If you would like a break from sea and ruins on your İzmir trip, turn towards Balçova: pine-covered hills reached by cable car on one side, thermal springs used since antiquity on the other. Because both sit in the same district you can do them in a single half-day — there is nowhere else in İzmir where that combination exists.
Up by cable car
The Balçova cable car lifts you to pine-forested hills in minutes. At the top there are walking trails, picnic areas and viewpoints looking over the bay. The switch from city noise to the smell of pine is unexpectedly sharp, and so is the temperature: it runs a few degrees cooler up there and there is a breeze. On a summer midday that difference alone justifies the ride.
What to do at the top
There are two kinds of visitor up here: those who walk and those who sit. For walkers there are marked forest paths and viewpoints; for the others, tea gardens and picnic areas. The ideal shape for families is simple — ride up, walk and picnic for an hour, ride back down. Do not plan a full day: services at the top are limited, so bring water and something to eat.
The Baths of Agamemnon
Balçova's thermal springs have drawn people seeking a cure since ancient times — legend holds that even Agamemnon's soldiers recovered here. Because the source water reaches close to the surface, this is one of the oldest known thermal centres in Türkiye. Today the facilities in the area offer thermal pools and spa treatments on a day-visit basis, and they do noticeable good in the middle of a busy itinerary.
What to know before a thermal visit
A thermal pool is not the sea. The water is hot, so you go in for short spells with breaks between and drink plenty of water. It is standard practice for people with heart or blood-pressure conditions and for pregnant visitors to consult their doctor beforehand. For day visits, towels, slippers and caps usually carry a charge, so bringing your own is practical. Day-entry hours are limited; a phone call before you set out saves a wasted journey.
A route plan
Cable car and a hilltop walk in the morning, thermal waters in the afternoon, dinner along the nearby coast in the evening — a balanced "wellness day". Keep that order: walking after the thermal baths is tiring, whereas the reverse leaves you rested. From Bornova you can reach Balçova by metro with a change, or by car on the ring road; our transport guide has the line detail.
Which season?
Winter and spring suit the thermal springs best — hot water is far more enjoyable in cool air. The cable car and the forest are at their finest in spring and autumn. If you are combining both in summer, take the cable car in the morning and the baths in the evening. On windy days cable-car services can be suspended for safety, so keep the plan flexible.
Where to stay
At the end of the day you carry on resting in the quiet rooms of MyMahall Hotel, with our beach guide ready for the next morning. Take a look at our rooms, find us on the contact page, and call (0232) 461 95 95 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the cable car and the thermal baths be done on the same day?
Yes — both are in Balçova and fit into a half-day. The right order is cable car and walking in the morning, thermal baths in the afternoon; the reverse is tiring.
Can the thermal facilities be used on a day visit?
Yes, the facilities in the area offer thermal pools and spa treatments for day visitors. Entry hours are limited, so call before setting out, and bringing your own towel and slippers is practical.
How do I get to Balçova from Bornova?
By metro with a change, or by car on the ring road. Guests arriving by car can leave the vehicle in the hotel's free car park.
What is the best season for the cable car?
Spring and autumn. It is still worthwhile at summer middays because the hilltop is cooler than the city below. On windy days services can be suspended for safety, so keep the plan flexible.