Sauna in Ankara

Of the nine venues in Ankara offering a sauna, six are in Çankaya, two in thermal hotels in Kızılcahamam and one in Mamak; all but one also have a Turkish bath. Of the six in Çankaya, five are hotel spas and one is a city spa operating outside a hotel.

What comes with the sauna in Ankara

Navitas Spa, part of the HiltonSA in Kavaklıdere, is the only venue on the list without a hammam; here the sauna comes with an indoor pool and a fitness area, an arrangement suited to after a workout. At Newlife Spa Center, inside the NewPark Hotel, the sauna and hammam are on the same premises as massages such as Shiatsu and the four-hand Sultan therapy. While Sakura Touch Luxury Spa offers the sauna as part of its massage packages, at Elemor Spa in the Ahmet Taner Kışlalı neighbourhood the sauna, hammam and medical massage are booked by appointment together with pilates classes. At the two thermal hotels in Kızılcahamam the sauna is next to the thermal pools; Eliz Hotel has separate women's and men's sections.

Before using a sauna in Ankara

In Ankara's cold winter months, showering first and keeping the first round short makes for a more comfortable start than coming in from outside and going straight into the cabin. At hotel spas, ask in advance whether the sauna is included with a massage appointment, whether guests not staying at the hotel can use it with a day pass or a membership, and whether there is a shower or pool for cooling off. Three venues in Çankaya are listed as mixed; also find out whether the cabin is used by women and men together.

How to use a sauna step by step is explained in the sauna guide, and a general description is on the sauna page; the city's thermal facilities and hammams are listed on the Ankara page.