How to visit and what to see in Pamukkale and Hierapolis (Türkiye): schedules

Pamukkale It is one of the most attractive places that can be visited in a trip to turkey.

The place is included in the list of the World Heritage for the Unesco, both for its cultural and natural values, a condition that is only equaled Cappadocia nationwide.

Pamukkale is in the southwest Türkiye and is part of the tours that can be organized throughout that area, especially following the coastline.

It is worth detouring inland to visit the white formations of travertine from Pamukkale and the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Many travelers combine this visit with Aphrodisias, another city included in the list of World Heritage and that is located less than 100 kilometers away.

What the Pamukkale Cotton Castle is like

The best known image of Pamukkale It is the slope of a white mountain known as the Cotton Castle, in which different natural pools de thermal water of intense turquoise blue color.

Being placed one on top of the other, they form the image of successive rocky waterfalls White color.

This natural phenomenon It is formed by the sedimentation of calcareous salts coming from the thermal sources.

In our first visit to Pamukkale Decades ago, it was possible to bathe in those natural pools, but now it is prohibited.

Strict control for the conservation of these formations has prevented this for years.

In fact, many of these pools remain empty for several months a year due to technical criteria, but the visit is still fascinating.

Those thermal sources have created over the centuries that white landscape that covers an entire slope of about 200 meters in elevation, hence its aforementioned name of Cotton Castle.

History of the ancient city of Hierapolis

They have also attracted different populations since time immemorial, so it is not strange to find the remains of an ancient city.

Most of the remains that are preserved are from the Roman and Byzantine eras, although the place was occupied long before.

That ancient population was included in the Roman province of Asia in 129 before our It was .

Right away Hierapolis It became a highly appreciated visiting place for its hot springs and a Temple of Apollo, and the heyday of the city was in the 2nd and 3rd centuries of our It was .

The entire region was Christianized at a very early time, and the tradition immediately arose that the apostle Philip had been martyred in Hierapolis, and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage.

En Byzantine period It became a very important city and a cathedral was built; the decline of Ephesus brought with him the Hierapolis until its progressive abandonment.

In the 11th century a fortress was built in this place, which earned it its current name, Pamukkale, Meaning Cotton Castle.

But we assume that most visitors prefer to attribute this name to the formations of travertine that seem petrified waterfalls hanging on the hillside.

How to visit and what to see in Pamukkale

When plan your visit to Pamukkale, it is worth knowing that the site has three entrance doors: north, central and south.

The central gate is located at one end of the town of Pamukkale, where there are numerous hotels, restaurants and travel agencies, as well as souvenir shops.

The north and south gates are about two or three kilometers away and can be accessed by taxi or filled (minibus).

It must be taken into account that the central entrance is located at the bottom of the slope, so the first section of the visit involves climbing a slope, which is not very steep, and anyone in normal physical condition can climb it. without difficulty.

This path must be done barefoot because you cross the deposits of travertine, where the water runs (which has a pleasant temperature).

Those who do not want to climb that hill should choose any of the other entrances, which are at the top.

This way you will make a visit through essentially flat terrain and then you will be able to leave through the central entrance to return directly to the village of Pamukkale.

Many group visits begin the tour at the north gate, where the buses can park.

The complex they form Hierapolis and Pamukkale travertines It's quite big, so you have to spend several hours on the route.

It is essential to wear comfortable shoes, protection from the sun and water.

Although there are two places to eat and have a drink. A good idea may be to bring some food and eat quietly during a break from the visit, in the most pleasant place.

Since there are several doors, different entry and exit itineraries can be organized, in addition to deciding to opt for more or less complete routes depending on the time we have available.

How to visit and what to see in Hierapolis

The itinerary described below is one of the possible recommended ones if we choose to start it at the north door and end it at the central door.

Necropolis of Hierapolis

The first thing we find then is the Necropolis which, with a large extension, is one of the best preserved and the most impressive of all Asia Minor.

As was normal in Greco-Roman cities, was located outside the urban area, and preserves at least 1.200 tombs built over five centuries, which explains the different styles and forms.

Domitian's Gate in Hierapolis

Beyond the Necropolis, you will pass by different public facilities, such as latrines and Northern Hot Springs before reaching the Domitian's Gate.

This gate is made up of three arches flanked by two round towers and was the great entrance to the city along this route that came from Sardis.

On the left hand side is now the agora which, with measurements of 170 by 280 meters, was one of the largest in the Ancient world.

From the almost complete Domitian's Gate starts the big Columned Way, which crossed the city from north to south and still preserves part of the original pavement.

Shortly after you pass through another door, the of the byzantine wall.

Being after the Roman wall, indicates that at that time the city was smaller and there were parts of the Roman city that had been abandoned.

On the right side you can already see the hillside covered in white deposits, and in some place it seems that they are covering some ancient tombs.

After passing by the remains of the Temple of Apollo, you arrive to the old swimming pool.

Cleopatra's Pool in Hierapolis

Here you will find a restaurant with tables and what is known as Cleopatra's Pool where it is possible to bathe in this warm water and swim over fallen pieces of Roman columns and capitals from ancient times. Temple of Apollo.

Entry to the restaurant is free, but if you want to use the Swimmingpool, you have to buy one entry special whose price It is 50 liras (8,50 euros).

The pool has changing rooms and lockers to change and store clothes.

Hierapolis Theater

Following the visit, a track leads to the Hierapolis Theater, which was built in different phases by the emperors Adriano y Septimius Severus, It could hold 12.000 spectators and is very well preserved.

You have to do everything possible to have time and take the path that climbs towards the Martyrium of Saint Philip.

Martyrium of Saint Philip in Hierapolis

Un martyrium It is a religious building that commemorates the martyrdom of a saint, and this one in Hierapolis is a curious octagonal structure that would be surrounded by eight chapels, and in which several crosses can be distinguished engraved on the columns.

The place, relatively isolated, is one of the most attractive in all Hierapolis, not so much because of its monumentality, but because of its isolation, the atmosphere it preserves and the path that must be followed along the hill.

You have to return the same way and pass by the theater and the swimming pool to reach the museum.

Hierapolis Museum

Many interesting pieces are preserved here that archaeologists have excavated both in Hierapolis as in Laodicea, and you will have to pay a different entrance fee to visit it.

In this area you have to find the way to get to the gym and byzantine doors that open in the wall, where the southern entrance to the enclosure is located.

Where to eat in Hierapolis and Pamukkale

Back towards the museum you have a shaded area with tables to rest and several places to buy food and soft drinks.

From this point you can begin the descent towards the Central door, which allows you to cross the large white slope covered by limestone deposits.

Pamukkale Natural Pools

Here you can see those big ones tiered natural pools that became very famous a few years ago as they were full of warm turquoise waters, and where visitors could bathe.

As we have already said before, they are now inaccessible and, furthermore, on our two visits in recent years we have found them completely empty of water.

However, the way back allows you to enjoy this natural phenomenon.

It must be remembered that this descent must be done barefoot to avoid damaging or dirtying the whole.

Although at first glance it may seem that the calcareous surface is very rough, the constant flow of water has polished it, and care must be taken to avoid possible slipping.

On the way you pass some artificial pools created by raising dams with cement blocks.

The passage of time has caused these blocks to end up being covered by calcareous sediments and they are already quite integrated into the landscape.

At the end of this descent, you leave the enclosure through the Central door and you arrive directly at the Pamukkale village.

One of the advantages of spending the night in this place is that it allows you to organize the visit at the desired time of day, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Watch the sunset from the top of the white hill it is an unforgettable experience.

Schedules and prices visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis

The Pamukkale and Hierapolis schedules They are, from June to September, 8 a.m. to 20 p.m.; from March to May and in October, from 8 a.m. to 20 p.m., and from November to February, from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m.

In turn, the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum It opens from 9 a.m. to 12,30:13,30 p.m. and from 19:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX p.m., and is closed on Mondays.

And the Cleopatra's pool where you can bathe among the remains of Roman columns, it has a Time from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m., with last access at 18,30:XNUMX p.m.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis ticket prices

The ticket's price To access this complex is 700 lire (24 euros), and then you will have to pay additional tickets if you want to visit the Archaeological museum or bathe in Cleopatra's pool.