Quick FactsOverview
About Kangal Balikli Kaplica
Kangal Balikli Kaplica, Turkey is a fish treatment hot spring in the Hamam Deresi valley, 13 kilometres northeast of Kangal town and 98 kilometres from Sivas city, at 1,425 metres elevation. The spring water maintains a constant 36 to 37 degrees Celsius and contains selenium, bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium, with a total mineralisation of 389 milligrams per litre and a pH of 7.40.
Two toothless fish species live in the spring pools: Garra rufa and Cyprinion macrostomus. The warm selenium-softened water loosens psoriatic and eczematous plaques, which the fish then remove. The combination of selenium-rich water, fish activity, high-altitude UV exposure, and drinking of the spring water forms the treatment basis. The facility has a Ministry of Health licence. The recommended course is 21 days, entering the pools three times daily for two hours each session. The spring was first noted in 1917 and the facility developed from the 1960s. Termal hot springs near Sivas of this fish-treatment character have no equivalent elsewhere in Turkey.
Location & Access
Getting to Kangal Balikli Kaplica
Kangal Balikli Kaplica is in the Hamam Deresi valley, 13 kilometres northeast of Kangal town and approximately 98 kilometres from Sivas city, in Sivas Province, Turkey. The facility is registered at Kavak Koyu Mevkii, Sivas. The spring complex is at 1,425 metres elevation in the Central Anatolian mountains, beside a river in a green rural valley.
By air, fly to Sivas Nuri Demirag Airport, then take a taxi, the facility's private transfer service, or an onward bus to Kangal town (approximately 90 kilometres), and from Kangal take a minibus or taxi the final 13 kilometres to the spring. Direct airport transfers can be arranged with the hotel in advance. By road from Sivas, drive southwest along the Sivas-Malatya highway; Kangal is approximately 90 kilometres from Sivas and the spring is 13 kilometres further. By train, the Sivas-Malatya railway passes within 5 kilometres of the spring; disembark at Kangal Station in the village of Karanlik, then take a local minibus or taxi. Hourly minibuses run between Kangal town and the spring daily.
The facility operates year-round. Pools open at 8:00 AM. Accommodation is in a 147-room hotel across four buildings, with three suite-level rooms and 16 private bath units for winter use. A restaurant, market, tea garden, children's playground, football pitch, and caravan spaces are on site.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Kangal Balikli Kaplica
Kangal Balikli Kaplica primarily suits visitors with psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, neurodermatitis, acne, or other chronic inflammatory skin conditions seeking an alternative or complementary treatment. The site is medically supervised with a Ministry of Health licence; it functions as a treatment centre rather than a leisure resort, and the recommended minimum stay for meaningful therapeutic effect is 14 to 21 days. Shorter visits are possible but results are limited.
Visitors without skin conditions also come for thermal bathing and the distinctive fish experience. The spring water is drinkable and has been used for rheumatic conditions, kidney stones, neurological rehabilitation, and gynaecological disorders. The high-altitude location at 1,425 metres provides clean mountain air and consistent UV exposure year-round.
Treatment pools are gender-separated: a large men's pool and a smaller women's pool. Patients with active infections or contagious conditions are not admitted to treatment pools; confirm admission criteria before travelling. Children under 14 are generally not permitted in the treatment pools. Bring personal hygiene items as the on-site market is limited. Termal hot springs near Sivas that combine fish therapy with a licensed medical facility and mountain retreat setting exist only here.
Safety & Etiquette
Kangal Balikli Kaplica Safety Tips
Kangal Balikli Kaplica is a medically supervised facility. On-site medical staff monitor treatment pools and check patient admission criteria. Follow all instructions from the medical team regarding session duration, pool access, and daily water intake. The recommended session length is two hours, three times daily; do not exceed this without medical guidance, as extended exposure to 36 to 37-degree water at altitude can cause overheating and dehydration.
The fish feeding sensation on broken or psoriatic skin is intense for first-time visitors and can cause small amounts of bleeding as scabs are removed. This is part of the treatment process, but alert the on-site nurse or doctor if bleeding is excessive or pain is unusual. Use only your own personal hygiene items including soap, shampoo, slippers, and towels; the facility requires this and it is essential for hygiene when sharing pools with other patients undergoing skin treatment.
The spring water is drinkable and the recommended daily intake during treatment is 1.5 to 2 litres for adults. Drink it on an empty stomach in the morning and before sleep. Do not drink untreated water from any other source in the valley.
The facility is at 1,425 metres elevation; altitude intensifies UV exposure and dehydration. Wear sunscreen during outdoor pool time, drink water throughout the day, and rest in shade between sessions. Visitors with cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, pregnancy, or active infections should consult a doctor before attending. The nearest hospital is in Sivas city, approximately 98 kilometres away.
