Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guide | Cotton Castle Turkey

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Prices, opening hours and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Visiting Pamukkale & Hierapolis involves exploring the famous white "Cotton Castle" travertine terraces and the adjoining ancient Greco-Roman city. A day trip to this UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey costs approximately £25-£30 per person for entrance fees, with a full day (at least 5-6 hours) recommended for a thorough visit. What Exactly Is Pamukkale's 'Cotton Castle' and How Was It Formed? Imagine a hillside blanketed in what looks like pure white snow or fluffy cotton, cascading down in a series of terraced pools. This is Pamukkale , a name that literally translates from Turkish to "Cotton Castle," and it’s one of the most surreal and beautiful natural landscapes in Turkey. This geological marvel isn’t made of cotton or snow, but of travertine , a form of limestone deposited by mineral water from hot springs. The process is a masterpiece of natural chemistry that has been unfolding for millennia: Super-Saturated Springs: Deep beneath the earth, water is heated by geothermal activity, becoming super-saturated with calcium bicarbonate. The Cascade: This thermal water, with a balmy temperature of around 35°C (95°F) , emerges from a spring and flows down the 160-metre-high cliffside. Chemical Reaction: As the water meets the open air, the pressure and temperature change causes it to release carbon dioxide. This chemical reaction triggers the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Deposition: Initially, the calcium carbonate is a soft, jelly-like substance. Over time, it hardens into the brilliant white travertine, forming the intricate network of pools, stalactites, and frozen-waterfall patterns you see today. As a visitor, you are invited to walk barefoot on a designated pathway through these shallow, sky-blue pools. The feeling of the warm, mineral-rich water flowing over your feet and the uni