Tips to Maximize Pamukkale: A 1-Day Itinerary

Can you believe it? We’d only been in Turkey for five days, and we were already arriving at the third city of our trip! It was a jam-packed itinerary — but that was the plan all along. After all, Turkey is pretty far from the Philippines, so our thinking was: go big, do as much as we can, and then… maybe never come back. YOLO, right?

Anyway, today’s adventure took us to the surreal town of Pamukkale!

How to Get to Pamukkale from Ephesus

We debated a lot about the best way to get from Ephesus to Pamukkale. There’s public transport (buses, minivans), or you can rent a private car. In the end, we prioritized convenience and speed — our schedule was tight and frankly, we didn’t feel like figuring out driving in a foreign country. Plus, you’ll need an international driving permit to legally drive in Turkey.

So we booked a private transfer through our Ephesus hotel. And surprise, surprise — it was the same van and driver that our guide Denis used the day before. Is there literally only one van for hire in this town? 😂

For reference:
We paid €200 for the 2.5-hour drive. Renting and self-driving might have been cheaper, but the hassle just wasn’t worth it for us.

Where to Stay in Pamukkale

Out of all the cities we visited in Turkey, Pamukkale had the cheapest hotels. Maybe it’s because there are so many accommodation options here and frankly not a lot of tourists overnight here (commonly they just visit as part of a day tour). Oh well, I’m not complaining.

We stayed at Bellamaritimo Hotel, a charming, slightly dated property — but honestly, it had everything we needed. Strong shower pressure, good air-conditioning, and a super helpful owner who offered to drive us to the North Gate of Hierapolis after check-in. Total lifesaver! We had been this close to walking it (and I’m sure my sister would have killed me if we had really walked it because wow it was FAR).

Tip #1: Start at the North Gate of Hierapolis

This tip was gold: start exploring the site from the North Gate. The hotel owner was the one who suggested it, and wow — he was right.

You begin your journey at the necropolis (an ancient cemetery with hundreds of tombs), pass through the Frontinus Gate, and then get treated to sweeping Sound of Music-style mountain views…

And finally, the pièce de résistance — the Grand Theater.

• Getting there: The North Gate is far from most hotels, so do yourself a favor and take a taxi. Don’t even think about walking.
• Tickets: Buy them directly at the gate. If you’re visiting multiple archaeological sites across Turkey, consider getting the Museum Pass — it can save you a lot.
• Audio Guide: Download the MuzeKart app. The audio guide is free with your ticket — and surprisingly insightful! One fun fact: the Romans used to tax urine collectors because urine (rich in ammonia) was used for laundry and cleaning cloth stains. Yup. Ancient dry cleaning.

Tip #2: Don’t Miss the Hierapolis Theater

This is hands down the most awe-inspiring ancient theater I’ve ever seen. Not just because it’s incredibly well-preserved — but also because of where it’s perched.

You sit at the top of the seats, and right in front of you is a jaw-dropping panorama of the valley, the mountains, and the ruins below. Can you imagine watching a performance here as the sun set behind the hills? Unreal.

Did you know? The theater dates back to the 2nd century AD and could seat over 12,000 spectators. It was used for drama, concerts, and imperial ceremonies.

Tip #3: The Plutonium — Entrance to the Underworld?!

Next up: the Plutonium. No, not the radioactive kind — this was believed to be a portal to the underworld in ancient times!

Priests would send animals into the cavern… and the animals would die almost instantly. Locals thought it was divine wrath. Science later explained it as deadly levels of carbon dioxide rising from underground faults. Humans could survive by staying low to the ground and holding their breath. Priests (aware of this) would use secret paths to show off their “divine” powers.

How wild is that?

Tip #4: Cleopatra’s Pool

I was so excited to take a dip in Cleopatra’s Pool, said to have been a gift from Marc Anthony to Cleopatra herself. The idea of swimming among fallen marble columns from the Temple of Apollo? Pretty cool.

Unfortunately, the pool was closed for renovations during our visit. But if you’re luckier than we were:

✅ Bring a swimsuit
✅ Bring a towel (none provided)
✅ Expect a separate entrance fee (~200 lira)
✅ Go early to avoid the crowds!

Fun fact: The thermal waters here are rich in minerals and are believed to have healing properties, making them popular with both locals and tourists.

Tip #5: The Hierapolis Museum

Silver lining to Cleopatra’s Pool being closed: we had time to check out the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum.

And wow — the collection is small but so worth it (in part, because there’s aircon in certain areas). Inside, you’ll find:

• Marble sarcophagi from the necropolis

• Roman statues and artifacts

• Intricately carved reliefs and friezes

• Tools and jewelry from the Hellenistic and Roman eras

Note: It closes early (around 5 PM), so time your visit accordingly!

Tip #6: Bring Slippers for the Pamukkale Travertines

The highlight of Pamukkale is, of course, the “Cotton Castle” — the white travertine terraces that look like they’ve been dusted with snow (and wow, they look AMAZING in photos). For reference, to achieve this “look,” these terraces were essentially formed over thousands of years from calcite-rich spring water flowing down the mountainside.

Shoes are not allowed on the terraces, so you’re required to go barefoot. Bring slippers so that you can wear them on your way home instead of rewearing socks and shoes immediately after the travertines.

And if you’re wearing jeans? Make sure they roll up — your legs will get wet!

But here’s the thing: the travertines today don’t really look that great. Due to over-tourism and water being diverted for agriculture, the flow is now controlled by the government, and quite frankly, some pools looked dry and were algae-covered. The worst part? Some tourists still ignore the signs and trample through restricted areas. No wonder the travertines are dying…

Still — if you go near sunset, when the crowds thin out, it becomes a peaceful, almost magical place. We even had parts of the terraces all to ourselves! The only downside of staying late is that the area barely has any lights, so it can be tough picking your way down through the travertines in the looming darkness.

Verdict: While it doesn’t quite look like the Pinterest-perfect photos, I’d say it’s still worth visiting — especially for the history and uniqueness of it.

Some say the best time to visit Pamukkale was 20 years ago. But hey — I don’t have a time machine. So I’m glad I came now, before it’s even more restricted or changed. The ruins of Hierapolis, the scientific quirks of the Plutonium, and the natural wonder of the travertines made this a pretty cool stop on our Turkey trip.

Some say the best time to visit Pamukkale was 20 years ago. But hey — I don’t have a time machine. So I’m glad I came now, before it’s even more restricted or changed. The ruins of Hierapolis, the scientific quirks of the Plutonium, and the natural wonder of the travertines made this a pretty cool stop on our Turkey trip.

Next up: city #4 on this whirlwind journey!

Exploring other parts of Turkey? Do check out my other Turkey blogs!

Tips on How to Maximize your Turkey Trip in Goreme

One Day in Ephesus: A Whirlwind Tour Through Ancient History – my suggested itinerary

Tips to Maximize Pamukkale: A 1-Day Itinerary

What to see, do and eat when in Istanbul – a detailed breakdown by area