4 places to visit in the Buharkent district of Aydın: Buharkent Hot Springs, Büyük Menderes Valley and Geothermal Greenhouses. Plan your trip to Buharkent with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Buharkent is a district of Aydın province in the Aegean Region. The district covers 124 km² and its average elevation above sea level is 189 metres.
Before it became a district, it was known as the Çubukdağ subdistrict, with Burhaniye as its centre. When it became a district, it was renamed Buharkent because of its geothermal deposits. In 1987 the Buharkent district was established by Law No. 3392 and made the centre of the district.
The district has workshops that process agricultural products, and Türkiye’s first geothermal power plant was built near Kızıldere village.
In 1987 the district was a subdistrict centre attached to Kuyucak, and it became a district centre. The first geothermal power plant in Türkiye was built in the geothermal area near Kızıldere village. Electricity and dry ice have been produced in the Kızıldere geothermal area since 1984. The hot waters in Kızıldere village are used for greenhouse farming, electricity generation and running thermal hotels. The district lies in the narrowest part of the Menderes Valley.
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Buharkent is an important thermal tourism centre thanks to its geothermal resources. The healing waters, at 60-80°C, are believed to help rheumatism and skin conditions. There are many thermal hotels and spa facilities.
View on mapBuharkent lies in the valley of the Büyük Menderes River. Fig orchards and olive trees stretching along the valley form the area's characteristic landscape.
View on mapIn Buharkent, vegetables and fruit are grown year-round in greenhouses heated by geothermal energy. These greenhouses are a successful example of the agricultural use of geothermal energy.
View on mapThe municipality plans to build a thermal tourism facility on the 70-dönüm (about 7 hectares) site of the historic Ortakçı Hot Springs.
View on mapWhile you are in Buharkent, you can also see the highlights of Aydın province. These places are in other districts.
Piyaz, made with dried beans, onion, parsley and tahini, is a traditional dish on Buharkent's tables.
Wild herbs gathered around Buharkent are cooked in olive oil and served. Sirken, mallow and chicory are the herbs used most often.
Fig production is important to the district's sources of income.
The very name of Buharkent comes from its geothermal springs (buhar + kent, meaning steam + town). Thermal waters have been used for healing in the region for centuries.
Buharkent's economy is based on geothermal energy, thermal tourism and agriculture. Geothermal power plants generate electricity. Thermal hotels and spa facilities contribute to tourism income. Vegetables are grown year-round in geothermal greenhouses. Fig and olive cultivation are also important.
Buharkent is reached by road, 50 km from Aydın city centre and 80 km from Denizli. It lies on the İzmir-Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (170 km).
The 4 highlights in Buharkent are Buharkent Hot Springs, Büyük Menderes Valley, Geothermal Greenhouses and Historic Ortakçı Hot Springs.
Piyaz, Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri and İncir are the standout dishes on Buharkent's tables.
Buharkent is known for its figs and its thermal culture. Buharkent is one of the districts where high-quality Aydın figs are grown.
Buharkent is reached by road, 50 km from Aydın city centre and 80 km from Denizli. It lies on the İzmir-Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (170 km).
Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: all year round (for the hot springs).