The town of Sandıkly lies below Akdağ in the south of Afyonkarahisar province and is the gateway to the renowned Hüdai thermal springs, whose 65-68°C mineral waters and curative mud baths have drawn bathers since antiquity. The thermal resort makes a relaxing day trip combining open-air and indoor pools with the chance to explore Sandıklı's bazaar and the slopes of Akdağ Nature Park.
Sandıklı is a quiet district town roughly 65 kilometres southwest of Afyonkarahisar via the D-650, reached in approximately one to one-and-a-half hours by car or intercity bus from Afyonkarahisar Otogar. Its fame rests almost entirely on the Hüdai thermal springs, located a further 12 kilometres above the town in the foothills of Akdağ, Afyonkarahisar Province's highest mountain. The springs emerge at 65–68°C, among the hottest natural thermal waters in Turkey, rich in sodium, calcium, and radioactive minerals that local tradition credits with easing rheumatic and dermatological conditions.
The thermal resort at Hüdai comprises several hotels and bathhouses with both indoor pools and outdoor basins fed by the mineral flow. Thermal bathing is the primary draw, and visitors can take a half-day soak before exploring the surroundings. Mud therapy is offered at some of the larger spa facilities, and cooler outdoor pools allow longer immersion. Entrance to the public thermal pools at Hüdai generally costs a modest fee; hotel facilities require either a guest or day-visitor ticket.
A recommended day arc departs Afyonkarahisar by 9:00, arriving at Hüdai Kaplıcaları by mid-morning for a two- to three-hour thermal session. After lunch at one of the resort's simple restaurants — typically serving çorba, grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables — the afternoon offers a short drive back to Sandıklı town to walk the covered bazaar, browse for local honey and dried apricots, and visit the small ethnographic museum. Akdağ Nature Park, accessible from the Hüdai side of the mountain, can be scouted on the way back for forest scenery in spring and autumn.
The region is productive farmland for white poppies (Papaver somniferum is cultivated under licence in this province), and driving the rural roads in late spring reveals an unusual pastoral landscape. Autumn visits align with the apple harvest across the province and are comfortable for outdoor exploration. Sandıklı and Hüdai are well suited to visitors based in Afyonkarahisar's thermal-hotel district who want a half-day variant; the return journey to the city is straightforward and the route requires no navigational complexity.
How to get there
- Car: D-650 southwest to Sandıklı, then signs to Hüdai Kaplıcaları
- Bus: intercity coach or dolmuş from Afyonkarahisar Otogar to Sandıklı
- Thermal hotel shuttle from Afyonkarahisar (for guests)
- Private car with driver for a full-day thermal trip
Location
Hüdai Kaplıcaları, 03500 Sandıklı, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
38.4072, 30.2206 View on map
Highlights
- Soak in the renowned Hüdai thermal springs, among Turkey's hottest natural mineral waters at 65–68°C
- Experience mud-bath therapy at the Hüdai resort complex in the foothills of Akdağ
- Explore Sandıklı's covered bazaar, picking up local honey, dried apricots, and provincial produce
- Drive through rural poppy and apple farmland characteristic of southern Afyonkarahisar Province
Tips for visiting
- Bring swimwear, a towel, and slippers — not all facilities supply these at the thermal pools
- Arrive mid-morning for the springs and aim to finish thermal bathing before lunch to avoid the afternoon rush
- Intercity buses from Afyonkarahisar Otogar run frequently to Sandıklı; a taxi or dolmuş covers the final stretch to Hüdai
- Mud-bath sessions should be pre-arranged at specific facilities; call ahead or ask at larger hotels
- Combine with a short Akdağ forest walk in spring for wildflowers; trails are unmarked so keep to main paths
When to visit
Autumn to spring (October–April) is the traditional thermal bathing season when cooler outdoor temperatures contrast pleasantly with the warm mineral pools. Spring and early summer are also excellent for the surrounding Akdağ scenery and rural farmland.
Accessibility
Some Hüdai thermal hotels have ground-floor pool access and step-free changing facilities, but standards vary by property. The Sandıklı town bazaar is largely flat and walkable. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact the specific thermal hotel in advance to confirm accessibility of pool areas.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Hüdai Kaplıcaları from Sandıklı town?
Hüdai is about 12 kilometres above Sandıklı in the Akdağ foothills. A taxi or local dolmuş connects the two in roughly 20 minutes. Visitors arriving by bus to Sandıklı will need onward transport to the spring resort.
Can visitors use the thermal pools without staying at a hotel?
Yes — most thermal hotels at Hüdai sell day visitor tickets for pool access. Prices vary by facility but day admission is generally affordable. Some facilities require booking in advance during weekends or holiday periods.
What is the water temperature at Hüdai Kaplıcaları?
The natural spring water emerges at 65–68°C and is cooled before entering the pools. Outdoor pools tend to be cooler than indoor baths, typically 38–42°C for comfortable bathing. Mud baths use a separate mineral preparation.
Is a visit to Sandıklı and Hüdai suitable for children?
Children are generally welcome at the thermal resorts, and many hotels have family pool sections with lower temperatures. The town of Sandıklı has a park and market suitable for short walks, but the trip is primarily oriented toward the therapeutic bathing experience.