Pamukkale: Day Trips and Tours from Antalya

You can tick the historic natural spa baths in Pamukkale, Turkey, off your travel bucket list when you visit the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis.

Take a day tour to Pamukkale, affectionately known as “cotton castle,” from Antalya city located along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline. Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul in the special travertine natural pools — cascading down like the rice fields in Vietnam.

Soak up their healing powers before you explore the World UNESCO Heritage Site, Hierapolis, and its ruins. The grounds, first constructed in the Second Century B.C., were collectively known as a "spa town" and are filled with real-life wonders from the past.

How to get to Pamukkale from Antalya?

Located a few hours' drive from Antalya town in southwestern Turkey, Pumakkale is situated 19 kilometers from Denizli Province. There are various ways to get to Pamukkale from Antalya for a day trip, covering a distance of over 200 kilometers.

From Antalya to Pamukkale by car

For your Pamukkale journey, this is the fastest way to get here, but you will pay slightly more. You have the option of taking a taxi or you can rent a private car. Take the highway E87 and drive roughly three hours, following the signs to Denizli. Then from Denizli, follow the Pamukkale signs.

From Antalya to Pamukkale by bus/public transport

There are many public bus companies that travel from Antalya directly to Denizli town, however, none drop you at Pamukkale.

Catch a bus from Antalya to Denizli, which departs a few times a day from Antalya. At Denizli Otogar, head downstairs to Gate/Platform 76. From here, catch a minibus (also known locally as a "dolmus") to Pamukkale. The drive from Denizli is 15 to 20 minutes depending on your drop-off.

Some buses offer a free pickup shuttle service from your hotel to the station in Antalya.

Guided tour to Pamukkale from Antalya

Start your full day tour to Pamukkale early in the morning, as a private minivan collects you from your hotel. The tour includes all transfers and pickups, as well as entry tickets to Pamukkale and Hierapolis sites.

After your guided Pamukkale excursion, you will be dropped directly back at your hotel/accommodation.

How much does the entrance ticket to Pamukkale cost?

The entrance fee to Pamukkale and Hierapolis is ₺110 (€7), and it's free for children under 8 years old.

You will need to purchase a separate ticket for some attractions inside the ancient city.

• Cleopatra Antique Pool entrance fee is ₺33 (€$2)
• Hierapolis Archaeology Museum entrance fee is ₺5 (€0.30)

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Pamukkale from Antalya?

Starting the day bright and early around 6 AM, a private luxury minivan collects you from your hotel. Along the journey, take in the local scenes and rolling landscapes where the ocean and mountains meet.

Some tours choose to make a pit stop at some must-see sites before you arrive at Pamukkale from Antalya. These include the “Turkish Maldives” or Salda Lake, or an underground cave.

Arrive at Pamukkale and wander the historic travertine hot springs which look like pillows of cotton from afar. Dip your feet in the cascading thermal baths and marvel at the traditional architecture around you. These baths were constructed by dynasties during the 2nd Century B.C.  

Walk down the stairs and amphitheater of the old Greek city, photograph the ancient columns and experience the healing waters yourself. Take a dip in Cleopatra’s Pool (Pamukkale Antique Pool), and explore the on-site museum with its three galleries and a real Roman bath. There is a small souvenir shop and a café.  

After an afternoon of rejuvenation, head back to Antalya and the day tour to Pamukkale ends with a direct drop-off back at your hotel.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Pamukkale?

Day trip to Pamukkale from Antalya

Depart Antalya for Pamukkale in the early morning on a shuttle which collects you from your hotel/accommodation. After a three-hour drive, you'll arrive at the famous travertine spring baths and start exploring.

Take photos and meander around the ancient city Hierapolis where you can see an amphitheater, Cleopatra's Pool and other ruins like the Byzantine Church.

Enjoy lunch or dinner, depending on what tour time you have booked. Some tours stop at natural wonders in between the drive from Antalya and Pamukkale, for example, Salda Lake. Group sizes can range up to 17 travelers at once.

Guided tours to Pamukkale from Antalya

Instead of just transfers and a guide to take you around Pamukkale, opt for an excursion by a professionally trained tour guide that specializes in the applicable fields.

Art enthusiasts, spend the day exploring Pamukkale and Hierapolis on a private art historian-guided tour. History buffs, book a private history tour with an archaeologist, specifically paying attention to the facts and details surrounding the area.  

Private tour to Pamukkale from Antalya

If you prefer an intimate excursion to Pamukkale, choose a private tour that only takes on small group of up to six people. You can also book a family tour for up to four members. After you’re done sightseeing Hierapolis and taking a dip in the thermal Pamukkale terraced baths, enjoy lunch and head home.

2-Day tour to Pamukkale from Antalya

Instead of squeezing the journey into one long day, take a two-day tour from Antalya to Pamukkale and spend the night in the nearby town, Denizli.

On Day 1,  leave Antalya for the travertine terraced baths. Reaching Pamukkale, spend the afternoon exploring the ancient ruins and amphitheater of Hierapolis, and bathe in the thermal springs.

On Day 2, venture through Pamukkale Natural Park and journey back to Antalya. Breakfast and dinner meals are included.

2-Day hot air balloon trip to Pamukkale plus Aphrodisias from Antalya

Venture to Pamukkale with a special trip in the sky across the magnificent Anatolian peninsula. On the first day, you'll cross the ancient Greek city, Aphrodisias near Geyre, and the Roman Tetrapylon monuments at its entrance. Driving to Pamukkale, enjoy a quick photo stop here for Day 1.

Day 2 is a full day back at the ancient thermal springs, spent exploring, wandering and swimming at Pamukkale and Hierapolis city. On the journey back to Antalya, stop off at the Maldives of Turkey, Salda Lake.

How much does a tour to Pamukkale from Antalya cost?

Depending on the type of tour you book from Antalya to Pamukkale, prices vary. Your average day tour to Pamukkale costs ₺755 - ₺944 (€48 - €60).  The most affordable day tours to Pamukkale don’t include all ticket and entry prices.

Book a specialized package such as a guided tour with an art historian or archaeologist, and pay slightly more. These tours cost between ₺1,102 and ₺1,181 (€70 - €75).  

Small private tours cost the most from ₺4,724 to ₺9,448 (€300 - €600). It includes all extra costs like entry and attraction tickets, lunch/dinner, and all transfers. Price is dependent on group size, extra stops or special selling points like a hot air balloon ride.

What will you see and do in Pamukkale?

Pamukkale is not just a place to bathe in the travertine thermal pools, there are other attractions and natural sites in the town worth checking out.

You could easily spend a full day just walking the ruins of the ancient Greek Hierapolis city. Discover a church built during the start of Christianity and visit the Temple of Apollo, Hierapolis Necropolis home to 1,200 graves, the Grand Theatre and much more.  

After you’ve spent enough time in the powerful waters of Cleopatra’s hot spring inside Hierapolis, and Pamukkale’s historic cascading hot water natural pools, visit the other places in town.

Descend a wooden staircase, as you head underground to the hidden grotto cave, Kaklik Cave, renowned for its unique smell. It’s like a fairyland with its turquoise to emerald waters and rocks covered in moss.

There are restaurants and bars to choose from in Pamukkale town. Some options include Teras restaurant, Onur Restaurant, Kayas Wine House, the White House Restaurant & Cafe, and more.

Take a romantic hot air balloon ride over Pamukkale and experience incredible aerial views. It’s ideal for couples, as well as families.

What are the opening times?

Open all year round during every season, Pamukkale opens everyday (Monday-Sunday) 6:30 AM to 8 PM. Some of the attractions and sites inside the World UNESCO Heritage Site have different opening hours.

Hierapolis Archaeology Museum opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 7 PM (closed on Mondays). Cleopatra's Antique Pool opens everyday (Monday-Sunday) from 9 AM to 7 PM. Last entry is at 6:15 PM.

When is the best time to visit Pamukkale?

To avoid the mega crowds, day trip to Pamukkale during spring (April to June) or the start of autumn (September to October). The weather is still warm and comfortable around this time of year.

You can visit and swim in the hot springs and thermal natural pools during winter, but it does snow sometimes so be careful not to catch cold. An ideal month not to visit is December as it rains a lot and most of the excursion exploring is outdoors.

Travel tip: Visit Cleopatra’s Pool during the middle of the day for no crowds. From 11 AM to 4 PM the day is at its hottest.

Are there any tours to Pamukkale from other cities in Turkey?

Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in Turkey:

• Day trips to Pamukkale from Istanbul
• Pamukkale day tours from Kuşadası
• Day trips to Pamukkale from Marmaris
• Pamukkale day tours from Side
• Day tours to Pamukkale from Bodrum
• Day trips to Pamukkale from Selçuk
• Pamukkale day trips from Fethiye
• Day Trips to Pamukkale from Alanya

Travel tips

• You will need your Passport/ID card.
• Wear comfortable shoes and a strong sunblock.
• Don’t forget sunglasses, a sun hat, a bathing suit and a towel.
• Bring extra drinking water and snacks.
• Take your camera for photo opportunities.