Pamukkale and 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 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

When translated, Pamukkale or 'Cotton Castle' has been drawing tourists worldwide to its thermal springs for more than 23 centuries. Ephesus and Pamukkale are one of the Famous top places to see in Turkey.

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. 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, 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 aren't bottomless, you can get fully submerged; remember your towel! Don't worry; if you don't have a bathing suit or towel, you can buy a Turkish Towel, Do not Forget it is Cotton's principal crop. As a nice suvinour, you can take it away to your home. You should have a healing dip in the sacred fountain of Cleopatra's pool before leaving Pamukkale Tour.

Cleopatra's Pool:

A swim in the effervescent waters of Cleopatra's Pool should be at the top of any Turkey Travel Itinerary. Strewn about the bottom of the crystal-clear pools are a fantastic collection of striated columns and capitals, a striking reminder of the pool's pedigree. The Cleopatra's Pool has warm, clear fizzy water that bubbles from the source of the spring.

With temperatures of 35C, you can bathe in the natural thermal mud and waters and enjoy the water's curative effects (both medicinal and beauty), 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 well 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.

The proximity of the hot springs and vapor-emitting cracks was believed to 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 cosmetic parts.

During Pamukkale Day Tour, you will have 2 hours of free break to rest and enjoy the views and refreshments from the onsite cafeteria. The tour of Pamukkale will finish at around 16:30, and then you will return back to Izmir or transfer to Denizli Cardak Airport.

P.S.: If you wish, you can do an extention; you may stay in Denizli or transfer to another city. Such As Fethiye, Marmaris, Gocek, Bodrum or Antalya

* One-Day Pamukkale Tour from Izmir runs daily and is available all year round. 

 * The documents with details and confirmations will be e-mailed after booking.

P.S. Please note that there will be a shopping possibility where you may have the chance to see and buy some unique traditional & handmade souvenirs from Pamukkale, where civilizations lived to make your visit unforgettable.