The natural wonder of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) has been drawing visitors for over two thousand years — the Romans built the city of Hierapolis at the top of the thermal springs to take advantage of the waters, and Byzantine pilgrims came here to bathe in pools sacred to the Apostle Philip.
The white terraces are formed by calcium carbonate deposited by the thermal water as it cascades down the hillside — a process creating an otherworldly landscape that UNESCO has recognised as both a natural and cultural World Heritage Site.
- Region
- Aegean / southwest Turkey
- Water temperature
- 35°C thermal springs
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- UNESCO status
- Natural & Cultural (1988)
Pamukkale travertine terraces
The snow-white travertine terraces cascade 200 metres down the hillside — shallow pools of turquoise thermal water sit in natural basins of brilliant white calcium carbonate. You can walk barefoot across many of the lower terraces.
The terraces are busiest at midday; early morning and late afternoon light are dramatically better for photographs and more comfortable for visiting.
Hierapolis — the ancient spa city
The Roman city of Hierapolis sits at the top of the Pamukkale hill. Its 5,000-seat theatre is exceptionally well preserved; the enormous necropolis (cemetery) extends for over 2 km and contains hundreds of sarcophagi, tumuli and mausoleums. The site was a major Roman spa resort and later a Byzantine city.
Cleopatra’s Pool
The Antique Pool(widely called Cleopatra’s Pool) is a thermal swimming pool at 36°C filled with ancient Roman columns that fell during an earthquake. Swimming among the marble ruins while warm mineral water bubbles up from below is a genuinely extraordinary experience.
Denizli and Pamukkale
Frequently asked questions
Denizli
3You can walk on many of the lower travertine terraces and stand in shallow pools. For swimming, Cleopatra's Antique Pool is where you swim in warm water among fallen Roman columns — an entry fee applies.
A full day allows you to walk the terraces, explore Hierapolis ruins and swim in Cleopatra's Pool. Half a day is the minimum for a good experience.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). Summer is hot but busy; winter means the terraces are cold but often less crowded.