A few kilometres north of Pamukkale, the village of Karahayit sits over a cluster of mineral springs that emerge stained a strong rust-red by iron oxide. The colour is so intense that the water sometimes looks almost purple, and the small basin where the spring surfaces is one of the more surprising sights in the Lycos valley.
The village itself is given over to spa hotels — Karahayit is where many of Pamukkale's tour groups overnight, in low-rise resorts with thermal pools — and it is not a beautiful place. But the red springs themselves are free to visit, and the village is on the dolmuş route between Denizli and Pamukkale, so it is easy to combine with the main terraces.