Disappointment at Pamukkale

From the moment I saw pictures of Pamukkale, I was excited to visit. The World Heritage site in southwestern Turkey means “cotton castle” for the terraces made from carbonate minerals. You can see the white pop out against the otherwise brown and green landscape from miles away. It’s also home to the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient city devoted to the goddess Hera.

There’s no denying that Pamukkale is a geological wonder. The pools are naturally created and remain a constant temperature of between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Deposits of calcite line the bottom of said pools. It’s one of only a handful of these types of carbonate formations all over the world.

But then there’s the tourists. One of the biggest downsides to being one of Turkey’s most famous tourist attraction is that it’s almost always full of people. Large Russian ladies in thongs, Japanese tourists walking into restricted areas, young travelers posing for their new Facebook profile pictures. Due to the high volume of visitors, pools have been recreated for tourist use while the originals are preserved. But you’ll be lucky to even find a spot to dip your feet into.

I even tried to check out Cleopatra’s Pool, which I thought would be less crowded, but I was clearly mistaken. There were even lines in the changing rooms. I couldn’t take all the crowds anymore, so I found a quiet spot under a tree and got out my book to read. I may not have had the best attitude on my trip to Pamukkale, but I do think it’s worth a visit. Just have realistic expectations for your visit. Be prepared for long lines and crowds.

If You Go

Pamukkale is located near the town of Denizli, around 7.5 hours drive from Istanbul. Flights arrive from Atatürk Airport three times per day via Turkish Airlines. It is also accessible by train and bus, where you’ll need a dolmus transfer directly to the Pamukkale site. Admission is 20 TL ($10 USD) and includes access to the Hierapolis ruins and the pools at Pamukkale, but entrance into Cleopatra’s Pool is extra.