Pamukkale Tourism And Travel Guide

Turkey is famous for many things, from its ice creams and pottery to its baths & towels! It is also a popular tourist destination for the iconic landscapes of hot air balloons over Cappadocia. But one of its oldest and most cherished pieces of scenery is that of Pamukkale.

White travertine terraces adorning the beautiful mountainside has been mesmerizing people for centuries and has enriched the tourism in Pamukkale. The natural thermal pools have people flocking from all over the world to take a dip in them. The ancient Romans made it their Spa-Centre in 2nd century AD, so what’s taking you so long to get there? Plan a trip today and with the help of our Travel Guide to Pamukkale, make the most of your trip and experience Pamukkale to the fullest. Read on to know how to get there, what to do and when is the best time to travel.

Being a very touristy spot, there are many routes to Pamukkale.

By Air:

The best and easiest way to reach Pamukkale is by air. There are daily flights from Mumbai & Delhi in India that can take you to Istanbul, Turkey. From here, you can take a domestic flight to Pamukkale’s nearest airport - Denizli. From Denizli, you can travel by road which is less than a one hour's drive.

By Road:

There are many routes from all the major cities of Turkey to Pamukkale. From Istanbul, there is also an overnight Bus which is an efficient option. Other than that, you can also hire a taxi or go for a self-drive car.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station to Pamukkale is Denizli. There is no direct train to Denizli from other major cities like Istanbul or Ankara. Instead, you will need to change trains at Eskişehir, but this too is an easy option as there are many trains to Eskişehir.

Pamukkale has different weather conditions throughout the year. What remains the same is their monsoon season, which lasts 9 months and makes for unpredictable weather.

Spring (February to April):

Somewhere between the cold of the winter and the heat of the summer is the best time to visit Pamukkale. March & April are the best months to visit as the weather conditions make for a breezy stay. The average temperature range remains between 13-20°C and is perfect for outdoor activities.

Summer (May to Mid-August):

Summer is the season that most students & families prefer to travel in. This makes all the tourist places crowded and accommodation on the scarce. The temperature during these months can go up to 35°C and makes for a hot day. The upside is that there is almost no rain during these months, but that also means there is lesser water in the travertine pools.

Autumn (Mid-August to October):

It may be slight off-season, but the autumn months do have their own charm. There are many cultural festivals held in Pamukkale during this time. There are lesser crowds and nicer weather. Overall, after spring, autumn is a good time to visit.

Winter (November to January):

If a white paradise is what you are looking for, then winter is a great season to visit. The temperature in winter can go down in the negatives and bring in snowfall. The already white travertine sinks do look ravishingly beautiful and can also freeze up. It is a different and unique experience for those who wish to be adventurous.

Travertine Terrace:

Beat the crowds and get to this mesmerising location early. The white travertine terraces look like a cotton castle and that is where Pamukkale got its name from. You are allowed to take a dip in the shallow waters and also walk barefoot around the terraces. We recommend entering through the south gate so that you can make the hike upwards and take in the rest of the attractions.

Cleopatra’s Pool:

Feel like a goddess as you immerse yourself in the blue waters of this antique pool. Legend says that this pool was a gift to Egyptian Queen Cleopatra from Marc Anthony. Due to an earthquake in the early centuries, the pool was damaged and you can still see remains of Doric style columns under the water.

Hot Air Balloon Ride:

No experience in Turkey is complete without a Hot Air Balloon ride. Pamukkale offers one too with a grand view of the travertine thermal pools and the ancient ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. A Hot Air Balloon ride is a fun adventure activity for the entire family.

Paragliding:

If a hot air balloon ride isn’t enough, you can get your adrenaline rush by paragliding above Pamukkale’s white landscape. It gives you a bird's-eye view of everything Pamukkale has to offer along with that invincible feeling of flying like a bird. The cost of this activity is pretty cheap compared to other countries and the ride lasts about 20 minutes. During summer, the winds blow strongly and might not be advisable for the faint-hearted.

Hierapolis Museum:

You don’t have to be a history buff to be interested in how the world worked. Take a tour of the Hierapolis Museum to discover how people lived in biblical times. You will also find many artefacts on display as well as information on 4000-year-old settlements. The museum in itself is a piece of history as it is built within an ancient Roman Bath.

Pamukkale Nature Park:

Set at the foothills of the travertine terraces is Pamukkale Nature Park which offers its visitors a nice shady place to have a picnic. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy the weather. There is a lake nearby which offers splendid views of the white cliffs and you can also take out a paddle boat and enjoy some quiet time.

Karahayit Hot Springs:

Karahayit Hot Springs is located 5 km north of Pamukkale with waters as hot as 55°C. The red mineral-rich water is therapeutic and is a great way to rejuvenate the body after a long day of sightseeing. There is also a mud bath facility along with other Spa Treatments.

Probably the most famous Turkish delicacy is Baklava. Available across the world, this sweet has captured millions of hearts. But there’s more to Turkish food than just desserts. Be sure to try out the local foods like Turkish Kebaps (similar to Kebabs), Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza), Yaprak Sarma, Dolma, Borek (pie or flaky dough with stuffing), Karnıyarık and a variety of soups. In desserts, you can try out their Kadayıf, Künefe (cheesy dessert) and Lokma (Turkish version of Gulab Jamun).

Some popular restaurants in the area are – Yildiz Restaurant, White House Restaurant & Cafe, Mehmet's Heaven. If you are looking for non-Turkish food, Lamuko’s Lokanta is a good option for Japanese-Asian cuisine and Kayas Restaurant and Bar has a lot of international cuisine options on their menu.

Definitely also stop by for a Dondurma (Turkish ice cream). You will find plenty of vendors on the way to the thermal pools.

Pamukkale is a small town and doesn’t have any large shopping malls. There are small souvenir shops that can be found near the hot springs and antique pools which have a variety of items for tourists.

The area is famous for its Cotton & Leather products. You can buy Turkish Towels and other linen products. The Buldan fabric here is quite in-demand. There are also many decorative items made from Onyx and Marble that are a popular buy and of course the Turkish Water Pipes (hookah). Pamukkale is also home to the well-known Pamukkale Winery. The local produce here is quite popular and the wines are exported to different parts of Europe.