Quick Guide: 10 Tips For Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Plan your ultimate 2024 adventure with these essential tips for exploring Pamukkale and Hierapolis.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis always feature on the list of top things to do in Türkiye (formerly named Turkey), and unsurprisingly it’s busting with tourists. The good news is you can still enjoy these main attractions all to yourself, you just need to be strategic! This guide will take you through 10 tips for Pamukkale and Hierapolis so you can make the most of your visit.

A brief history of Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamukkale is a town located in southwestern Türkiye and is one of the most popular destinations along the tourist route. Pamukkale translates to “Cotton Castle” which describes the unique landscape that is covered in white travertines. These travertines developed from the calcification of the mineral waters that famously flow through the region. Just behind the travertines are the Ancient Greco-Roman ruins of Hierapolis that date back to the 2nd century BC. Both the travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis are deservedly listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Logistics for visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Up to date information about the site can be found on the Türkiye museum website here Some fast facts from as of June 2024

Now, that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s get stuck into 10 essential tips for visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis…

Tip #1 – Stay in the town of Pamukkale

One of my biggest tips for exploring Pamukkale and Hierapolis is to stay in the town of Pamukkale itself. It may be tempting to stay in the nearby major town of Denizli, which is 20km away, but staying in Pamukkale is far more convenient. Two nights in Pamukkale is ample. There isn’t much else to do in the town, but a two-night stay will allow you to have a full day of exploring without the need to rush. Pamukkale is well-connected and easy to get to, and there are several accommodation options are available in the town.

How to get to Pamukkale

Bus – The inter-city bus/coach network within Türkiye is excellent. Buses are comfortable, affordable, safe, and will connect you to almost every city. Most bus companies will also offer you snacks on board and free wifi! The Denizli Otogar (bus terminal) is very well connected with multiple bus companies operating from there. I caught a bus from Izmir with Pamukkale Bus Company, who I have travelled with a few times. They offered a fantastic service on the 3 hour drive, and it was only 350 Turkish Lira (€10). A great way to find bus timetables within Türkiye, and book tickets, is via the obliet.com website.

When you arrive at the Denizli Otogar head to the lower level to find the local minibuses to Pamukkale. If you can’t find your way ask at one of the staff at the ticket counters and they will be happy to guide you. The minibus in May 2024 cost 24 TL (€0.70) and took around 20-30 minutes to get to the town of Pamukkale.

Taxi – Taxis are an option from both the airport and Otogar. Like taxis in most countries, you will want to ensure the drivers uses the meter during the trip. You are also best to have cash because very few drivers will accept payment by card.

Car – Many people love to road trip in Türkiye, so car hire is very common. I haven’t done this (it’s on my ‘must do’ list) so I don’t have any car rental recommendations. However, there are many blogs online that cover information about car hire in Türkiye.

Accommodation in Pamukkale

There are several, well-reviewed hotels in the town of Pamukkale. I stayed at Sunrise Aya Hotel and I can highly recommend it. It’s run by a lovely family who provide fantastic hospitality and are happy to help in any way they can. The rooms are comfortable, there is a lovely garden and pool area, and they also have a restaurant onsite where you can have breakfast and dinner.

Tip #2 – Enter via the South Gate

Another one of my key tips for visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis is to enter via the South Gate. There are three entrances all of which are listed on Google Maps, the main City Gate, the North Gate and the South Gate. The City Gate is in the centre of Pamukkale so it is the most convenient entrance point if you’re staying in town. However, this entrance does require you to walk up the travertines which are slippery and can also be painful on your feet. The northern gate is the furthest away from the town of Pamukkale and is also the furthest from the travertines.

In my opinion the Pamukkale South Gate is the way to go. It’s approximately 2km away from the town of Pamukkale, but you can easily get a taxi or if you’re up for it you can walk it within about 30-40 minutes. The entrance is a the most convenient to access point both Hierapolis and the travertines, and also opens the earliest (more on this below).

Tip #3 – Arrive early!

The City Gate and North Gate both open at 8:00 am, but another advantage of using the South Gate is that it opens at 6:30 am. If you’re staying in Pamukkale and are willing to get up early, you’ll be treated to the travertines and ancient ruins pretty much to yourself. I went with this option and had the ancient Roman theatre to myself for 45 minutes!

By 8:01 am there were minibuses full of tourists making their way up to the theatre, which was my cue to leave. Throughout the day it gets progressively busier as the bigger tour buses arrive, so the earlier you can arrive the better.

Getting up early is also a bonus if you want to beat the heat, especially in summer when the days can be incredibly hot. I visited in May and it was 27 degrees, which was perfect for exploring. I arrived at 6:30 am and was back at my hotel by 1:30 pm and then spent the afternoon by the pool.

A couple of additional bonus tips for Pamukkale and Hierapolis…

BONUS TIP – If you’re happy to arrive early and are willing to walk from Pamukkale to the South Gate, you’ll be treated to the most stunning views of the hot air balloons hovering over the travertines.

BONUS BONUS TIP (mostly for hot air balloon lovers) – Cappadocia is obviously the most famous destination in Türkiye for the hot air balloon flights, but they have become incredibly expensive (think €250+). A hot air balloon ride in Pamukkale was only €70 (price in May 2024) and the views are no less impressive.

Tip #4 – Manage your expectations

Unfortunately, the travertines at Pamukkale are very much a case of ‘Instagram vs Reality’. You may have seen photos of the beautiful white travertines filled with crystal clear, turquoise water; however, this is a thing of the past. Most of the travertines have dried up, leaving very few filled with water. One reason for this is water shortages in the surrounding region and the need to divert water from the travertines into town. There are still a handful of travertines that have water, and there are some additional man-made travertines that give you a feel for what it originally looked like. Despite this, the travertines themselves are still breathtakingly unique, and paired with the views over the valley and nearby mountains you’ll still get some amazing photos.

Tip #5 – Swim at Cleopatras Pool (Antique Pool)

By swimming in the Antique Pool, it’s claimed that you’re swimming the same waters as Cleopatra. This pool has ancient ruins sunken in the water and it is an unforgettable place to take a swim. The Antique Pool doesn’t open until 8:00 am and does cost extra, in addition to your original ticket price (200 TL in May 2024). I didn’t swim because I wanted to spend my time exploring elsewhere, but you can go in and take photos without buying a ticket. You only need to pay to swim, so it’s well worth going in and having a look at the surroundings.

Tip #6 – Hit the highlights in Hierapolis

The ruins of Hierapolis are spread out across a few kilometres so there is a lot to see, but without doubt, the main attraction is the ancient theatre. The theatre has been almost perfectly preserved and is still used for events to this day. Set high on the hill, the theatre provides some stunning views over the ruins, travertines, and the surrounding mountains and valleys. Some of the other must-see highlights in Hierapolis are the Frontinus Gate, the Necropolis, and the Temple of Apollon, just to name a few. I loved wandering through the ruins at my own pace. Hierapolis is scattered with beautiful flowers and gardens, which really adds to the experience.

I had already visited several ancient ruins, including Ephesus, Pompeii, and the Colosseum/Roman Forum each with a guide, so I chose instead to explore Hierapolis on my own. However, if this is your first time visiting ancient ruins then a personal guide would be worth the investment. Alternatively, you can buy the audio guide when you by your ticket, which really helps bring to life what you’re looking at.

Tip #7 – Allow enough time

I would allocate a minimum of 3-4 hours to see everything that Pamukkale and Hierapolis has to offer. If you want to be really thorough I would recommend 4-5 hours. I spent 5 hours without swimming in the ancient pool, but I saw all all the ruins and really took my time to soak it all in. I also didn’t plan on spending 45 minutes at the theatre, but how often can you sit down and have ancient ruins all to yourself?!

Tip #8 – Suggested itinerary (and how to get the best photos)

One of my essential tips for visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis is to research what about what you’re most interested in and then plan accordingly. This will allow you to maximise your time and get the most out of this unique experience. The most crowded places are definitely the travertines, the Antique Pool, and the ancient theatre, therefore my recommended itinerary would be:

STEP 1: Arrive at the South Gate at 6:30 am and when you enter go straight to the travertines. The travertines become the most crowded the earliest, however at 6:30 am you can easily photos without people in the background. This is something you won’t be able to do at any other time of the day.

STEP 2: Once you have your photos of the travertines, make your way to the ancient theatre. If you can get to here before 8:00 am there will be minimal people visiting.

STEP 3: If you’re keen to check out the Antique Pool I would arrive there just before 8:00 am when the doors open. This will mean you’ll be amongst the first people to swim there, or if you’re not swimming you should be able to get photos without people in the pool.

STEP 4: After your swim, you can wander the rest of the site at your own pace. The remaining Hierapolis ruins are much less crowded so you can explore these relatively uninterrupted. By this stage, you will have a lay of the land and can roam to your heart’s content.

Tip #9 – What to bring

This will obviously depend on the weather and the time of year you go (more about that next). But a few things include are…

Swimwear, towel, suitable shoes that you can easily take on and off (note – no shoes are allowed on the travertines), hat, and sunglasses (even in winter – it can get glary when looking at the travertines). If you’re travelling in the cooler months, especially in winter, you will want to layer up – it can get very breezy and cold. Think jacket, beanie, scarf, gloves and possibly thermals!

Another one of my key tips for visiting Pamukkale is to pack your own water and snacks. There are some cafe options onsite, but they can be expensive and have limited options
available. I stocked up on snacks at the local BIM supermarket in Pamukkale the
night before. You will likely clock a lot of steps during the day, so make sure
you have enough fuel.

#10 – Best time of year to visit

Although we are already halfway through 2024 this information is relevant for any year. I would suggest the best times to visit are in the shoulder seasons from April – June and September – early November, this is when the weather is most temperate. The peak of summer can be incredibly hot, especially in the middle of the day, and winters can be very cold. Although, if you’re willing to bear the cold, winter could be a good time to avoid the crowds, marvel at the nearby snow-capped mountains, and explore the thermal hot springs in the surrounding region.

Summary

Popular tourist destinations often gain their status for good reasons. Despite occasional overcrowding and many of the travertines being dried up, this World Heritage site is still worth adding to your Türkiye bucket list. Hopefully these practical tips for visiting Pamukkale and Hierapolis will help you make the most of your visit and allow you to capture some epic photos too!

Make sure to follow @Roamingwithchelsea on Instagram to see some videos and photos from Pamukkale and Hierapolis. And if you’re interested in more Türkiye content, check out out these 3 Hidden Gems in Istanbul