Pamukkale & Hierapolis Day Trip: Thermal Pools & Ruins

Bathe in thermal waters and walk white travertine cliffs above an ancient city

A full-day tour from Antalya to Pamukkale and Hierapolis with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to both sites, and lunch included. You spend 1.5 hours free at the thermal pools to swim or relax, then explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, including its Roman amphitheater, St. Philippe Basilica and Cleopatra's Pool before returning to your hotel. The tour runs 10 to 11 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour

• Pick up from hotel in Antalya
• Meet professional guide
• Travel to Pamukkale
• Explore Pamukkale terraces and thermal pools
• Enjoy 1.5 hours free time
• Visit ancient city of Hierapolis
• See Roman Amphitheater, St Philippe Basilica, Necropolis, Cleopatra Pool
• Have buffet lunch at nearby restaurant
• Return to Antalya hotels

The experience

Pamukkale, meaning "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, is a UNESCO World Heritage site built from travertine: a mineral-rich rock formed by thermal spring water flowing down the mountainside. The white terraces are filled with hot water ranging from 35 to 100 degrees, and you get 1.5 hours to walk the formations, bathe in the pools and move at your own pace. The water has been used for health purposes since ancient times, and the site draws visitors for both its otherworldly landscape and the therapeutic properties of the springs.

After Pamukkale, the tour moves to Hierapolis, the ancient city that once sat above these thermal springs. You'll walk through the Roman amphitheater, the St. Philippe Basilica and the necropolis, then finish at Cleopatra's Pool. A thermal bath where you can swim among submerged marble columns. A buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant is included before the return drive to Antalya, which takes the full morning and afternoon.

Hotel pickup happens early in the morning and drop-off returns you to your resort after the day ends. The tour operates with a small group and a professional guide who speaks English. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the long drive. A vegetarian meal option is available at lunch.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Antalya resort.
• round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional tour guide speaking English.
• entry to Pamukkale Thermal Pools and Hierapolis.
• buffet lunch with vegetarian option available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (9 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Everytours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're staying in Antalya and want to see both Pamukkale and Hierapolis in a single day without renting a car or navigating the long drive yourself. The small group size and fixed itinerary mean the day holds together: transport, entry, lunch and timing are all arranged, so you focus on swimming, walking and exploring instead of logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What are the travertine terraces at Pamukkale and why do people bathe in them?

Pamukkale's travertines are white mineral formations created by hot spring water flowing down the mountainside over thousands of years. The thermal springs range from 35 to 100 degrees and contain minerals believed to help with rheumatism and other conditions. You'll have 1.5 hours to swim and soak in the pools yourself.

Can I swim in Cleopatra's Pool at Hierapolis?

Yes, Cleopatra's Pool is a thermal bath where you can swim. It sits within the ancient city of Hierapolis and contains submerged marble columns from the Roman period.

How long is the drive from Antalya to Pamukkale?

The tour is 10 to 11 hours total, including the drive, time at both sites and lunch. The journey from Antalya to Pamukkale takes several hours each way, so most of the day is spent traveling and exploring rather than at any single location.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian options?

Lunch is included at a restaurant near Pamukkale after you finish exploring Hierapolis. A vegetarian meal option is available if you request it.

What should I bring for swimming at the thermal pools?

Bring a swimsuit, towel and flip-flops or water shoes. The pools are open-air and the water is warm, but the mineral-rich terraces can be slippery, so footwear helps.

Does the tour include entry to both Pamukkale and Hierapolis?

Yes, admission to both sites is included in the tour price. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional English-speaking guide and lunch are also included.