Turkey, which has an important place in the world ranking with its magnificent natural beauties, has also developed quite a lot in spa tourism. Hot springs are places where hot waters that are known to be beneficial to people’s health come out. Since the temperatures of the hot spring water are high, it is known that the body temperature drops in these places and the nervous system calms down. For this reason, hot springs are often preferred for stress relief and relaxation. Turkey ranks first in Europe in terms of thermal resources. For this reason, Turkey is also called “Thermal Paradise”.
Turkey is a country located on the geothermal belt and therefore has many natural thermal resources. The number of these sources is close to 1300 and they have different temperatures and contents. Especially cities such as Afyon, Antalya, Bursa, Denizli, Istanbul, Izmir, Yalova are very famous for spa tourism. In these cities, thermal waters from different sources are used in the treatment of many diseases because of their different temperatures. Most of the spas also offer accommodation in modern facilities. Some of Turkey’s famous spas are as follows;
Sandikli Spa – Afyon
Sandikli Spa is located in Afyon, which is an important city in terms of spa tourism in Turkey. This hot spring is described as the elixir of youth and beauty, as it has a high sulfur content. It is considered to be the most healing spa among the spas in Turkey. The temperature of the water of the spa varies between 42 and 53 degrees. It is known that hot spring water heals many diseases. It is said to be good for health problems such as paralysis, pharyngitis and skin diseases. Sandıklı Thermal Spring also stands out with its mud baths, which are famous all over the world. It is known that these baths have a healing effect on health problems such as orthopedic operations and sports injuries. Sandikli Spa is located at the 65th kilometer of Afyon – Antalya Highway. There are many hotels around the spa offering accommodation.
Armutlu Spa – Yalova
Armutlu Thermal Spring is an important thermal spring located 4 km north of Armutlu town of Yalova province. Hosting Turkey’s first spa facilities, Yalova is also famous for having visited it by Atatürk. Armutlu Spa is accepted as a first degree natural, historical and archaeological site in the thermal region. The region, which is frequently visited by domestic tourists due to its proximity to major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, is one of the health tourism destinations preferred by foreign tourists. Although it is useful in removing acid from the body, on nerves, in inflammatory diseases and gynecological diseases, stomach and intestinal diseases, healing of wounds, regular functioning of the liver, and healing of hormones; may not be good for cancer, tuberculosis and advanced heart diseases. There are many luxury facilities to stay in the area.
Gonen Spa – Balikesir
Gönen Thermal Spring is located in Gönen district of Balıkesir province and you can benefit from its thermal water both by bathing and drinking. This water is rich in values such as sodium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate and its temperature is quite high. Since the temperature of the water is about 73 degrees, chilled water is used in pools for bathing. The water of Gönen Thermal Spring was registered as “the most mineral water in the world” in 2012. The spa is spread over an area of 600 square meters and is also known as a “natural wonder”. This mineral water, when drunk, is good for indigestion and intestinal diseases, and when used by taking a bath, it is a remedy for diseases such as calcification and the problems caused by mental diseases.
Pamukkale and Hayitli Thermal Spring – Denizli
Located in Turkey, Pamukkale is a world-renowned tourist destination with its important thermal springs. Pamukkale is famous for its healing waters that were discovered centuries ago. The cotton-like limestone tuffs formed by the thermal waters coming out of the karstic areas in Denizli are known as the “Pamukkale Travertines”. Pamukkale is very popular due to the image created by the travertines located 18 km from the center. Pamukkale’s hot spring water is used in the treatment of health problems such as cardiovascular system disorders, circulatory system problems, rheumatic diseases and asthma diseases.
Hayıtlı Thermal Spring is another important thermal spring located in Pamukkale district of Denizli. Unlike normal pools, red mud pools can be seen in Hayıtlı Thermal Spring due to the color of the soil in the region. The red color of the water of this spa is due to the high iron content in the metamorphic rocks. The healing waters of Hayıtlı Thermal Spring are good for diseases such as heart and atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, rheumatism, scabies, acne and itching.
Diyadin Hot Springs – Ağrı
Diyadin Thermal Springs is an important spa facility located in Diyadin district of Ağrı province. Located 60 km away from the city center of Ağrı, these hot springs offer the opportunity to spend time in the healing hot waters of Ağrı after the cold weather. The water of Diyadin Hot Springs is mineral water. It is used as a treatment method for many diseases such as skin diseases, rheumatism, gynecological diseases, bone and calcification diseases, sciatica and metabolic disorders. The facilities in the spa offer accommodation.
Kizilcahamam Spa – Ankara
Kızılcahamam district of Ankara is famous for its natural drinking mineral waters. Kizilcahamam Spa is located in the north of Ankara. It consists of two different spa facilities called Big and Small Spa. This hot spring is a place known to have been operated during the Roman and Seljuk times. It is visited by visitors especially in summer and autumn months. Kizilcahamam Spa has modern accommodation facilities. The hot waters of the spa; It is known that it is good for many diseases from liver and heart diseases to gynecological diseases.
Oylat Thermal Spring – Bursa
Oylat Thermal Spring is an important thermal spring located very close to İnegöl district of Bursa province. There is a belief regarding the water of this spa that even the dying patients are healed. Oylat Thermal Spring is located in a perfect nature. It is a suitable place for a quiet and healing holiday not only with its healing water, but also with its clean air and walking track in the forest. This spa, which was also operated during the Ottoman period, continues the bath culture. It is known that the temperature of the water, which is 40 degrees, is especially effective for painful nerve diseases. Oylat Waterfall and Oylat Cave, which are 1 hour away from Oylat Thermal Spring, are also worth seeing.
Tuzla Hot Springs – Istanbul
Tuzla Thermal Springs are among the important thermal springs in Turkey. These hot springs are also preferred by those living in Istanbul for day trips on weekends. Due to the high sodium content of Tuzla Hot Springs water, it has a healing effect on metabolism and skin diseases as well as upper respiratory tract diseases. There is also a thermo-mineral pool in the facilities.
Karacasu Hot Springs – Bolu
Karacasu Thermal Springs is located 5 km from Bolu province and includes two thermal springs. These hot springs are located in a region that has been chosen as a “thermal tourism center” and contains a beautiful nature covered with forests. In addition, a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health is located here. It is known that the thermal water of Karacasu Hot Springs has the power to treat conditions such as neurosurgery, stress disorder and sports injuries after immobility. Drinking this water also has a healing effect. When bottled, it can be stored for a long time without spoiling its taste.
Hamambogazi Thermal Springs – Uşak
Hamamboğazı Thermal Springs is located in the Banaz district of Uşak province and is also used as a trekking point because it is in an area surrounded by pine forests. For this reason, those who come to find healing in the hot springs also have the opportunity to have a peaceful holiday by being intertwined with nature. There are 3 different types of water in Hamamboğazı Thermal Springs, such as Gazoz, Sarı Kız and Kara Kız. While the waters called soda are high in sulfur and iron, the waters called Sarı Kız are sulphurous and warm. The Black Girl waters are warmer. These waters, which are recommended for the treatment of stomach, liver and intestinal problems, are also known to be good for ailments such as rheumatism.
Cermik Hot Springs – Diyarbakir
Çermik Hot Springs are located in Çermik district of Diyarbakır province. The water of these hot springs contains more iodide and bromide than the water of other hot springs. The water of these hot springs is beneficial for ailments such as inflammatory rheumatism, polio, skin ailments and gynecological diseases. Next to the Cermik Thermal Springs, there is the Belkıs Bath. It is believed that women who want to have children will have children if they bathe in the water of this bath. For this reason, the hamam is preferred by many female visitors.
Ilica Hot Springs – Cesme
Çeşme is one of Turkey’s popular summer resorts and contributes to thermal tourism. Ilıca Thermal Springs is located on the seaside, 5 kilometers from Çeşme town centre. Therefore, when these hot springs are preferred, besides finding healing in thermal waters, you can also spend a pleasant time in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. The thermal waters of Ilıca Hot Springs are rich in chloride, sodium and fluoride. The temperature of the water ranges from the lowest 42 degrees to the highest 55 degrees. The waters of these hot springs strengthen the metabolism, regulate the digestive system and are good for rheumatic pains.
