Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Turkey?
Yes, a great many. Turkey has thermal springs in almost every region, from the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale to the Ottoman hamams of Bursa and the thermal hotel towns around Afyonkarahisar.
At Pamukkale you wade barefoot through warm, shallow pools on the terraces and can swim in Cleopatra's Pool among fallen Roman columns. Near Istanbul, Yalova and Bursa have bathed visitors since Roman and Ottoman times.
Most other springs feed thermal hotels with indoor and outdoor pools, hamams and private family bath rooms, and only a handful, like Gülbahçe near İzmir, are free.
Turkey hot springs: the essentials
Turkey has thermal springs in almost every region, and most feed thermal hotels and hamams where Turkish families go for weekends and cures.
- Famous sites
- Pamukkale, Bursa, Afyon
- Private baths
- Family bath rooms are common
- We list
- 31 hot springs in 18 provinces
- In pools
- Swimsuit required
- Local words
- Kaplıca, termal, ılıca
- Hamams
- Separate times or sections for men and women
- Best season
- All year; spring and autumn at Pamukkale
Best hot springs in Turkey
The hot springs most visitors plan a trip around, from Pamukkale to Ottoman hamams.
-
Travertines
Pamukkale Travertines and Thermal Springs
Pamukkale, DenizliWhite travertine terraces where you walk barefoot through warm pools; the ticket includes the ruins of Hierapolis.
-
Thermal pool
Cleopatra's Pool at Hierapolis
Pamukkale, DenizliA warm pool at about 36°C where you swim over fallen Roman columns. It has its own ticket.
-
Historic hamam
Bursa Çekirge Thermal Springs
BursaBursa's old thermal quarter, with Ottoman hamams and thermal hotels on the slopes of Uludağ.
-
Natural
Karahayıt Red Springs
Karahayıt, DenizliIron-rich hot springs a few kilometres from Pamukkale that colour the rock red.
-
Mud baths
Sultaniye Thermal Springs and Mud Baths
Köyceğiz, MuğlaMud baths and sulphur pools on a lake, popular on boat trips from Dalyan.
-
Thermal resort
Yalova Termal Hot Springs
Termal, YalovaA historic thermal resort in the woods, a ferry ride across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul.
-
Thermal resort
Gazlıgöl Thermal Springs
AfyonkarahisarA thermal district of hotels with private pool rooms, mud baths and hamams.
-
Fish spa
Kangal Balıklı Kaplıca
Kangal, SivasWarm spring pools where small fish nibble the skin, a famous treatment for psoriasis.
-
Thermal resort
Balçova Agamemnon Thermal Baths
Balçova, İzmirA thermal hotel complex on the edge of İzmir, fed by a 62°C spring.
Hot springs in Turkey map
The map shows all 31 hot springs we cover in Turkey. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Famous hot springs in Turkey
All 31 hot springs we list in Turkey, A to Z, from Pamukkale to the thermal towns of Anatolia.
-
Thermal resort
Balçova Agamemnon Thermal Baths, Turkey
Thermal hotel complex on the edge of İzmir with a 62°C spring, many pools and Turkish baths.
-
Historic hamam
Bursa Çekirge Thermal Springs, Turkey
Bursa's thermal quarter, with Ottoman hamams and thermal hotels on the slopes of Uludağ.
-
Thermal baths
Çermik Thermal Springs, Turkey
Ottoman thermal town with two historic hamams and modern thermal hotels.
-
Thermal resort
Çeşme Şifne Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal pools and mud baths on the Çeşme Peninsula, with springs of 42–58°C.
-
Thermal pool
Cleopatra's Pool at Hierapolis, Turkey
Swim in warm water over fallen Roman columns inside the ancient city of Hierapolis; separate ticket.
-
Thermal resort
Diyadin Hot Springs, Turkey
High thermal springs at about 1,950 m near Ağrı, with mud pools and views of Mount Ararat.
-
Thermal resort
Gazlıgöl Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal district north of Afyon with many hotels, private pool rooms, mud baths and hamams.
-
Thermal baths
Gediz Thermal Springs (Murat Dağı), Turkey
Mountain thermal springs at about 1,700 m on Murat Dağı, with indoor baths.
-
Thermal resort
Gönen Thermal Springs, Turkey
Spa town used since Roman times, with mineral-rich thermal hotels.
-
Natural
Gülbahçe Roman Baths, Turkey
Warm spring pool inside an old stone building on the coast near Urla; free, no facilities.
-
Thermal resort
Güre Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal resort on the Gulf of Edremit below the Kaz Mountains, with spa hotels.
-
Thermal resort
Hamamayağı Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal resort area near Ladik with mineral baths at about 38°C and spa hotels.
-
Thermal resort
Haruniye Thermal Springs, Turkey
Historic mineral springs by the Ceyhan River with a pool and an apart-hotel.
-
Thermal baths
Haymana Thermal Springs, Turkey
Municipal hamams and family hotels south of Ankara, with water in the mid-40s °C.
-
Thermal resort
Hisaralan Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal area near Sındırgı with water of around 98°C and growing travertine deposits.
-
Fish spa
Kangal Balıklı Kaplıca, Turkey
Warm spring pools where small Garra rufa fish nibble the skin, long used for psoriasis.
-
Natural
Karahayıt Red Springs, Turkey
Iron-rich hot springs near Pamukkale that stain the travertine red; some pools are free, hotels charge.
-
Thermal baths
Kestanbol Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal springs near the ruins of Alexandria Troas, with indoor pools, mud baths and a hotel.
-
Thermal resort
Kozaklı Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal town north of Cappadocia with spa hotels fed by springs of up to about 93°C.
-
Thermal baths
Kırşehir Terme Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal baths about 1 km from Kırşehir's centre; the same water heats greenhouses and homes.
-
Thermal resort
Kızılcahamam Thermal Springs, Turkey
Thermal resort town in the pine forests about 80 km north of Ankara.
-
Thermal resort
Ömer-Gecek Thermal Springs, Turkey
Cluster of large thermal hotels north of Afyon, fed by very hot springs.
-
Thermal resort
Oylat Thermal Springs, Turkey
Mountain thermal springs at about 750 m near İnegöl, with hotels, a public hamam and a nearby cave.
-
Thermal resort
Pamukçu Thermal Springs, Turkey
Ottoman bathing site south of Balıkesir with a historic stone hamam and thermal hotels.
-
Travertines
Pamukkale Travertines and Thermal Springs, Turkey
UNESCO-listed white travertine terraces where you wade barefoot through warm, shallow pools.
-
Thermal resort
Sandıklı Thermal Springs, Turkey
Sulphurous springs of about 75–80°C with warm mud baths, south of Afyon.
-
Historic bath
Sarıkaya Roman Baths, Turkey
Roman bath from the 2nd century, open as a museum; you can visit but not soak.
-
Thermal baths
Simav Eynal Thermal Springs, Turkey
Municipal thermal complex north of Simav with two Turkish baths and apartments.
-
Mud baths
Sultaniye Thermal Springs and Mud Baths, Turkey
Sulphur springs on Lake Köyceğiz with mud baths and pools, often reached by boat from Dalyan.
-
Thermal resort
Yalova Termal Hot Springs, Turkey
Historic thermal resort in the woods near Yalova, with Ottoman baths, hotels and springs of 38–60°C.
-
Thermal resort
Yoncalı Thermal Springs, Turkey
Seljuk-era thermal site near Kütahya with historic baths, a physiotherapy hospital and hotels.
Hot spring safety and etiquette in Turkey
Thermal baths in Turkey mix pool rules with hamam customs.
- Wear a swimsuit in the poolsPools at thermal hotels and Cleopatra's Pool require swimwear.
- Limit time in hot poolsThermal water is often very hot; take breaks and drink water.
- Dress modestly outside the bathsMany thermal towns are conservative.
- Try a family bathMany thermal hotels rent private bath rooms for couples and families.
- Go barefoot at PamukkaleShoes are not allowed on the travertine terraces.
- Follow hamam customsWrap in a peştemal cloth; hamams have separate sections or hours for men and women.
When to go and how to reach hot springs in Turkey
When to visit
All year. Pamukkale is very hot and crowded in summer, so spring and autumn are best there. Thermal hotels across Anatolia are busiest in winter and at weekends, when Turkish families visit.
Costs
Pamukkale has one ticket for the terraces and Hierapolis, and Cleopatra's Pool costs extra. Thermal hotels sell day use of their pools and hamams, and private family bath rooms are rented by the hour.
Getting around
Pamukkale is about 20 km from Denizli, with frequent minibuses. Yalova is reached by ferry from Istanbul, Bursa by bus or ferry and bus, and Afyon's thermal hotels sit on the main highways inland. Sultaniye is a boat trip from Dalyan.
Frequently asked questions about hot springs in Turkey
Can you swim at Pamukkale?
You can wade barefoot in the shallow travertine pools, and swim in Cleopatra's Pool, which has a separate ticket.
Are there free hot springs in Turkey?
A few. Gülbahçe near Urla is free, and some pools at Karahayıt near Pamukkale are free, but most springs feed paid hotels and hamams.
Are there hot springs near Istanbul?
Yes. Yalova's thermal resort is a ferry ride away, and Bursa's Çekirge district is a few hours by bus or ferry and bus.
What is a kaplıca?
A thermal bath fed by a hot spring. Many are hamam-style buildings, often attached to a thermal hotel.
What is the Kangal fish spa?
Balıklı Kaplıca in Sivas province, where small Garra rufa fish living in warm spring water nibble the skin.
When is the best time to visit Pamukkale?
Spring and autumn. Arrive early or late in the day to avoid heat and crowds.
Pictures of hot springs in Turkey
Photos of Pamukkale Travertines and Thermal Springs, Cleopatra's Pool at Hierapolis, Bursa Çekirge Thermal Springs, Karahayıt Red Springs, Sultaniye Thermal Springs and Mud Baths and Yalova Termal Hot Springs, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.
Sources and verification
Information here was checked on against the sources below.
- UNESCO: Hierapolis-Pamukkale (World Heritage listing)
- Go Türkiye (Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency) (official tourism site)
Explore more hot springs in Asia
Other countries in Asia where we list hot springs.