Pamukkale has a unique natural beauty and is one of the must-see places in Turkey. Although Pamukkale is famous for its travertine thermal pools, it actually promises visitors much more than that. In this article you can find information about Pamukkale, also known as Cotton Castle. In addition, Pamukkale (Hierapolis) entrance fee and opening hours are also noted.
There is the ancient city of Hierapolis in Pamukkale, which has a history of thousands of years. You can 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.
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Daily Tour Options to Pamukkale in 2022
Daily tours are organized from popular holiday destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir (Kusadasi) and Antalya to Pamukkale. You can join one of these guided group tours and take advantage of the fast track entrance to Pamukkale.
1. Daily Tour from Kusadasi to Pamukkale
Kusadasi Cruise Port hosts thousands of tourists every year. Ephesus Ancient City in Izmir is the first place to be seen for those who come to Kusadasi. Pamukkale ranks first among things to do after Ephesus. If you want to join the daily tour from Kusadasi (Izmir) to Pamukkale, you can make a reservation from this link.
2. Daily Tour from Antalya to Pamukkale
Antalya has the best holiday hotels in Turkey. Pamukkale trip is a perfect activity for those staying at all-inclusive hotels in Antalya. If you want to join daily tour from Antalya to Pamukkale, you can book by clicking this link.
3. Guided Tour from Istanbul to Pamukkale
If you would like to join a guided tour from Istanbul to Pamukkale, you can write to us on CONTACT US page. BarefootPlus Travel is a licensed agency that has been organizing tours in Turkey for 16 years. You can contact our travel consultants for Ephesus and Cappadocia tours as well as Pamukkale tour from Istanbul.
4. Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour
You can also join the Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour 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 flight in Pamukkale by clicking this link.
The History of Hierapolis Ancient City
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 Neron’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 period.
During the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) period when Christianity was on the rise, Hierapolis was considered one of the holy cities. Because it was believed that St 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 2022
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. 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.
2. 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 2022.
3. 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.
4. 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 2022
Pamukkale entrance fee is 150 Turkish Liras as of 2022. Ticket prices were last revised on May 1, 2022. 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.
Pamukkale Hierapolis Opening Hours 2022
Pamukkale opening hours are between 06:30 in the morning and 8:00 pm in the evening. You can buy tickets from the box office until 19:30. Pamukkale thermal pools and Hierapolis ruins are open to visit everyday of the week.
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.
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.