Bucket list experience:
This ancient hilltop spa centre is home to extraordinary scallop-shaped, cotton-white travertine formations that dazzle the eye with their shiny white brilliance.
The terraces form when warm natural springs of water, containing high concentrations of dissolved calcium bicarbonate, cascade over the edge of the cliff. As the water cools, calcium forms and deposits harden creating an unusual series of terraced shelves and ridges – and between them, natural spa baths.
Soak away.
Just nearby is ‘Cleopatra’s Pool’, a man-made geothermal pool apparently made by Anthony for Cleopatra. Pay a little extra to swim in the hot spring waters, where you can laze on fallen fluted columns. The original structure around the pool was heavily damaged by a 7th-century earthquake.
Next door, on the same site, are the evocative Roman-era ruins of Hierapolis, an arresting UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 80 AD. Today, it is notable for its fine theatre, impressive necropolis, museum and martyrium of the apostle St Philip.
The overall experience – of Hierapolis and Pamukkale – is worth every mile of the long haul inland.
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Destination Guide >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.
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.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
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Denizli, Aegean Region, Turkey[0.6 miles]
An ancient and evocative Roman spa city dating back to AD 80 with a fabulous inland setting, above the famed calcite travertine pools of Pamukkale.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Former travel editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine James Fair round-ups the earth’s greatest natural wonders, which will literally take your breath away.
