Turkey is known for its cultural foothold, delicious food, stunning beach resorts, and amazing shopping experiences. But there’s one more highlight that attracts nature lovers to the country – Turkish hot springs.
Yes, you heard it right. Turkey boasts a treasure trove of geothermal wonders that’ll leave you in awe of nature.
Imagine soaking in warm, mineral-rich waters, surrounded by stunning vistas, while rejuvenating your mind, body, and soul. From the cascading terraces of Pamukkale to the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, the natural hot springs in Turkey are a captivating blend of history and wellness.
Do you know how many of these cosy spots there are? Nealy 1000!
Since you can’t visit them all, we’ve shortlisted the best hot springs in Turkey that you must add to your bucket list. Let’s dive into these bubbling pools and let the therapeutic powers of nature reboot you.
Tips for Visiting Turkish Hot Springs with Kids
Travelling with your little ones? No worries. These natural thermal springs in Turkey are completely kid-friendly. We might not realize it, but our little munchkins also need a healthy dose of nature.
However, before you head to the springs, make sure you keep these few tips in mind:
Always Put Safety First
Don’t let the excitement of hot springs blind you to the risks. Remember, temperatures of some mineral pools can reach up to 50°C. Test the waters first before letting your kids dive in.
Buy Proper Safety Gear
Always carry your swimwear and goggles for eye protection. Investing in a good pair of aqua shoes is also a smart move. It’ll protect their feet from sharp rocks and slippery surfaces.
Go Early
There’s nothing like a peaceful morning dip in the hot springs. The water is calm, and you don’t have to worry about other visitors. Also, you’ll get the best photo ops if you visit with kids.
Take Breaks
Hot springs can be physically demanding for kids. It’s recommended that you take regular breaks and encourage your kiddos to rest, relax, and cool down in shaded areas.
Medical experts generally agree that children can be in the water for 5 to 15 minutes maximum at a time. Similar to domestic hot tubs, it’s not recommended at all for children under 5 to enter the hot waters.
Pack the Essentials
Don’t forget to carry a few essential items like sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and travel-sized first aid kits. Water bottles are a must for hydration.
Five Best Hot Springs in Turkey
Now, without any more delay, let’s look at the country’s most-visited thermal water bodies. If you’re travelling for a limited time, it’s best to pick a few spots and dive in.
Pamukkale, Denizili
This natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as “Cotton Castle,” is a sight that defies imagination. Its mesmerizing fairy-tale-like landscapes, white-tinted terraces, and warm thermal pools lure tourists worldwide. Not to forget the stunning ancient city of Hierapolis and the calm pool of Cleopatra, which adds an extra layer of historical value and mystery to the place.
Getting to Pamukkale
Depending on your departure city, you can get to Pamukkale in the city of Denizili in a few ways.
- You can fly directly to Denizli Çardak if you’re coming from Istanbul. It is the nearest airport to Pamukkale. From there, take a taxi or book a tour to reach your destination.
- From Selçuk, the train is the cheapest option. It’ll take you roughly about three hours to reach Denizli.
- From Kusadasi, you could join a guided tour to Pamukkale and Hierapolis
But don’t worry. Your travel tiredness will soon settle when you take a dip in this hot spring. It has a temperature ranging between 35°C to 100°C and is the perfect pH balance for therapeutic baths for your skin.
Entry Fee
Good things never come for free. The entrance fee to Pamukkale is 200 Turkish Lira. The place is kid-friendly, but you’ll need to be careful with your timing and crowds, as it is by far the most famous hot springs in Turkey.
Oylat Thermal Springs, Inegol
One of the purest thermal baths in Turkey, Oylat, is 30 kilometres from Bursa City Center. This place is stunning. Light-blue waters, stepping stones, and lush greenery make the place look like a fairy tale. What attracts people is the water’s therapeutic effect, which helps reduce weight and stress.
The water temperature here is maintained at -40°C. It clearly isn’t for everyone. But if you can’t bathe, you can drink. Yes, the water at Oylat Thermal Springs is fit for drinking. It contains sulfur, calcium, iron, ionic hydrogen, and bicarbonate.
Getting Here
Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to get here. You will have to book a tour of the nearby villages and cities to get here. The guide will take you to Oylat Cave, from where you’ll have to step down 500 meters to reach the Oylat hot springs. Usually, the tours offer pick-and-drop from in-city hotels.
Entry Fee
Lunch and entry fee is included in the price of your tour. But if you want to purchase it separately, it’s for 7.5 TL. There are hiking trails in the forest. So, you can bring your little explorers and let them discover new things.
Cesme Thermal Springs, Siva
You can’t skip Cesme if you’re visiting Turkey! It’s one of the best hot springs here, with temperatures ranging between 45°C and 58°C. This iconic thermal pool is situated in Cesme, Izmir, and overlooks the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. It’s one of a kind.
The steamy spring water contains sulfur and iodine, which gives it a unique aroma. People swear by its medicinal properties. It’s believed to be an excellent cure for muscular pain, joint pains, arthritis, skin allergies, and even bronchitis.
You can travel some miles outside the city centre to Sifne village. This attractive destination is known for its numerous mud baths and spa treatments.
Getting Here
Cesme Thermal Springs is easily accessible via train, bus, plane, or car. The fastest way to reach here is to take a flight and then a shuttle. It takes 4 hours and 15 minutes. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, take a bus. It’ll cost you between $21 and $29, and you’ll be at your destination in 9 hours.
Entry Fee
The Sifne Termal Otel has an entry fee of 40TL per person. Keep in mind that you can’t take any food from outside. There are two thermal pools and a lot of other activities for the kids. So, make sure you bring enough swimming gear and supplies for the family.
Yalova Hot Springs, Yalova
For anyone seeking a rejuvenating thermal holiday, Yalova is the place to be. This small city, located south of the Marmara Sea, is home to several hot springs bubbling with healing minerals and salts. The setting is breathtaking and looks like something out of a postcard – lush green forests, rolling hills, and an abundance of inviting restaurants.
The place offers indoor and outdoor thermal pools and baths. You’ll also find hammams, drinking cures, and saunas in the area.
Getting There
Take a ferry from Istanbul to Yalova. It’ll cost you between $5 and $7. The tour takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you’re at Istanbul airport, take a taxi for 420-550TL, depending on the type of taxi you’re taking.
Entry Fee
Stay in the Yalova Thermal Hotel to get access to the indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, hammam, spa, and wellness centre. All these services are included in the price of your room. There’s also a kids’ pool and playground on the premises.
Çekirge Thermal Spring, Bursa
Welcome to the thermal haven. Çekirge is a beautiful thermal spring located in Bursa, Northwest Turkey. It’s so close to Istanbul that you can make it a day trip and be back in the city by night.
As soon as you enter, you’ll feel an instant wave of calmness engulfing your mind. The water is so clear that the springs have earned the title of ‘Silver Waters.’ The temperature stays between 40°C and 48°C, which is perfect for a hot bath.
The place is said to be extremely therapeutic. It has healing properties that soothe and relieve joint pains, rheumatism, skin ailments, and metabolic disorders.
Getting Here
You can reach Bursa from Istanbul in less than two hours by car. If you’re taking the bus, it’ll take about 4 hours. Taxi and train are also available.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is 25TL per person, and it includes access to the thermal pools, spa, sauna, and hammam. The place has a lot of activities for kids as well. So, don’t forget to make provisions for them too!
Why Does Turkey Have So Many Hot Springs?
Have you ever wondered why Turkey is blessed with all these geothermal wonders? It all boils down to the country’s unique plate tectonics.
These hot springs and natural pools are mainly found in the western Anatolian region, where two pieces of the Earth’s crust meet. This seismic activity creates an underground volcanic network, which releases heated mineral water from the depths of the Earth.
Moreover, the interaction of several fault lines and seismic activities causes the water to be rich in minerals like calcium carbonate, chlorine, sulfur, iron, and sodium chloride. These minerals have healing properties that can help treat ailments such as heart diseases, arthritis, skin diseases, respiratory problems, rheumatic diseases, and so much more.
So, if you’re looking for a beautiful, calming, and therapeutic experience, be sure to add these hot water springs in Turkey to your bucket list.
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