Pamukkale & Hierapolis Small Group Tour from Antalya

Pamukkale and Hierapolis belong together: the calcium-rich thermal springs that built the snow-white terraces are the same springs that made Hierapolis a famous spa city in antiquity. Since 1988 the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the tour name says, it runs in a smaller group, which makes for a calmer pace at the sites; the exact format is confirmed when you book.

• Pamukkale travertines – terraces and shallow pools of white limestone formed by water flowing down the slope for thousands of years; you walk them barefoot.
• Hierapolis – founded in the 2nd century BC under the kings of Pergamon and rebuilt after an earthquake in the 1st century AD, the city grew rich on its healing waters and its textile trade.
• The theatre – a large Roman theatre on the hillside with carved reliefs on its stage building and wide views over the valley.
• The necropolis – one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, with tombs, sarcophagi and tumuli lining the road into the city.
• Antique Pool and museum – the thermal pool with sunken marble columns, and the archaeology museum housed in the old Roman baths.

The tour suits travellers interested in history and landscapes who prefer a more personal day over a large coach tour.

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Pamukkale lies roughly 240 km inland, a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours each way, so the whole day takes about 14 to 14.5 hours. A typical day looks like this:

• Early morning pickup from your hotel and drive over the Taurus Mountains towards Denizli, with a rest stop on the way.
• Arrival at Hierapolis: a walk through the necropolis and the main street, and up to the theatre.
• A break for lunch.
• Free time at the travertine terraces and, if you like, at the Antique Pool or the museum.
• Walk down the white terraces barefoot for the classic views of the valley.
• Return drive to Antalya, arriving at your hotel in the evening.

Shoes are not allowed on the travertine terraces, so wear footwear that is easy to take off and bring a bag for it. The white surface is rough in some places and slippery where water flows, so walk carefully. Bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen: the terraces reflect the sun, and Hierapolis has little shade. Swimwear is useful if you want to paddle or swim. In spring and autumn the mornings inland are cool, so a light jacket helps.

Hierapolis is spread over a wide area with uneven ancient paving and some slopes, so comfortable walking shoes matter as much as the sandals for the terraces. The long hours in the vehicle are the main challenge for small children and older travellers; with regular stops and the slower pace of a smaller group, most people manage well. Photographers will enjoy the late afternoon light on the terraces.

We pick you up from your hotel and bring you back at the end of the day, from all resorts of the Antalya region – Lara, Kundu, Konyaaltı, Belek, Side, Kemer, Alanya and the villages in between. The pickup time depends on where your hotel is and is given to you when you book.

You travel in our own vehicles: a minivan of the VW Caravelle class, a VIP Mercedes-Benz Vito or a Mercedes Sprinter. If you prefer a private version with only your own group in the vehicle, just ask. Child seats are free on request.

Book 24/7 on WhatsApp or through the booking form. We send you a fixed price within 1 minute; there is no prepayment and cancellation is free. You pay in the vehicle on the day, in cash or by card if agreed. What is included (entrance tickets, meals, equipment) is confirmed when you book. Arriving soon? Combine the tour with your airport transfer in the same booking.