This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Denizli.
Denizli is located in the southwest of Turkey, in a district of the same name. Although it is located inland, the sea is in easy reach of the city and after a three- to four-hour bus ride, the popular seaside resorts of Fethiye, Kas, and Kalkan can be reached. However, what the city is the most famous for is that it is the closest bigger settlement offering mass budget accommodation near the world famous and UNESCO-protected Pamukkale.
Pamukkale literally means "cotton castle"; it is an extensive area of carbonate mineral terraces that were created by the thermal water emerging from the ground at this location. Pamukkale attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year and is one of the top most-visited attractions in the whole country.
Besides the experience of walking through the bright white, terraced thermal baths, enjoying the positive efffects of the white mud and relaxing in the waterfalls, the Pamukkale complex offers a lot more that will please every visitor. The adjacent thermal pools offer a refreshing day for the family while the surrounding area abounds with excavation sites, antique ruins and a vast amphitheatre. Although the entrance ticket is not the cheapest, taking into consideration that it gives you access to all of these sites, it is definitely worth the money!
Although Denizli itself is not the most interesting or attractive town, if visiting Pamukkale, you will definitely need to spend at least one night in the city. At the moment, there are not as many Denizli hostels as would be needed to cater for all budget tourists arriving in the area, so early booking is recommended. Furthermore, as the very few Denizli hostels that do exist have monopoly in the region, they are normally more expensive than hostels of the same quality in other parts of the country.
On the positive side, as Denizli is just an average Turkish town with no major sites within the city boundaries and nothing much going on; therefore, the price of food, dining, and souvenirs is normally a lot cheaper than in the touristy seaside area. For the best deals, go to a local market or just immerse yourself in the local shops frequented by dwellers of the city.
Written by local enthusiast for Denizli hostels
JudyM
