Paragliding Pamukkale

The Pamukkale Travertines

Pamukkale, the 'cotton castle', is a hillside of brilliant white terraces formed over thousands of years by warm, mineral-rich spring water. As the water flows down the slope, it leaves behind calcium carbonate that builds shallow pools and frozen-looking cascades, glowing white by day and soft pink at sunrise and sunset. Together with Hierapolis, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

From the ground you walk barefoot on the terraces; from the air you understand their full size, stretching across the hillside above the village. Is Pamukkale worth visiting? Absolutely, and seeing it from a paraglider is the most memorable way. The pools and terraces can be visited on foot after your flight, with a separate entrance ticket.

The Ancient City of Hierapolis

Above the travertines lie the ruins of Hierapolis, a spa city founded in the 2nd century BC and rebuilt under the Romans. Its great theatre, colonnaded main street, monumental gateways and one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia spread across the plateau, while the Antique Pool still invites swimmers into warm water among fallen marble columns.

From the paraglider you see how the city was laid out along the edge of the white cliff, with the theatre cut into the hill behind it. Pamukkale opening hours for the terraces and Hierapolis are usually from early morning until the evening, with longer hours in summer, so you can easily combine your flight with a visit on the same day.

The Tandem Flight

After hotel pickup, the team drives you up to the take-off hill above the valley. Your pilot gives a short training session on how to run at take-off and how to sit for landing, then attaches you to the tandem harness. A few running steps together and the wing lifts you off the slope into the open air.

In the air you simply relax while the pilot steers over the terraces, the ruins and the green valley of the Menderes river. The flight lasts around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the wind, before a gentle landing in the valley near the village. Photos and video are available to buy on the day if you would like a souvenir.

From Izmir to Pamukkale and the Best Time to Fly

Pamukkale is about 250 km east of Izmir. If you are wondering how to get to Pamukkale from Izmir, trains and intercity buses run to Denizli, from where minibuses reach Pamukkale village in about 30 minutes; many travellers also drive or stay overnight. Since this activity starts from Pamukkale-area hotels, plan to arrive the day before or early in the morning.

The best time to visit Pamukkale for paragliding is from April to October, when the weather is most stable. Early morning flights have the calmest air and soft light on the travertines, while late morning and afternoon flights are warmer. Flights depend on the wind and may be moved to another time if conditions are not safe.