Top Things to Do in Pamukkale, Southwest Turkey
Turkey has no shortage of tourist spots to visit and enjoy your visit. From beautiful natural sceneries to cultural sites and monuments, Turkey has something for every type of tourist. If you are a tourist looking to explore the influence of other cultures in the history of Turkey along with some nature exploration, the city of Pamukkale is the best choice for you.
Pamukkale is a city located in the Denizli province located in southwest Turkey. Pamukkale is located very close to the ancient ruins of the Hierapolis. The city of Pamukkale is famous for its natural thermal pools which leave a rich amount of carbonate minerals. There are around 17 hot springs present within the vicinity of Pamukkale.
Let's have a look at the top things that you can do in Pamukkale
Due to its close association with Hierapolis, the city has a lot of sights to see from all the different cultures that once resided in Hierapolis. So, let's have a look at the top 7 things that you can do in Pamukkale during your visit to Turkey.
Roman Ancient Theatre
Located inside the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, this large theater is said to have been created by the Romans during the 2nd Century B.C. Hierapolis has a very rich history which is influenced by the many cultures that once resided here. One of these cultures was the Roman Empire which was well known for creating such large theaters.
When you arrive here, the first thing that you will notice is how well-preserved this place is despite its age. This theater has a 3 level seating which once upon a time, allowed for a maximum of 15,000 spectators. In the center below the hill is a stage that has several columns with engravings of many elegant designs.
Hierapolis was once a large trading hub which has been speculated to be the reason behind the construction of this massive theater. While you will be able to explore a lot of this place freely, you won't be able to explore anywhere below the first level of seats as this part of the theater is restricted.
If you are an astute observer, you will notice that the statues around this theater look surprisingly new even though they should be centuries old. This is because these statues were placed here as a replacement for the real statues which were taken to the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum.
Cleopatra's Pool
You may have heard of the name Cleopatra in your history lessons in school. She was a ruler of Egypt during the rise of the Roman Empire under its most famous ruler Julius Caesar. It is speculated that Cleopatra was a Roman descendant. This pool is located near the temple of Apollo and is a place where Cleopatra used to bathe.
Nowadays, this place has become a tourist attraction which has resulted from the many hot springs that you can enjoy around this place. You are also allowed to go into this antique pool but it will charge you an extra 100 Lira on top of your entry fees. Keep in mind that this charge may change over time so don't hesitate to ask the authorities.
Necropolis
Moving back to the historical attractions around Pamukkale, the Necropolis is a great place to observe the skills of architects from ancient civilizations. This place has several tombs that have amazing designs built from natural rock formations. Looking away from the many regular tombs that are scattered around this large area are the main attractions of this place which are:
- Tomb of the Gladiators
- The Sepulchre of the Courtesans
- Tomb of Flavius Zeuxis
Unlike the rest of the tombs, these are entire structures that showcase the architecture of the old civilization with each of these places having a rich history behind them. One thing to note here is that this place is best visited during the winter seasons due to the fact that this place is an uphill walk with no shade nearby.
So, be prepared to walk a lot to fully explore this place.
Basilica Bath
Another place that will interest a lot of history enthusiasts is the Basilica Bath located inside Hierapolis. While this place is now a shell of its former glory, you can still observe the importance of this place to the city of Hierapolis. This place was once a large bath where people from different kinds of places came together and socialized with each other.
From the ruins, you will be able to tell that this place once had a large pool in the center with several smaller pools surrounding it. The heating systems that were used to transport warm water to these pools show the advanced engineering skills possessed by the Romans who once lived in the city.
If you are a history enthusiast, then this bath is a must-visit place in Pamukkale.
Kaklik Caves
Coming to more natural spots for tourists, the Kaklik Cave also known as Pamukkale Cave is a naturally formed cave located about 45 kilometers away from Pamukkale. This cave is said to be formed about 2.5 million years ago with several streams of water flowing through it.
It is also filled with stalactite and stalagmites which have formed on the ceiling and walls of this cave.
Keep in mind though that this cave is also filled with high amounts of sulfur which makes it a very smelly place. Inside the cave, there are pools and waterfalls which are said to be good for treating skin diseases and arthritis. If you decide to pay a visit to this place, it will take you around 30 minutes of walking to fully explore this place.
Karahayit Hot Springs
For tourists looking to take a dip in the famous hot springs around Pamukkale, the Karahyit Hot Springs or Karahayit Kirmizi Su is the ideal place. Enjoy the red scenery around this area which is the result of magnesium, calcium, and sulfur deposits. Among the locals, it is said that the water of these hot springs has properties of healing.
A famous festival by the name of International Karahayit Red Water Culture and Tourism is also held in this location in June of every year. Many cafes and hotels can be found near this location which makes it the perfect place to rest after a long day of traveling.
Laodikeia
This is one of the most important places in Pamukkale located close to the Lycos River. Its significance comes from the fact that it is one of the 7 Churches of Revelation in Christianity. The site has criss-crossing roads that run parallel to each other with the main street of the site surrounded by pedestals and colonnades.
The site consists of a lot of things from the ancient civilization that once lived here like a large stadium, 4 bath complexes, 5 agoras, 2 theaters, a gymnasium, and a senate house. It also has many sarcophagi, fountains, temples, churches, and homes of the ancient civilization that once lived here.
The entire site is also surrounded by cemeteries and a recent addition to this place was a statue of the Roman emperor Trajan. Laodikeia is one of the best places in Pamukkale for anyone looking to delve deep into the history of Turkey.
Pamukkale is a great tourist destination filled with both natural spots and historical sites for tourists to enjoy. It represents everything that makes Turkey an intriguing place to visit. So, if you are looking to visit Pamukkale, then start preparing your tourist e-visa and tour guides for the journey.
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