Pamukkale

Pamukkale, which is one of the 18 places included in the UNESCO world heritage list, is also known as the ‘White Paradise’. Visited by millions of local and foreign tourists every year, this natural wonder has been providing spa service for nearly a thousand years. Pamukkale, which is famous for its thermal pools, has a height of 50 meters, a length of about 3 kilometers and a width of 250-600 meters.

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One of the features that makes Pamukkale Travertines popular is that they have 17 hot water thermals. Hot water thermals, which play an active role in the healing of many diseases, are visited every hour of the day. The temperatures of these waters can vary between 35 degrees and 100 degrees. Pamukkale traventers consist of many layers and the length of each layer can reach 60 meters. Another feature of Pamukkale is that it hosts the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Where is Pamukkale?

Pamukkale is located in the east of the Aegean Region, 22 kilometers north of Denizli city center. Pamukkale, located in the region where the Çürüksu Stream, a branch of the Büyük Menderes River, originates, is within the borders of Denizli province. It is bordered by Güney in the north, Buldan, Sarayköy and Merkezefendi in the west, Çal and Honaz in the east, and Tavas in the south.

How Was Formed Pamukkale?

Pamukkale travertine is a versatile rock that is formed by precipitation as a result of chemical reaction, depending on various reasons and environments. The geological events that created Pamukkale thermal springs affected a wide region. In this region, there are 17 hot water areas with temperatures ranging from 35-100 C. Pamukkale thermal spring is a unit within the regional potential. The source has been used since ancient times. After the thermal water comes out of the source, it comes to the travertine with a 320m long channel and from there it is poured into the travertine layers where there is partial precipitation of 60-70m and an average of 240-300m. is making its way.

Pamukkale, which is one of the 18 places included in the UNESCO world heritage list, is also known as the ‘White Paradise’.

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During the contact of the water with a high amount of Calcium Hydrocarbonate, at a temperature of 35.6 °C, coming out of the source with the oxygen in the air, Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide fly away, calcium carbonate precipitates and causes the formation of travertine. The precipitate is in the form of a gel in the first place. The reaction is chemically; It is in the form of Ca(HCO3)+O2 à CaCO+CO2+CO+H2O. In layered pools and layered banks, the precipitating calcium carbonate is initially in the form of a soft gel. It hardens over time and becomes travertine.

How Many Days in Pamukkale?

A 3-day period is the most ideal for Pamukkale trip. Visitors who want to benefit from the treatment of thermal pools can stay for 7-10 days. If your time is limited, you can visit and see most of Pamukkale with an accelerated plan of 1 or 2 days.

What To See in Pamukkale?

In addition to its natural beauties, Pamukkale is one of the must-see places with its cultural heritage. For those who want to visit Pamukkale, we have listed the must-see places in Pamukkale for you:

Travertines of Pamukkale

Pamukkale Travertines is a natural asset visited by thousands of tourists every year. Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis Ancient City, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, are the symbols of Denizli city.

Cleopatra’s Pool

The Cleopatra’s Pool in the Ancient City of Hierapolis was formed when the columns collapsed and turned into a pit filled with thermal water as a result of an earthquake in the 7th century AD. The pool, which has been frequented by those seeking healing for various diseases since then, still accepts visitors both summer and winter.

Hierapolis Ancient City

Known to have been founded by Eumenes II, the king of Pergamon at the beginning of the II century BC, the Ancient City of Hierapolis is known as the “Holy City” in the archeology world because it contains many religious buildings. The main structures worth seeing in Hierapolis, which is on the World Heritage list together with Pamukkale Travertines, are: Frontinus Street, agora, North Byzantine Gate, South Byzantine Gate, gymnasium, triton fountain building, theatre, walls, Apollon Sanctuary and water channels.

Natural Park

Natural Park, which welcomes those who want to watch the Pamukkale view from afar, take a break from sightseeing and have some rest and fun, is located in Pamukkale ruins. After visiting the Hierapolis ruins, ancient pool and travertine that lasted for hours, Natural Park, which was created to have a snack, cool off in the pool and spend time in the region, is an area where you can have a pleasant time with your family.

Church of St Philippe Martyrion

St Philippe Martyrion Church, which is among the oldest historical ruins of Pamukkale, is located a little north of the Hierapolis Ancient City. The person who gave its name to the church, which is estimated to have been built in the IV or V centuries AD, is one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. St. Philippe, who came to the region to spread Christianity in 80 AD, was killed before he could reach his goal. It is thought that the Martyrion was built in memory of St. Philippe after his death (late 4th century AD). It is estimated that the tomb of St Philippe is also located here.

Karahayit Thermal Springs

Karahayıt Thermal Springs, which is a part of Pamukkale’s thermal springs, is used as drinking water as well as being good for various ailments. It is also known as “Red Water” because it paints the spilled areas red due to the density of iron mineral. Unlike Pamukkale, this place consists of sediments dominated by red color.

Kaklik Cave

Kaklık Cave, located in the Honaz district of Denizli, is among the most important places to visit around Pamukkale. Damlataş is a very interesting cave with stalactites and stalagmites. There are thermal water and travertines inside the cave. The water in it is clear, colorless and sulphurous. It is known that thermal water containing sulfur is good for some skin diseases.

Laodicea Ancient City

Laodicea Ancient City was founded in 260 BC. Laodicea was one of the most important and famous cities of Anatolia in the 1st century BC. The great works of art in the city belong to this period. The Romans also gave special importance to Laodicea and made it the center of the Kibyra Conventus. From the city that was destroyed by a great earthquake in 60 AD; Theaters, Stadium, Gymnasium, Monumental Fountain and Churches remained.

Can You Swim in Pamukkale?

Pamukkale, as we mentioned at the beginning of the article, is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It is not possible to swim in every thermal pool here, as it is both very sensitive and included in the protection list. There are certain pools that visitors can enter, and visitors are not accepted to places other than these pools. 

Where To Eat in Pamukkale?

There are cafes, restaurants and fast food restaurants almost everywhere in Pamukkale. You can find different options from local flavors of Pamukkale and Denizli to unique examples of Aegean cuisine in these eating and drinking places. In Pamukkale, dishes made with mushrooms and Aegean herbs attract attention.

Denizli cuisine, which has many dishes of the traditional Aegean cuisine, allows you to meet foods with different names and tastes such as flour soup, tirit, millet bread, kakamak, Denizli pickles, scraping, and keskek. In the food culture of Pamukkale and Denizli, besides olive oil dishes, meat dishes occupy a large place. You can come across flavors that you think are unique to the east, such as meat wraps, meat and lamb roasts, here as well.

How Far is Pamukkale From Istanbul?

The distance between Istanbul and Pamukkale is 591 km. The journey between these two points by car takes about six and a half hours. The flight distance between Istanbul and Pamukkale is 347 km. The plane journey takes about an hour.

How To Get To Pamukkale From Istanbul?

Traveling by train from Istanbul to Pamukkale is very popular. Since the railways are developed in both provinces, there can be continuous train services and it is very comfortable to make this journey. The train station in Denizli is in the center of Pamukkale and transportation can be provided without transferring. Train services between Istanbul and Denizli take about 13 hours and ticket prices start from 110 TL.

Another option to go from Istanbul to Pamukkale is the intercity bus. Since the transportation facilities in both cities are quite developed, there is a constant bus service and there is no need to make any transfers. It is possible to reach Pamukkale approximately 11 hours after taking the bus from Istanbul. The intercity bus terminal in Denizli is in the center of Pamukkale, so many people prefer to travel by bus. Bus services between Istanbul and Denizli start from 130 TL.

It is also possible to reach Pamukkale by air from Istanbul. After reaching Çardak Airport in Denizli after a 1-hour journey, you can rent a car or a taxi to go to Pamukkale. In addition, you can reach Pamukkale in 1 hour with the buses and shuttles at the airport.

How Far is Pamukkale From Antalya?

The distance between Antalya and Pamukkale is approximately 243 kilometers. It is a 4-hour car journey for this distance.

How To Get To Pamukkale From Antalya?

You can reach Pamukkale from Antalya (or Pamukkale to Antalya) by renting a car or using intercity buses.