Ephesus - Pamukkale and Sardes Tour

Pamukkale-Hierapolis

“Pamukkale translates to ‘Cotton Castle’... This natural phenomenon, designated a UNESCO Heritage site in 1988, with spectacular white calcium cliffs and beautiful turquoise blue pools, is truly a sight to behold. Once you get here, it’s easy to see why. Pamukkale is like an alien landscape; you have never seen anything like it”.

Snow White Calcium Travertines, Terraces, and Calcium Pools

Pamukkale and Pamukkale Tours is one of the top Famous Turkey Trips. The Turkish name refers to the extraordinary surface of the snow-white cliffs, shaped over millennia by the accumulation of calcium deposited by mineral springs.

When translated, Pamukkale or ‘Cotton Castle’ has been drawing tourists from around the world to its thermal springs for more than 23 centuries. Legend has it that the Cotton Castle formations are solidified cotton (the area’s principal crop) that was left out to dry by giants.

Dripping slowly down a vast mountainside, mineral-rich water foams and collects in bowls that terrace the decline down the mountainside, spilling over petrified cascades of stalactites into milky pools below.

These saucer-shaped travertines (or terraces, as they are also called) wind sideways down the powder-white mountain, providing a stunning contrast to the clear blue sky and green plain below.

To protect the unique calcite surface, you must traverse the area barefoot. Although the terrace pools are not bottomless, you can get fully submerged if you want, do not forget your towel!

Do not worry; if you do not have a bathing suit or towel, you can buy a Turkish Towel, Do not Forget is Cotton’s principal crop. As a nice suvinour, you can take it away to your home.

The Cleopatra’s Pool

A swim in the effervescent waters of Cleopatra’s Pool should be at the top of any Turkey Travel Itinerary. You should not leave Pamukkale Tour without having a healing dip in the sacred fountain of Cleopatra’s Pool.

Strewn about the bottom of the crystal-clear Pool is a fantastic collection of striated columns and capitals, a striking reminder of the Pool’s pedigree.

Cleopatra’s Pool has warm, clear fizzy water that bubbles from the source of the spring, but these days has now been blocked off to prevent divers from disappearing into its hidden depths.

With temperatures of 35C, you can bathe in the natural thermal mud and waters and enjoy the curative effects (both medicinal and beauty) of the water, which had previously benefited the ancient Greek and Roman peoples for centuries.

With its Thermo mineral and magnesium, calcium, carbon dioxide, sulfide, and bicarbonate, this curative water is suitable in many areas as a curative treatment.

The Ancient City of Hierapolis

The nearby ancient Hierapolis and its accompanying museums may be overshadowed by the springs, but they are also fascinating and worth the visit.

After walking along the terraces, we will take a short walk to Hierapolis City, also known as ‘Holy City.’ Just outside the main entrance is the Necropolis (Graveyard), containing more than 1200 tombs and sarcophagi of people who wished to have been buried here.

It was believed that the proximity of the hot springs and vapor-emitting cracks would ease their journey into the Underworld. Among the tombs lies the Martyrium, an octagonal 5th-century edifice believed to have been erected upon the site where St. Philip was martyred in 80 CE. The Hierapolis City Bath, the springs of Hierapolis, was particularly popular among vacationing Romans.

You will notice that carved into the side of the mountain is the monstrous Grand Theater that dominates the vista of Hierapolis At its height, the Grand Theatre could host 25.000 boisterous fans and is still largely intact until this day.

It features a vast network of decorative elements from the 3rd century CE, including ornately sculptured statues, columns, and arches, amongst other decorative elements.

During Pamukkale Day Tour, you will have 2 hours of free break time to rest, take in the views, and of course, take some refreshments from the onsite cafeteria.

You can use the provided Pamukkale Map and Hierapolis Map to visit other nearby sites in your allotted free time. After the local lunch in Pamukkale, we will drive to Sardes.

Sardes Ancient Ruin

The ruins of Sardes, are amazing to behold and they are surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop. This is where money was first used.

A must for archeology buffs, photographers, people interested in Judaic history (magnificent ancient synagogue), and bible study groups (one of the seven churches of the Revelation). Do some research before visiting.

The ruins today are quite impressive with the best-preserved ancient synagogue and gymnasium being the highlights for many.

The Temple of Artemis and additional ruins of the ancient city of Sardis including a heavily restored gymnasium and synagogue are at separate sites, though not too far apart After the tour drive back to Izmir.