This calm coastal town along the Sea of Marmara draws visitors to its healing thermal springs and mud baths. A quick ferry ride from Istanbul leads to parks, gardens and local spas.
Located an hour from Istanbul by ferry, Yalova sits along the Sea of Marmara coast. You can soak in 57°C thermal springs, walk through an arboretum with 1,800 plant species, or visit the historic villa that was physically moved to save a plane tree. The city's mountain trails lead to waterfalls like Su Düşen, while the coastal location provides easy access to seafood restaurants and morning markets.
Getting to Yalova
Regular ferries connect Yalova with Istanbul's Yenikapı and Pendik terminals, with journey times between 45-75 minutes. The passenger ferry terminal sits in the city center, while the car ferry dock is a 10-minute walk east. Minibuses and regular buses run from the ferry terminals to nearby cities, including Bursa (55 km) and İznik (60 km).
Thermal Springs and Treatments
The thermal springs sit 11 kilometers from central Yalova. The waters maintain a temperature of 57-60°C and contain sodium chloride, calcium sulfate, and fluoride. Many visitors come here for treatment of rheumatic conditions, digestive problems, and neurological disorders. You can choose between indoor and outdoor pools, Turkish baths, and massage services. The 17th-century Kurşunlu Bath continues to operate daily, with separate sections for men and women. Entry to the thermal complex costs 100 TL per person (as of 2023).
The Walking Pavilion
At the Yürüyen Köşk (Walking Pavilion), you can see the exact spot where engineers moved an entire villa 4.8 meters on rails in 1929. When a plane tree's growth began damaging the building, President Atatürk chose to relocate the structure rather than remove the tree. The restored villa contains original furniture and photographs from the period.
Waterfalls and Nature
The trail to Su Düşen Waterfall winds through oak and beech forests for 12 kilometers from the city center. Erikli Waterfall in Teşvikiye maintains temperatures around 20°C even in mid-summer, making it popular with local families. At the Atatürk Arboretum, you can walk among 1,800 plant species and visit Atatürk's summer house. The arboretum's paths are well-marked with signs identifying different tree species.
Local Food and Markets
Fish restaurants line the coastal area, serving seasonal catches from the Sea of Marmara. The central market opens daily from 7 AM to 6 PM, selling produce from local farms. Near the thermal springs area, breakfast restaurants serve traditional morning meals with eggs, cheese, olives, and honey. Many have outdoor seating with views toward the Samanlı Mountains.
Weather and When to Visit
Yalova has Mediterranean weather patterns, with wet winters and warm summers. July and August temperatures reach 30°C, while winter months average 8-10°C. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) temperatures stay between 15-25°C, with fewer crowds at the thermal springs and waterfalls.
