Pamukkale is a magnificent natural wonder with its travertine thermal pools, but there is much more here for history buffs. You can also see the Temple of Apollo, the Great Theater and the Necropolis in the Hierapolis ruins.
If you like history, Pamukkale Archeology Museum, where historical artifacts collected from the ancient city are exhibited, may also attract your attention. When you get tired of all these activities, you can cool off in the Cleopatra’s Antique Pool full of ancient ruins.
Pamukkale entrance fee is 30 Euros in 2024. Museum Pass Turkey is valid here. Pamukkale opening hours are between 08:00 in the morning and 20:00 in the evening. This information was last updated on May 3, 2024.
You can book a full-day tour for Pamukkale from this link. You can also view tour options to Pamukkale from places such as Antalya, Izmir and Kusadasi from the link here.
So far, I have shared the information you will need most about the Pamukkale. However, in the rest of the article, you can find up-to-date tips that may be useful to you at Pamukkale (and Hierapolis).
The History of Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
The history of Hierapolis Ancient City goes back even before the Ancient Greek period. The discovery of the Mother Goddess cult suggests that the history of the city dates back to the old Anatolian civilizations. At that time the city had not yet been named Hierapolis. However, we don’t have certain knowledge regarding the geographical area of the former ancient city.
Ancient geographer Strabo indicates that Hierapolis was located in Caria region, nearby Laodicea and Tripolis. According to Strabon’s works, the city of Hierapolis dates back to the Phrygians era.
Although the settlement in the city dates back to earlier times, it’s known that the city was officially founded by Eumenes II, the King of Pergamon and it was named after an Amazon queen named Hiera. The buildings, objects and other discovery in this ancient city prove that Hierapolis was an important culture and religion center.
The ancient city was built and designed in Hellenistic style and until an earthquake that took place in Emperor Nero’s era, it remained the same. After the earthquake, it was rebuilt in a Roman style and it turned into a typical city of Roman Empire. Hierapolis, which was an important center during the Roman period, preserved this feature in the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) period.
During the Byzantine Empire when Christianity was on the rise, Hierapolis was considered one of the holy cities. Because it was believed that Saint Philip, one of Jesus’ apostles, died here.
Immortal Priests of Hierapolis
Hierapolis was a place where miracles were believed to have happened in ancient times. Although it may seem like a legend at first glance, the clergy of this city were known as the immortal priests of Hierapolis.
There were caves at the city that were believed to be the gates of hell. These caves were seen as the passages to the underground world and the animals that were about to be sacrificed would be taken down and they would die without any human contact. This phenomenon is explained by a poisonous gas released in the caves.
On the other hand, it was recorded numerously in historical resources that the monks going inside these caves to sacrifice animals would come back unharmed. Moreover, Strabo confirms this case and he narrates that the monks would put their heads inside the gate of hell and they would not be affected by the gas.
According to an article published in Archeological Sciences in 2018, this incident can be explained that the monks were aware of the chemical atmosphere in the cave. Pfanz, one of the co-authors of the article, explains that the monks knew that the gas they named as “deadly breath” would not go over a certain limit.
The monks also knew at which hours the gas was intense and the limit it would reach. Therefore, they performed the sacrifice rituals accordingly.
Things to Do in Pamukkale (Hierapolis) 2024
Things to do in Pamukkale include exploring the Hierapolis ruins, visiting the archaeological museum and swimming in the Cleopatra pool. Of course, you can also walk to the snow-white travertine thermal pools and enjoy the magnificent view. In addition, you can participate in a hot air balloon flight and take amazing photos.
1. Travertine Terraces
Travertine terraces in Pamukkale offer its visitors a fairy-tale experience. You can even go to Pamukkale just to watch the happiness on the faces of people walking on snow-white travertines filled with thermal waters.
Travertine terraces are located on a hill overlooking the surrounding area and offer you great photo opportunities. You can capture incredible Instagram photos, especially if you have a balloon flight above you.
2. The Great Theatre
The Great Theater is the pearl of the ruins in Pamukkale. Hierapolis Ancient Theater, which has a history of 1800 years, stands out as one of the best preserved Roman structures around the Mediterranean.
Moreover, some unique examples of Pergamon art school can also be seen at this theater. Reliefs that you can see at Hierapolis Ancient City indicate that gladiator fights took place at this theater.
3. Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool
Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool offers a unique environment for those who come to Pamukkale. The pool, full of ancient columns and ruins, is an experience that crowns the visit to Hierapolis ruins. Swimming at Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool is among the popular things to do in Pamukkale in 2024.
4. Pamukkale Archaeological Museum
Pamukkale Archeology Museum is the place where artifacts found during excavations in the ancient city of Hierapolis are exhibited. There are wonderful sarcophagi and sculptures symbolizing Pamukkale’s Greco-Roman past. You can visit this museum with the ticket you bought at the entrance to Pamukkale.
5. Hot Air Balloon Tour
You can join a hot air balloon flight in Pamukkale and take amazing photos. One of the two places where you can have a balloon experience in Turkey is Pamukkale and the other is Cappadocia. You can book a hot air balloon tour in Pamukkale by clicking this link.
Pamukkale (Hierapolis) Entrance Fee 2024
Pamukkale entrance fee is 30 Euros as of 2024. The entry fee you pay in Pamukkale includes the travertine thermal pools, the ancient city of Hierapolis, the archeology museum and the Cleopatra antique pool. The information on the ticket price was last updated on May 3, 2024.
Pamukkale & Hierapolis Full-Day Guided Tour
To fully enjoy the things to do in Pamukkale, I suggest you take a guided tour. The history of the ruins at Hierapolis is difficult to grasp without a guide. On this 7-hour tour, you can be aware of many details that you cannot discover on your own as a first-timer.
You can book a full-day guided tour in Pamukkale by clicking this link here. Tours are guaranteed by GetYourGuide, an international travel platform, and can be canceled up to 24 hours with a full refund.
Pamukkale (Hierapolis) Opening Hours 2024
Pamukkale opening hours are between 08:00 in the morning and 20:00 in the evening. Pamukkale thermal pools and Hierapolis ruins are open to visit everyday of the week. Information on visiting hours was last updated on May 3, 2024.
Visiting hours of Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis archaeological site may change due to renovations and events. So before you go, you can visit the official website of the museum to see the latest situation.
Conclusion
Pamukkale is definitely one of the most special places to visit in Turkey. Those who travel to the country for the first time generally prefer the triangle of Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia. If you have one more free day in your trip, Pamukkale is definitely worth it.
Among the must-do things in Pamukkale are walking on the travertine terraces, exploring the ruins of Hierapolis and swimming among the ancient columns in the Cleopatra Pool.
However, if you have time, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum. Finally, if you want to have an experience that you will never forget, you can fly in Pamukkale by hot air balloon.
Written by Serhat Engul
Does anyone have any advice about getting to Pamukkale from Izmir? I want to take a day tour but it looks difficult- should I just stay the night in Pamukkale?
Thanks
Dana
Hi Dana, there is a bus terminal in Izmir to get anywhere in Turkey. You need to take a bus to Denizli. Pamukkale is located in that city. You can consult to agencies in the bus terminal.
Hi,
is Pamukkale open on Sundays? We want to visit Pamukkale this May 2021.
Hi Janice, yes it’s open on Sundays. Yet you have to be careful about opening hours. It may change due to Covid-19 situation.
Hi… Can I purchase the ticket on the site or ticket should purchase prior to visit?
Hello, yes, you can buy your ticket directly from the ticket office in Pamukkale. The alternatives suggested here are guided skip-the-line tickets.
Hello,
is it also possible to go there by yourself or just with a bus tour?
Are there parking opportunities?
Is it open due to Covid-19 at the moment?
Many thanks in advance for your reply!
Hi Ina, I don’t know all the details as I haven’t been to the area for a long time due to the pandemic. However, when you check the official site, Pamukkale seems open to visitors. Regarding transportation, Pamukkale is located in Denizli. It is possible to reach the ruins from Denizli’s city center by minibus in 25 minutes. You can also go by private vehicle. As far as I know there is also a parking lot.
Timings in January and February?
Hello Muhammad, as far as I can see from the official site of Pamukkale Museum, the opening time for winter months is 06:30 in the morning and the closing time is 8:00 in the evening. However, these hours may change due to Covid measures. You can confirm one last time before going to Pamukkale from the link at the end of the article.
Hi, you wrote in the above article that the all-inclusive combined ticket costs 110 TL. Is it a must for me to visit all places or can i choose to visit the Thermal Pools , Hierapolis and Cleopatra Antique Pool?
Hi Yong, yes, the price of the all-inclusive ticket is 150 TL. (the price seems to have increased since the beginning of the year, I will update it) However, you do not have the chance to buy separate tickets for each section anyway. There is only one ticket and it covers all three places.
I think it would be a big mistake to go there and not see the ancient city of Hierapolis. For a history buff like me, missing the ancient city is unthinkable. So maybe I’m not the right person to ask this question. But I think you’ll find it’s worth it.
Hi, is it possible to buy entrance tickets and go to one place one day and the ancient city the next for example?
Going in a couple of weeks, any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you!
Diana
Hi Diana, this is quite a complex question. Since I haven’t been to Pamukkale for a long time, I don’t know how the new tickets work.
However, due to the plan of Pamukkale ruins, once you enter, you will have access to all sections and you will have used the ticket at once. For this reason, I do not think that you will have the opportunity to enter each section separately (and on different days).
However, I would like to point out that I am not 100% sure. I’m only guessing from what I already know.
Hello, can you pay the entrance on your card or is it cash only?
Hi Zoe, you can pay by credit card.
Hello
How long does time needs properly to explore for all this sections ?
Thank you
Hi Abrurrahim,
Since Pamukkale consists of several different parts, you can easily spend the whole day exploring this place. I think it would take at least two hours to visit Hierapolis alone. You can also spend at least an hour in the thermal pools.
In addition, there is the Archaeological Museum, which will take about half an hour. But there is also the Cleopatra Pool. Swimming among the ancient pillars here is also a great experience.
In my opinion, instead of running around, it would be appropriate to spend at least 5 hours and visit Pamukkale slowly and with understanding. Of course, this is my personal opinion, everything depends on your interest in history and archeology.
Have a nice trip,
Serhat
Merhaba Serhat,
Really appreciate your insights on the blog. I’m wondering:
1. What’s the entrance fee if I queue?
2. Are there separation entrance fee for different places of these – travertine thermal pools, the ancient city of Hierapolis, the archeology museum and the Cleopatra antique pool? What I meant is that I may just want to go to certain of these places due to time limit.
Looking forward your kind response.
Sophia
Hi Sophia, waiting in line does not give a discount on the ticket price. The current entrance fee is already written in the article.
The ticket sold in Pamukkale includes the places I mentioned in the relevant section in the article. It is not possible to buy separate tickets for each section.
By the way, I haven’t been to Pamukkale for a long time. Rules in museums can change frequently. Recently, a friend of mine said that there is an extra entrance fee for the Cleopatra Pool. However, there is no information about this on the official website.
On the official site there is a fixed price for a single ticket and I have to assume that this applies to all sections (as it used to be).
Well, prices seem to have really gone up like crazy, just about anywhere in Turkey, with an inflation of more than 80 %, and the lira devaluated, the Turks have adjusted all the prices in the tourist industry, so hotel are 3 to 4 times more expensive than in 2021, and Pamukkale nowadays, from what I just read is 700 liras, 25 US dollars, when you think that it was 50 liras not so long ago… have the salaries of Turks increase 3 to 4 times since? But the tourists assume, and pay!
Pamukkale entrance fee was 50 Turkish Liras in 2019. However, at that time 1 Dollar was approximately 6 Turkish lira. Now 1 dollar has increased 5 times compared to that period and is approximately 29 TL. From this perspective, it is normal for prices to increase to a certain extent. However, as you said, museum entry prices also increased against the dollar after the pandemic.
Hello. May i know if there is locker or luggage storage service provided at Pamukkale? Thank you in advance.
Hello Nur, unfortunately I do not have definitive information on this subject. There are lockers in train stations and airports. However, I do not know if it exists around Pamukkale.