The Rejuvenating Powers of Turkey's White Thermal Pools
The hanging white pools of Pamukkale are one of Turkey’s most popular attractions. The mineral-rich travertine terraces were once bathed in by Roman dignitaries, but today you can visit the natural wonder without having to bring an army of your own.
Pamukkale, literally translated as ‘Cotton Castle’, is home to spectacular natural springs and thermal pools, as well as the ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. Over two million visitors pass through here every year, making it a popular UNESCO Heritage Site that combines the best that mother nature has to offer with the marvels of the ancient man-made world.
The spectacular cascading travertine “steps” have been formed over millennia from the limestone residue of the surrounding hot springs. These also leave behind the white slush that can be bathed in, with many visitors claiming the waters have rejuvenating qualities.
Pamukkale-Hierapolis sits south of Istanbul in the west of Turkey. The region is relatively remote when you remove tourists heading to Pamukkale itself, but it’s well connected by road. Regular bus services run from all the major cities in the country, and most visitors tend to take up the affordable option of hiring a car to make a refreshing day trip.
The nearest airport is Denizli, and there are also limited rail services from Selçuk.
Given how popular the pools are, it is hard to avoid the crowds. Peak times are in the afternoon through to sunset, so get there early if you value peace and quiet. It’s also worth exploring the area in winter, although it can get cold at this time of year (the months from October through March).
One final tip from regular visitors is to bring a waterproof bag. Most of the walkways heading to the pools, and well as the pools themselves, can only be accessed barefoot to protect the delicate terraces. Pack away your footwear and ideally have your swimsuit already on!
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
