Pamukkale is in Aegean of Turkey.
Overview
* Pamukkale means “cotton castle” in Turkish
* The springs have been used as a spa since the second century BC.
The travertine features have their origins in the shifting of a fault in the valley of the Menderes river (between here and Denizli). As the fault shifted, very hot springs with a very high mineral content (notably chalk) arose at this location. Apart from the slightly radioactive minerals, the calcium and hydrogen carbonate react to create calcium carbonate (also known as travertine) and limestone. This is what gives Pamukkale it’s whiteness and created the pools.
Getting There
By plane
* Closest airport is Denizli – Cardak Airport is 65 km or 1 hour away and there are flights twice daily to Istanbul.
* Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is another alternative to the area. Pamukkale is 252 km from the airport, a drive of about 4 hours (4-1/2 to 5 hours by bus)or 6-7 hours by train.
By train
There are trains to/from Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul. (The Pamukkale Express has been cancelled in Summer 2008 due to track repairs. No train between Denizli and Istanbul this means!)
By bus
Bus to Pamukkale/Denizli can be found from almost all the cities of Turkey. There are virtually no bus companies that take you directly to Pamukkale despite what the ticket sellers tell you. The bus will drop you in Denizli and then you have to catch the local dolmus to Pamukkale (about 20 km away).
By dolmus
Take a dolmus, a type of cheap communal taxi usually seating about 10 persons (but it’s possible they’ll squeeze in more), from nearby Denizli. Frequent mini-buses serve the village of Pamukkale in a 20 minute ride.
Getting Around
Even when you’re way on the edge of the village, you can reach everything (the village center and the travertine pools) on foot in about ten to fifteen minutes.
Sights
The travertine hot springs.
* The petrified waterfalls/travertine are a beautiful sight.
* The 12,000 seat Roman theater of Hierapolis should not be missed.
* Another lesser known site, but one that holds a considerable significance Biblically is Laodikya, just 10 minutes from Pamukkale on the Denizli road. It’s mentioned in the Bible as one of the 7 Churches of the Revelations and even though it hasn’t been reconstructed as much as the more famous sites like Ephesus, is a great place to experience the Roman history without the crowds.
* Karahyit, the red spring is also 5 minutes from Pamukkale, not as big as the calcium outcrop, but worth a look.
* Kaklik caves are like a small version of Pamukkale, but in a cave, underground and are about 30 minutes from Pamukkale.
Activities
* You can walk down barefooted in the waterfalls from the village on top. The place is crowded when the tour-buses arrive.
* If you stay at one of the small pensions they might give you a tour of the ruins and travertines at night.
* It is worth seeing the remains of the ancient city of Aphrodisias. You can rent a van from Denizli to get there. Or the local hotels run tours for approx 25 lira.
* Also there are thermal baths at the top of the travertine pools and the ancient city of Hierapolis with a great Amphytheatre.
* Of moderate interest might be Denizli it’s a bit dull but there’s a lively market.
* Loadikya is another less visited ruin site only 10 km from Pamukkale on the local dolmus, entrance is free and there are usually few tourists there. Peaceful way to spend a day looking at ruins but also the beautiful scenery there as well.
Money & Shopping
The Pamukkale/Denizli area is famous for its cotton and the homewares. These are becoming sought after world wide (Arnold Schwartzenegger decked out his house in curtains and furnishings specially made in Denizli – so the story goes!) and the best place to go is the town of Buldan, about 30 minutes drive from Pamukkale. Many of the other souvenirs and traditional Turkish wares that you can find in other parts of Turkey are cheaper around Denizli/Pamukkale because they are produced there.
Eating
The best and freshest food is to be found in the small family run pensions, but for a great open air restaurant where you can eat ‘borek’ the Turkish pancakes and gaze across the valley, try Alis on the main highway just before you come into the town.
* Mehmets Heaven, on the main street near the Travertines has an excellent view of Pamukkale from his porch out back. Great food and well priced. Super nice owner as well.
Drinking
* You should try Turkish national drink called Ayran, which is very healthy. It is an aquired taste though.
The wines produced in the Pamukkale area are becoming quite famous and are winning awards for the quality and standard.
* Raki!! or lion’s milk as it is known, again an acquired taste. Great with fish or any long meal as it is meant toopen your appetite.
Hotels & Accommodation
There are small family-run pensions at the village south of the travertines. Most have swimming-pools filled with the warm greenish milky water from the travertines. They also offer very delicious Turkish food.
* Melrose Allgau Hotel is a nice family-run pansiyon at the eastern end of town with nice rooms for about cheaply. The friendly owners serve cheap but tasty home cooked meals. There’s a laundry service and a pool filled with spring water. They also used to allow campers to put up their tents.
* Artemis Yoruk Hotel Great location, right in the centre of town and just opposite the bus stop. Great range of rooms, dorm, single, double, triple and family. Price included breakfast. HUGE pool and nice garden, great for relaxing. Traditional Turkish food served all day and night on the rooftop terrace. Owners very helpful and very attentive (fluent English). Lots of tour information including Afrodisias, Laodikya, book exchange, free internet.
* Venus Hotel is a comfortable, popular choice with single, double, triple, quad and five person rooms that have been newly renovated and are available for very reasonable prices. There is also wireless internet connection, a swimming pool filled with the famous Pamukkale water and a restaurant where the hotel’s guests and other visitors from all around the town get to try traditional home cooked Turkish meals and local wines. They also provide travel services and information and have fluent English speaking staff.
* Melrose Residence House Hotel Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is situated on the south west of Turkey’s Anatolian peninsula. One of the most familiar images of Turkey is the gleaming-white calcium formations (travertine pools) of Pamukkale in Turkey. In this beautiful region the Melrose Residence House Hotel is located.
* Four Seasons Pamukkale Hotel Come to you feel at home, Hotel Dort Mevsim Easily the best place you will stay in Pamukkale. Great value cheap, clean room, nice bathroom, great food and friendly our staff enjoyable!
* Ozturk White Hill Hotel One of Pamukkale’s best-loved hostels – as it is consistently rated one of the top hostels in the country. We’re a small family-owned and run hostel with a homey atmosphere – the perfect place to relax and enjoy your time in Pamukkale.
