Hierapolis
ATTRACTION Keywords:
UNESCO Heritage Site,
Hot Spring,
Ruin - Ancient,
Town / City
Perhaps better known by tourists as Pamukkale, Hierapolis is an ancient city of the Lycus River valley famed for its sacred hot springs.
There’s a lot to see at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose most popular attraction includes the thermally heated Sacred Pool where you can swim among the remains of ancient Roman columns, toppled into the water by various earthquakes.
Among the ruins are the remains of the Temple of Apollo (Apollo was believed by ancients to have been the divine founder of the city), the Gate of Domitian, the tomb of Flavius Zeuxis, necropolis (graveyard), the Plutonium (a cave believed to have been the entrance to the underworld), and the theater.
Among these, the theater is perhaps the most well-preserved. Constructed around 200BC, it could hold 20,000 spectators in its day. These days, just 30 rows remain.
Latest Reviews
Review by Eleftherios K, May 2013
Doing what: Small-Group Pamukkale Day Trip from Kusadasi: Travertines and Hierapolis
It was perfect day trip to Pamukkale.. the guid was excellent .. they picked us from the hotel in time ..we had enough time to walk around and discover the magnificent Pamukkale pools ..Thank you
Review by Mrs Joanna C K, April 2013
Doing what: 5-Day Aegean Tour from Istanbul: Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Excellent tour in all respects. Our guide, Can, was very knowledgeable. Interesting and varied. Our 12- and 10-year old children enjoyed it too. Food good throughout.
Review by Paul C, USA, September 2012
Doing what: Pamukkale and Hierapolis
This tour if great BUT a long day if you are staying in Izmir. First of all, there is nothing to do in Izmir and the tour company is 1 1/2 hr from Izmir, so stay in Kusadasi. it is a 3 hour drive from the tour company but it is worth it to see mother nature in action!
Practical Info
As you near Hierapolis, you won’t be able to miss seeing the spectacular white terraces of Pamukkale. Easily viewed from the ancient city, these terraces are created by a natural build up of calcium carbonate, a by-product of the hot spring water that flows down the slopes.
Hierapolis (Pamukkale) is 270km (168mi) from Izmir and takes approximately 4.5 hours by road.
