Search the travel guide:

City Guide

• Overview
• The Basics
• Contacts
• Excursions
• Airports
• Transport
• Climate
• Photos
• Hotels in Aegean Coast
• Expat guide to Aegean Coast

Maps

Directory

• Hostels
• Cheap Airfares
• Useful Resources

<< Back to Aegean Coast Attractions

Pamukkale

Calcium-rich mineral springs surging over the edge of a mountain plateau for thousands of years has resulted in an intriguing natural masterpiece. The rock formations of Pamukkale (‘Cotton Castle’) are a series of natural shelves and ridges, terraces that have been turned white from the solidified chalky calcium deposits left behind as the thermal waters tumble into further basins clinging to the cliff edge below. From a distance it appears to be a dazzling white fairytale castle, with a formation of tiers rising from the ground containing warm water pools. The hot springs have been used since Roman times to cure certain ailments. On the plateau is the Pamukkale Thermal enclosing the bubbling ‘sacred pool of the ancients’, the main source of the springs creating the white terraces, and its mineral waters are open for public bathing. Pamukkale is also the site of the ancient Roman spa-city of Hierapolis, and there are several ruins scattered about the area, including an impressive Roman theatre. It was considered a sacred site for its magic healing waters and was the weekend destination of kings and emperors of the Pergamum and Roman Empires.

Telephone: Pamukkale Thermal: (258) 272 2024
Transport: Pamukkale is a five-hour bus journey from Bodrum
Opening time: Open daily. The Pamukkale Thermal is open 8am to 8pm (to 5pm in winter)