The region with this wonderful surface structure, which is under the protection of UNESCO and called Pamukkale due to its cotton-like white formation, should definitely take its place among the places to visit in Denizli.
It is possible to go to Pamukkale with your private car. If you are going by private car, there are parking areas in the surrounding area, but I would say take a look at the side streets on the right.
After parking your car, we come to the area where there is a large lake with ducks swimming on it and the water gushing in the middle creates a rainbow.
This place has become a place for families or couples to relax with a beautiful view. On the hill opposite, we see the white travertines of Pamukkale. Our aim is to head towards there. Let’s go on the right side of the lake and take the first left and walk about 200 meters.
Pamukkale Travertines entrance fee
Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected by the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Its other name is Hierapolis because of the ancient city in which it is located.
Hierapolis means Holy City. Entrance is free if you have a Müzekart. Müzekart also shows its advantage here.
It is forbidden to bring any food inside and you have to take off your shoes. I suggest you find a solution where you don’t have to carry your slippers or shoes in your hands.
A bag where you can put your slippers or a rope that you can tie together and hang on your shoulder will save you from carrying your shoes in your hands along the way and you can easily take care of the environment and take pictures of Pamukkale.
Although it feels a bit cold at the beginning, you get used to it in time, don’t worry about the cold. On your way up, you can watch the clear waters turn the color of the sky in small formations, and you can also enter these waters.
Since you will need to enter the waters, it is recommended that you wear shorts to Pamukkale, or at least pants that can be easily rolled up to your knees.
Because the depth of these cute little pools reaches up to your knees at most. Like many tourists, you can even come with your sea clothes on and dip your body in the knee-deep pools.
The ramp you will climb is quite light. It has a slope that allows you to climb calmly without tiring you out and as you go up, the view of the park area organized by Pamukkale Municipality and the Olympic swimming pools belonging to Pamukkale Natural Park and the lush green plains on your left side is enough to erase whatever is on your mind.
Each step is a different beauty and you feel the urge to take a photo of that moment over and over again, even if it is the same frame, so that it does not disappear.
Seeing the guards in uniform and barefoot makes us happy as it gives us the impression that Pamukkale is really protected.
The formation that you step on may give your feet a stinging sensation from time to time, but this calcareous and rough structure allows you to walk easily and without slipping.
The white color of the formation and the reflection of the sun’s rays can be troublesome for those with sensitive eyes, a pair of sunglasses will be useful.
The travertines that you can see towards the end of the ramp, which are formed naturally, are not allowed to enter in order not to spoil their naturalness.
It is quite exciting to see the view we have seen on postcards for years up close. If you are allowed to enter this area, the travertines are prevented from forming because they are stepped on, the structure on the surface remains thin and takes on a gray color.
Where does the name Travertine come from?
There is a city in Italy called Tvoli, which is part of Lazio, and in this city there are large travertine formations, although not as white as in Pamukkale. The old name of this city, Tivertino, shows the origin of the name travertine.
How are travertines formed?
To give information about Pamukkale Travertines, which makes you feel like you are on a snow cloud, it is formed by precipitation as a result of a chemical reaction.
It is formed when the calcium hydro carbonate in the water comes into contact with the oxygen in the air and at the end of this association, carbon monoxide evaporates and only calcium carbonate is left behind.
The water coming out of thermal springs leaves a layer as a result of precipitation, and if there is no intervention, this layer hardens and becomes what we see today as a result of thousands of years of formation.
Pamukkale is a region where you should spend a few hours. We have not yet completed our Pamukkale trip article, because next is the Ancient City of Hierapolis with its theater, necropolis and other ancient structures, along with the Ancient Pool called Cleopatra Pool, and the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, where finds such as statues, sarcophagi or jewelry from this city are exhibited. We invite you to the pages where we examine each of them in detail.
Where is Pamukkale and how to get there?
Pamukkale is very easy to reach since it is at a central point. The distance of Pamukkale to Denizli city center is 18 kilometers. The distance of Pamukkale Travertines from Çardak Airport is 70 km (55 minutes).
If you do not have a private car, you can be in Pamukkale in about 25 minutes by minibuses departing from Denizli Bus Station. If you are coming from the airport and do not have a private car, you can use BayTur to reach a certain point and then transfer to Pamukkale.
The attendants drop off the passengers who want to go to Pamukkale at a certain point. For those coming from Karahayit, the distance to Pamukkale is 8km (15 minutes), while the distance to the ancient city of Laodikeia is 13km (13 minutes).
Which season to go to Pamukkale?
Pamukkale is located in the interior of the Aegean Region. Therefore, it can be very hot and very cold. The best seasons to visit Pamukkale are spring and fall.
What are the visiting hours of Pamukkale Travertines?
Pamukkale Archaeological Site visiting hours are 08:00 – 21:00 in the summer season. In the winter season, the opening hours are 08:00 – 17:00. Pamukkale can be visited every day of the week, including Monday.
