Because of Turkey’s location on top of a major geothermal belt, it is among in the top seven countries in the world for quality and quantity of thermal springs with over 1000, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 110ºC. Most are in the Marmara and Aegean regions and because of their proximity to popular travel destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and Marmaris, public transport is easy. Many of Turkey’s historical places developed because of their springs, like the ancient city of Hieropolis which was built upon the rich mineral springs of Pamukkale, and the ancient Lydian city of Kaunos, whose people took baths in the rich mineral mud of Lake Koycegiz.
Izmir Spas »
İzmir Şifne Thermal Resort
Location: 6km east of Cesme, and 80km west of Izmir.
Transport: Cesme is easily accessible by bus, and the nearest airport is at Izmir.
Water temperature: Ilica Spring – 42¬∞ C. Buyuk Icme Spring – 19¬∞ C. Kucuk Icme Spring – 25¬∞C
pH value: Ilica Spring – 6.76; Buyuk Icme Spring – 6.52; Kucuk Icme Spring – 6.56
Physical and chemical properties: The various springs contain one or all of the following properties: Hyperthermal, hypertonic, chlorine, sodium, magnesium
Recommended: Applications Bathing, drinking and mud treatments
Helps to heal: Bathing and mud treatments – rheumatic ailments, gynaecological problems and poor metabolism, problems with liver, gall bladder and pancreas.
Balçova Thermal Resort (Agememnon)
Location: 10km west of Izmir and west of Balcova, near the historical site of Agememnon.
Transport: 25 km from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, and 10km from centre of Izmir. The closest beach is 18 km.
Water temperature: Spring and well water vary between 45°C -140°C.
pH value: 6.4
Physical and chemical properties: Chlorine, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, carbon dioxide and fluoride. Hyperthermal (62 °C) and Hypertonic (30.68 milimol/l.).
Helps to heal: Rheumatic ailments, digestive tract, eye ailments, poor metabolism, liver and gall bladder problems and heart and circulatory conditions, and nervous disorders.
Accommodation: Balcova Agamemnon Thermal Facilities (3-star) – 435 beds. Thermal Princess Hotel (5-star) – 630 beds.
Ankara Spas »
Kızılcahamam Tourist Thermal Spring
Location: Kizilcahamam, 80km north of Ankara.
Water temperature: Buyuk Thermal Spring – 47¬∞C; Kucuk Thermal Spring – 44¬∞C; Kizilcahamam – 19.5¬∞C; Acisu – 34¬∞C; Sey Hamami – 43¬∞C; Acisu Spring – 37¬∞C.
pH value: Buyuk Thermal Spring – 7.06; Kucuk Thermal Spring – 7.45; Kizilcahamam – 6.62; Acisu Thermal Spring – 6.20; Sey Hamami and Acisu Spring – 6.52.
Physical and chemical properties: The various springs contain some or all of the following: hyperthermal, hypertonic, isothermal, bicarbonate, sodium, chlorine, arsenic, carbon dioxide, calcium, carbon dioxide.
Recommended applications: Drinking and bathing
Helps to heal: Drinking – liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines, internal and external secretions, and poor metabolism. Bathing – heart, vascular system and rheumatism.
Accommodation: Belediye Thermal Hotel – 130 beds. Cam Hotel 81 Beds.
Sey Hamamı Tourist Thermal Resort
Location: 2km from Guvem, which is 15km north of Kizilcahamam and around 80km north of Ankara.
Transport: Guvem is on the highway between Ankara and Cerkes. Water temperature: 43°C pH value: 6.5 Physical and chemical properties: Bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, carbon dioxide and fluoride.
Recommended applications: Drinking and bathing
Helps to heal: Rheumatism, joint pain and calcium build-up, stomach and intestinal conditions, poor circulation, nervous disorders, liver and gall bladder conditions and eating disorders.
Accommodation: 14 rooms and 28 beds in the facility.
Denizli Spas
Pamukkale Thermal Resort
Location: In the Aegean region north of Denizli near the historic ruins of Hieropolis.
Transportation: 20 km from the city centre of Denizli, buses to Pamukkale.
Water temperature: 33¬∞C – 35.5¬∞C
pH value: 5.83 – 6.02
Physical and chemical properties: Thermal, hypertonic, bicarbonate, sulphur, calcium, carbon dioxide.
Recommended Applications: Drinking and bathing
Helps to heal: Drinking – digestive system especially stomach, intestines, liver and gall bladder disorders, dyspepsia, diabetes, obesity and gout. Bathing ‚Äì arthritis, rheumatic ailments like osteoporosis, bronchial asthma, blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and circulation problems.
Accommodation: Hotels Hierapolis (4-star), Ergur, Colossea, Polat’s and Richmond.
Karahayıt Thermal Resort
Location: 20km north of Denizli, and 5km from Pamukkale thermal springs.
Transportation: Buses and dolmus to Pamukkale.
Water temperature: 42¬∞C – 56¬∞C
pH value: 5.98 – 6.26
Physical and chemical properties: Hyperthermal, hypertonic, sulphur, bicarbonate, calcium, carbon dioxide.
Recommended: Applications Drinking and bathing
Helps to heal: Similar to waters of Pamukkale. Drinking – digestive system especially the stomach, intestines, liver and gall bladder disorders, dyspepsia, chronic infections of the gall bladder and gall bladder pigmentation and gall stones, diabetes, obesity and gout. Bathing ‚Äì arthritis, rheumatic ailments like osteoporosis, bronchial asthma, problems maintaining proper blood pressure, hardening of the arteries. Helps maintain a healthy circulatory system.
Accommodation: Hotels Hierapolis (4-star), Ergur, Colossea, Polat’s and Richmond.