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

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.

Don't miss

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.

While you’re there

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.

Price from: £8
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
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.

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 Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool Tour with lunch from Antalya

Antalya

Pamukkale Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool Tour with lunch from Antalya
Hierapolis ("Holy City") was an ancient  Greco-Roamn city in Phrygia located on hot springs in South West Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to maodern 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 and return late but its worth it to experince this wonderful place.

Price: €67

Min age: 0

Rating 4.72 / 5 [535 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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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: €74

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [195 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Day Tour to Pamukkale from/to Istanbul

Istanbul

Day Tour to Pamukkale from/to Istanbul
Visit > Hierapaolis, Cleopatra Pool, and Swim in Pamukkale's Thermal springs SKIP-THE-LINE Tickets, Internal Flight tickets, Airport transfers, and Lunch provided. Discover Unique Pamukkale with a customized day tour by plane from/to Istanbul. Swim in the Pamukkale's thermal springs, walk through the Ancient City of Hierapolis and see the Ancient Pool of Cleopatra. Learn history from your expert local guide.

Price: $470

Min age: 0

Rating 4.2 / 5 [15 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour From Istanbul

Istanbul

2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour From Istanbul
This 2-day tour departs from Istanbul and consists of all the major attractions of Ephesus and Pamukkale such as the Temple of Artemis, The Celsius Library, House of the Virgin Mary, Old Gates, Cemetery, Theatre of Hierapolis, The Calcified Pools and Travertines as well as swimming option in Cleopatra Pool with extra cost (10USD PP)

Price: €600

Min age: 0

Rating 4.33 / 5 [18 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Turkey's Wonders - Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia Travel from-to Istanbul

Istanbul

Turkey's Wonders - Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia Travel from-to Istanbul
Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia !!! Three beauties of Turkey. If you would like discover those amazing destinations, this travel package is one of the best Turkey travel itineraries. The connection between the destinations (Istanbul-Pamukkale & Izmir-Cappadocia & Cappadocia to Istanbul) will be with the domestic flights and those flights are included.

Price: €999

Min age: 0

Rating 4.5 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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7-Day Turkey Classics Tour from Istanbul: Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia and Ankara

Istanbul

7-Day Turkey Classics Tour from Istanbul: Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia and Ankara
Tick through Turkey’s classic sights on this spellbinding 7-day tour that starts and finishes in Istanbul. Traveling by air-conditioned coach with an expert guide, explore the emotive World War I battle sites of Gallipoli, the breathtaking Greco-Roman ruins of Ephesus, and the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia. In-between, ogle the white rock terraces of Pamukkale, swim in the hot springs at Hierapolis, view the ruins of Troy and much, much more. The tour includes six nights’ accommodation plus breakfast and dinner on each day.

Price: €1,010

Min age: 8

Rating 4.73 / 5 [145 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4 Days Turkey Tour - Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

Istanbul

4 Days Turkey Tour - Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour
Experience all of the must sees during Cappadocia Tour, Ephesus Tour, Pamukkale Tour. Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon as you float above the fairy chimneys that dot the landscape. Stay in one of the charming cave hotels built into the volcanic rocks of Göreme. Tour the famous sites of the region such as the underground city of Derinkuyu, Uçhisar Castle, Göreme Open Air Museum, Selime Monastery and the Ihlara Valley. Discover the ancient city of Hieraplois in Pamukkale. Relax in the beautiful white travertines heated by thermal water. Retain your youth with a dip in Cleopatra’s Pool. See what remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world and visit the Virgin Mary’s last dwelling place. Have an adventure you’ll never forget your Pamukkale Tour from istanbul.

Price: €1,100

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [61 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4 Day Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale

Istanbul

4 Day Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale
4 Day Turkey tour all by flight. If you would like to visit most famous places in Turkey, this tour is exactly for you: including Cappadocia, with its valley, canyon, cave hotels, balloon rides(Balloon ride is Extra Cost Optional), hills and unusual rock formation; Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire and Pamukkale, the city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water.

Price: €1,100

Min age: 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [65 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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6 Days Turkey Tour Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon

Istanbul

6 Days Turkey Tour Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon
Experience all of the must sees of Cappadocia. Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon as you float above the fairy chimneys that dot the landscape. Stay in one of the charming cave hotels built into the volcanic rocks of Göreme. Tour the famous sites of the region such as the underground city of Derinkuyu, Uçhisar Castle, Göreme Open Air Museum, Selime Monastery and the Ihlara Valley. Discover what remains of one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis. Take a fully guided tour of the ruins of Ephesus. See the last dwelling place and tomb of the Virgin Mary. Walk in the famous white travertines heated by thermal waters. Learn about the ANZAC and Ottoman forces that fought during WWI. Tour the battlefields and memorials. See the remains of ancient Pergamon and Troy. Climb inside a replica of the Trojan horse.Have an adventure you’ll never forget on 5 Nights in Turkey.

Price: €1,450

Min age: 0

Rating 4.82 / 5 [39 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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