Izmir Airport to Pamukkale Transfer | Pamukkale to Izmir Airport

Pamukkale — meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish — is one of the most extraordinary natural sites in the world. The white terraced pools cascading down the hillside are formed by calcium-rich thermal water that has been flowing from the plateau above for thousands of years, depositing travertine limestone in a series of natural pools that photograph as impossibly white against the blue sky.

What makes Pamukkale particularly remarkable is that the thermal waters were being used long before the modern age of tourism. The ancient city of Hierapolis was founded here in the 2nd century BC precisely because of the healing properties of the hot springs. For centuries it functioned as a health centre — wealthy Romans, Greek settlers and later Byzantine Christians came here to bathe in the thermal waters and recover from ailments. The therapeutic tradition continues today: the Antique Pool, where you can swim among submerged Roman columns, remains one of the most unusual bathing experiences in Turkey.

Hierapolis is a large and well-preserved ancient city — the theatre, the colonnaded street, the monumental gate and the extensive necropolis are all impressive in their own right, quite apart from the travertines below. The site holds UNESCO World Heritage status for both its natural and historical significance.

Most large resort hotels in the area are located in Karahayit, a village about 5 km north known for its red thermal springs, close to the northern gate of the site. Smaller boutique hotels and guesthouses are concentrated in Pamukkale village itself, at the base of the travertines — the most atmospheric place to stay for those who want to watch the sun set over the white terraces from their terrace.