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Last updated: 28 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Jeremy Seal

This unique ancient site is home to the evocative Roman-era ruins of Hierapolis, an arresting UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to AD 80.

At its height, thousands travelled from across the Roman Empire to bathe in the medicinal hot springs and the town grew to a population of 100,000. The town was eventually destroyed, first by marauding Persian armies, then later by a devastating earthquake.

Today, it is notable for its fine theatre, impressive necropolis, museum and martyrium of the apostle St. Philip.

While you’re there

Next door, on the same site, are the world-famous, dazzling travertine pools of Pamukkale. Pack you bathers for a swim. The overall experience – of Hierapolis and Pamukkale – is worth every mile of the long haul inland.

Price from: £8
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

It’s at least a three-hour drive inland from either Bodrum, Fethiye or Antalya. There are car parks at either end of the site, with regular shuttle buses into the centre. The travertine pools and Hierapolis are one site at Pamukkale, with one entrance fee.

You don’t need a guide for Hierapolis – there is good English-language signage across the site – and the central tourist office has site maps that are worth picking up.

When to do it

The site is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday. Opening hours are much shorter in the winter months. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to go as early after dawn or as late in the afternoon as is possible.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Pamukkale and Hierapolis Daily Tour...

Antalya

Pamukkale and Hierapolis Daily Tour...
Hierapolis (“Holy City”) was an ancient Greco-Roman city in Phrygia located on hot springs in South West Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hot springs there have been used as a spa since the 2nd Century B.C.E. and people came to soothe their ailments with many of them retiring or dying here. Some of the highlights; the large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, the main street with the gates and latrines, cathedral, the theatre and St. Philips tomb. The hot springs causing cascades which are called the Cotton Castle. Because of the distance we have to leave Antalya early but its worth it to experince this wonderful place.Highlights Explore Hierapolis and Pamukkale with a small group and a guide Soak in the Mineral hot springs at Kleopatra Pool The tour includes a lunch and entry of pamukkale sights Convenient, round-trip transportation from hotel...

Price: €58

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [186 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient city from Antalya

Antalya

Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient city from Antalya
Visit miracle of the world – cotton castle of Pamukkale - white terraces, down of which the thermal water is flooding. Bathe in a thermal antique Cleopatra’s pool and visit ancient Roman city – Hierapolis with theater, temples and huge necropolis. All-day trip with lunch included in the price.

Price: €59

Min age: 0

Rating 4.36 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient City from Alanya

Alanya

Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient City from Alanya
Visit miracle of the world – cotton castle of Pamukkale - white terraces, down of which the thermal water is flooding. Bathe in a thermal antique Cleopatra’s pool and visit ancient Roman city – Hierapolis with theatre, temples and huge necropolis.

Price: €82

Min age: 0

Rating 4.45 / 5 [60 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient City from Belek

Belek

Pamukkale Hot Springs and Hierapolis Ancient City from Belek
Visit miracle of the world – cotton castle of Pamukkale - white terraces, down of which the thermal water is flooding. Bathe in a thermal antique Cleopatra’s pool and visit ancient Roman city – Hierapolis with theatre, temples and huge necropolis. All-day trip with two meals included in the price.

Price: €85

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [20 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Pamukkale Hot Springs and Ancient City of Hierapolis with Lunch from Kusadasi

Kusadasi

Pamukkale Hot Springs and Ancient City of Hierapolis with Lunch from Kusadasi
Visit  miracle of the world – Pamukkale calcium terraces, down of which the thermal water is flooding, bathe in a thermal antique Cleopatra’s pool and visit ancient Roman city – Hierapolis. 1 day trip with lunch included in the price.

Price: €100

Min age: 0

Rating 4.27 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full Day Pamukkale Terraces and Hierapolis Ruins Tour

Kusadasi

Full Day Pamukkale Terraces and Hierapolis Ruins Tour
Take a full-day tour to Pamukkale, known for its unreal landscape featuring a series of terraced hot spring basins which look like snow and ice-covered cliffs due to calcium deposits. Enjoy the thermal waters while walking along the terrace cliffs with your bare feet. Explore Pamukkale's neighbor, the Hierapolis archaeological site, where you will see the remnants left behind by the Roman Empire including the Roman baths, Necropolis, Temple of Apollo and Antique Pool whose marble portico met its demise in an earthquake in 7 AD. Small-group tour is limited to no more than 14 people and includes hotel pickup, professional guide and transport by Mercedes minibus.

Price: $190

Min age: 1

Rating 4.33 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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8 Day Turkey Tour Flyer: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Hierapolis

Istanbul

8 Day Turkey Tour Flyer: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Hierapolis
See the highlights of Turkey’s north Aegean region and Cappadocia on this astounding 8-day tour from Istanbul. Discover what life was like for the Turks under Roman rule as you visit ancient cities like Ephesus and Hierapolis, and see travertine rock terraces at the Pamukkale archaeological site. In Cappadocia, where your tour ends, explore unforgettable sites like Göreme, Uçhisar, Çavuşin and more! With three domestic flights included (Istanbul to Izmir, Kusadasi to Kayseri and Kayseri to Istanbul), plus airport transfers and five nights of accommodation, this tour enables you to see Turkey with ease. Numbers are limited to 20 on this small-group tour ensuring you’ll enjoy personalized attention from your guide.

Price: €1,870

Min age: 0

Rating 4.52 / 5 [23 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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