Best Hierapolis Tours & Things to Do | Turkey Tours

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Watch how our guides are leading the biggest Roman cemetery (Hierapolis – Necropolis) walk right in the group, and let the group get controlled lost. Quick Answer: A visit to Hierapolis in Pamukkale, Turkey , is an unforgettable journey into an ancient Roman spa city, typically costing $50 - $150 USD for a comprehensive guided day tour. We recommend allocating a minimum of 4-6 hours to full explore the vast ruins and the adjacent travertines, with spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) being the ideal seasons for pleasant weather. What Exactly Is Hierapolis and Its Connection to Pamukkale? Hierapolis, whose name translates to "Sacred City," is a sprawling ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city located in southwestern Anatolia, in modern-day Pamukkale, Turkey . It sits perched atop a stunning natural wonder: the world-famous Pamukkale travertine terraces. These shimmering white, mineral-rich thermal water pools cascade down the hillside, creating a landscape that looks like a frozen waterfall. The two sites, Hierapolis and Pamukkale, are intrinsically linked and are designated as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's very existence is owed to the therapeutic thermal springs that create the travertines. Founded around the 2nd century BC by the Attalid kings of Pergamon, Hierapolis was built as a spa and healing center. People from all over the Roman Empire flocked here to "take the waters," believing they had curative properties for a host of ailments. The city prospered not just as a health resort but as a significant commercial and religious hub. Therefore, you cannot truly experience one without the other; the natural wonder of Pamukkale was the lifeblood of the ancient metropolis of Hierapolis. Why Is Visiting Hierapolis a Must-Do Turkey Experience? While the gleaming travertines of Pamukkale often steal the initial spotlight, Hierapolis is arguably the mor