Hierapolis & Pamukkale

These ancient cities located in southwestern Anatolia have many hot springs. You would be surprised to know that the hot springs have been used as spa since 2nd century BC. Pamukkale houses an archeological museum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hierapolis was founded as a thermal spa and later became a healing center where patients would come for cure. Today, the site is a tourist attraction mainly because of the main street and gates and their majestic structure. Moreover, you can also visit a theatre, Plutonium, Nymphaeum (monumental fountain), Necropolis, baths, and Martyrium. The ruins of Hierapolis lie adjacent to Pamukkale, which is a natural work of wonder in Denizli Province. The whole city is an interesting territory of hot springs and travertines. Travertines are terraces of carbonate minerals deposited by flowing water.

The calcite-laden water has created a surreal landscape of mineral forests, waterfalls as well as terraces and the area lovingly gets a nickname of ‘Cotton Palace’. In all there are 17 hot water springs in the area. Some hotels were built in 1960 but were later demolished as they used to draw all the hot water in their pools and thus damaging these carbonate terraces. Also, these terraces are off-limits but tourists can follow the main pathway. Both the sites together make for a spectacular tourist spot. For under 30 TL, you can board a bus provided by Pamukkale, from anywhere on the coast. You can also catch a 90-minute flight from Denizli Çardak Airport. With all these fascinating spots scattered around Antalya, perhaps the trickiest part is to decide which one to visit first, no?