Embark on a mesmerizing journey to Pamukkale from Izmir on our day tour. Witness the surreal beauty of the terraces filled with mineral-rich thermal waters, cascading down the hillside like cotton clouds, giving Pamukkale its name, "Cotton Castle." Explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, where history comes to life amidst well-preserved remnants of a bygone era. With comfortable transportation and expert guides, immerse yourself in the natural and historical wonders of Pamukkale on this unforgettable day trip from Izmir.
We will depart from the hotels in Izmiris at 7:15 am in Selçuk we will meet our professional guide and we will head to Pamukkale which will take approximately 3 hours including a toilet and smoke stop for 10-15 minutes.
Pamukkale / Hierapolis is listed in Unesco's World Heritage List as a 'Natural Site' and 'Ancient City'; and is famous for her hot springs which are believed to be having healing powers. The travertines are formed by a multifaceted chemical reaction and subsequent precipitation of various causes and environments. Water springs from the ground with a high level of Calcium Hydrocarbonate at a temperature of 35.6 degrees C; and this causes carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide to evaporate and leave calcium carbonate to precipitate and form the travertine.
Hierapolis has been a settlement of different cults and cultures throughout history; and the city is believed to have been founded by Eumenies II, the Attalid king of Pergamon at the end of the 2nd Century BC; and to has been named after Hiera, the beautiful wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamon. However, ancient historians like Strabon and Ptolemaios state that Hierapolis was a Phrygian settlement.
Hierapolis played an important role in spreading Christianity in Anatolia, and it was the place where Phillip, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, died. For this reason, Hierapolis became an important religious center in the 4th century AD. Later it assumed the title ofthe ‘Guide of the East’; and the city came under the control of the Roman Empire in 395 AD, and became a metropolitan bishopric.
Our tour in Hierapolis includes the Necropolis, Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, the Agora, the North Byzantine Gate, the Gymnasium, the Foundation with Triton, Apollon Temple, the Martyrium of St Philip and Bridge, the Column Church, the ruins of Basilica, Plutonium, Latrina and the Roman Baths. Our guide will show you Pamukkale and it will take about one and a half hours, after that, you have free time to look around, if you bring your swimming clothes you can also visit the Cleopatra pool but they charge an entrance fee of 250 lira extra this is not included our tour program.
After our Hierapolis and travertine tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Izmir around 08:30 pm.