Pamukkale - what is it? Pamukkale: sightseeing tours, hotels, reviews

For 20 plus years, Turkey is the leader among the tourist destinations around the world. Mostly demand is the Mediterranean coast of the country, although in recent years the Aegean sea also caught the fancy of many travelers. Beach holidays in Turkey is really gorgeous, but few people know about alternative time. But only 120 km from the Aegean coast, at the Northern foot of mount Karci, lies a veritable crossroads of time – the city of Denizli. Here all sorts of weird way in close embrace intertwined antiquity in the face of historic monuments with modern civilization and Oriental flavor. Besides sightseeing, the city is pleased to offer you and rest in style SPA-mineral springs, thermal pool, traditional hammams will not leave anyone indifferent. But the main pearl of his hiding 18 km to the North.

Travel?

Just 15 minutes by car on an excellent highway Antalya-Izmir and surrounded by picturesque mountains and rocks-and welcome to the new miracle of nature, Pamukkale. Your eyes gaze at the truly stunning picture – a white mountain with a flowing turquoise streams of thermal waters in the background of azure sky! Almost every tourist guide tells about Pamukkale, which is one of the most popular attractions of Turkey. Indeed, the so-called Cotton Castle is striking in its natural, miraculous beauty.

Pamukkale – what is it?

In the first place Pamukkale, which reviews are so enthusiastic, – this is a huge thermal pool of natural origin. Spring from the earth with natural hot jet vysokokontsentrirovannye mineral water, cascade flowing down. Evaporating water leaves in its Wake a fancy frozen crystals of calcium dazzling white. Pamukkale Travertines can cause envy even the most talented and skillful architect. And since the area has a lot of thermal springs, this area became famous as a SPA resort.

Why "Cotton Castle"?

In all the guidebooks Pamukkale also called Cotton Castle as it is translated is the word from the Turkish language. The mountain owes, first, its crisp white shade, and secondly, the history of the nearby town of Denizli. Denizli since ancient times were famous for their cotton which they raised for the needs of the whole country, and even exported.

History Pamukkale

Since Ancient times was known about Pamukkale, which is a unique thermal Spa resort. That is why nearby lie the ancient city of Hierapolis. The Romans built it in the vicinity of the hot mineral spring. The ancient thermal pool of Hierapolis is still there, surrounded by skeletons of marble columns and ruins of the Roman temple of Apollo. The water Temperature is approximately equal to human body temperature (35-36 °C), so freshen up you will not succeed. On the perimeter of the lush greenery creates a pleasant shade and coolness. The size of the pool allow you to stay in it for up to 200 people so that they do not interfere. In addition, the pool is divided into two parts – shallow and deep. Locals tell the legends that Cleopatra herself has repeatedly visited here and happily immersed in the healing waters of the mineral spring. By the way, you can follow the example of the Queen and take a dip in the pool, of course, not free. His visit of 30 Turkish Lira.

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Pamukkale tour or independent travel?

What to prefer in this case? Where is Pamukkale on the map, knows almost every tourist. You can get there by car, bus, train or plane. For example, traveling from Antalya or Marmaris to Izmir, Ephesus or Kusadasi, you can stay overnight in Pamukkale. The hotels here are very diverse as pricing and level of service. You can also go to Pamukkale on a day trip from Ephesus or Izmir.

But even if you are a lover of independent travel, you will still be able to visit Pamukkale. A trip here can be arranged from almost anywhere in Turkey, even the longest journey will be easy and comfortable thanks to the local buses and the quality of Turkish tracks. The distance to Pamukkale from any popular beach resort is no more than 300-350 km, depending on the direction you can go on an exciting breath of mountain serpentine, or along the pleasant and easy channel a calm river. Tour to Pamukkale from Kemer or Antalya optimally should be a two-day, combining Pamukkale and Ephesus. Here you will spend a lovely day exploring the extensive Roman ruins of Hierapolis, you will visit the largest ancient amphitheater, inspect the exhibits in the Archaeological Museum, poses for a photo at the scenic travertine and take a dip in the Cleopatra Pool. In addition, a visit to Pamukkale can be combined with Latakia or the city of Aphrodite-goddess of love.

Surrounding area of Pamukkale

Almost all the tourists, thoughvisited Turkey heard about Pamukkale, which is a beautiful Cotton Castle. But little who knows how many more beauties hidden in its surroundings. Just two kilometers West of the route Denizli-Pamukkale located Laodocia. Take this ancient town at least a couple of hours – you will not regret. If you plan to spend exploring the area for a few days, we recommend you to stay in the town of Pamukkale – there are nice hotels, each of which, by the way, has its own thermal pool. A total of more than 30. The highest marks among tourists got Hal-Tur Hotel, Venus Hotel Sinter Terasse House Hotel ozbay Hotel Ozbay Hotel.

Plateau Pamukkale

As we have said, Pamukkale – it's small, only 300 m high, a mountain with a plateau on top, where are the ruins of Hierapolis and Cleopatra pools. There are only three roads leading to the plateau, each of which you will have to pay for the entrance. Optimal to rise and fall with different sides, so as to admire the beauty of Pamukkale. The tour will cost you an average of $ 10.

Interesting fact about Pamukkale

In the early 90-ies of the previous century the local authorities decided to change the strategy of development of the resort of Pamukkale with the aim of increasing the flow of tourists from abroad. But in the end a poorly designed strategy, the number of tourists, on the contrary, decreased, therefore, before the beginning of the XXI century, Pamukkale, virtually nothing was said in the tourist guides.

Travel Tips

If you decided to go to independent travel and explore Pamukkale without using a guide, you will benefit from the following recommendations. If you enter the city by car, you can see that the locals on scooters around you actively gesticulate and otherwise try to attract your attention. The first thought that comes to mind is gullible tourists – doubt: maybe, with a car that something is wrong? In fact, once you stop and get out of the car, the local will immediately try to shove you into the hands of any nonsense and will take to convince them to buy it. They will inquire whether you need a hotel, a restaurant or a souvenir shop, and if needed, will certainly hold you to a destination, for which, of course, take their “Commission”. Will it affect the price you will pay is unknown, but below it certainly won't be!

Prohibitions

Because Pamukkale is a UNESCO world heritage site, it is protected by local and international legislation. So, the road leading to the terraces from the South-East, closed to visitors. Tour the trail here is marked and limited, and entrance to the terrace is prohibited with the aim of preserving water flow, color and texture of the travertine. Separately installed and marked the spots where visitors can bathe in the thermal waters.

Reviews and opinions of travelers

The Most visited is a great creation of nature come to the indescribable delight - if you find yourself in a parallel reality, claim tourists. In fact, Cotton Castle really makes a lasting impression. The white terraces, turquoise waters, ancient monuments, relaxed atmosphere will appeal to everyone, regardless of gender, age and nationality.

The location is exceptional for the uniqueness of natural phenomena: a warm, highly saline water, which rises from the thermal springs and down the white slopes of the mountain forms crystal-clear turquoise pools. On the plateau, crowning it is a natural miracle, prostrated the oldest example of early Christian architecture in the Roman style.

National Park of Pamukkale, which reviews are generally enthusiastic, combines not only the famous Cotton Castle, but the surrounding few villages, near which on the surface are hot springs. And the local ancient amphitheatre in Hierapolis are still modern theatre troupe, returning us to many centuries ago and surprising excellent acoustics and amazing atmosphere.

National Park of Pamukkale – this is truly a masterpiece created by nature, and the pearl not only of Turkey but of the whole world!