale every day to discover this extraordinary site, and visit the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis in the process. Before it was classified by UNESCO, the site almost sank into a kind of tourist anarchy: hotels, roads, unsupervised bathing... but this is no longer the case.

In order to ensure its survival, visits to the Pamukkale basins are now limited to a signposted path, from which you cannot (normally) stray. You must walk barefoot to avoid damaging the rock, which is still soft in places. There are a few small pools along the way, where you can take a dip in the water: most of them are artificial, but they give a good impression, so don't forget your swimming costumes!

The archaeological site of Hierapolis lies at the top of a white tufa-covered cliff. A visit that goes hand in hand with a stroll through a vast field of ruins dating from various periods of Antiquity, right up to the early Christian era.

Many are of Hellenistic or Roman origin, such as the Temple of Apollo, the theatre, Domitian's Gate, the ancient agora and the vast necropolis. In the Plutonium, dedicated to Pluto the King of the Underworld (Greek Hades), oracles were performed, renowned throughout the ancient world, in an atmosphere of sulphur, gas and hot water, thought to have been sent by the subterranean god himself.

Much later (5th century), the Martyrium is dedicated to the torture of Saint Philip, crucified here according to tradition.

The Roman thermal baths, however, occupied a central place in Hierapolis: it was here that people took the waters to treat themselves. Today, they house the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum, which is a good complement to the visit. There is also a thermal pool, known as Cleopatra's Pool, where you can take a dip and have a drink if you feel like it.

Pamukkale and the Hierapolis site

• Access to the site: 3 entrances, the main one from the south and another from the north (paying car parks), and a third directly on foot via the village of Pamukkale (20 minutes away)
• The site of Pamukkale and Hierapolis: April-September 7am-11pm, October-March 7am-6pm for the main entrance, 8am-9pm (and 8am-5pm out of season) for the other entrances, admission 80TL.
• Archaeological Museum: April-September 8am-9pm, October-March 8am-5pm, admission 12TL.
• Cleopatra's Pool: April-September 8am-7.30pm, October-March 8am-5pm, admission 70TL for Cleopatra's Pool (optional).

How can I visit Pamukkale?

There are plenty of day trips to Pamukkale from Antalya, for example, with busloads of visitors. As a result, the site is packed at peak times, roughly between 11am and 4pm.

That's why we recommend that you make your own way to Pamukkale and spend a night there: that way, you can visit the site at the best times, early in the morning or at the end of the day.

How do I get to Pamukkale?

The easiest way is by car, or via an organised excursion (Pamukkale is a classic with all the local agencies). Bus connections are available to Antalya (4h), Izmir (4h), Bodrum (5h), Istanbul (10h), etc...