If you’re on holiday in Turkey and lounging on the beach or drinking at an all-inclusive bar starts to bore you, then I highly recommend taking a trip to the “snowy” Pamukkale. In this article “Pamukkale, Turkey: Complete Guide to Swimming and Entrance Fees” I’ll share what to expect and practical tips for your visit.
It’s a bit further from the Turkish Riviera (about a 3-hour drive), but in return, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking and somewhat wintery landscape in scorching Turkey.
Basic Information: Trip to Pamukkale
Pamukkale, a breathtaking wonder of Turkish nature, means “cotton castle” in translation and boasts its calcium terraces, full of mineral springs. The area of terraces with pools measures approximately 2,700 meters in width and 160 meters in height.
Pamukkale is located in the inland part of southwestern Turkey, thus quite far from the sea coast and popular resorts. From popular Antalya, it’s 240 km, and from Side, it’s 310 km. Nevertheless, I dare say that a trip to Pamukkale is worth it.
Trips to the area are usually organized by travel agencies or you can book one of the organized tours on the travel portal GetYourGuide. However, you also have the option to visit Pamukkale independently. It depends on your preferences.
Entrance Fee to Pamukkale
The site has a total of three entrances: north, southeast, and southwest. Tourist groups usually arrive at the north and southeast entrances from one of the tourist resorts. The southwest entrance is reserved for individual hikers who arrive from the nearby village.
The entrance fee to the terraces is 200 lira, which is approximately 145 CZK.
Swimming in the Pools
Pamukkale is located on a tectonic fault line, which is why hot water with a high calcium content emerges here. As the water cools, calcium carbonate forms and gradually deposits as travertine. Travertine gives the entire area its typical white coloration, as it is a white rock. Pamukkale thus looks like a snow-covered paradise.
You can only walk barefoot on the terraces to prevent damage. On the terraces are small pools full of hot mineral water. They are shallow; you can wade in them or even get a little wet. However, the pools are often crowded with tourists, and not all of them are accessible. For example, the cascading pools, which are very inviting for a swim, are under UNESCO World Heritage protection.
There are also beautiful views of the surroundings from the terraces.
Tips for the Surroundings
A trip to Pamukkale is best combined with other activities in the area. For example, you can visit ancient monuments, an archaeological museum, or Cleopatra’s Baths.
Hierapolis
Above the travertine slope, you’ll find the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis with a large preserved amphitheater and necropolis. You can freely wander among the ancient ruins and soak in the spirit of history. TIP: Read more in our article.
Cleopatra’s Thermal Baths
Within the complex, you can also swim in the thermal baths with ancient marble columns. Legend has it that Cleopatra and Mark Antony got engaged right here. The pool is surrounded by the ruins of ancient stones and columns that fell into it during an earthquake in 1334. The ruins of the columns are also found at the bottom.
The water in Cleopatra’s Baths has a constant temperature of around 36 degrees Celsius and contains various minerals beneficial for health. The baths are surrounded by various bars and restaurants. However, entrance to the baths is paid extra.
Denizli
Not far from Pamukkale is the spa town of Denizli. The city also offers culture, excellent gastronomy, and hiking tours into the surrounding mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Pamukkale?
Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural attraction in southwestern Turkey known for its white travertine terraces, formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate from hot mineral springs.
What can I do in Pamukkale?
Admire the unique white terraces and views, swim in the thermal pools (including the Antique Pool, where Cleopatra is said to have bathed), explore the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, located at the top of the travertine terraces, or visit the archaeological museum.
What are the opening hours?
Pamukkale is open every day. In summer (April – October) from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, in winter (November – March) from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
How do I get to Pamukkale?
Pamukkale is most easily accessible from the city of Denizli, which can be reached by bus from most major Turkish cities. From Denizli, local transport runs regularly to Pamukkale, and taxi services are also available. Or you can use organized tours.
Is Pamukkale suitable for children?
Yes, Pamukkale is suitable for families with children. However, it is important to pay attention to safety and follow the rules, especially near the pools and on the wet travertine terraces, which can be slippery.
What to pack?
We recommend bringing comfortable clothing and footwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water. If you plan to swim in the thermal pools, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and towel.
Are there any special rules or restrictions in Pamukkale?
It is forbidden to walk on the travertine terraces with shoes to prevent damage to the fragile travertine. Furthermore, it is important to respect nature and not leave any trash behind.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
