Thermal tourism is also a type of tourism expressed as “thermal spring tourism”. Travels to facilities that contain useful minerals and provide thermal waters warmer than 20 degrees are considered within this type of tourism.
Thermal resources have been a part of our lives for a very long time. Even natural thermal waters have been used as an alternative treatment method for thousands of years. Nowadays, due to the increase in opportunities and the easier access to these resources, the interest in this type of tourism has increased. Considered as one of the alternative tourism types, thermal tourism is a reflection of the “serenity coming from the water” phenomenon. The needs of the young and middle-aged and relaxation practices also differ as the audience that this serenity appeals to is between the ages of 25-75. Below can be listed as the examples for the relaxation practices:
- Exercise therapy
- Massage
- Balneotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Thermal Cure
The Thermal Healing Spa Locations in Turkey
Turkey has many hot water resources in line with its geological structure. Especially Central Anatolia and Aegean regions are very valuable in terms of thermal resources. Some of the regions that stand out with hot and mineral springs are as follows:
- Afyonkarahisar
Afyonkarahisar, seen as the thermal capital of Turkey, is famous for its hot spring waters. If you want to have a nice spa holiday in autumn and winter, you can turn your route towards Afyon thermal springs. Moreover, while enjoying the thermal springs, you can see the places to visit in Afyon and taste the delicious flavors of Afyon.
Afyonkarahisar is definitely the first city that comes to mind when it comes to Turkey’s thermal springs. Among the most known and frequently preferred Afyonkarahisar hot springs are Gazlıgöl Thermal Tourism Center, known with the legend of Gazlıgöl, Ömer Thermal, Gecek Thermal, Heybeli Thermal Tourism Center and Hüdai Thermal Tourism Center. If the idea of a spa holiday excites you, you can choose from Afyon thermal hotels and reserve your place immediately.
- Ankara
Ankara thermal springs are places preferred by both those who live in Ankara and those who visit the capital city Ankara for a peaceful holiday. You can plan a nice Ankara getaway where you will relax and refresh accompanied by rich thermal resources. Autumn and winter periods are the most preferred time to visit the locations here.
Among the thermal springs that stand out in Ankara are Ayaş Hot Springs, Kızılcahamam Hot Springs, Beypazarı – Dutlu – Tahtalı Thermal Springs, Kapullu Hot Spring and Haymana Hot Spring. While enjoying the thermal water in the city, do not forget that you can also enrich your travel by visiting the places to visit in the capital Ankara. You can choose among Ankara thermal hotels and book your place to enjoy the thermal holiday in the best way possible.
- Bolu
In Bolu, it is possible to have a pleasant walk by the lake and find peace, or to go on a skiing holiday to make use of the best days of winter… It is even possible to fully enjoy the beauty of a thermal holiday in Bolu! For this, you should choose among the Bolu thermal hotels and book accordingly.
Among the Bolu hot springs, which have found a place for them even in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname, the prominent ones are Karacasu Hot Springs, Babas Hot Springs, Sarot Hot Springs, Pavlu (Kesenözü) Hot Springs and Çatak Hot Springs. Bolu area has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauties which could enrich your thermal holiday.
- Bursa
A relaxing and peaceful thermal holiday awaits you in Bursa. With its natural beauties, Bursa’s thermal resources stand out. There are many thermal spas in Bursa, which is one of the cities that come to mind when it comes to thermal tourism in Turkey. The best-known Bursa thermal springs are generally spread over Çekirge, Bademli Bahçe and İnegöl Oylat regions. You can choose the one that best suits your taste and budget among Bursa thermal hotels to enjoy the thermal water and have a comfortable holiday experience.
Bursa thermal springs, which offer the opportunity to evaluate different alternatives such as thermal pools, drinking cures or mud baths, include Oylat Thermal Springs, Kükürtlü Thermal Spring, Old Thermal Spring, Kaynarca Bath and Karamustafa Spa. While in the city, people can also visit the in Bursa and taste the delicious cuisine in the city.
- Balıkesir
Turkey’s thermal wealth shows itself in Balikesir province as well. Although there are a lot of places to visit in Balıkesir such as Edremit Bay, Kaz Mountains, Cunda, Ayvalık, Akçay, Altınoluk, Marmara Island and Avşa Island, the city’s thermal spas also contribute to tourism. Susurluk Thermal Springs, Sındırgı and Emendere Thermal Springs, Gönen Thermal Springs, Pamukçu Thermal Facilities and Hisaralan Thermal Springs stand out among Balıkesir thermal springs. There are thermal springs in Bigadiç, Edremit and Manyas regions. Pamukçu Thermal Springs draws attention as the closest thermal source to the center of Balıkesir. The city offers a peaceful and relaxing experience through a spa holiday.
- Yalova
With its historical and cultural values as well as its natural beauties, Yalova is a quite rich province in terms of the values it offers, even though it is the smallest city in Turkey based on its surface area. Located in a Thermal district, which is 12 km away from Yalova downtown, Yalova thermal springs are quite famous in many countries of the world. There are many facilities in the area where these thermal springs are formed, which date back to about 4000 years ago, and many local and foreign tourists visit this place every year. If you want to have a thermal holiday in Yalova, you can book your place by choosing among Yalova thermal hotels and experience the peace of having some time for yourself.
In addition to the Yalova Thermal springs, there is also Armutlu hot springs in the city. You can come to this region for a holiday that will warm you up in the winter months and take a quality time for yourself and be refreshed with thermal water. While you’re at it, you can see the prominent places to visit in Yalova such as Sudüşen Waterfall, Erikli Plateau, Çınarcık and Walking Mansion.
- Kütahya
Thermal tourism is very active in Kütahya. There are many hot springs and thermal springs in the city. 8 of the 80 thermal tourism centers announced by the decision of the Council of Ministers across Turkey are located in Kütahya. Kütahya hot springs are visited by many local and foreign tourists every year. Ilıca Hot Springs in the city draws attention with its unique location within a lush forest. Kütahya Eynal Thermal Springs are even described in Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname. During your holiday, make sure to take time to see the places to visit in Kütahya and the natural beauties of the city.
If you are thinking of going on a spa holiday in Kütahya, Yoncalı Hot Springs, Emet Dereli Hot Springs Thermal Tourism Center, Ilıca Harlek Thermal Tourism Center, Gediz Murat Mountain Thermal Tourism Center, Gediz Ilıcasu Thermal Tourism Center, Simav Eynal Hot Springs Thermal Tourism Center, Simav Çitgöl Hot Springs Thermal Tourism Center, Simav Naşa Thermal Tourism Center, Emet Thermal Tourism Center, Tavşanlı Göbel Thermal Tourism Center, Hisarcık Esire Thermal Tourism Center and Emet Yenice Hot Springs are among the places you can go. You can book your place in Kütahya thermal hotels for a comfortable accommodation experience.
- Denizli
Denizli is a city that attracts attention with its Pamukkale Travertines and the world’s leading thermal resources, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Pamukkale Hot Springs and Karahayıt Hot Spring stand out among Denizli’s thermal springs. Many domestic and foreign tourists come to these regions every year. Among the thermal springs of Denizli, there are Akköy Mud Spas, Tekkeköy Spas, Babacik (Kabaağaç) Spa, Kızıldere Spa, Akköy Gölemezli Mud Spas and Yenice Kamara Spa. If you want to come to the city and benefit from the touch of thermal water, choose from Denizli thermal hotels and start getting ready to set off.
- İzmir
İzmir is known with its thermal springs that have helped many people to get renewed and refreshed with the touch of thermal water since ancient times. Summer holidays in Izmir are filled with sea, sand and sun. In the autumn and winter months, thermal tourism in Izmir begins to become active. Facilities with popular thermal water facilities are generally located around Balçova, İnciraltı, Narlıdere and Çeşme Ilıca. You can experience this beautiful city from a different aspect by choosing among Izmir thermal hotels.
Among the thermal resources of İzmir, Bademli Hot Springs, Balçova Thermal, Bayındır Hot Springs, Bergama Hot Springs, Menemen Hot Springs, Illıcagöl Hot Spring, Rabbit Island Hot Spring, Çeşme Hot Springs, Şifne Hot Springs and Mud, Seferihisar Hot Springs, Urla Hot Springs (Malkoç Springs) and Gülbahçe Hot Springs stand out. Regardless of the season, Izmir offers you a full, enjoyable and relaxing spa holiday where you will also discover places to visit in Izmir.
- Eskişehir
There are many thermal facilities and baths at the center area of Eskişehir, which is very rich in terms of groundwater. There are also hot springs in the surrounding districts. Among the thermal springs of Eskişehir, Sakarıılıca Thermal Springs, Hasırca Hot Spring, Kızılinler Hot Spring, Sivrihisar Gümüşkonak Hot Spring, Çardak (Hamamkarahisar) Hot Spring, Çifteler Bath and Ilıcaköy Hot Spring can be counted. You can experience a nice spa holiday by reserving one of the Eskişehir thermal hotels while also enjoy paying a visit to sightseeing areas the city offers
