It’s hard to imagine, but just thirty minutes outside one of Turkey’s most-visited archeological sites there is another archeological site (shown above) where you’ll likely have the entire ancient city to yourself. I’m talking about Tripolis, an ancient city located on the banks of the Meander River, just half an hour outside Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
Unlike Pamukkale and Hierapolis, which see more than a million visitors every year, Tripolis remains relatively undiscovered. On the morning we visited, we were the only people at the site. It truly felt like we had stepped either back in time or into the shoes of a wise archeologist who was on the verge of making a major breakthrough. Suddenly, we went from regular tourists to in-the-know explorers.
If you’re interested in archeology or ancient civilizations, and you’re already in the area of Pamukkale and Hierapolis, you should definitely spend a few hours at Tripolis, Turkiye. Keep reading for an overview of the history of the site, what you can expect to see when you’re there, and all the important visitor information like the exact location, hours and ticket price.
The History of Tripolis, Turkey
Humans have settled on what we call Tripolis for almost 8,000 years, but the settlement that you can visit today dates back to the Hellenistic period, around 300 BCE. Its name comes from its location at the crossroads of three important districts: Caria, Lydia and Phrygia.
Tripolis flourished under Roman rule (around 200 BCE) and this is when many of the ruins you can see today were constructed. At that time, it was known for producing coins. Tripolis even caught the attention of well-known thinkers such as Plinius the Elder (who noted its fortress) and Ptolemaios (who considered its location on the Meander River an important geographic landmark for travelers).
As with other ancient cities in this region, Tripolis was badly damaged by earthquakes and threatened by invasions from the east. Eventually, its residents left for other cities that offered better protection or a larger population base.
Things to See at Tripolis Ancient City in Turkey
When you first arrive at Tripolis, the archeological site appears to be quite small. Don’t worry though – the vast majority of the site just over the crest of a small hill, hidden from view when you’re in the parking lot. The site is also well-signed, with clear maps at the entrance (photograph them on your way in so you can refer back to them as you’re exploring) and directional guides throughout.
Ancient Houses
The first ruins you’ll find at Tripolis are the remains of two ancient houses. These were being excavated at the time of our visit, so they were protected from the elements and the beautiful tile mosaic floors were clearly visible.
Ancient Streets of Tripolis
From the houses, it’s a short walk through the countryside to the rest of the archeological site. Some of the ancient streets in Tripolis are still made of their original stone (see below) while others have been filled in with gravel or dirt for modern-day visitors.
Colunnaded Streets of Tripolis
Arriving in the historic center of this ancient city, you’ll find a 27-meter long, wide stone street lined with countless columns. One side of the street follows the ancient fortification wall and passes by the location where two defensive towers would have been located.
The buildings on either side consist of former houses, taverns and shops, with the public agora (gathering place) set back behind the first row of building foundations.
As you can see, we had the entire site to ourselves on the morning we visited in July 2023 – we were the only people out for a stroll among the columns!
Ancient Artifacts, Carvings and Monuments
As you explore the site you’ll find a number of ancient artifacts, inscriptions and monuments, with signs translating their messages into Turkish and English. I was especially impressed by this plaque that recognized local boxers who competed in an early Olympics-style event.
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The Arched Building
Two partially-covered buildings still stand at Tripolis today: the arched building and the vaulted building. Archeologists have found that these buildings were likely commercial workshops, where goods were produced at one end of the building and sold at the other. Much like modern shopping malls, they were also important gathering points for local citizens.
Tripolis Theater
Tripolis’ theatre is not the best-preserved ruin on the site, but it’s still interesting to see how this structure, with seating for about 8,000 spectators, was carved into the natural hillside just beyond the city center. Mostly overgrown today, you’ll have to imagine the ancient stage, orchestra and vaulted entrances for performers.
Other Things to See at Tripolis, Turkey
I’ve just highlighted a few of the things to see at Tripolis above – the real pleasure here is wandering around at your own pace, exploring an empty (or nearly-empty) archeological site. While you’re there, keep your eyes peeled for a few other ancient structures:
- Bath Houses – Tripolis had two hammams: the Great Bath and the Theatre Bath. Their thick stone walls (perfect for holding heat) are still visible.
- Nymphaeum – This white marble monument to the nymphs, which would have featured shimmering pools of water and a fountain, was recently restored in a joint partnership between Turkish and Italian archeologists.
- Latrines – The ancient public toilets in Tripolis could accommodate about 45 “guests” at a time, and became an important source of income when Emperor Vespian started charging admission 😲 around 50 CE.
- Churches – The remains of two Byzantine churches are still visible at Tripolis today.
- Stadium – The stadium at Tripolis is about 500 meters north of the main historic site. Due to the heat, we didn’t walk all the way out there, but I’ve checked out photos from archeologists and it looks like there is little left to see.
- The Upper Fortress – This round defensive tower is a much more modern construction, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Tripolis Turkey Travel Information
Planning to visit Tripolis? Here are a few things you should know so that you can have a great visit to this ancient city archeological site.
Where is Tripolis, Turkey?
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Tripolis is not Tripoli! Tripoli is the capital city of Libya, in Africa (and there’s also a city called Tripoli in Greece, too!).
Tripolis is an archeological site in Turkey’s Denizli Province. Tripolis is:
- 25 kilometers north of Pamukkale (30 minutes by car)
- 175 kilometers east of Kusadasi (2.5 hours by car)
- 200 kilometers southeast of Izmir (2.5 hours by car)
The nearest town to Tripolis is Buldan, and the nearest city is Denizli. However, if you want to stay overnight at Tripolis, I recommend staying in Pamukkale, where there is an excellent selection of hotels, restaurants and services. Our top hotel recommendation in Pamukkale is Venus Suites Hotel. They have a free private parking lot across from their front entrance, so it will be easy to hop in your car and drive to Tripolis.
Is Tripolis worth visiting?
If you’re in Pamukkale and Hierapolis and you have a car, then Tripolis is definitely worth visiting! When we visited we were literally the only people at the archeological site, which was a welcome change from the crowds at other Turkish archeological sites. It’s also a beautiful drive through the Turkish countryside, especially if you take one the routes that follows the Meander River.
How to Get to Tripolis, Turkey
Realistically, you need a car to get to Tripolis. There is free parking at the entrance to the site, and some of the spots even have a little bit of shade.
The nearest public transportation hub is in Saraykoy, which has bus and train service to Izmir. From here you could probably organize a private driver to take you to and from Tripolis, but I imagine it would be expensive. You might have more luck working with a tour company in Pamukkale (which is about the same distance away) to organize transfers.
How much do tickets to Tripolis cost?
At the time of our visit in July 2023, it was free to visit Tripolis.
Opening Hours for Tripolis, Turkey
Google Maps says that Tripolis is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. At the time of our visit there was no guard at the entrance, so I’m not sure how strictly they can or do enforce those opening and closing hours. 😉
What to Bring to Tripolis
Tripolis had the fewest services of any archeological site we visited in Turkey (presumably that’s why it’s free). That includes no on-site bathrooms, cafes or information desks. Make sure to bring your own drinking water (at least 500 ml per person), sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Other nearby archeological sites include Hierapolis, Laodicea, Aphrodisias and Ephesus. They’re all worth visiting if you’re in the area, as each one has something special and unique to offer.
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