thermals & springs
Natural Hot Springs have been resources to prevent and treat diseases, reduce stress and improve the quality of life since antiquity. Today thermal waters are applied throughout treatment procedures at clinics and for preventive care, also for wellness and relaxation at touristic facilities.
Türkiye's thermal resources rank 7th in the world and 1st in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of international patients and tourists visit Türkiye's unique thermal facilities every year to get better and healthier.
Most of these resources are found in the Aegean, the Marmara Region and Central Anatolia. The quality of the water delivered by these facilities is certified and supervised by the Ministry of Health.
Türkiye is ranked 3rd in Europe (after Germany and Italy) in terms of the utilization of its natural thermal resources. It boasts more than 260 thermal facilities established over an area of more than 1,500 thermal resources of 20-1100 C and 2-500 l/sec. In Türkiye you can get thermal cures for almost 300 days in a year.
Insurance companies from many Northern European and Scandinavian countries send their patients to Türkiye for thermal treatments as part of their recuperation.
Thermal Centres in Türkiye
The world-leading thermal spa resorts of Türkiye offer a host of treatments and varying temperatures of water. We have compiled a list of all you need to know about these thermal spas and the treatments they provide for any number of illnesses including rheumatism, nervous system disorders and respiratory diseases.
Afyonkarahisar
The most famous destination among thermal spring spas in Türkiye is Afyonkarahisar. The Gazlıgöl, Heybeli, Ömer, Hüdai and Gecek thermal springs being the most popular spots. The mixed thermo-mineral water is 100 degrees from the source output, with an average mineralization of 5,000 mg/lt.
Ağrı
Ağrı, is home to the Diyadin thermal spa. The Diyadin thermal spa, located in the south-east of Ağrı lies approximately 5 kilometres from the center of the Diyadin district. The total mineralization of the waters is 1,000 mg/lt and the temperature varies between 72-78 degrees.
Ankara
The Ayas, Beypazarı, Dutlu, Kapullu, Haymana and Kızılcahamam thermal spas of Ankara reach mineralization of about 12,000 mg/lt. These waters, which have both bicarbonate and acratothermal properties, are used to treat a variety of diseases.
Bolu
Bolu province, located on the North Anatolian Faultline, has an abundance of geothermal water sources and hot springs, as well as unique natural beauties. In addition, there are two Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospitals in the Bolu Karacasu district.
Bolu Centre-Karacasu Thermal Springs: In Karacasu Town, 5 kilometres south of Bolu city centre. It has been determined that drinking or bathing in hot spring water at a temperature of 42 to 44 ºC is beneficial for rheumatic diseases, and the skin, circulation, heart, respiratory tract and digestive system, along with women’s health, and kidney, bone and calcification disorders, metabolism disorders. The most important feature of thermal water is that it can be used without any cooling process and that it retains its mineral properties due to its favourable temperature. According to historical sources, the Bolu Hot Springs, which date from two thousand years ago, were also noted with admiration by Evliya Çelebi in his Travelogues.
Mudurnu Sarot Thermal Spring: In Taşkesti Town, 30 kilometres from Mudurnu. The thermal spring is unique among the province’s thermal water springs. It has a temperature of 66° C and is sulphated, with hyperthermal hypotonic mineral water in the brackish water group. Thermal facilities operated by the private sector are available.
Mudurnu Babas Thermal Spring: The 40°C spa waters have a positive effect on metabolic disorders and mild diabetes.
Seben Pavlu Thermal Springs: In Kesenözü Village, 14 kilometres south of Seben. The water, at a temperature of 70 - 78°C, is odourless and slightly gaseous. It is known to have positive effects on stomach, gall bladder, respiratory and circulatory disorders.
Göynük Çatak Thermal Springs: Near Himmetoğlu Village, 30 kilometres southeast of Göynük District. The water, at a temperature of 32°C, contains calcium bicarbonate and is known to be beneficial for ailments such as rheumatism and sciatica.
Bursa
Known for its thermal riches, the waters of Bursa’s Çelik Palace, Sulphur, Karamustafa, and Kaynarca springs and Eski Springs reach 88 degrees and 2,500 mg/lt mineralization. These thermal areas show Thermo-mineral properties.
Denizli
Pamukkale, Gölemezli, Babacık, Tekkeköy, Kızıldere, Boşeli, and Karahayıt thermal springs have mineralization ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 mg/lt and show mixed Thermo-mineral water properties.
Erzincan
The springs of Erzincan Ilıcası in the east of Türkiye, have claimed benefits for skin, heart, rheumatism, and vascular diseases.
İstanbul
The Tuzla thermal spring is known for its mineralization up to 4078 mg/lt and its rich mineral structure.
İzmir
Renowned for its thermal riches, İzmir is home to a numerous number of notable spas, such as Balçova, Nebiler, Reisdere, Karakoç and Gülbahçe. Additional thermal springs in İzmir are Bayındır, Mahmudiye, Paşa, Geyiklidağ, Güzellik, Dereköy, Bademli, Ilıcagöl, Cumali, Cesme and Kelalan have mineralizations ranging from 912 to 43,564 mg/lt.
Nevşehir
The Kozaklı thermal springs in Nevşehir have average mineralization of 2500 mg/lt and contain Thermo-mineral properties of a mixed structure. The thermal spring waters bear a source output of 93 degrees, used to treat numerous diseases.
Yalova
The Yalova and Armutlu spas in Yalova, renowned for their medicinal spas and thermal riches, offer a mineralization of 2.127 mg/lt. The waters are Thermo-mineral and the thermal spring waters reach 75 degrees temperature.
Innovative Services
Various daily treatments such as water aerobics, respiratory therapy, blood pressure adjustment therapy, acupuncture, medical sauna, colon hydrotherapy, ozone therapy and rhythm therapy plus various massages and walks in the forest and/or by the sea, are available to the visitors of these thermal facilities.
Some medical experts recommend at least one thermal cure annually to accelerate recovery of patients and to reinforce the immune system of healthy individuals. The type of water, its technical specifications and the duration of treatment should be prescribed by a health professional.
Balıkesir, The 2019 Winner: Health and Wellbeing Tourism
Balıkesir is the leading city in Türkiye for health and wellbeing tourism potential thanks to its high-quality healing waters. The hot waters are used in spas facilities and have excellent quality due to their chemical composition.
Located in northwest of Türkiye, Balıkesir had always been a historical focal point for health tourism. One of the first health centres in history, Pergamon is only 100 km away, Çanakkale, with its famous Trojan war and Bursa, the cradle of the Ottoman civilization are close neighbours. Balıkesir is right in the middle of these three significant cities. Last but not the least, it is just across from İstanbul.
Come and enjoy hot springs, cultural richness, mythology, healthy local cuisine, sea, mountain, and forest. Its mountains are ideal centres for health tourism thanks to biological diversity, clean air, and their microclimatic properties. Mount Ida currently houses many health centres. The province hosts yoga camps, ecological villages, medical and aromatic plant production centres, under the theme of ‘feeling good’. There are also traditional and complementary medical centres where you can experience services such as ozone, acupuncture, phytotherapy, leech therapy and mud therapy.
Balıkesir ranks high for its natural beauty, ancient cultural heritage, and hot waters. You can ‘heal’ in rich hot waters, see archaeological treasures, cool on blue-flagged beaches and indulge in nature rich endemic species of Mound Ida. Getting to know the gastronomic values of this olive-scented city, where green and blue meet, will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Bathe in hot springs located in every district, with thermal waters of varying chemical composition to address different ailments, surrounded by lush forests, some of which are also home to incredibly rare geological formations.
The Turkish Cities of The European Route of Historic Thermal Towns
The European Route of Historic Thermal Towns brings together 51 spa destinations in 18 countries across Europe, including Türkiye! There, the three special spa destinations of Türkiye:
Afyon
Discover these magical places, based around healing springs where architecture, nature and tradition mingle in perfect harmony.
Afyon is the capital of thermal tourism in Türkiye and its significance is expanding day by day. In addition to its wealth of the thermal springs it also boasts an interesting history, a rich cultural heritages, awesome nature, and extraordinary cuisine.
Afyonkarahisar is in the inward Aegean Region, lying underneath Great Karahisar Fortress, in a critical situation regarding its being on a way in Türkiye. Over 5000 years, Afyon has been home to numerous human advancements and has been conveyed numerous sorts of legacies from them: Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans.
Thermal and cultural facilities of Afyon created in these occasions related with geographical exercises for a great many years and thermal areas has been shaped in four principle zones as Ömer-Gecek, Hüdai, Heybeli and Gazlıgöl.
The waters of these principle zones can heal skin diseases, stomach, kidney, and bowel illnesses. In addition, they are healing for respiratory, nervous system and muscle infirmities. Further rheumatic treatments, physical rehabilitation and gynecologic healings; the waters are likewise advantageous for lungs and flow arrangement of human body by the inward breath of fume. With their sodium bicarbonate, magnesium, and calcium offices; they are advantageous for dermatologic illnesses, also.
Bursa
Built around mosques, caravanserais and hot springs, Bursa is a modern popular thermal tourist destination, with plenty plenty of Turkish baths and hammans built around the city.
Modern and industrial, Bursa is Türkiye's four biggest city, and holds a long history whose starting points can be followed back to second Century BC. Situated in the Southern Marmara Region, it has been essential for the Roman Empire, at that point the Byzantine and later the Ottoman, of which Bursa was the capital. Somewhere in the range of 1326 and 1453, the city was one of the main places for silk and flavors business on the planet.
Nowadays, besides being a popular destination for thermal tourism, Bursa, is likewise famous for MICE, cultural and religious tourism, with many museums, significant heritage - home to 3 sites which are in the UNESCO World Heritage List - and a significant international conference centre, along with an important winter sports and ski resort set in Mountain Uludağ. The city is also an important industrial centre, the core of textile, energy and automotive sector in Türkiye.
Bursa's noteworthy spas keep on working today, and the recuperating characteristics of their waters can even now be delighted in. The many different hot springs are contained in Turkish baths and hammams, with intricate tile designs and arching ceilings, traditionally segregated into men's and women's baths. The waters, rich in magnesium and crystal clear, are generally known as "Silver Waters".
Mineral waters are available not only at the baths, but also in luxury spa hotels and hospital facilities. They are notable for treating rheumatic illnesses, neuralgia, stress problems, sport wounds and others, as well as for rehabilitation. Waters over 40ºC -known as "female" waters- are used for bathing, while those below 40ºC-"Male" waters - are used for drinking.
Several modern facilities in Bursa are dedicated to high-tech medical treatments and biocosmetics.
Pamukkale (Denizli)
The breathtaking terraces of natural pools covering the slopes at Pamukkale are maybe one of the greatest characteristic landforms of the planet: a wonderful sight built by mineral waters perceived as UNESCO World Heritage site.
Making up a cross section of splendid blue pools upheld by dividers of shining white travertine, and covering an immense territory that can be seen for a significant distance, Pamukkale (which signifies "cotton palace" in Turkish) has been a vacationer location for well more than 2,000 years. Situated close to Denizli in South-Western Türkiye, Pamukkale isn't just a characteristic marvel, yet in addition a spot where you can go back as expected, to the antiquated city of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, sanctuaries and different monuments from this Graeco-Roman spa resort can at present be seen today, alongside an intriguing museum.
Pamukkale's waters leaks down the slopes, supersaturated with calcium carbonate. At the point when they arrive at the surface, carbon dioxide is released, and calcium carbonate is stored as a delicate gel which in the long run solidifies into travertine, shapping the striking scene.
At Pamukkale you will find 5 thermal springs with water temperatures between 35-36°C, taking care of the travertine pools where guests can bathe.
Nearby Karahayit, with its famous red spring and clay treatments is additionally all around provided with hotels and thermal centres for modern-day health-seekers.
