Pamukkale is one of Turkey’s most popular travel destinations because of its limestone hot springs, which are both stunning and therapeutic. The travertine terraces of Pamukkale are a popular tourist destination in Turkey. Pamukkale is one of those places that changes you forever.
Located in southwestern Turkey, the city of Pamukkale is famous for its thermal springs and travertines (terraces of carbonate minerals, generally a residue of running water). Some of the pools may be too hot for swimming, as the area’s 17 thermal springs range in temperature from 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) to 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit).
Avoid the hottest springs at all costs! The city also boasts a museum that displays artifacts from all around Turkey. This is definitely something you should check out. The city enjoys a mild climate for the most part of the year because of its location in the valley of the River Menderes. With this in mind, it’s clear why it’d be a great place to go during the winter months.
In order to facilitate the movement of motorcycles up and down the slopes, a road was constructed linking the valley with the terrace. After the area was designated a World Heritage Site, however, the hotels and the road were destroyed.
Advice for Tourists Visiting the Pamukkale Hot Springs
Minibuses often leave from the Denizli bus station, which is around 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Pamukkale. You can take a bus to Denizli and then drive to Pamukkale if you’re staying elsewhere, or you can rent a car and drive yourself. It takes about four hours to drive to the port city of Bodrum and about two and a half hours to reach the popular beach towns of Kusadasi and Antalya.
Pamukkale’s hot pools can be accessed from the town proper, from the north, or from the south. The view at the town’s entrance is breathtaking. Visitors who have leased cars can park in a spot at the entrance for a dollar or so and then spend the next twenty to thirty minutes hiking barefoot up the terraces.
The ideal way to enjoy the thermal pools without dealing with the crowds is to spend the night in Pamukkale town and go first thing in the morning. Opening hours for Pamukkale are 6:30 AM from April 1 through October 1 and 8 AM from October 1 through April 1.
Try swimming in the sacred pool surrounded by the remnants of ancient Roman structures and artifacts. You should not expect tranquility in the ‘healing’ waters, as this is one of the most frequented bathing spots. Since water is rich in minerals like calcium, it has been used therapeutically since ancient times.
