Best things to do in Pamukkale

Explore ancient thermal spas and take a dip yourself at Hierapolis, a World Heritage Site. Originally a thermal spa in 2nd century BCE, the Greek ruins of baths, temples, and monuments are still visible today at Hierapolis. Visit the on-site Hierapolis Archaeology Museum to see tombs, monuments, and ruined theatre artifacts. Nearby Pamukkale is a diverse arrangement of hot springs--some for swimming and some for scenic appreciation. One notable area, sometimes referred to as Cleopatra's swimming pool, features a set of tiered travertines on top of which bright aquamarine water gathers.

Take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of Pamukkale Thermal Pools, a World Heritage Site with terraces and hot springs that have retained their beauty over millenia. People have been bathing in these pools and embracing their purported health benefits for thousands of years. Visit the site to see for yourself why its name literally means "cotton castle." Explore the white terraces formed from sedimentary rock deposits of hot springs and bathe in their waters.

Explore the ruins ofAphrodisias, the ancient Greek city named after the goddess of love, Aphrodite, that earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its abundance of marble and talented sculptors. What was once the capital of Lydia province is now considered one of the most well-preserved of its type in the Mediterranean. Be sure to take a look at the imposing stadium, which once seated over 30,000 for various athletic events. Examine the other remaining structures that have been arranged to replicate a small city: the temple of Aphrodite, the monumental gateway, the Bouleuterion council house, and the Sebasteion. Stop by the museum on site to see some of the most remarkable remaining marble sculptures. Take time for an audio tour if you would like more information. If you decide to drive to the ruins, park in the lot below the entrance and wait for one of the shuttles to take you to the site.

Part of the ancient city of Hierapolis, Anatolia Cemetery features many different types of graves from the Late Hellenistic to the early Christian period, including marble sarcophagi, round tumuli, and characteristic tomb structures, reminiscent of temples. The necropolis owes its unusual layout to many earthquakes it has suffered over the time--the whole city was reconstructed in typical Roman fashion after the great earthquake during the reign of Emperor Nero in 60 CE. The panoramic views of the entire area from the hilltop are worth a climb. If you want to see a gladiator's tomb, head to the far north end of the cemetery.