Thermal Tourism

Because of its location on the graben system of the Aegean Region and the cracks formed by this system Kütahya is one of the most important regions in Turkey in terms of geothermal sources. Those sources have quite high thermal value and are important for health tourism.

Thermal Spas in Ilıca Harlek

The thermal spas of Ilıc Harlek are to the north of Kütahya found after 4 km road at 21 km along the Kütahya- Eskişehir highway. The facilities are landscaping of the spa resort are complete. Here are to be found licensed, motels, hostels, lecture halls, bathhouses and swimming pools. The spa water is 25-40 degrees centigrade and is classified as 'oligomethalic'. The Harlek Spring has its source in a cave and collects there. There are two other springs in the complex. The total capacity of the sources is 21lt/sec. The spa waters contains calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and is used in the treatment of rheumatism, gynecological and skin diseases, neuropathy, liver, kidney and gall bladder disorders.

Thermal Spas in Yoncalı

Situated 16 km to the west of Kütahya. In the spa center there is a 4-star hotel, treatment center motels and hostels. The spas of Yoncalı offer to visitors, 4 bathhouses, 2 outdoor and 3 indoor swimming pools, physical therapy and a rehabilitation hospital with 200 beds. The spa water is 43 degrees centigrade and is classified as 'bicarbonated'. It contains calcium, magnesium and sulphur. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism of the joints, inflammation, neurological problems plus sports and trauma injuries.

Thermal Spas in Simav-Eynal

Located to the southwest of Kütahya, at a distance of 4 km from Simav. In the spa center there are hotels, motels, hostels, 2 bathhouses and a swimming pool. The spring emits steam at a temperature of 163 degrees centigrade and is used in geothermal water-heating and in greenhouses. The temperature of the water of the Thermal Tourism Center is between 70 and 97 degrees centigrade. It contains calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, and sulphates and is used in treating rheumatism, neuralgia and skin diseases.

'I have seen many spas in the world and in Anatolia but I have never seen the like of the spas of Eynal. It is unique. (Evliya Çelebi 1671)

Thermal Spas in Gediz-Mount Murat

Situated to the south of Kütahya, 35 km away from Gediz, on the west side of mount Murat . In the spa center can be found there are municipality-licensed bungalows, hostels and 2 bathhouses, 2 swimming pools, and a youth camp with 200 beds. There are hot and cold springs at an altitude of 1450 m . The spa water is 29 degrees centigrade. There 3 main hot water sources which create a large capacity. The contains sulphates, calcium, magnesium and bromide and is used in treating rheumatism, skin, heart, kidney and gynecological diseases.

Thermal Spas in Gediz-Ilıcasu

Situated to the south of Kütahya, 11 km away from Gediz, on the way to Simav. In the spa center there are municipality-licensed motels, hostels, 2 bathhouses, 2 swimming pools and a mud and a steam bath. The water has about 10 sources; on both sides of the river, Kahveönü travertine spring is the hottest with a temperature of 97 degrees centigrade. The water of the Thermal Tourism Center is between 40 and 85 degrees centigrade and is classified as 'hypotonic'. The spa water contains sulphates, bicarbonate, sodium and magnesium and is used in treating rheumatism and diseases of the stomach, intestine, liver and bladder.

Thermal Spas in Emet- Yeşil Kaynarca

Located to the west of Kütahya, in the town of Emet . They have been used since ancient times. There are five springs to the west of Emet. One of them is Kaynarca with 15lt/scnd capacity and a temperature of 46 degrees centigrade. Davutlar Spring is 50 m away from Kayanarca. The lower bath has a temperature of 44 degrees centigrade with a capacity of 5 lit /sec. Next to the lower Bath is found Çamaşırlık which has a capacity of 2 lit/sec. Spa water is 43-48 degrees centigrade and is classified as 'hypotonic'. It contains sulphates, calcium and magnesium and is used in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica, skin diseases. Also employed in the treatment of diseases of stomach, intestine, liver, and gall bladder plus renal calculus and for gynecological disorders. In the spa center can be found hotels, motels, hostels, 3 bathhouses, 3 indoor 2 outdoor swimming pools, an Ottoman bathhouse, sauna, sport centers, botanic park, Caravan Park and an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool.

Thermal Spas in Simav-Naşa

Situated to the west of Simav, 2 km away from Naşa village. There are 3 springs. In the old bath the capacity is 1 lit/sec and in new bath it is 2 lit/sec. In one litre of water there is 1,5 gram of mineral content. It contains carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, alkali and fluoride and has a temperature of 50 degrees centigrade. It can be externally applied and in the treatment of embolism. It also reduces the blood pressure for people who have hyper-tension.

Thermal Spas in Simav-Çitköy

Located 6 km away from Simav. The waters have a temperature of 87 degrees centigrade and contains sodium, bicarbonate, sulphates. The waters are used in the treatment of rheumatism, stomach and intestine diseases; diabetes and malnutrition. In the spa center there are motels and a municipality owned spots center.

Thermal Spas in Tavşanlı-Göbet

Situated 6 km southwest of Tavşanlı. In Göbel There are two bathhouses and four pools. The larger pool feeds the other pools. The water temperature is 32 degrees centigrade and boasts a capacity of 50lit/sec. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica and skin diseases also used for injuries, stomach and intestine- ulcers and muscle and bone problems.

Thermal Spas in Emet-Dereli

Situated between Emet and Tavşanlı and 27 km away from Emet. The capacity of the higher and middle springs is 30-40lit/sec. The third spring comes out of a natural pool. This spring is called Fırın has a capacity of 3 lit/sec. It is unique amongst other springs in the area in its high concentration of carbon dioxide. Its surface application is effective in the treatment of embolism. Taken orally, it especially effective in the treatment of embolism.

Thermal Spas in Hisacık-Sefaköy

Located 7 km from Hisarcık. The spa water has a temperature of 51.1 degrees centigrade and contains calcium, magnesium, sluphate, bicarbonate. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecological, disorders, obesity and gout.

Thermal Spas in Hisacık-Hamamköy

Situated 5 km from Hisarcık. The temperature of the spa water is 44 degrees centigrade. Taken orally it has a healing effect on stomach, intestine, liver and goal bladder diseases. The vaulted bath water contains alkaline bicarbonate.

Thermal Spas in Emet-Yeniceköy

Located 1 km south of Emet-Yeniceköy. The spa water consists of various sources that spring from rock. The water of the historical bath goes through a wooden pipe into a pool. The temperature of the spa water is 47-49 degrees centigrade.

Trekking and Nature Walks

The area contains many places such as Eğrigöz, Murat, Akdağ, Simav and Yeşildağ mounts, valley of Phrygia , Çamlıca recreation area, Gölcük plateau and the forest of Domaniç all suitable for hiking and trekking.

Cycling-Motor Biking- Horse Riding

Bicycle and motorbike trips can be arranged in the valley of Phrygia . There is also the opportunity of horse riding.

Caving

Located 55 km away from Kütahya, in the Inlice area of Ovacık village is the vast area of the Phrygian valley. There can be found numerous rock tombs, churches and castles, carved out of a hundred caves once used as shelter. The area has been compared to Cappadocia due to its natural rock formations, fairy chimneys, water pools and pine forests. Also worth seeing are the town of Fındıkkale, the Chapel of İnli, the fairy chimneys of Yenibosna, and the cult areas of Ahmetoğlu, Saklıkent, Doğuluşah and Sökmen.

Camping and caravaning

There is a camp side in the town of Gediz , renowned for its fresh air, variety of bird species and thermal resources. Mount Murat an alternative camping center. Situated in the town of Simav in the middle of pine forests, with complete facilities, Gölcük Plateau has a great potential for camping and caravan tourism.

Sport angling

Angling is possible on the Porsuk Dam, located 20 km from Kütahya; and at the Enne Dam; located 18 km away Kütahya. Also possible at Kuruçay Pond and Kayaboğazı Dam, both 7 km from Tavşanlı. Most common fish are carp and roach. There are also modern trout production farms in Gediz and Domaniç.

Bird watching

The Altıntaş Plain defined by the Karaçay River , to the south of Kütahya is one of the last habitats of the bustard in Anatolia . The species called 'Toy' is on the edge of extinction and actively protected by the agency of the UN and The Turkish Central Hunting Commission.

Mount Türkmen is located on the North end of Yazılıkaya Plateau, which is in the middle of Eskişehir , Kütahya and Afyonkarahisar plains. That mountain has a rich collection of birds of prey. Turkey 's largest population of black vultures is found there. Other species includes in this important bird habitat are; black stork, bearded vulture, and small eagle. Also to be found there falcons, red vultures, hawks, sparrow hawks, small forest eagle and shah eagles.

Plant Observation

The forest in Domaniç is spread over large area around the town, to the north of Kütahya. In the Domaniç forests and in Kasalıç Nature Protection Zone, there are many endemic trees of monumental importance. The highest mountain of the mid Aegean Region is Mount Murat which has an altitude of 2312m, located 30 km away. It boasts a variety of trees including chestnut, oak and pine. Also the Vakıf Pine Grove Nature Protection Zone is an important area for plant observation. Not least as black pine, on the edge of extinction, is found only here.

Hunting and Wild Life

Because the city is rich in vegetation, it is also rich in wild life. Most common of the wild animals found here are wolf, jackal, fox, wild boar and rabbit. Kütahya is also rich in birds. There are many quails, partridges, and some water birds. In Tavşanlı-Çatak and on mount Türkmen there are two deer breading farms and in Altıntaş plain, there is a bird protection zone. Moreover on Türkmen and Şaphane mounts and in Domaniç forests there are zones for licensed hunting.

Areas under Protection (National and Nature Parks )

In the village of Durabey near the town of Domaniç is the Kasalıç Nature Protection Zone. It is reached via a 4 km long road at 5 km along the Domaniç-İnegöl highway. In the middle Aegean Region, it is surrounded with by a steppe ecosystem and is comparable to the forest ecosystem of the Black Sea . It is a perfect environment for unspoilt beech-black pine forests. The zone has a rich selection of flora and wild life. Beech and black pine are the most common tree species. There are also oak and poplar trees. Other species include wild pear, pear, blackberry, nettle, meadow saffron (crocus), bear grape and wild strawberry. Main animal species are bear, boar, deer, fox, rabbit, badger, and hedgehog.

Vakıf Pine Grove Nature Protection Zone

Vakıf Pine Grove Nature Protection Zone located in Tavşanlı, part of the village of Vakıf , comprises a 685 square hectare area and is reached by a 4 km-long road that starts from 12 km along the Kütahya-Tavşanlı highway. This zone is the only habitat of ehrami black pine which faces extinction. There is also pinus nigra which is a kind of black pine and is only found in Turkey . Thus, in this zone two kinds of black pine exist together which makes this a unique ecosystem. As well as the pine there are also juniper, oak, poplar, willow and lime trees. Main wild life species are fox, badger, rabbit, partridge and quail.

There is a thousand year old chestnut tree about 7km from Kütahya, in Kumarı Village , Boyacılar. There are three protected trees in total that have shown an interesting development. They still bear fruit and the largest is especially is more like a monument because of its 8m diameter and 20m height

Pine of Mızık is in Domur Village of Domaniç. The cradles of Ottoman emperors, Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi's were made from the wood of this tree. Today this historical tree is under protection.

Sight-seeing and Recreation Spots

Gölcük Plateau is 10 km away from simav, to the southwest of Kütahya. It is situated in a pine tree forest and has many facilities. With an altitude of 1450 m height, it porvides a unique place for picnics. There is also Çamlıca, which is 5 km away from the city centre, to the west of Kütahya. It is designated as a resting area in the forest. Çamlıca is a large recreation spot with its pine trees, cool water, fresh air and peaceful view. To the west of Kütahya, 18 km away from city centre, there is Enne Dam. Over time it has developed into a recreation spot where angling can be enjoyed. To the South of Tavşanlı, 7 km away from Kütahya, is found Kuruçay Pond. Created for the needs of irrigation it has also become a noteworthy place for recreation due to its clean environment. Mount Murat is also an important plateau tourism centre with its fresh air, cool water and thermal springs.