Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Flight | Tour from Marmaris

Pamukkale is famous worldwide for its snow-white travertines, natural limestone terraces filled with turquoise water, and for the ruins of ancient Hierapolis with its theatre and Cleopatra's Pool, where columns from a sunken temple still lie beneath the surface. Early in the morning, dozens of hot air balloons take off here. Watching them rise, or floating above the valley yourself in a wicker basket, is an experience of its own, and it's the reason many people come to Pamukkale at sunrise.

The balloon flight is shared with a group of 18 or 22 people and lasts about an hour. The pilot steers over the ruins of the ancient city and the Pamukkale terraces, then climbs to up to 1100 metres, where you can see the whole National Park spread out below. After landing, there's a short ceremony with a souvenir flight certificate and a glass of non-alcoholic champagne.

After the flight, the group heads to Pamukkale's South Gate, where the guides show you around the site and introduce the main sights. Then you're free to explore on your own: swim in the warm water of the ancient pool, wander through the ruins of Hierapolis, and stroll past the white travertines and the theatre. You'll have about 2.5-3 hours for sightseeing at your own pace.