Your photos are just stunning, such a surreal but beautiful landscape. While it is a popular time to visit, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels which is not ideal. And on the way back from Ephesus to Fethiye there are loads - Magnesia, Priene, Miletus, Didyma, Heracleia, Euromos, Stratonikeia, Lagina. One full day should be enough to see all the Pamukkale has to offer. Its such an incredible place its hard to get bad pictures there!! Wow! Would you believe that Hierapolis is an ancient resort city with thermal spas dating back to 2nd century BCE!!! Alternatively, you can take a night bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and Cappadocia to Denizli, if youre someone who is able to sleep on buses. For 20 for a one night stay in a double room, you are a 10-minute walk away from the South entrance to the Pamukkale travertine terraces. The ancient city of Hierapolis was a popular destination for tourists since the first century AD. Get FREE access to over 200 museums in Turkey! Definetly a must see!!!! Visitors can enjoy swimming at Pamukkale year-round, but its best to go during the spring or summer when the weather is warm. To visit the terraces for sunrise, youll need to get up early. My name is Pete R., and I am an avid solo traveler, travel blogger, and photographer of over 10 years and I'm here to help you make your trip come true. When on land, I will definately use your tips! There is also the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum. About Turkey in general? I loved reading this!! Otherwise, day trips to Pamukkale are run from Izmir, Fethiye, Kas, and Antalya. Why would you travel all the way to Turkey and not visit the canyons and caves whose skies are overrun by hot air balloons? The museum houses artifacts and statues from the citys ancient past. The best way to get to this point is to take a taxi. Today, it is one of Turkeys most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Isnt it incredible to think that the exact same thing that draws modern tourists to this awesome place has been drawing tourists for thousands of years??? You can book the bus from Istanbul to Denizli here. TheTurkeyTraveler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. From there, you would need to get a bus. Accessing Pamukkale's Waterfall 1. The whole flight takes about 15 minutes and you will be able to see the true scale of the travertines from above. As we mentioned earlier, Pamukkale is actually a town and has a lot to see and explore. However, depending on where you are coming from, the fee for dropping off the car in a city different than where you picked it up can be very high. Visiting Pamukkale? It should take you no more than 1 hour to reach Pamukkale. Happy you appreciate! In the summer months, from April to October, the ruins close at 7 p.m. There are also several restaurants and cafes nearby, so visitors can enjoy a meal or drink and rehydrate after swimming. One of the best places to see this is at Ephesus ruins in Selcuk. HOTELS Luxury: Doa Thermal Health & Spa Midrange: Pamukkale Melrose Viewpoint Suites Budget: avdar Thermal Hotel TOURS Sightseeing Tour: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Full-Day Guided Tour Required fields are marked *. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. There is a train to Denizli, the closest city to Pamukkale. Working out how many days to spend in Cappadocia is tricky. The nearest city to Pamukkale is Denizli, which is just 16km away. There are several ruins and columns along two sides of the main road into the city as well as a large necropolis and what looks like a Byzantine Church you can stroll around in. As you know, I am a light traveler and packing light for a trip like this is an art in and of itself. Where to Eat / Food in Pamukkale 8. If you are short on time, you can manage a day trip to Pamukkale from Istanbul. Thanks for sharing. There are no trains to Pamukkale. Mine got canceled in the morning but we still were able to go in the afternoon so you never know. The nearest airport to Pamukkale is Denizli ardak Airport (DNZ). So happy you enjoyed the post , Bit like near Oaxaca Mexico at Hierve el Agua. Ive written a guide on things to do in Pamukkale so you could better discover Pamukkales natural formations, Cleopatras pool, and the historical city of Hierapolis. Here is, Looking for a nice quiet place by the beach to relax and do yoga for a few days in Turkey? If you want to go with a tour company, its more expensive than doing it yourself but you do have all the travel planning hassle taken care of for you. As of February 2023, the entrance fee cost 200 Turkish Lira to enter the park. Hierapolis and the Travertine Terraces are included on the Turkey Museum Pass! The opening hours of Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis are from 6:30 AM to 8 PM every day of the week in the summer. Well, its ruins anyway. How to spend one day in Pamukkale. We originally planned on spending 3 nights in Pamukkale. Actually, the hotel restaurant was the best food we ate in Pamukkale, so even if you dont stay here, at least check out the restaurant downstairs. Necropolis 6. There is little more amazing than the feeling of being totally alone at this stunning location. It would take that long to see all the main attractions and historical sites! The minibuses leave from one floor below the main bus terminal on level B1. 4 hours minimum will be sufficient to spend your time in Pamukkale; this doesn't include enjoying your time in the ancient pool. You wont be alone if you visit for sunrise, but you will at least be able to get a nice photo of you in the pools without anyone in the background photobombing you. Your #1 Resource For All Things Travel Turkey Related. You can also go cheaper with an 8 GB 30 days plan for 60 TRY, and the price goes down from there depending on the GB you want for your data sim card. Tips: To stay connected with your loved ones at home, be sure to have a VPN service like NordVPN installed before traveling so that you can bypass whatever local Internet censorship you might run into while in Turkey. Theres nothing quite like floating above this natural wonder and taking in the peace and tranquility of the area. The existence of a large necropolis within the city also shed light on the citizens who used to live here back in the day. Activities: For those who are looking to go paragliding above Pamukkale, it should cost you around 100 USD (863.29 TRY). Is it worthwhile to make the trip to Pamukkale or will it be a day wasted? BE READY FOR A CLIMB Unless you come on a tour bus, which is likely to drive you to the top of the travertines, be ready for a climb. It is possible to visit Pamukkale by bus from Istanbul. This place looks amazing and I would definitely try fit it in if Im ever in Turkey . The sight of seeing an entire hill covered in these white terrace thermal pools is quite to behold but not just that. But you can cover the best of Turkey in 2 weeks. Pamukkale Travertine Terraces are one of the most beautiful places in the world for swimming. This place looks incredible. Here are the, The southwestern coast of Turkey boasts some of the most stunning beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails in the country and one of the best places you shouldn't miss is the Butterfly Valley. The pool was named after Cleopatra VII of Egypt, who is said to have bathed in its therapeutic waters. Hit the link below to reserve a car at Denizli airport: By Tour: For those of you who are visiting Ephesus as part of your larger Turkey trip and you want to travel from Selcuk to Pamukkale, the best way to do so is to go with an organized tour which eliminates all the logistic problems you might have faced if you do it independently and allows you to focus on having a great time in Pamukkale. She fell into the pool instead, survived and the water turned her into a beautiful woman, which in turn caught the attention of one of the lords of Denizli, and finally, she found the love of her life and happily married ever after. 4 Top tips for a day or overnight visit to Pamukkale 4.1 Arrive early 4.2 Enter through the lower gate 4.3 Bring a waterproof bag and wear swimwear 4.4 Don't skip Hierapolis 4.5 Take a picnic 5 Pamukkale Travel Guide Wed be more than happy to answer them all! The positive side to this long journey (depending on how you look at it) is that it is an overnight bus, so you can also save on a nights hotel accommodation. Less hotels and farther away from the actually travertines. We stayed at Mustafa Hotel when we visited Pamukkale and it was basic but comfortable. And I had no idea you could get so cheap flights from Istanbul. What a stunning place Pamukkale is, Ive been wanting to visit for ages after seeing it all over Instagram. I really want to do the classic air balloon at Cappadocia but this is something worth adding to the trip. Some pools are deeper than others, especially the ones nearer to the bottom of the hill. Temperature-wise, the best time to visit Seluk is from April-May, followed by October-November. The entrance ticket includes the travertines and also Hierapolis (the ancient Greco-Roman city). The travertine terraces and Hierapolis are definitely worth visiting. During the 1960s there was also a hotel boom per say that almost led to the destruction of the site. For the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, the opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 7 PM every day. The blue colour of the springs is gorgeous. But the best time to go to Pamukkale is definitely in the springtime. There are hotels in Cappadocia where you can ask them to store your bags for a fee. Is there any better combination than amazingly beautiful AND healing resort? Enjoy yourselves in Istanbul. The whole tour cost me around 100 USD but since the activity is very weather-dependent, make sure to keep your hope in check and don't get disappointed when the trip gets canceled. A mom and pop hotel, all the staff were very helpful and friendly. It is said that the theater can accommodate over 15,000 people which is pretty impressive for the day and you can really feel just how epic it must have been to catch a show at this massive theater with other 15,000 patrons. Things to do in Pamukkale 6.1. Its also a refreshing place to cool off when the Pamukkale heat gets a bit too much. The Ancient Temple of Apollon is a small temple dedicated to the god Apollo, while the Gate of Domitian is a Roman arch that once served as the entrance to the city. Ive been looking more into Turkey recently, such an interesting country. To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one. Cotton Castle in Turkish. The bus ride will cost you 30 Turkish Lira. Sandals, or other easily removable shoes, are the most recommended. 16 years ago Save Hi I'm travelling to Istanbul in May for 2 - 3 days. I cant believe how timely this post is! While I loved our visit and would go again, not everything is as it seems on social media (shocker, I know! Ive been thinking about a trip to Turkey a lot recently and this certainly helps out planning an itinerary such a great idea to break up a journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia! Its such an incredible place!! The Antique Pools, also known as Cleopatras Pools (an extra cost) are also a great place to explore if you want to swim among ancient ruins in a centuries old spa pool. If you have time, be sure to check out the museum. Getting to the South Gate is a bit of a trek. However, I think it is worth it to spend the night. In fact, many people dont realize that Pamukkale is actually a city and not the Travertines. It is quite out of the way, the drive can be 3+ hours each way on some occasions, and it only allows for a short visit to this awesome place. I was just looking into visiting in September glad to hear its a good time to visit! Pamukkale Village is the ideal location if you want to maximize your time visiting Hierapolis and the terraces. The white rock is quite hard and a little slippery in places, but it doesnt hurt your feet. Join over 3,000 readers and get a free Lightroom preset on us as well as travel news, updates, and great travel stories from around the world. If youre lucky, you might even see a few hot air balloons passing by. If you are looking for some adventure, you can also go paragliding and see Pamukkale and Hieropolis from above with Pamukkale Paragliding company. Regardless of how long you stay, there are multiple ways to get there. 1) which should I go first from capadoccia to pamukalle or capadoccia to Ephesus then after that going back to Istanbul With how Turkish Airlines and Pegasus are set up, you can literally fly from Istanbul to Pamukkale at 5am, then fly back to Istanbul at 7pm on the same day. Of course, Colorful sisters ! Once you arrive in the very small Denizli airport, just walk outside to take the bus to Pamukkale. EXPLORE There is more to see than just the travertines. Better be safe than sorry in my opinion. The ancient city Hierapolis is very huge and to explore by walking it will take more than 4 hours. I created SWTliving to provide you with inspiration to unique & off-the-beaten path destinations, travel guides and tips so you can plan your trip, and to show you that it is possible to take short trips and still experience so much! Is it a good time visit Pamukkale right now? The ruins of Ephesus open at 8 a.m. all year long. We actually go to Istanbul in a few days but we have a short amount of time and so wont make it here unfortunately. Turkey has a wonderful bus system with very high quality coaches (sometimes they even offer ice cream during your ride). From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers like British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa that should also go directly to Istanbul or Ankara. How Long To Stay At Pamukkale What To Wear In Pamukkale Best Places To Stay At Pamukkale Hot Springs How To Get To Pamukkale Additional FAQs About Pamukkale Final Thoughts On Pamukkale Thermal Pools Pamukkale Hot Springs Guide - Entrance Fees, How To Get There & More One of the main attractions was the Cleopatra Antique Pool, which was fed by hot springs. The shimmering terraces that look like white snow banks are actually limestone. Learn how your comment data is processed. The best time to visit Pamukkale is definitely Spring. It was just us and maybe four other people. Youll definitely save in the long run. More than 2,000 years! By checking this box I consent to the use of my information provided for email marketing purposes. Most hot air balloon tours fly early in the morning as the weather conditions are at their most stable. Other than that, you should find no trouble here. The hotels drained the water from the terraces, muddied the pristine white limestone, and almost lead to complete destruction. Domestic flights are very cheap in Turkey, costing between $20-$40. Please do not use your business name to comment. This teal maxi dress that Im wearing was handmade SPECIFICALLY for my trip to Turkey. The entrance fee to the area is 110 TRY which you can also use to enter the ancient city of Hierapolis. Don't have time to read? 16 Pro-Grade Lightroom Presets Now Available! Pamukkale Tourism Pamukkale Hotels Pamukkale Bed and Breakfast Pamukkale Vacation Rentals Flights to Pamukkale Pamukkale Restaurants Things to Do in Pamukkale . When to visit Pamukkale. Looking for a complete itinerary for Turkey? It could seat up to 10,000 spectators in its prime. more. Once you reach the top, you can choose to start exploring the ancient ruins of Hierapolis before taking in the travertine terraces. Cleopatra Pool 4. Hey, I'm Selam! Winter can even see snow! This is the way I did as I was in Selcuk, exploring Ephesus, and decided to spend the next day visiting Pamukkale via a day trip before continuing my journey down to the southwestern coastline. Another entry point to the waterfall is from the top of the hill, next to Hierapolis. Here are some resources to help you get your trip going: Are you planning to travel to Pamukkale, Turkey independently? Travertine Terraces 2. There were pretty much no other visitors when we visited Pamukkale for sunrise. The Cleopatra Ancient Pool opens from 9.00am 7.00pm every day and costs 130 Turkish Lira. With summer comes high temperatures and more tourists. Above the terraces are the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient city founded in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. by the Attalid King of Pergamon. Some say a day trip is enough. You can even see some remnants of ancient Roman structures being submerged in the pool which adds to the experience. You will find taxis from the town center, but there may not be many this time of the morning. The water is a beautiful blue color and is filled with warm mineral water. The waterpark is seasonal though, and is only open in the summer. It is a nice area but very little shade so be sure to prepare for the heat if you are visiting Pamukkale in the summer. Hi I have a question After your day of slow travel, get a good . Cindy, Thank you so much!! If you are taking a long distance bus from Istanbul, Antalya or Cappadocia, they will most likely stop here. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission atno extra cost to you! You can find accommodation for as low as 20 for a double room. You don't need more than 1 day max in Pamukkale, go and spend the other day you have in Ephesus (near Selcuk) instead, it's definitely worth seeing and you can easily spend at least a day there. Stay safe on your travels, Wowwwww.thank you so much for sharing . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can also take a taxi, but this is much more expensive. If youre lucky, the water will be flowing and you can manage a dip in the water. Its really such an amazing place . The terraces are shaded from the morning sun which turns them a stunning pale blue color. Keep in mind that a foreign phone with a local sim card has a grace period of 120 days so if you are planning to stay longer than 120 days, you are going to have to register your phone to the authority which is unlikely to happen for tourists like us. When I traveled to Pamukkale, I stayed at the Melrose House Hotel. It is centrally placed in Pamukkale village. Keep reading this article to have all the information you need so you could visit Pamukkale as a day trip from Istanbul including how to get from Istanbul to Pamukkale, when the best time to visit Pamukkale is, how long to stay in Pamukkale, where to stay in Pamukkale, and what things you can do in Pamukkale. However, its still possible to make out what the buildings would have looked like, and the city arches and gates still have many of their reliefs and ornate decoration still in tact. The city lights up below. If youre not sure you want to get up this early and youre wondering if Pamukkale is worth it for sunrise, the answer is an absolute yes! Around sunset time the people begin to clear out and it is more enjoyable. They said that once there was a girl who was unable to find the love of her life to get married so she decided to throw herself off the travertines to commit suicide. Since the travertines have been used as a spa since the 2nd Century BC, the ancient city of Hierapolis was likely visited by many ancient and travelers. You can then take a taxi or shuttle to the Pamukkale which will take about 50 minutes . Its the perfect place to cool down on a hot day. The city also played an important role in early Christianity; it was where Philip the Apostle was crucified in 80 A.D., and its suspected his tomb resides in the ruins there. Here are some suggestions for hotels: Best Budget Hotel in Pamukkale Mustafa Hotel. Summer would be very hot. As you can see, it looks much nicer without the throngs of people. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Spring April to Mid June is a good time. Flying to Pamukkale is the best option if you want to maximize on time. Check out my, Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? Instantly turn your travel photos into beautiful work of art in one click. Here are some of the main things to see and do at Pamukkale. It remained quiet until the main entrance opened at 8.00am, but there still werent a huge amount of people. Special for our readers, get 5% off on your next travel insurance purchase (for new users). Hi. For anyone looking for a budget accommodation, its good for a couple of nights, but dont expect anything fancy. You can also enjoy the views in a comfortable temperature and see the colors transform as the sun comes up.