Pamukkale Cleopatra's Pool: Swimming, Prices & Tips 2026

Quick answer: Cleopatra's Pool in Pamukkale, officially the Antique Pool, is a geothermal spring where you can swim among authentic Roman columns that tumbled into the water during a 7th-century earthquake. Access requires a separate ticket of around €20 in addition to the main Hierapolis-Pamukkale site entrance fee. The mineral-rich water is a constant, pleasant 35-36°C (96°F) year-round. An Ancient Spa Day: What is Cleopatra's Pool? Welcome! I'm İlyas Bayrak, a TURSAB-licensed guide and the founder of My Turkey Adventure. For over 17 years, I've had the pleasure of introducing travelers to the wonders of my country, and few places capture the imagination quite like the Antik Havuz , or Antique Pool, famously known as Cleopatra's Pool. Nestled within the vast UNESCO World Heritage site of Hierapolis and Pamukkale , this is no ordinary swimming pool. It's a natural thermal spa with a truly unique feature: the floor of the pool is littered with genuine ancient Roman columns, capitals, and marble fragments. The story goes that a powerful earthquake in the 7th century AD toppled a nearby portico dedicated to the god Apollo, sending its magnificent columns crashing into this natural thermal spring. And what about the Egyptian queen? While the name "Cleopatra's Pool" is fantastic for marketing, there's no historical evidence that she ever visited Hierapolis or bathed in these waters. The legend likely arose from the romantic notion that such a beautiful and restorative place must have been fit for a queen. Regardless of its name, the experience of effortlessly floating above 2,000-year-old history in naturally carbonated, champagne-like water is utterly unforgettable. Getting to the Antique Pool in Pamukkale The first thing to understand is that the Cleopatra Pool is not a standalone attraction. It is located inside the Hierapolis archaeological park, which you must pay to enter first. Once inside the main gates of the Pamukkale-Hierapolis complex, the Antique Pool is ce