Denizli is a mid-sized Turkish city in the Aegean interior, known primarily as the base for visiting two extraordinary ancient sites. Pamukkale, with its white travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis above them, is about 20 km north of town and draws the crowds. But the real prize for anyone interested in Roman antiquity is Aphrodisias, about 100 km to the west — one of Turkey's best-preserved and least-visited ancient cities. Closer to home, the active excavation at Laodicea on the Lycus is well worth an afternoon.
The city itself is a working Anatolian town rather than a tourist destination. It has a university, a busy textile industry, and decent kebab restaurants, but most visitors use it as an overnight stop before heading to the ruins. The otogar (bus station) has frequent connections to Izmir, Antalya, and other Aegean towns, and Bayramyeri Square — with its bronze rooster — is the natural focal point of town.