Pamukkale the cotton candy castle

Although Pamukkale itself is barely a three-street village, it’s been eternally famous for the gleaming white calcite shelves overrunning with warm, mineral-rich waters on the mountain above it - the so-called ‘Cotton Castle’. Tectonic movements on the basin of the Menderes River triggered the rise of multiple hot springs. The water from these springs contains a large mineral content, with chalk, limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain, giving rise to the complexion of the mountains; resembling a frozen waterfall. The waters contain a large amount of hydrogen carbonate and calcium, which results in the precipitation of calcium bi-carbonate. 🛌Where to stay? You can choose to stay in one of the several thermal springs resorts around the area. They mainly cater to pensioners and we were the only tourists. Most people come to Pamukkale for a day trip only, but staying one night here allows you to enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings. 🚌How to get there? Located near Denizli, you can travel there by bus, train, car, or plane from cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Izmir. With multiple transport options available, getting to this stunning natural site should be planned ahead. A rental car would be the easiest to get around. By bus, you have to go to Denizli first before changing to a smaller bus to reach Pamukkale.