Pamukkale - Turkey's Cotton Castle

Turkey’s Pamukkale, and its unusual limestone formations and mineral hot spring pools, is by far one of the coolest and most unique natural landscapes I’ve seen on my travels to date. It’s a very unique highlight and a must while traveling Turkey!

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pamukkale, which literally means “cotton castle” in Turkish, has been used as a spa since ancient times. The white calcite travertine terraces look like snow or salt. You have your pick of mineral rich, hot spring pools, which aren’t deep enough for swimming, but they’re great for a good sit and cool down from the hot sun. It was very hot when I was there (late September) and the sun reflects off all the white, so don’t forget your sunscreen!

It’s also makes a great place to get some very cool and trippy photos that will confuse, intrigue and inspire your family and friends back home because the white limestone looks cold and icy:

GOOD TO KNOW

You can get to Pamukkale from Denizli, the closest town, which is about 20km away. I went to Pamukkale from Selçuk (where you find Ephesus), which takes about 3 hours.

Visit Pammukale in the spring, summer or early fall. It will be crowded in the summer, but you wouldn’t have the same experience at the pools in the winter because it’ll be cold and grey.

If you’re looking for a proper swim, Cleopatra’s Pool nearby is available for 32 Turkish Lira (about $9USD). It’s a little overpriced, so it all depends on how badly you want to swim and your budget of course.

Pamukkale is adjacent to the ancient city of Hierapolis, meaning “sacred city”, which was once an ancient Roman and Byzantine spa city that founded at the end of the 2nd century B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theatre and a necropolis (cemetery). You get joint site entry for 25TL (about $7USD).