Afyon (Afyonkarahisar) is a city in western Turkey where history, culture, thermal springs and gastronomy intersect.
The town's name translates as "Black Fortress of Opium"(afyon - poppy, kara hisar - black fortress).
Today, Afyon is Turkey's wellness center, an open-air museum and a birthing ground for authentic Anatolian flavors - from butter to the famous halva.

📍 Geography and climate

• Region: Aegean (border with Central Anatolia)

• Population: about 750,000

• Elevation: 1021 meters above sea level

• Climate: continental

  • Summer: is warm and dry (+25-32°C)

  • Winter: is cold and snowy (0-5°C).

The city is located at the foot of a volcanic mountain, on which stands the famous Afyon Fortress.
Because of its geographical position, Afyon has been a crossroads of caravan routes between Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Konya since ancient times.

🏛 History

The history of Afyon dates back more than 4000 years and reflects the whole multi-layered nature of Anatolia.

📜 The main eras are.:

• 🏺 Hittite and Phrygian kingdoms (III-I millennium BC) - first settlements and fertility cult.

• 🏛 Roman and Byzantine era - the city was called Akroinos and was an important outpost on the road from Smyrna to Constantinople.

• ⚔️ Seljuks and Ottomans - turn the city into a strategic fortress and center of trade.

• 🇹🇷 20th century: During the War of Independence, Afyon played a key role - it was from here that the decisive battle for the liberation of Turkey began in 1922.

📍 In 1937, Ataturk officially changed the city's name to Afyonkarahisar, emphasizing the historic fortress(hisar) and agricultural heritage(afyon - poppy).

🏰 Main attractions

🏯 Afyon Fortress (Afyon Kalesi)

• Symbol of the city, standing on a 226m high rock.

• It was founded by the Hittites more than 3500 years ago.

• A staircase of 700 steps leads to the top.

• It offers a panoramic view of the whole city and the valley.

• At night, the fortress is illuminated and can be seen from afar - a mesmerizing sight.

🕌 Ulu Jami (Ulu Camii)

• Built in the 13th century under the Seljuks.

• Features 40 wooden columns with carved capitals and a dome with a patterned ceiling.

• The atmosphere of silence and antiquity makes the mosque one of the spiritual centers of the region.

🏛 Afyon Museum (Afyonkarahisar Müzesi)

• One of the oldest regional museums in Turkey.

• The exhibits cover eras from the Neolithic to the Ottomans.

• Exhibits include Phrygian statues, Hittite cuneiforms and weapons from the Ataturk era.

⛲ Thermal Springs (Afyon Termal Kaplıcaları)

• Afyon is the thermal capital of Turkey, along with Pamukkale.

• The +40-52°C waters are rich in calcium, sulfur and magnesium and help with arthritis, skin diseases and stress.

• There are dozens of world-class spas in the city:

  • NG Afyon Wellness & Convention

  • Akrones Thermal Hotel

  • Budan Thermal Hotel & Spa

💧 Afyon is popular with Turks for therapeutic vacations and family weekend getaways.

🪶 Victory Monument (Zafer Anıtı)

• In the central square is a symbol of the heroic battle of 1922, in which Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's troops defeated the invaders.

🕍 O ld Quarter (Tarihi Konaklar)

• 19th century stone houses with wooden facades, carved doors and balconies.

• Anatolian cafes, bakeries and candy stores now operate here.

🍽 Afyon cuisine

Afyon cuisine is all about fatty oils, flavorful meat dishes and sweets that melt in your mouth.

🌾 What to try:

• Kaymak - creamy cream served with honey, dates or halva.

• Sucuq (Sucuk) - spicy beef sausage, one of the main brands of the city.

• Keşkek is a thick porridge of wheat and meat, a symbol of family celebrations.

• Lokum (Turkish rahat lukum) - Afyon version is considered one of the best in Turkey.

• Haşhaşlı çörek - a bun with poppy seeds and honey.

• Afyon kaymağı - a dessert served even in the best restaurants in Istanbul.

🧈 Afyon is called the "butter capital " - it is even sold in jars like honey.

🧿 Culture and traditions

• Afyon is known as a city of musicians and storytellers (âşık).

• It hosts festivals of folk music, crafts and thermal tourism.

• The most popular crafts are:

  • stone carving,

  • carpet weaving,

  • ceramics with traditional patterns.

• In 2019, UNESCO included Afyon in the list of Cities of Gastronomy of the World.

🏞 Nature and surroundings

🌋 F rigian Valley (Frig Vadisi).

• An amazing historical and natural region where rock tombs, temples and roads of the Phrygians have been preserved.

• Reminiscent of Cappadocia, but much less touristy.

• Highlights include the Rock of Midas (Midas Anıtı) and the ancient ruins of Ayazini Köyü.

🪨 A yazin Cave (Ayazini Kaya Yerleşimi)

• An entire city carved into the rocks: churches, monastery, tombs and houses from the Byzantine era.

🚗 How to get there

• ✈️ Afyon Airport (AFY) - domestic flights (Istanbul, Ankara).

• 🚄 High speed train - 2,5 hours from Ankara, 4 hours from Istanbul.

• 🚗 Distance:

  • 230 km to Izmir

  • 300 km to Ankara

  • 450 km to Istanbul

✅ Why to visit Afyon

✔ One of the oldest cities in Anatolia
✔ A fortress with 3500 years of history
✔ World-class thermal springs
✔ Unique gastronomy and UNESCO products
✔ Atmosphere of peace and Anatolian coziness
✔ Way to ancient Phrygia and natural wonders

📌 Conclusion

Afyonkarahisar is a place where you can touch living history, rejuvenate in thermal springs and savor the taste of real Anatolia.
A city where the smell of butter mingles with the aroma of coffee, where an ancient fortress looks out at the modern world and tradition lives in every home.

"Afyon is a city where the body rests and the soul remembers why it lives." 🕊️