Pamukkale and Konya are 2 destinations we travelled to by road from Cappadocia. We planned very short stops here, literally one night at each place.
Konya

As the home and burial place of the famed Sufi poet, Mevlana Rumi, Konya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey.
What struck me about my very short stay in Konya was the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Everything seemed to move slower, and people seemed generally more laid back. It felt a little like the atmosphere in Medina. We had only booked one night here, which is technically enough, but I wouldn’t have minded staying another day.
We drove to Konya from Cappadocia, a 3-hour trip, and stopped at the Rumi museum and Mazar (mausoleum). We spent about an hour and a half there, and were able to pay our respects and visit the museum. There is a prayer area in the Mazar or big Mosque next door if you are in time for salaah. I would have liked more time but a 9-year old can only take so much museum time.


We stayed at the 4-star Bera Hotel which was very nice with good service, albeit a little bit old-fashioned. It was better than the other 4-star hotels though. The hotel has its own hammam and spa. We enjoyed a good dinner there as well. The breakfast buffet was varied and they had a podium with an old lady making a traditional type of filled roti, rolling and frying for you as you waited.



We spent a few hours walking the streets of the town and found a little kiosk that served simit and tea for next to nothing. We whiled away the afternoon here just people-watching and enjoying the sidewalk life of Konya. There’s not much to see here so you can even do it as a day trip. But if you enjoy the laid-back vibe it’s worth enjoying the peace.



Pamukkale
The thermal pools of Pamukkale, also known as the Terraces are one of the most spectacular sights in Turkey. It was the main reason we wanted to visit there. People come from all over the world to bathe in the mineral waters set in the white limestone of this National Park. However, what you see on all the tourist sites is not necessarily what you will see when you are there.
This is what you expect:

This is what it really looks like:

We were there during the height of summer so the pools were not full and most were dry. There were about 6 pools that people could explore. There are lots of people so it gets really crowded. The pools are too shallow to swim in, but if you’re inclined to bathe, bring a swimsuit and towel.
The sites include the Hieropolis ruins which is quite a long walk and can be taxing in the summer heat, and the ancient Cleopatra pool which you pay to swim in.
And if you missed doing the hot air balloons in Cappadocia they also do it in Pamukkale. There are fewer balloons that go up so the experience is not as dramatic but it is a bit cheaper than in Cappadocia.
We stayed at the lovely 5-star Adempira Hotel which has great facilities. I just didn’t like the frosted glass window in the room which separated the bedroom and bathroom. Not enough privacy especially if your kids are travelling with you. They have a hammam, mud pool, spa and a huge swimming pool which was heaven in the Turkish summer.
Related:
Turkey Travels: Planning your trip
Exploring Istanbul Part 1
Exploring Istanbul Part 2
Explore Cappadocia
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