The archaeological site of Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in South Eastern province of Denizli, Turkey. The impressive ruins date back over 2,000 years and include the remains of a luxurious palace, churches, and other structures. Pamukkale is known for its natural hot springs that have been used for centuries to treat illness. The site is also home to many beautiful oak and cedar trees.
The beauty of Pamukkale
Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is a natural wonder located in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The area is known for its hot springs and travertine terraces, which were created over thousands of years as water flowing from the hot springs cooled and deposited calcium carbonate. Pamukkale has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
The Distance and Travel to Pamukkale from Antalya
We live in the city of Antalya. All of our travels start from the Matrushka Park, Liman area of Antalya. This time was no different. We have started our journey at the usual place at 7.45 a.m. The weather was beautiful and sun has just started to show its real strength. We were not waiting too long as our trip this time has consisted of 15 people than (the usual 40+). We have quickly performed our routine dance and jumped on the bus. Quickly got introduced and met new people and started our journey. The total distance is around 250 km each way or around 4 hours of drive. With two stops we have arrived in Pamukkale springs by 1.15 p.m.
The Minoans lived in Pamukkale for thousands of years
The natural wonder of Pamukkale is something that must be seen to be believed. It’s hard to imagine how a place like this could exist on our planet, but it’s real and it’s spectacular. The story of how Pamukkale came to be is a long and fascinating one, dating back millions of years. Pamukkale, Turkey , turquoise terraced pools and travertine gardens. The legend of the hot springs in Pamukkale goes way back to the age of the Minoans, who lived here thousands of years ago. They were a very advanced civilization and their cultural legacy still exists today.
What to see: some of the must-see attractions at Pamukkale
The site is known for its incredible ruins, including the ancient city of Hierapolis. Pamukkale is also a great place to see wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds. The pools are filled with water that has been cooled by the air and contains calcium carbonate. Visitors can swim in the pools, and there are also restaurants and cafes on the premises. For visitors, it is a must-see spot because of its terraced pools and travertine gardens.
The entry fees to the Archeological site is 150 lira (around $9 USD) and 130 Lira for an adult, 70 lira for a child (7-12 years old) to enter the baths. If you do however, have a museum card, then the entry is free while the discounts of 50% will be entertained.
How to get to Pamukkale from Antalya
Like many of the most touristy places in Turkey, we like to travel via transfer with a bigger group, for further info feel free to check other posts on my blog. It is the same case of Pamukkale where we took a transfer with the same group of people and it took us close to 4 hours to get there. It is around 270 km from Antalya and 350 km from Kemer to get there. The road is fairly straight forward and the logistics of getting there is very nice too, which is the biggest benefit of living and travelling through Turkey. There are a lot of options to rent/lease a car which is at the time of writing is $35-$55 per day.
When to go: advise on the best time of year to visit Pamukkale
When to go is an important question when planning a trip. Different places have different ideal times of year to visit. For example, in Pamukkale, the best time of year to visit is between the months of April and November. The weather is mild during these months, and there are fewer tourists. The downside to visiting during these months is that some attractions may be closed due to seasonality. A view of the travertines in Pamukkale, Turkey. The water is extremely clear and blue. Waterfalls in Pamukkale, Turkey. The cascading water makes a beautiful sound.
There’s no doubt that Pamukkale is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. With its stunning white cliffs, turquoise waters and lush green landscape, it’s easy to see why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular destination for tourists. If you haven’t yet had the chance to visit Pamukkale, I urge you to add it to your bucket list – you won’t regret it!