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Kangal Balikli Spa Fish Springs

Kangal, Sivas Province, Turkey
Kangal Balikli Spa Fish Springs
Location
Kangal, Sivas Province, Turkey
Water type
thermal
Temperature
36 °C
pH
7.3

Water profile

Thermicity
Neutral
36 °C
LowHigh

Soothing — neither hot nor cold, perfect balance.

Mineralisation
Balancing
LowHigh

Rich in trace elements — gentle on the skin.

Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

BicarbonatesCalcium

Located in the remote hills of Sivas Province in central Anatolia, the Kangal Balikli Spa springs are celebrated across Turkey for an extraordinary natural phenomenon: their thermal waters are home to small Garra rufa fish that instinctively approach bathers and gently graze the skin, creating a sensation unlike anything found in conventional thermal bathing. This age-old coexistence between humans and fish has given Kangal a singular reputation that extends well beyond the borders of its remote province.

The water itself emerges at 36 °C — a mild, consistent warmth ideal for extended outdoor soaking — and maintains a slightly alkaline pH of 7.3, keeping it clear and comfortable against the skin. The sensory experience of bathing at Kangal is unlike any other thermal site: the soft, rhythmic contact of the fish produces a gently stimulating sensation that bathers describe as both surprising on first encounter and deeply calming once settled into the water's unhurried embrace.

Insider tip — Kangal in central Anatolia is the original home of the 'doctor fish' (Garra rufa) — these small fish naturally nibble away dead skin in the warm mineral spring water, long before the fish-spa trend swept the world. The setting is genuinely rural and the crowd is mostly there for a traditional cure stay, making it a world apart from commercial fish-spa parlours.
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Frequently asked questions

How hot is the water?
The water is neutral here, around 36 °C — a perfect balance, neither too hot nor too cold.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features thermal water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Octobre-avril.