Swimming among ancient columns
The Antique Pool is a thermal pool in the grounds of Hierapolis, above the Pamukkale terraces. Visitors swim in warm water among ancient columns. Most people call it the Cleopatra Pool. That is the popular name used by visitors and tour sellers, and it is not a statement of history: this guide does not claim that Cleopatra bathed here, and the official name is the Antique Pool.
The pool is a separate paid service inside the site. You first need the site ticket, and then the swim ticket on top. Water temperature is reported at around 36 °C all year, from a visitor report and a press notice.
Is the Antique Pool open?
The short answer for autumn 2026 is yes, with a caveat.
Closed 2025, reopened 2026
The pool was closed for renovation from January 2025 and reopened in May 2026, after about 16 months. A local newspaper reported it on 2 May, and a travel agency gives 1 May. The exact day differs, and the month is the same.
Hierapolis guide →Official pages differ
The museum administration's page for Hierapolis shows the pool as open. The central tariff list still carries the line that the Antique Pool is closed. Neither page is dated, so neither settles the question for your day.
Pamukkale tickets and hours →What visitors reported
A visit in September 2026, with the report updated in early October, describes the pool as open with the prices below. It also says winter hours had not been published. Check the current hours and status at the ticket office or with your hotel before you plan around a swim.
Weather by month →Our picks: tours that mention the pool
Check the entry line on each card: the pool is only booked into some of these trips.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis from Kuşadası or Selçuk
Licensed guide, lunch and return transfer from most hotels. Pamukkale entry (€30) and the Antique Pool (€15) are extra, as listed on the tour page.
Check availability →
Pamukkale and Hierapolis from Antalya or Kemer
Hotel transfer, guide and lunch. Entry fees only come with the matching option, and the Antique Pool is not part of the entry package.
Check availability →
Hierapolis and Cleopatra's Pool tour from Antalya
Hotel transfer, lunch and a bilingual guide; drinks are extra. Entry only comes with the matching option, and the Antique Pool is not confirmed despite the title.
Check availability →Pamukkale tours and day trips
Guided visits, day trips and combinations around Pamukkale, with live prices and availability.
Prices in 2026
Prices are in Turkish lira and are often adjusted. They are on top of the site ticket.
| Visitor | September 2026 report | Reopening, May 2026 press |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, foreign visitor | TRY 600 | TRY 600 |
| Child 7 to 12 | TRY 300 | – |
| Child 0 to 6 | Free | Free |
| Turkish adult with MüzeKart | – | TRY 235 |
| Agency groups via TÜRSAB | – | TRY 500 |
Children's prices were reported differently. The press at the reopening gave TRY 125 for ages 7 to 18 without saying which nationality it applies to, and the September report gave TRY 300 for ages 7 to 12. Ask at the ticket office what applies to your child. The September report says you buy at the pool ticket desk and show a child's passport to prove age.
Rules and safety
As posted at the pool, according to the visitor report.
You may stay up to 2 hours. Jumping and diving are not allowed. Supervise your children, and follow the instructions of the lifeguard. The report describes the ancient stones as slippery and in places sharp, so wear water shoes if you can and enter slowly. Bring a towel, a swimsuit and a bag for wet clothes.
Do not treat the pool as a health treatment. This site makes no medical claims for thermal water. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant or have another health concern, ask a doctor before you soak in hot water.
Other thermal pools near Pamukkale
If the Antique Pool is closed or too busy.
Karahayit, about 3 km from Pamukkale, has hotels that use thermal water for pools and spas. The red spring there reaches 58 °C at the main outlet, which is far too hot for bathing, and that temperature says nothing about a hotel pool. Ask the hotel directly about day-guest prices and whether non-guests can use its spa.
The travertine terraces are not a place to swim. They have designated areas, and you walk barefoot on the open parts. See the Karahayit page for the village and the where to stay page if you want a hotel with a thermal pool.
Antique Pool: frequently asked questions
Is the Cleopatra Pool the same as the Antique Pool?
Yes. Cleopatra Pool is the popular name for the Antique Pool in Hierapolis. The name does not show that Cleopatra bathed there.
How much does the Antique Pool cost?
A visit in September 2026 listed TRY 600 for an adult, TRY 300 for children aged 7 to 12 and free entry for ages 0 to 6. This is on top of the site ticket, which is €30 for foreign visitors.
How warm is the water?
Reports give around 36 °C all year. That is a reported value, not a measured series for each day.
Can I stay as long as I like?
No. The posted rule is a maximum of 2 hours of swimming time.
Are the other terraces open for swimming?
No. Swimming is for the pool, not the white terraces. See the Pamukkale page for the rules on the travertines.