Pamukkale - what is this? Pamukkale: excursions, hotels, reviews

For more than 20 years, Turkey has been a leader among tourist destinations around the world. The Mediterranean coast of the country is mainly in demand, although in recent years the Aegean Sea has also become popular with numerous travelers. Beach vacation in Turkey is really great, but few people know about alternative pastime here. But just 120 km from the Aegean coast, at the northern foot of the Kargi mountain, there is a real crossroads of times - the city of Denizli. Here, in a quaint manner, ancient times are intertwined in the face of historical monuments with modern civilization and oriental colors. And except for excursions, the city will gladly offer you and rest in the style of SPA - mineral springs, thermal pools, traditional hammams will not leave anyone indifferent. But the main pearl of it is hidden 18 km to the north.

How to get there?

Just 15 minutes by car along the excellent Antalya-Izmir highway, surrounded by picturesque mountains and rocks - and welcome to the new wonder of nature, Pamukkale. A truly stunning picture will appear to your eyes - a snow-white mountain with flowing turquoise streams of thermal waters against the azure sky! Almost every tourist guide says about Pamukkale that this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey. And indeed, the so-called Cotton Castle impresses with its natural, miraculous beauty.

Pamukkale - what is this?

First of all Pamukkale, whose reviews are so enthusiastic, is a huge thermal pool of natural origin. In the spring, from the depths of the earth, hot streams of highly calcined mineral water beat, cascading downward. Evaporating, water leaves on its way quaintly frozen crystals of calcium dazzling white. The travertines of Pamukkale are capable of envying even the most talented and skilful architect. And since there are a lot of thermal springs in the vicinity, this area became famous as a SPA resort.

Why "Cotton Castle"?

Absolutely in all guidebooks Pamukkale is also called the Cotton Castle, because that is how this word is translated from the Turkish language. This name is due to the mountain, firstly, its snow-white shade, and secondly, the history of the nearby town of Denizli. Denizli was famous for its cotton, which was grown there for the needs of the whole country, and even for export.

History of Pamukkale

From ancient times it was known about Pamukkale that this is a unique thermal spa resort. That's why the ancient city of Hierapolis is located nearby. The Romans built it in close proximity to a hot mineral spring. The oldest thermal pool of Hierapolis still exists surrounded by skeletons of marble columns and the ruins of the ancient Roman temple of Apollo. The water temperature here is approximately equal to the temperature of the human body (35-36 ° C), so you can not refresh yourself. On the perimeter of lush greenery creates a pleasant shade and coolness. Dimensions of the pool can simultaneously be in it up to 200 people so that they do not interfere with each other. In addition, the pool is divided into two parts - shallow and deeper. Local residents tell the legends that Cleopatra herself has been here many times and with pleasure immersed in the healing waters of a mineral spring. By the way, and you can follow the example of the queen and plunge into the pool, of course, not free. It is worth his visit about 30 Turkish liras.

Pamukkale - an excursion or an independent trip?

What to prefer in this case? Where there is Pamukkale on the map, almost every tourist knows. You can get here by private car, bus, train or plane. For example, when traveling from Antalya or Marmaris to Izmir, Ephesus or Kusadasi, you can stay overnight in Pamukkale. Hotels here are very diverse both in terms of pricing and service level. In addition, you can go to Pamukkale for a one-day excursion from Ephesus or Izmir.

But even if you are not a fan of independent travel, you can still visit Pamukkale. The excursion here is organized practically from any point of Turkey, and even the longest journey will be easy and comfortable thanks to local buses and the quality of the Turkish routes. The distance to Pamukkale from any popular beach resort is no more than 300-350 km. Depending on the direction, you can go along the breathtaking mountain serpentine or along the pleasant and easy riverbed of a calm river. An excursion to Pamukkale from Kemer or Antalya should be optimally two days, combining Pamukkale and Efes. Here you will spend a pleasant day exploring the vast ancient Roman ruins of Hierapolis, visit the largest antique amphitheater, view the exhibits at the Archaeological Museum, take pictures with picturesque travertines and refresh yourself in the Cleopatra Basin. In addition, a visit to Pamukkale can be combined with Laodicea or the city of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

Surroundings Pamukkale

Almost all the tourists who visited Turkey, though, heard about Pamukkale that this is the most beautiful Cotton Castle. But very few people know how many more beauties are hidden in its surroundings. Just two kilometers west of the Denizli-Pamukkale highway is Laodokia. Give this ancient town at least a couple of hours - you will not regret it. If you plan to devote a few days to walking in the neighborhood, we recommend staying in Pamukkale - there are lovely hotels here, each of which, incidentally, has its own thermal pool. There are more than 30 of them. The highest ratings were received by tourists from Hal-Tur Hotel, Venus Hotel, Sinter Terasse House Hotel, Melrose Viewpoint Hotel, Ozbay Hotel.

Pamukkale Plateau

As we have already said, Pamukkale is a small mountain, just 300 m high, with a plateau on top, where the ruins of Hierapolis and the Cleopatra basin are located. There are only three roads leading to the plateau, on each of which you have to pay the entrance. Optimum to rise and fall from different sides, so as to appreciate the beauty of Pamukkale. The tour will cost you an average of 10 dollars.

An interesting fact about Pamukkale

In the early 90s of the previous century, local authorities decided to change the development strategy of the resort Pamukkale in order to increase the flow of tourists from abroad. But as a result of an incorrectly developed strategy, the number of tourists, on the contrary, decreased, so before the beginning of the 21st century, practically nothing was said about Pamukkale in tourist guidebooks.

Tips for tourists

If you decide to go on a separate trip and inspect Pamukkale without the help of a guide, the following recommendations will be helpful to you. If you enter the city by car, you can see that the locals on motor scooters around you are actively gesticulating and are trying their best to attract your attention. The first thought that comes to the mind of a trusting tourist is doubt: maybe something is wrong with the car? In fact, as soon as you stop and get out of the car, the local people will immediately try to give you some nonsense in their hands and try to persuade them to buy it. They will inquire if you do not need a hotel, restaurant or a souvenir shop, and if necessary, they will certainly take you to their destination, for which, of course, they will take their "commission". Whether this affects the price that you pay, it is not known, but below it definitely will not!

Prohibitions

Since Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is protected by local and international legislation. So, the road leading to the terraces from the southeast is closed to visitors. The excursion path is marked and limited here, and the entrance to the terrace is prohibited in order to preserve the flow of water, the color and structure of the travertine. Separately installed and designated places where visitors can swim in the thermal waters.

Reviews and opinions of tourists

The majority of those who visited this wonderful creation of nature come to an indescribable delight - you seem to get into a parallel reality, tourists assert. In fact, Cotton Castle really makes an indelible impression. Snow-white terraces, turquoise water, ancient architectural monuments, a relaxed atmosphere will please everyone, regardless of gender, age and nationality.

This place is exceptional for the uniqueness of natural phenomena: warm, highly mineralized water, which spurts from thermal springs and descends along the snow-white slopes of the mountain, forms crystal clear turquoise pools. On the plateau, crowning this natural miracle, the oldest sample of early Christian architecture in the Roman style is spread.

Pamukkale National Park, whose reviews are usually enthusiastic, unites not only the famous Cotton Castle, but also the adjacent several villages near which thermal springs come to the surface. And in the local antique amphitheater in Hierapolis, modern theater companies are still performing, returning us many centuries ago and surprising with superb acoustics and a stunning atmosphere.

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