[Mella]

Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is both, a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world and with its ancient ruins it is perhaps the most attractive spot for tourists.

As it's like a 2 hour drive from Kusadasi, we got picked up at some daft time like 6 AM. It was a long, hot drive in the coach there, but an interesting one we learnt so much because from our amazing tour guide, so it was quite an enjoyable trip. We arrived at Pamukkale really early, and were one of the first bus loads to get there.

As you approach the site of Pamukkale & Hierapolis, a long white smudge along the hills to the north suggests a landslide or open cast mine. Getting closer, this resolves into the edge of a plateau, more than 100m higher than the level of the river valley and absolutely smothered in white travertine terraces, it is really a sight to behold.

Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Turkey. Dozens of coaches daily make the long excursion. It's also possible to stay over-night if you can to enjoy its tranquility early in the morning or in the evening.

We were advised by our tour guide to go swimming in Cleopatra's pool first, because later on it'd get pretty busy with all the tourists arriving. It was so relaxing, enchanting and beautiful... with collapsed Roman columns at the bottom of the pool. It really did feel different, bubbly almost. Like I was swimming in champagne. One of the Turkish men working there suddenly went to the shop and came back with some under water goggles for me, so i spent about 2 hours in there splashing around exploring the depths of the pool like a big kid.

Surrounding the beautiful pool are some shops and cafes. After we'd finished splashing around we sat on the special carpeted floor and enjoyed a delicious brunch of Gozleme, which one of the local woman was sat cooking in the corner.

The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen waterfalls. It looks as if it's made out of snow or cloud or balls of cotton, it really is an amazing sight. The Turks have named this geological fairyland 'Pamukkale' which literally means cottoncastle, from pamuk for cotton and Ka le for castle.

I didn't have much time to spend on the ''White Cliffs'' but it was still really interesting and a weird experience walking along the top of the cliff, where centuries of mineral-filled water spilling over the edge has left snowy white cascades.

If you go on a tour you'll also get to see the other main attraction which is Hierapolis. (Literally known as Holy City or Sacred City) We didn't stay here long, everyone kinda just stared at the ruins of the Roman, Greek, and Pagan tombs and monuments. There is also a beautiful old amphitheater up the hill a bit which you can look around. Hierapolis has such extensive ruins it's wonderful to go and have a wander round, but it might not be everybody's cup of tea. But I, personally, think it's definitely worth a visit when in Turkey!

Here's a few pictures from My Visit;

The Cleopatra Pool..




Pamukkale...

[simorgh]

Great story of events and pictures Carmella good job.

[puwer98]

We were there in 2003 a great place.

[Mella]

Yup it is Glynn! Definitely recommended to anyone who hasn't been yet!

[annie]

loveley pics. went there in 1987 I think there was only one place to eat back then.

[Mella]

[Rhona]

Is there any way to get there other than car or organised trips, eg can you get a bus from the city?
Some people I met spent 5 hours on the bus to get there from Kus, and 4 hours back, Im afraid a journey like that would do my head in.

[Mella]

Rhona I read there's a bus from Selcuk to Pamukkale.

[Rhona]

Originally Posted by Mella

Rhona I read there's a bus from Selcuk to Pamukkale.

Thanks, that may be worth looking at, this is a trip I have always wanted to do.

[kay]

If you get the bus you have to change to a dolmus at Denzili. Despite them saying Pammukale - it doesn't actually happen that way. There are plenty of guided tours from Kus. Depending on who and how many are in the party they start picking up between 7.30 and 8.0. Morning tea along the way, lunch usually at one of big hotels, the afternoon at the site and visiting Heirapolis and back to Kus by about 6/7 that night. The route and the carparking situation has just changed this year. The tour party walks through Heirapolis to the travertines - then time for a swim in the pools, and later walk out to the carpark. In the meantime the bus driver has taken the bus around from the drop off point.