Health tourism is rapidly developing around the world and Turkey is one of the countries that is often considered by tourists traveling to find a cure for their ailments.
As part of Turkey’s health tourism, spending a holiday at natural thermal springs – known as kaplıca in Turkish – is gaining popularity for both local tourists and people coming from abroad, especially Arab countries. Many believe these thermal springs have healing properties, which is why the elderly are particularly attracted to them, although they can provide a fun holiday for any age group.
The ancient Romans were the first to discover the therapeutic effects of these springs in Turkey. With more than 1,000 thermal springs reflecting the country’s geological and historical beauty, Turkey provides a rich experience for those who are looking for some centuries-old relaxation and health benefits at the many thermal springs scattered across western Anatolia.
When the season changes and the weather turns cold, you may feel that all your choices for a relaxing holiday are over until spring. But with Turkey’s thermal spring resorts, unrivaled in Europe in terms of number and curing facilities, a warming holiday continues to call out for you. With one of the best climates in the world, a unique variety of nature and one of the healthiest diets, Turkey is the ideal destination for psychological and physical rejuvenation. If you’re looking for the best spots to spend a holiday at a thermal spring resort. This article has fantastic destination suggestions for travels of all ages and budgets.
Pamukkale Hot Springs in the western city of Denizli
Known as Hierapolis in Greek, Pamukkale – cotton castle in Turkish – is seen as a gift of nature by those who visit. Pamukkale was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1988 based on its natural and cultural wonders. Famous for its hot springs and travertines – terraces of carbonate minerals left by flowing waters – Pamukkale is located in western Turkey and calls for those who are looking for a relaxing experience. There are dozens of remains from the ancient city of Hierapolis as well as Greek monuments around the city. With remains from different civilizations, natural wonders and pure white travertines formed from hot calcium-filled mineral waters, Pamukkale has three different thermal regions – Saraykoy, Karahayıt and Golemezli – that contain hot springs and mud baths. In Pamukkale, visiters can spend a day or just a few hours experiencing an organic treatment for skin problems as well as seeing the amazing travertines that enable one to witness the kind of beauty that nature is able to create.
Çeşme Thermal Springs in the western city of İzmir
Accepted as one of the most tourist-friendly cities of Turkey, Cesme is also renowned for its thermal springs mostly in the Ilıca and Sifne districts. The town is easily reachable and offers thermal springs, vivid blue Aegean waters and a mild climate. You can visit its thermal resorts during the summer and winter due to the climate, so after swimming in the picturesque Aegean Sea, you can go to your hotel’s thermal pool for a relaxing dip. According to research conducted by the Cesme Hotels Union, the thermal springs in Cesme have healing effects for diseases such as rheumatism, joint diseases, tissue rheumatism, psoriasis, acne, eczema, varicose veins, genital infections and high or low blood pressure. Pausanias, a Greek geographer from the second century A.D., wrote about thermal spring waters, and since then hundreds of articles have been written continuing to praise the thermal waters. Considering its location, Cesme is a more popular thermal spring holiday destination compared to other cities in western Anatolia.
Source Daily Sabah
