A visit to Turkey would not be complete without a stop at one of the country's better-known spas, whether to treat a health problem or simply to luxuriate in the soothing waters of natural mineral baths. A stop at one of the spas described in this booklet can easily be combined with a tour of Turkey's most famous destinations.
The health-giving properties of Turkey's natural hot springs have been renowned since antiquity.
The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on the site of the rich mineral waters of Pamukkale, where the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth as it flowed down the mountainside, coating the slopes in a smooth layer of dazzlingly white calcareous rock.
No doubt, the residents of the ancient Lycian city of Caunos bathed in the mineral-rich mud of nearby Köyceğiz Lake.
The Balçova/Izmir hot springs are located on the site of the Baths of Agamemnon, known and used in Roman times for the therapeutic qualities of the water there.
Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman dynasty is nestled against Uludağ (Mt. Olympos to the ancients). There the natural hot springs of Çekirge prompted the Ottomans to build a large complex of domed baths during the reign of Murat I (1359-89) on the site of an earlier Roman and Byzantine bath complex.
On the shores of the Aegean, Çeşme is famous for its natural mineral springs and the therapeutic qualities of its seawater.
And amidst the verdant forests of the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara, Yalova hot springs pours out mineral-rich water, thought to cure a variety of ailments.
The spas described in this brochure are concentrated in the Marmara Region and Aegean Region of western Turkey and are easily accessible from popular destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and the Marmaris/Fethiye area.
But, while touring through the Central Anatolian region (Central Turkey), there is one thermal spa well worth mentioning here, a spa of such an extraordinary character and one of its kind in the world. It is visited by people searching for cures from all over the world. This healign spa is called "Kangal Hot Spring with Fish" and it is only 13 km from the town of Kangal in the province of Sivas. The beneficial waters of 36oC contain bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and also many small fish (2-10 cm long), which play a vital part in curing various skin diseases. There are also two other thermal spas in this province: Sıcak Çermik and Soğuk Çermik, famous for their valuable therapeutic treatments. Another thermal complex, known for maintaining an international standard for its thermal therapy centre is located in Yoncalı near Kütahya and is known in Turkish as "Tutav Termal Tesisleri."
Well-known and highly recommended for their thermal facilities are the famous spas of Sandıklı (Afyon), Gönen (Balıkesir) Bolu, Kestanbol (Çanakkale), Ilgın (Konya), Kızılcahamam (Ankara), Haruniye (Adana), Ayder (Rize), Ladik (Samsun), Hasanabdal (Van), and Billoris (Siirt). Though these particular spas are not luxurious, the main advantage is being able to enjoy their therapeutic benefits in natural surroundings.
Take a lesson from the ancients and treat yourself to a natural health cure during your visit to Turkey
Bursa
The first capital of the Ottoman dynasty has been famous for centuries for the therapeutic qualities of its natural hot springs. One of the earliest recorded visitors who came to Bursa to take the waters was Byzantine Empress Theodora. Today, the Ottoman baths, known as Eski Kaplıca, continue to function as part of Hotel Kervansaray in the Çekirge district of Bursa. Five-star Çelik Palas Hotel also has luxuriously-appointed facilities with natural hot springs and baths offering various treatments. The domed baths run by the Hotel Kervansaray are an excellent example of early Ottoman architecture.
Capacity
The Çekirge hot springs flow at the rate of five litres per second. The Kervansaray baths can accommodate 600 people per day while Çelik Palas can provide curative baths to 400 people per day
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications
Composed of calcium, magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate, the water temperature of the Çekirge springs ranges from 39 to 58oC with a pH of 7.2 to 6.6 and total mineral content of 1,164 mg/It. These hot springs are good for rheumatic diseases, hepatic and gall bladder diseases, metabolic disorders, gynaecological diseases and post-operative problems.
Treatments and accommodation
Eski Kaplıca, run by the Kervansaray Hotel, features hot mineral pools, baths and a Turkish bath with natural hot springs. Treatments in hot mineral pools and baths, massage, underwater massage and electro-physical therapy are available at Çelik Palas Hotel. Kervansaray Hotel has 435 beds and 13 suites, while Çelik Palas Hotel has 359 beds and three suites.
Accommodations:
Hotel
Kervansaray ***** (214 Rooms, 444 Beds)
Eski Kaplıca, Çekirge-Bursa
Tel : (0-224) 233 9300
Fax : (0-224) 233 9324
Çelik
Palas Thermal ***** ( 173 Rooms, 359 Beds)
Çekirge Cad. 79, Çekirge-Bursa
Tel : (0-224) 233 3800
Fax : (0-224) 236 1910
Anatolia
Hotel **** (93 Rooms, 188 Beds)
Çekirge Meydanı, Çekirge-Bursa
Tel : (0-224) 233 9400
Fax : (0-224) 233 9405
Dilmen
Hotel **** ( 102 Rooms, 202 Beds)
1 Murat Cad. 22, Çekirge-Bursa
Tel : (0-224) 233 9500
Fax : (0-224) 235 2568
Büyük
Yıldız *** (60 Rooms, 136 Beds)
Uludag Cad. 6, Çekirge-Bursa
Tel: (0-224) 233 9600
Fax: (0-224) 233 9607
Büyük
Yıldız II ***
Selvinaz Sok. 2, Çekirge - Bursa
Tel: (0-224) 233 9610
Fax: (0-224) 233 9615
Gönlüferah
Hotel *** (63 Rooms, 119 Beds)
1 Murat Cad., Çekirge - Bursa
Tel : (0-224) 233 9210
Fax : (0-224) 233 9218
Yalova
Yalova hot springs are located to the south of the Sea of Marmara, 11-km southwest of the city of Yalova in a wonderful green setting.
Capacity
The Yalova hot springs have a natural water outlet, flowing at a rate of 15 litres per second. Capacity is 1,651 person/day/bath and 1,651 beds on the basis of 600 person/day/bath.
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications
Yalova hot springs have a composition of sodium chloride, calcium sulphate and fluoride. With a temperature of 57 to 60oC, 7.3 to 7.6 pH, and 1,435 mg/1t total mineral content, the waters are suitable for both bathing and drinking. Yalova hot springs are known for their therapeutic qualities, especially for rheumatic diseases, digestive maladies, neurological and urological disorders and metabolic problems.
Treatments and accommodations
Yalova spa incorporates open and covered pools, baths, offers massage, underwater massage and drinking cures. With a treatment capacity of nearly 2,000 people per day, the spa includes two hotels with a total of 174 beds, a first-class restaurant, cafe, a very attractive park and forest.
Turban
Yalova Thermal *** (Special license)
(100 Rooms, 200 Beds)
Yalova - Istanbul
Tel: (0-216) 835 74 00
Fax : (0-216) 835 7413
İzmir - Balçova
The Balçova hot springs are located on the site of the Baths of Agamemnon, known in antiquity for the therapeutic qualities of its waters. According to a legend, Agamemnon was advised by, an oracle to bring soldiers who had been wounded during the campaign against Troy, to the sulphur-rich waters of these natural hot springs. Balçova is situated to the west of the Aegean port of İzmir.
Capacity
The Balçova hot springs flow from two exploratory wells at a rate of 28 litres per second. The facilities can accommodate 3,456 bath-days and 3,456 beds on the basis of 600 litres per person per day, per bath.
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications:
The Balçova hot springs are composed of sodium chloride and calcium bicarbonate. With 62 to 80 oC water temperature and a pH of 6.4, Balçova hot springs contain 1,369 mg/lt minerals. These hot springs are recommended for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, digestive maladies, post-injuries and post-operative problems, calcification and metabolic disorders.
Treatments and accommodations
The Balçova hot bath complex, with a total capacity, of 1,000 people per day, provides hot mineral pools and baths, offers a patient therapy pool, sauna, massage, underwater massage, physical exercise, electro-therapy and physical therapy. The complex incorporates a three-star hotel with 435 beds, a five-star hotel with 630 beds and a new park.
Thermal
Prenses ***** (278 Rooms, 630 Beds)
Ilıca Mah., 112 Zeytin Sok., Narlıdere-Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 238 5151
Fax: (0-232) 239 0939
Balçova
Agamemnon Thermal Baths *** (215 Rooms, 435 Beds)
Hüseyin Öğütçen Cad. 2, Balçova - Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 259 0102
Fax: (0-232) 259 0829
Izmir - Çeşme
Çeşme, the Turkish word for fountain, is abundantly endowed with natural hot springs. Located on the Aegean coast, 70 km west of İzmir, the holiday resort has two excellent hotels, both of which have complete spas. Turban Hotel uses mineral waters from a natural hot spring, while the facilities at Altınyunus Holiday Resort utilise mineral-rich seawater.
Capacity
Set on a long sandy beach, Turban Hotel has 432 beds. The hot springs flow at a rate of 15 litres per second and can accommodate 500 people a day.
Altınyunus Holiday Resort, situated in a cove along the seafront, has 1,030 beds. Its Natural Sea Spa can handle 500 people per day
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications
Turban Çeşme hot springs contain a high level of sodium chloride and calcium bicarbonate. Water temperature is 55 oC with a pH of 6.5, and mineral content 27.2 gr/lt. The sea water used in the Altınyunus spa has a similar composition. These waters are heated and used for treating rheumatic, dermatological and gynaecological diseases. They are also recommended for neurological exhaustion and to help strengthen the muscles.
Treatments and accommodations
Turban Çeşme Hotel provides hot mineral pools and baths, offers underwater massage, physical and electrotherapy The Altınyunus spas incorporate similar facilities plus physical exercise and geriatric units.
Turban Çeşme Hotel has 432 beds while the larger Altınyunus has 1,000 beds.
Altınyunus
Holiday Resort *****(First Class) (515 Rooms, 1030 Beds)
Boyalık Mevkii, Çeşme-Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 723 1250
Fax: (0-232) 723 2252
Turban
Thermal Hotel **** (216 Rooms, 432 Beds)
Ilıca Mevkii, Çeşme - Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 723 1240
Fax: (0-232) 723 1388
Hotel
Hora ***
Çeşme - Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 723 2654
Fax: (0-232) 723 4700
Hotel
Delmar *** (92 Rooms, 192 Beds)
154 İzmir Cad., Çeşme - Izmir
Tel: (0-232) 723 4300
Fax: (0-232) 723 4103
Pamukkale
At Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle") nature has produced a sight of spectacular beauty. For thousands of years an underground spring located deep in the earth has been pouring out streams of hot mineral-saturated water. As it has flowed down the mountainside the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth, and their rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of dazzlingly-white calcareous rock. To the ancients such beauty, could only, mean that the place was holy to the gods. Built near the natural hot springs, the grand city of Hierapolis attracted a steady stream of pilgrims, who came to bathe in the curative waters. Pamukkale is located 250 km from İzmir and 20 km from Denizli.
Capacity
The Pamukkale hot springs flow at a rate of 400 litres per second. The facilities can accommodate about 50,000 bath-days and 50,000 beds on the basis of 600 people/day/bath.
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications
The mineral-rich Pamukkale hot springs are composed of calcium-magnesium sulphate and bicarbonate. They contain carbon dioxide and have a radioactive content of 1,537 picokuri/litre or 56 bekerel/litre). Water temperature is 36 to 38 oC with a pH of 6. Total mineral content is 2,430 mg/lt. The waters are used both for drinking and bathing. They, are recommended for the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological and gynaecological diseases, neurological and physical exhaustion, digestive maladies and nutrition disorders.
Treatments and accommodations
Throughout history, Pamukkale has been a famous spa, with both baths and open pools set into the snow-white cliffs. Bath treatments take place in natural pools developed around the main hot springs. Hot mineral water spas have been opened at a number of new, and very comfortable hotels in the area. Total capacity, is 4,000 beds.
Hierapolis
Thermal ***** ( 180 Rooms, 360 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4105
Fax: (0-258) 262 4816
Hotel
Ergür **** ( 164 Rooms, 330 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4170
Fax: (0-258) 271 0146
Club
Colossea **** (238 Rooms, 480 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4373 - 271 4156
Fax: (0-258) 271 4050
Mihriban
Polat Hotel **** (256 Rooms, 523 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4111 - 271 4112 - 271 4110
Fax: (0-258) 27140 92
Pamukkale
Richmond Hotel **** (264 Rooms, 488 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4294
Fax: (0·258) 271 4078
Pam Hotel
*** (158 Rooms, 523 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4140-4149
Fax: (0-258) 271 4097
Lycus
River Hotel *** (125 Rooms, 261 Beds)
Karahayıt-Pamukkale-Denizli
Tel: (0-258) 271 4341
Fax: (0-258) 271 4351
Muğla - Köyceğiz - Dalyanköy
Scenic Köyceğiz Lake, located near Dalaman Airport and within convenient distance of Fethiye and Marmaris, is well known for its natural hot springs and mud baths. The lake narrows into a channel, flowing into the Dalyan river, which empties into the Mediterranean at one of Turkey's most spectacular beaches - the breeding ground of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle. The reed-edged river meanders toward the sea, surmounted by 4th-century B.C. Lycian rock tombs. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient city of Caunos.
Capacity
Situated next to a natural channel between Köyceğiz Lake and the Mediterranean Sea, the Rıza Çavuş Thermal Baths form a water pool and a mud pond, with flow rate of about eight litres per second. The mud and mineral baths can accommodate 1,000 people per day. A second spring, Velibey Thermal Baths, is located 1.5 km north of Rıza Çavuş, has similar qualities and a flow rate of 20 litres per second.
Physio-chemical characteristics and indications
The Rıza Çavuş natural hot springs contain sodium chloride, hydrogen, sulphur bromide, fluoride, natural radioactivity (3,770 picokuri/litre =139 bekerel/litre), with a total salt and mineral content of 28 gr/lt. Temperature of the mud and water is 30 to 38 oC, and pH is about 6.5.
Having very attractive physio-chemical qualities, these hot springs are good for the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological and gynaecological diseases, as well as neurological and physical exhaustion.
Treatments and accommodations
The Köyceğiz baths do not offer overnight accommodations. Most visitors stay at small hotels and pensions in nearby Dalyan. The baths can be reached from Dalyan by small boats.
The treatment consists of covering the body with a layer of mud and then soaking in the hot mineral water.
For
further information:
Köyceğiz Tourism Office
Muğla - Köyceğiz Tel and Fax: (0-252) 262 4703
Afyon - Ömerterler (Oruçoğlu)
Oruçoğlu Thermal Centre is 18 km north-west of Afyon on the Afyon-Kütahya Highway
Capacity
Oruçoğlu Thermal Centre, also known as Ömerterler Kaplıcası has hot springs that flow at a rate of 90 litres per second. These facilities can accommodate 12,960 people daily per bath, per person.
Physio-Chemical Characteristics and Indications
The springs have a pH of 6.4 and contain sodium chloride, bicarbonate, iron and carbon dioxide, which are especially beneficial for rheumatism, dermatology problems, stomach and intestinal disorders, gynaecologic, urologic and metabolic problems.
Treatment and Accommodations
At this centre, there are open and covered thermal pools, underwater massage, massage, physical therapy, therapy pools, physical exercise programs and electrotherapy.
Thermal
Resort Oruçoğlu *****
214 Rooms, 428 Beds
Oruçoğlu-Afyon
Tel: (0-272) 251 5050 - 251 3504
Fax: (0-272) 251 5060
Hüdai
Yeni Thermal Baths ***
132 Rooms, 264 Beds
Sandıklı-Afyon
Tel: (0-272) 512 6947 - 512 6948
Fax: (0-272) 512 5014
Sivas-Kangal (Balıklıçermik)
"Kangal Hot Springs with Fish"
The famous Kangal Hot Springs are 85 km from Sivas via the town of Kangal and 15 km from the centre of Kangal.
Capacity
These thermal springs come from five different sources and the fish come directly from the springs into the pool. Spring water flows at 40 litres per second with a daily capacity, of 5,760 people.
Physio-Chemical Characteristics and Indications
The thermal water is 36 C (96 F) with a pH of 7.3 and contains bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium sulphate, chlorine, sodium and magnesium. Carbon dioxide gas is present and is crucial in curing skin diseases, rheumatism and neurological disorders. The fish present in the water simply suck out the diseased areas in a curettage-like fashion. Many, doctors and clinics throughout Turkey have recommended their patients try, the Kangal thermal waters as a curative.
Treatments and Accommodations
During the summer season at this centre, there are plenty of tents, bungalows and other types of accommodations. There is also a one star hotel at the centre with 81 rooms and 70 beds. New facilities are being planned for this thermal centre in the future.
For more information:Balıklıçermík Thermal Bath
Kangal-Sivas, TR
Tel: (0-346) 469 1151 - 469 1152
Fax: (0-346) 469 1153
Reservations:
Sivas Municipality (Sivas Belediyesi)
Thermal Directorate (Kaplıca Müdürlüğü)
Tel: (0-346) 221 0110 - 221 0111 - 221 0112
Balıklı
Kaplıca (Hot Springs with Fish) Facilities (Private Thermal)
97 Rooms, 200 Beds
Kangal-Sivas
Tel: (0-346) 469 1151 - 469 1152 - 469 1153
Fax: (0-346) 4691153