Things to do — Pamukkale

The visit of Pamukkale organises around three main poles on the same site.

Travertines (Pamukkale Travertenleri) — signature landscape. 2.7 km limestone plateau, white cascading terraces over 200 m formed by hot springs (35-40°C) for 14,000 years. Official trail descending from upper plateau (Hierapolis) to Pamukkale-bottom village in 1.5 km / 1h-1h30. Shoes forbidden to preserve the limestone — bare feet mandatory. Some shallow pools arranged for bathing (bring swimsuit, towel, flip-flops). Avoid steps outside the marked trail (fine). Iconic photo: white travertines with turquoise pools + Hierapolis ruins in background. Sunset: magnificent pinkish and golden hues.

Hierapolis — Greco-Roman ancient city, prestigious thermal station of the Roman Empire. UNESCO site. 2-3h visit. - Roman theatre (12,000 seats, 2nd century AD, one of Turkey's best preserved, sculpted friezes and monumental statues on the stage) - Necropolis (one of the largest in the ancient world, 1,200 monumental tombs over 2 km — tumuli, sarcophagi, funerary chambers) - Monumental baths (now Hierapolis Archaeological Museum, 200 TRY / €6, collections of statues and sarcophagi) - Basilica of Saint Philip and martyrium (5th century, presumed place of the Apostle Philip's martyrdom) - Nymphaeum (monumental fountain) - Domitian Gate and agora - Plutonium (Gate to Hell, fault releasing volcanic gases that the Romans attributed to the god Pluto — closed for sanitary reasons)

Cleopatra's antique pool (Antik Havuz) — thermal pool at the heart of Hierapolis, where you bathe among collapsed Roman columns underwater (7th century earthquake). Water at 35-37°C, rich in magnesium, calcium, bicarbonates — reputed for its curative properties (rheumatism, circulatory problems). Legend has it that Mark Antony offered the pool to Cleopatra. Supplement 350 TRY (€11) in addition to site entry. Bring swimsuit, towel, flip-flops. Lockers available. Restaurant and shop on site. 1h-1h30 of bathing.

Karahayit (5 km from Pamukkale) — authentic village with red springs (Kırmızı Su) — ferruginous waters of brilliant red colour (magnificent contrast with the white of Pamukkale travertines). High-end spa hotels exploiting the thermal waters (Adempira, Hierapark). 1-2h excursion from Pamukkale.

Lake Salda (95 km, 1h30 drive) — recommended extension for photo travellers. Volcanic lake with brilliantly turquoise waters and white sand bottom, compared to Mars by NASA. Swimming possible in summer (June-September). 2-3h visit.