Pamukkale

Pamukkale has been made eternally famous by the gleaming white calcite travertines (terraces) overrunning with warm, mineral-rich waters on the mountain above the village – the so-called ‘Cotton Castle' (pamuk means 'cotton' in Turkish). Just above the travertines lies Hierapolis, once a Roman and Byzantine spa city, which has considerable ruins and a museum.

Unesco World Heritage status has brought measures to protect the glistening bluffs, and put paid to the days of freely traipsing around, but walking down the travertines remain one of Turkey’s singular experiences.

While the photogenic travertines get busloads of day-trippers passing through for a quick soak and photo op, staying overnight allows you to visit the site at sunset and dodge some of the crowds. This also gives time for a day trip to the beautiful and little-visited ancient ruins of Afrodisias and Laodicea, and to appreciate the village of Pamukkale itself.

Explore Pamukkale

0

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Pamukkale.

  • Archaeological Site

    Hierapolis

    This ancient spa city's location atop Pamukkale's tourist-magnet travertines is quite spectacular. Founded as a curative centre around 190 BC by Eumenes…

  • Nature Reserve

    Travertines

    The World Heritage–listed saucer-shaped travertines (or terraces) of Pamukkale wind sideways down the powder-white mountain above the village, providing a…

  • Theatre

    Roman Theatre

    The Roman theatre is the highlight of Hierapolis, dramatically sitting uphill from the site and overlooking the ruins and mountains beyond. The stage area…

  • Historic Site

    Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle

    The extraordinary octagonal Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle at Hierapolis is built on the site where it's believed that St Philip was martyred. The…

  • Museum

    Hierapolis Archaeology Museum

    Housed in former Roman baths, this excellent museum exhibits spectacular sarcophagi from nearby archaeological site Laodicea and elsewhere; small finds…

  • Ruins

    Temple of Apollo

    The foundations of the Temple of Apollo at Hierapolis remain today. Once the heart of the city, this was where people came to consult the temple's oracle…

  • Ruins

    Necropolis

    The necropolis (cemetery) at Hierapolis rambles across the hills and is one of the most fascinating parts of the ancient city ruins. The path through the…

  • Ruins

    Hellenistic Theatre

    Hack across the Hierapolis hillside, in a westerly direction from the Martyrium of St Philip the Apostle, and eventually you'll come to a completely…

  • Landmark

    North Gate

    About 3km from Pamukkale, on the road to Karahayıt, the northern gate into Hierapolis allows you to enter the site via the necropolis and Frontinus St.

  • Ruins

    Agora

    The vast 2nd-century agora was once surrounded by marble porticoes with Ionic columns on three sides, and enclosed by a basilica on the fourth. It's one…

  • Ruins

    Gymnasium

    Only a few Doric columns remain from Hierapolis' 1st-century gymnasium, which was one of the social hubs of the ancient city. An earthquake in the 7th…

  • Landmark

    South Gate

    This entrance gate to Hierapolis is about 2.5km up the hill from Pamukkale village.

  • Landmark

    Middle Gate

    The middle gate to Hierapolis is at the bottom of the travertines, on the edge of Pamukkale village.

  • Ruins

    Roman Baths

    This 2nd-century baths complex later became a basilica during the Byzantine era.

  • Cave

    Kaklık Mağarası

    A sort of underground Pamukkale, this cave gushes with calcium- and sulphur-rich water. The flow, into a large sinkhole, creates a bright white pyramid…

  • Historic Building

    Ak Han

    Ak Han (c 1251) is a well-preserved Seljuk caravanserai with a beautifully carved gateway. You'll find it en route to the cave Kaklık Mağarası from…

  • Ruins

    Arch of Domitian

    The twin-towered ruins of the Arch of Domitian are at the northern end of Hierapolis. Just before them is the surprisingly large latrine building, with…

  • Ruins

    Latrine

    This large latrine building at Hierapolis has two floor channels, for sewage and for fresh water.

  • Gate

    Byzantine Gate

    The first monument you come to if you enter Hierapolis at the south gate is this 5th-century travertine block and marble gate.

  • Ruins

    Byzantine Church

    Hierapolis' scant Byzantine church ruins are a bit of a jumble and difficult to decipher. They're behind the museum.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Pamukkale.

  • Activities

Featured videos