Pamukkale

Advantages: Two attractions for the price of one. Roman ruins and unique natural wonder.

Disadvantages: Tourism has had a negative impact on the area.

I visited Pamukkale in spring 2008. Even at this time of the year the temperature in this part of inner Turkey was in the high twenties. I arrived at Pamukkale having travelled from the beautiful city Marmaris.

Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its name, 'Pamukkale' translates as Cotton Castle and as I approached the hill it became obvious why. The calcium rich pools form an almost snow-like appearence on the hill. Behind this hill is the massive Roman site with the impressive Roman Theatre.

Firstly the calcuim spa. For over two thousand years people have been drawn to this spa to benefit from the healing qualities of the calcium rich waters. The high levels of calcium in the water has built up over many centuries to form massive white shelves of calcium with warm pools of water running over them. The site costs £4 to enter which gives entrance to both the calcium pools and also the Roman ruins. You are best to get driven up to the top gate on the site and from here you can walk back down the hill through the calcium pools.

The views out from the top are stunning and the white terraces make for some amazing photographs. The water is warm and pleasant to walk barefoot in. Some of the rocks can be sharp though, and they can be hard to see as the water gets muddy once you set you foot in it, so care should be taken. Whatever time you visit the terraces it will always be busy. Outisde of Instanbul this is one of Turkeys most important tourist sites. The site itself is open 24 hours so if you can visit it during either sunset or sunrise you will get the most amazing photographs.

If the white mountain is not your thing then the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis will certainly draw you in. Dating back to around 120BC the site was set up as a healing centre as the powers of the therma pools was known even then. One of the best things to do here is to swim in the antique pool. Costing £10, this pool, built on a thermic vent is 36c and feels like swimming in a pleasant bath. It also seemed to me that it was easier to float as if the rich minerals of the water made me more bouyant. Not sure if that was the case, but that's what it felt like! Important tip: if you are planning your trip up to Pamukkale remember your swimwear. I am pretty sure skinny dipping would not be a goer here!:D

As for the rest of the Roman site, well what you have is a sprawling necropolis (city of the dead) or in other words a huge graveyard where presumably those who came to be cured by the healing springs left this earth a tad disappointed at the healing powers!

I didn't find the ruins all that impressive. Some structures of note, though, still remain. Most of the theatre is still in good condition and the view from climbing to the top of this is pretty special.

Pamukkale is a must see sight of Turkey. I have never seen anything like it. As for the healing powers, well I went there perfectly heathly and left perfectly healthly so at best I'll call it a draw.

Summary: See something unique and beautiful in Turkey