Pamukkale South Gate — Attraction in Pamukkale

This place is worth a visit anytime. It seems to be one of the most visited natural monuments in Turkey. We came with our own car and parked at the upper south gate to Pamukkale. When getting to the lower main entrance, pay attention to take the road to the south gate up. Don't get fooled by several ominously waving people, who want to show you parking spaces. Leave them behind and follow the way up to south gate. Be there as soon (or late) as possible (opening times from 6:30am-9pm). We where there at 8am and the parking was almost full with cars and busses. (approx. 100 cars and 30 busses will fit there). Parking for a car costs 120 TRY. When you are late (parking full - dolu), you have to park along the road and have to walk uphill, to get to the entrance. At noon it will be very hot there (in summer!) and very crowded, when all the tourists fall out of their busses. Get the (cheapest) ticket (30€) from the booth (turkish citizens pay only 100 TRY). Don't buy the version with audioguide (you can use the official Turkish Museum (MüzeKart) app and the QR-code on the ticket, to have the same audioguide on your smartphone). They will try to talk you this up. With the cheaper ticket you can also visit the Hierapolis ruins. there is no control inside the area. Take a bag with you, to carry your shoes (you have to go barefoot on the travertine) and some water. You will need it!! Don't forget your hat and glasses. At the first moment you will be a bit disapointed, when seeing most of the natural pools are empty. There are several pools artificially filled with water along the walking path down (or up), which you can enter and bath in. The travertine is very slippery at several places. The upper pools and path is very dirty. Head down to the middle pools. They are almost white and cleaner. And the chance for an empty pool (photo) is likely higher than in the upper pools. At the upper end of the main travertine walking path you can head to the small park, to have a view to the more natural northern pools. Here you are not allowed, to walk on the travertine, and some ot them are naturally filled with water. Visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the antique theatre. You will need minimum 3 hours to visit. Even more, when visiting also...

The preservation of the artefacts is amazing. So much detail on the marble carvings are clearly visible. On the downside, there was hardly any signage. Especially when trying to drive there by ourselves. Didn't know which way to go half the time. I would have liked some more posters explaining the history of the place. We had to try and guess about what things may have been. Had to walk around with a pocket full of rubbish as there were no bins to be found. The toilets were disgusting!!! No soap, damp, water everywhere, no working flushes, no running hot water. Thankfully, there was toilet paper provided. For the extortionate entrance fee, you would think they could provide better toilet facilities. And you have to pay extra to experience Cleopatra's pool. There are picnic benches if you want to bring a packed lunch. And I definitely advise you to bring some beach socks with thick soles as the pools you walk through are covered with very sharp calcium which made it very painful to walk over, even tough we left our socks on. Shoes or slippers are not permitted in the pools. There are no lockers to place shoes, spare clotes, and valuable items. You just have to leave your belongings in a pile on the floor. We went mid-February 2024. It would be easy to spend the whole day there. I would not say it is very suitable for very small children as there were no play park facilities and looked a bit dangerous if they are prone to running ahead while out walking with you. The path around the facilities are uneven and filled with potholes and loose floor tiles. Overall...

120 TL for parking (highest we paid in Turkiye) on top of the ticket. Be warned, the parking lot will just keep letting cars, shuttles and busses into the lot no matter how full. Once the parking spots are taken, everyone begins to double park and blocks everyone else in. If you are among the early arriving crowds @7am-ish, you'll be the ones blocked in. Park strategically to not get pinned in, or be aware that you might need to wait a bit to find all the drivers who park behind you and walk away. GREEDY folks running this place. WCs should be MUCH nicer for the price you are paying.

Travertines are not in the sun until 90min after sunrise, so you can be alone with the travertine pools but they won't be turquoise until later, when you won't be alone. Calcium is sharp in some parts and slippery in the worn areas, double trouble. Water is not really warm except for the little canal on the edge (where you can warm your feet back up instead of leaving). Ruins of Hierapolis are not impressive or restored except for the amphitheater and Hades temple, both of which were only restored by international crews 10yrs ago. The Phillip ruins way up the hill aren't impressive either and require a hike. If its a nice day, go ahead... the walkway is kinda neat. But as others say, a rip off at the price relative to other ruins nearby and a definite lack of restoration effort for all the money...