Pamukkale and Around: Terraces, Hierapolis and More
Pamukkale's white terraces, Hierapolis above them, Aphrodisias and Laodicea nearby, plus waterfalls and caves most visitors miss.
· 1 min read
Pamukkale is one of Turkey's best-known natural sites, and it comes with an ancient city on top. Many visitors arrive on a day trip and leave after an hour, but the area around Denizli has enough for a full stay.
Here are the essentials, then the places most visitors never get to.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
The two are one visit: the ancient city sits right above the terraces.
Pamukkale
Nature & Adventure · Pamukkale
Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is famous for the white carbonate mineral terraces left by its flowing waters.
Go to PamukkaleHierapolis
Historic & Cultural · Pamukkale
Hierapolis was a Hellenistic Greek city founded in the 3rd century BC on the site of a Phrygian cult centre.
Go to HierapolisTheatre of Hierapolis
Historic & Cultural · Pamukkale
The Hierapolis Theatre was built in the 2nd century AD under Emperor Hadrian.
Go to Theatre of HierapolisPloutonion at Hierapolis
Historic & Cultural · Pamukkale
The Ploutonion, or Pluto's Gate, was a sanctuary in Hierapolis — one of the most unusual sites of the ancient city.
Go to Ploutonion at HierapolisAncient cities nearby
Worth a second day.
Aphrodisias
Historic & Cultural · Karacasu
Aphrodisias was a Hellenistic Greek city in the historic region of Caria, near the modern village of Geyre.
Go to AphrodisiasLaodicea on the Lycus
Historic & Cultural · Merkezefendi
Laodicea on the Lycus was a rich ancient Greek city on the river Lycus, close to Denizli.
Go to Laodicea on the LycusNature most visitors miss
Easy to add between the ancient sites.
Kaklık Cave
City Guides · Honaz
Kaklık Cave, about 30 km from Denizli on the road to Ankara, is adorned with dripstones and stalactites.
Go to Kaklık CaveGüney Waterfall
City Guides · Güney
Güney Waterfall in Denizli Province is a registered natural monument of Turkey.
Go to Güney WaterfallMount Honaz
Nature & Adventure · Honaz
Mount Honaz, the ancient Mount Kadmos, is a national park about 17 km east of Denizli.
Go to Mount HonazIf you can, stay a night: the area has more than a day trip shows. Opening hours are on each place's TripNVB page.
This article was written by the TripNVB team from our own data: places, locations and facts come from our records. Check opening hours and prices on each place's page before you go.
The full Denizli guide →
