Highlights
- Swim from the powder-white shore of Salda Lake, Turkey's deepest freshwater lake
- Walk barefoot across the mineral terraces of Pamukkale National Park
- Explore the theatre, main street and necropolis of ancient Hierapolis
- Optional dip among the sunken columns of the warm Cleopatra Pool
- Guide commentary at both the travertines and the ruins
- Evening meal at a restaurant serving traditional Turkish dishes
- Door-to-door transfer from any Belek, Kadriye or Bogazkent hotel
The experience
This is the longest excursion on our list and also one of the most rewarding. In a single day you cover Salda Lake in Burdur province and the Pamukkale terraces with Hierapolis in Denizli, two places that most visitors to the Antalya coast see only in photographs. It suits couples and families who are happy with an early start and a few hours on the road in return for scenery that is completely different from the beach. Children aged four and over usually love the lake, while the ruins tend to hold the attention of older kids and adults.
The minibus collects you at 06:30 and heads inland, stopping for breakfast at a cafe along the way; if your hotel has prepared a breakfast box you can eat that instead. Salda Lake is about 194 km from Belek, so you arrive in the late morning with time to swim and stroll the white shoreline before lunch at a nearby restaurant. The afternoon belongs to Pamukkale: a guided walk over the travertine pools, then the theatre and tombs of Hierapolis with free time to wander or take the optional Cleopatra Pool swim. Dinner is served on the way home and you are back at the hotel around 19:00.
Itinerary
- 06:30Collection from your hotel in Belek, Kadriye or Bogazkent and departure inland towards the Taurus mountains
- Short stop for breakfast at a roadside cafe, or eat the breakfast box your hotel has prepared
- Free time on the white shore of Salda Lake for swimming, sunbathing and photographs
- Lunch stop at a local restaurant near the lake
- Drive on to Pamukkale National Park and walk the travertine terraces with guide commentary
- Guided visit to Hierapolis, taking in the theatre, ancient streets, necropolis and tombs, followed by free time
- Optional swim in the Cleopatra thermal pool, ticket paid on site
- Board the minibus for the return journey with an evening meal at a restaurant serving Turkish national cuisine
- 19:00Approximate drop-off back at your hotel
What's included
- Hotel transfer
- Insurance
- Guide
- Dinner
- Drinks
- Entrance tickets (Pamukkale/Hierapolis and Cleopatra Pool)
Good to know
Wear light clothing and bring a swimsuit under it, since you will want to be in the water at Salda and possibly again at Cleopatra Pool. Shoes come off on the Pamukkale travertines, so a small bag for footwear is useful, and the white surface reflects a lot of sun, making a hat and high-factor cream essential. The tour runs every day, but spring and autumn give the most comfortable temperatures for the walking parts; in midsummer make the most of the shade at lunch. Children aged 0-3 travel free and those aged 4-8 pay the reduced rate. Bring cash for tickets and drinks.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sun cream
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Bottled water
- Cash for entrance tickets and drinks
We are first and foremost a transfer company, and that shows in how the pickup works. You tell us your hotel name on WhatsApp, we confirm the exact time your driver will be at reception, and on the morning of the tour there is no waiting around in a lobby wondering whether you have been forgotten. The price you are quoted is the price you pay, in cash, with no surcharge for a particular hotel or booking date. If your flight times change or you need to move the tour to another day, one message on +90 551 464 26 32 is enough to sort it out.
Fixed price, no prepayment. Send the date and number of guests on WhatsApp, receive a written confirmation with your pickup time, and pay on the day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup for day excursions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Salda Lake and Pamukkale tour cost from Belek?
The 2026 price is £30 per adult, £20 per child aged 4-8 and free for infants aged 0-3. That covers the return transfer from your hotel, insurance, the guide and dinner on the way back. Entrance tickets for Pamukkale and Hierapolis, the optional Cleopatra Pool swim and any drinks are paid separately on site. Payment is in cash on the day.
How long is the day and how much of it is spent driving?
Pickup is at 06:30 and you are back at the hotel at around 19:00, so allow about 12.5 hours in total. Salda Lake is around 194 km from Belek and Pamukkale is a further 95 km, so expect several hours in the air-conditioned minibus with breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The long day is the trade-off for seeing three major sights without an overnight stay.
Is this tour suitable for young children?
Yes, it works well for families. Infants aged 0-3 travel free and children aged 4-8 pay £20. The shallow, sandy edge of Salda Lake is ideal for little ones, and the travertine pools at Pamukkale are only ankle-deep. Bear in mind the early 06:30 start and the amount of time on the road, so pack snacks, a change of clothes and something to keep them occupied in the minibus.
Where exactly will I be picked up?
From the lobby of your own hotel anywhere in Belek, Kadriye or Bogazkent. Once you book, we send a WhatsApp confirmation with the name of your hotel and the pickup time, which is around 06:30 depending on where you are on the route. Please be at reception a few minutes early, as the driver has several hotels to collect from before leaving the resort.
Can I cancel or change the date?
Yes. Because you pay in cash on the day, there is no deposit to lose. If you need to move to another date or cancel altogether, send us a WhatsApp message as early as you can, ideally the day before, so we can release your seats. Should the weather or road conditions force us to cancel, we will offer an alternative date or simply not charge you.
What should I pack for the day?
Swimwear and a towel are the essentials, as you can swim at Salda Lake and in the Cleopatra Pool, though not on the terraces themselves. Add sunglasses, a hat and sun cream, because the white surfaces at both sites bounce the light back at you. Carry a bottle of water and enough cash for entrance tickets and drinks. Shoes must be removed on the travertines, so choose a pair that slips off easily.
More nature & canyons and nearby ideas
Green Canyon Boat Tour
- ⏱ Full day
- 🚐 08:00
Antalya Cable Car Tour
- ⏱ 6 hours
- 🚐 08:00
Belek Boat Trip
- ⏱ 5–7 hours
- 🚐 09:00
Belek Party Boat
- ⏱ 5 hours
- 🚐 20:00
Belek Pirate Boat Trip
- ⏱ 7 hours
- 🚐 09:00
Suluada Island Boat Trip
- ⏱ Full day
- 🚐 07:30
Browse all excursions from Belek or private boat hire.