Where is Pamukkale?

Pamukkale, near the city of Denizli, is one of Turkey's most famous tourist destinations, and it hosts many tourists from different cities and towns every season of the year. This city, which is famous for its spa springs and interesting structures of their white color, has a healing effect for some diseases, and historically, it is one of their special features.

Getting to Know Pamukkale

"Pamukkale" in the east of the Aegean region and 22 km north of the city center of "Denizli" has been named as one of the "Eighth Wonders of the World" due to its unique beauty. This place, which is certainly on the list of most people traveling to Turkey and the city of Denizli, literally means "Cotton Castle" in Turkish because it looks like Cotton and white Traver stones.

It is interesting to know that Pamukkale has been a residential area with healing spa springs since the ancient Greek period, as well as a center of different cultures, and has greatly influenced the surrounding cities and regions. This city, which is known mainly for the hot springs of Pamukkale, the ponds in this place are layer over layer and white due to the calcium oxide in its water. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not forget to visit this city during your trip to Turkey.

Note: Remember, it is not possible to book a flight ticket to Pamukkale due to the lack of an airport in this city, but you can book your flight ticket to the nearest Pamukkale airport, "Denizli Çardak Airport".

 

 

Distance between Denizli and Pamukkale

As you know, the city of Denizli is famous for many attractions, such as "Isikli Lake (Işıklı Gölü)," and tourists who travel make sure to visit Pamukkale, which is about 18 km away. For this purpose, tourists can reach Pamukkale from Denizli in the following 2 ways:

·         Traveling from Denizli to Pamukkale by bus after about 30 minutes (departing from Denizli at 14:30 and 18:45)

·         Traveling from Denizli to Pamukkale by taxi/private car after about 18 min.

Important Note: Since buses on this route only run twice a day to Pamukkale, passengers may sometimes face time constraints when traveling to this city and its hot springs. This issue becomes more problematic when, in seasons like summer, the number of passengers is high, and you have to wait longer for the bus. In such a situation, tourists can rent a car in Denizli and come to Pamukkale quickly and easily.

Note, this issue may seem a bit expensive at first, but due to not having to pay high taxi fares and waiting for buses, renting a car in Turkey will be less costly due to the possibility of going to different destinations; therefore, not only the price of car rental in Turkey is very affordable, but you can go to your favorite places at any time of the day or night.

Pamukkale Tour

If you are planning to travel to this city for the first time and do not want to miss visiting its various and numerous attractions, you must consider Pamukkale travel tours. Because in addition to the spa springs, there are also tourist attractions such as the "Ancient City of Hierapolis," which is mixed with the beauty of Pamukkale and, according to legends, named after "Hiera," the wife of the king of "Bergama" and the founder of this city.

 

 

Entrance Cost of Pamukkale

First of all, it should be noted that the visiting hours of Pamukkale are from 6:30 to 20:00 every day from April 1 to October 1 and from 08:00 to 18:00 from October 1 to April 1; accordingly, the entrance ticket for those over 12 years old is about 30 euros ($33), which, in addition to allowing entry to the Pamukkale hot springs, also includes a visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Important Note: If for any reason you do not intend to drive in Turkey and rent a car, you can consider the services of "Renting a Car with a Driver (Transfer)"; in this way, the driver will bring you to Pamukkale at the predetermined time and place.

Sights of Pamukkale

As mentioned earlier, when you travel to Turkey and come to Pamukkale, the tourist attractions of this city are not limited to the spa springs and the ancient city of Hierapolis, and there are other natural and historical attractions in Pamukkale to visit. This city, which has been considered a health and treatment center for 2300 years, today, the possibility of engaging in fun activities such as paragliding and balloon riding is considered for tourists as when they travel to Cappadocia.

Accordingly, you can visit attractions such as: Cleopatra's Ancient Pool, Karahayıt Spa Springs, St. Also visit Philippe Martyrion Church, Nature Park, Ancient City of Laodikya, Kaklık Cave and Yeşildere Waterfall.

1.       Pamukkale Travertines (Pamukkale Travertenleri)

Spa pools or travertines of Pamukkale, with an age of 14 thousand years, which have been declared world heritage by UNESCO, are one of the main symbols of this city; Pamukkale Travertines are formed on the southern slopes of "Cal Mountain (Çaldağı)" and are located in the valley of "Menderes River" and consist of many large and small ponds.

These ponds, which were formed by the fall of rocks in the area and the flow of hot water into them, the reason for their whiteness is the minerals in the water and their combination with oxygen that precipitates. Travertines of Pamukkale have 17 hot springs with a temperature between 35 and 100 degrees, which have the healing power to treat heart, rheumatism, indigestion, respiratory, blood circulation and skin diseases.

2.       The Ancient City of Hierapolis in Pamukkale (Hierapolis Antik Kenti)

The ancient city of Hierapolis was founded at the beginning of the second century BC by "Eumenes II," the king of "Bergama," and was known as the "Holy City (Kutsal Kent)" due to the number of religious monuments. This city has various interesting sightseeing places such as: Frontinus Street (Frontinus Caddesi), Agora, North and South Gate of Byzantium (Kuzey ve Güney Bizans Kapısı), Gymnasium, Building of Triton Cesme (Tritonlu Çeşme Binası), Amphitheater (Tiyatro), the Sacred Area of ​​Apollo (Apollon Kutsal Alanı), and water channels, which was very glorious in its time.

During the archaeological excavations carried out in this city, "Ploutonium Sanctuary (Plutonium Kutsal Alan)" and "Hell's Gate (Cehennem Kapısı)" were discovered, which at that time were believed to be "Gateway to the Land of the Dead (Olüler Ülkesine Geçiç Kapısı)". The reason for this name is some poisonous gases come out of hot springs and cause the death of living organisms.

 

 

3.       Ancient Pools of Cleopatra in Pamukkale (Kleopatra Antik Havuzu)

These historical pools, located in the ancient city of Hierapolis, are said to have been visited by "Cleopatra" and are therefore known as Cleopatra's Pools. This pool, around which a building was built, collapsed in the 7th century AD due to a terrible earthquake, but today, you can still go to these pools and enjoy their pleasant heat and the scenery around them.

One of the important features of Cleopatra's ancient pools are the remains of columns and different parts of the previous building in the water and around the pool; also, the trees and flowers around this historical pool have made it a dream place, and it is still enjoyable for tourists to swim in it in hot or cold seasons.

4.       Pamukkale Natural Park

Pamukkale Natural Park is a small and green place in the ancient area and remnants of the past in Pamukkale, which is suitable for rest and picnics. This place, which most of its visitors are people who have returned from the spa pools of Pamukkale or the ancient city of Hierapolis, is very suitable for rest and rejuvenation.

Another interesting point about this natural park is the presence of a beautiful green space in the center of one of the ponds. Also, you can benefit from mud therapy in the pools of this park and sunbathe around it. It is interesting to know that some people of Pamukkale city choose this natural park to hold ceremonies such as weddings, engagements, weddings, and special celebrations.

Important Note: If you plan to travel with tours to Pamukkale, be sure to check their schedule for visiting the mentioned attractions.

5.       St. Philippe Martyrion Church in Pamukkale (St. Philippe Martyrion Kilisesi)

The Church of "Saint Philip of Pamukkale" is one of the oldest historical remains of Pamukkale, located almost on the northern side of the ancient city of Hierapolis, and it is of great historical and religious importance. This church, whose construction dates back to the 4th or 5th century AD, is named after one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.

"Saint Philip" came to this region in 80 A.D. to promote Christianity, but he was killed before finding an opportunity to do so; it is believed that the "Church of Martyrion Pamukkale" was built after him and to honor his memory, probably on the tomb of St. Philip himself.

6.       Karahayıt Kaplıcaları Thermal Springs in Pamukkale

Karahayit hot springs in the north of Pamukkale city center, about 7 km away from it, are some of the most famous hot springs in this area, and they also have beautiful views. These hot springs, which can be accessed either on foot (1.5 hours), or by taxi (10 minutes), lead some visitors to prefer renting a car in Pamukkale so they can visit the area whenever they like.

Among other noteworthy points regarding Karahayit hot springs are their therapeutic properties for diseases such as: indigestion, stomach, intestines, liver and bile ducts; it should be noted that the water of these springs is red due to the iron minerals, and for this reason, it was also known as the "Red Water (Kızıl Su)". Also, around the spa springs of this area, there are many hotels for tourists that you can book a hotel in Karahayit instead of Pamukkale.

7.       Kaklik Cave in Pamukkale (Kaklık Mağarası)

Kaklik Cave or Pamukkale Cave, located in the "Honaz" region, is one of the most important attractions of this city to visit due to the mineral salts in the water and their abstraction on the rocks, stalactites and stalagmites are very interesting. This cave, which visiting it has been open to the public since 2002, has facilities such as: a swimming pool, a small amphitheater, sightseeing areas, a cafe and a gazebo.

Kaklik Cave of Pamukkale, whose beauty is compared by some to Zeus Cave in Kusadasi, has white and yellow travertine stones in interesting shapes due to the sulfur in the waters of this cave. The hot waters of Pamukkale Cave are mainly suitable for treating most skin diseases, and this cave is very easy to explore and ideal for photography.

 

 

8.       The Ancient City of Laodicea in Pamukkale (Laodikya Antik Kenti)

The Ancient City of Laodicea, known as "Laodicea on the Lycus," was founded in 260 BC and became one of the most important and famous cities in Anatolia in the first century A.D.; in this ancient city, which became the center of "Kıbyra" due to its importance to the Romans, there are many artworks belonging to the mentioned period.

The ancient city of Laodicea in Pamukkale was destroyed by a terrible earthquake in 60 A.D., and only remnants, such as: Amphitheatres, Stadiums, Gymnasiums, memorial fountains and, remained churches. Today, one of the other important works in this area is "Laodikya Kilisesi," one of the oldest and most important holy buildings in the Christian world and a place of pilgrimage.

9.       Yesildere Waterfall in Pamukkale (Yeşildere Şelalesi)

Yesildere Fall is located in the northeast of Pamukkale and about 27 km from the city center, it has a height of about 30 meters and is located in "Sakızcılar" village and "Çal" area. This waterfall, which can be accessed from the "Yenicekent" route and the valley where the waterfall flows, is very green and beautiful around it and is considered a great place for a picnic and relaxation.

Yesil Valley Waterfall is considered one of the protected areas in Turkey, and salmon can be found in its waters, which can be eaten in restaurants near the waterfall. One of the important features of this area is the abundance of oxygen due to the abundance of sycamore trees that are hundreds of years old, which is suitable for travelers with breathing problems.

Accommodation in Pamukkale

Due to the fame of Pamukkale as a famous tourist destination in Turkey, the high number of different types of hotels in this city is quite normal. Therefore, travelers who come to Pamukkale and even Karahait can book all kinds of hotels in Pamukkale from ordinary to 5 stars. It should be noted that most of the hotels in this area have thermal springs, and you can book a room in your favorite hotel according to your tastes, budget, and needs.

Note: Unlike cities like Istanbul, it is not possible to rent a furnished house in Pamukkale for travelers; but if you want to have more privacy and private space and also want to benefit from the services of a luxury hotel in a space like home, renting a suite in Denizli is a good option (especially since it is a short distance from Pamukkale and its tourist attractions has).

 

 

Best Time to Go to Pamukkale

In general, the climate of Pamukkale is Mediterranean and influenced by the continental climate, and due to the heat of the air in the Aegean region, the best time to travel to Pamukkale is mid-to-late spring and early to mid-autumn. However, this does not mean that traveling to Pamukkale in summer or winter is not suitable because, on the announced dates, the number of tourists is less, which is an advantage.

Note that the pleasure of the warmth of Pamukkale hot springs in winter or seeing the excitement of tourists in summer going to various tourist attractions in this city cannot be compared to other topics.

How to Reach Pamukkale

Due to the lack of an airport in Pamukkale, the nearest airport to this city is "Cardak Denizli Airport," about 70 km away. This way, you can book a flight ticket to Turkey at this airport and come to Pamukkale by bus, taxi or rental car. Meanwhile, there is a rail route from some Turkish cities to Pamukkale, and the possibility of traveling by train has been provided for passengers.

Distance from Izmir to Pamukkale

In response to the question "How to go from Izmir to Pamukkale?" it should be said that the distance between Izmir and Pamukkale is about 235 km and Izmir is located west of Pamukkale. Based on this, the travel methods between these two popular tourist cities are:

 

 

·         Traveling by Plane from Izmir to Pamukkale, is currently not possible, and you have to book your ticket to "Denizli Airport" to reach "Cardak Airport" after about 3 hours and 40 min., and then go to Pamukkale from there.

·         Traveling by Bus from Izmir to Pamukkale, takes about 5 hours, and you only need to go to the bus terminals in each of these cities.

·         Traveling by Train from Izmir to Pamukkale, may be easier and more convenient, but in terms of the duration of the trip, it should be about 5 hours.

·         Traveling by Private or Rented Car from Izmir to Pamukkale, considering that this method of travel takes only 3 hours, is more popular among travelers. Because by renting a car in Izmir or driving a private car, they can stop anywhere along the way to rest or visit various tourist attractions.