The Arkut Bey thermal springs at Hamamözü, around 90 km west of Amasya, have been used for bathing since antiquity and take their name from a Seljuk-era lord. Set in a green upland valley, the modern thermal hotels and pools draw on mineral-rich waters traditionally valued for soothing aches and rheumatic complaints. It makes a relaxing rural day trip or overnight spa break away from the city, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools open through the colder months.
The Arkut Bey thermal springs at Hamamözü lie about 90 km west of Amasya in Amasya Province, reached by car in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours via the highway toward Gümüşhacıköy and then into the Hamamözü district. The springs have been used for bathing since antiquity and take their Turkish name from a Seljuk-era local lord. Several thermal hotels and bath facilities have grown up around the source, which produces mineral-rich waters at temperatures between approximately 38°C and 50°C. These waters are traditionally attributed with therapeutic value for rheumatic conditions, skin ailments and circulatory complaints, and the Turkish social culture of kaplıca (thermal spa) bathing makes the springs popular with both local day-visitors and overnight guests. The district sits in a quiet green upland valley with orchards and farmland on the approach road, giving the drive a pleasant rural character through the Amasya hinterland. Most thermal hotels offer day-access packages at a set fee covering indoor pool use, private bathing cabins and sometimes a simple meal. Outdoor pools are open in the warmer months. For a day trip from Amasya the standard approach is a late-morning departure, a thermal session before or after lunch at one of the hotel restaurants, and a return drive in the late afternoon. Dolmuş minibuses reach Gümüşhacıköy and Hamamözü from Amasya otogar, from where a taxi covers the remaining distance to the thermal hotels. Staying overnight is a relaxed option that allows extended evening bathing and a later morning return without the pressure of a day-trip schedule. The combination of a quiet rural drive, thermal pools and simple countryside food makes this a distinctive and unhurried excursion from Amasya.
How to get there
- Car: Amasya west via Gümüşhacıköy to Hamamözü (about 1.5-2 hours)
- Dolmuş to Gümüşhacıköy and Hamamözü, then taxi to the thermal hotels
- Private driver day trip combining the springs with a countryside drive
- Overnight stay at a thermal hotel to extend the visit
Location
Arkut Bey Kaplıcası, Hamamözü, 05800 Amasya, Turkey
40.7714, 35.0386 View on map
Highlights
- Mineral-rich thermal pools at 38–50°C, traditionally valued for rheumatic and skin conditions
- Quiet upland valley setting with orchards and farmland — a peaceful contrast to Amasya's old town
- Thermal hotels with day-access packages including pool use, private cabins and meals
- Year-round bathing: indoor thermal pools remain open and popular through autumn and winter
- Ottoman-era heritage linking the springs to the Arkut Bey family name
Tips for visiting
- Call the thermal hotel in advance to confirm day-access availability and current pricing before making the drive
- Bring a towel, swimwear and flip-flops; some hotels lend towels for a small fee
- Dolmuş minibuses from Amasya otogar serve Gümüşhacıköy and Hamamözü — ask at the terminal for times
- Avoid eating a heavy meal immediately before bathing in the hot pools
- Autumn and winter visits are quieter and the hot pools are especially welcome in cold weather
- Combine the thermal visit with a scenic countryside drive through Gümüşhacıköy if using a car
When to visit
Year-round, with autumn and winter particularly rewarding when cooler outdoor temperatures make thermal bathing most enjoyable. Spring offers attractive countryside on the approach drive.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Arkut Bey thermal springs?
They are natural mineral-rich thermal springs at Hamamözü in Amasya Province, used for bathing since antiquity. The waters emerge at approximately 38–50°C and are popular for relaxation and traditional spa therapy (kaplıca).
How do I reach the Hamamözü thermal springs from Amasya?
By car, drive west via Gümüşhacıköy to Hamamözü — about 90 km and 1.5 to 2 hours. By public transport, take a dolmuş from Amasya otogar to Gümüşhacıköy or Hamamözü and then a taxi to the thermal hotels.
Can visitors use the thermal facilities without staying overnight?
Yes. Most thermal hotels at Hamamözü offer day-access tickets covering indoor pool use and private cabin bathing. Confirm availability and pricing with the hotel in advance, particularly on weekends when day-visitors are busiest.
What is the best time of year to visit Hamamözü?
The springs are open year-round. Autumn and winter are particularly popular when outdoor temperatures are low and a hot thermal soak is most restorative. Spring and summer are pleasant for the countryside drive.
Are there other things to see near Hamamözü?
The drive through the Gümüşhacıköy area passes attractive Amasya Province countryside. Gümüşhacıköy is a small market town worth a brief stop. Together the combination makes a relaxed rural day out from Amasya.