Ankara, Turkey: travel guide
Turkey's modern capital and second-largest city, Ankara offers magnificent Hittite antiquities at the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, the iconic Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir), and a thriving café culture in Kızılay.
- Country
- Turkey
- Currency
- TRY
- Time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Nearest airport
- ESB
Top places to visit in Ankara
Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum)
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h
The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, is Ankara's most visited site. The vast Ceremonial Road flanked by 24 lion statues leads to the imposing Hall of Honour where Atatürk is buried beneath…
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry TRY 600
Housed in a beautifully restored 15th-century Ottoman bedesten, this is Turkey's finest archaeological museum, spanning human history from the Palaeolithic age through the Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Lydian civilisations. The Hittite…
Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi)
Fort · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h
Crowning the hilltop above old Ankara, this Byzantine-era citadel with Ottoman additions offers sweeping views across the city. The warren of cobbled alleys inside the inner walls is packed with restored Ottoman houses converted into…
Ankara Kocatepe Mosque
Mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
Kocatepe Mosque — Turkey's spectacular largest mosque (1987), with the iconic four 88m minarets, the magnificent dome, and the famous Ankara skyline landmark.
Ankara Haci Bayram Mosque
Mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
Hacı Bayram Mosque — Ankara's spectacular 15th-century Ottoman mosque attached to the historic Roman Temple of Augustus, with the iconic combination of Roman and Ottoman heritage.
Ankara Gençlik Park
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
Gençlik Park (Youth Park) — Ankara's spectacular 1943 urban park with the iconic central lake, the ferris wheel, the amusement rides, and the lively Ankara family atmosphere.
Ankara Atakule Tower
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
Atakule — Ankara's spectacular 125m communications tower with the rotating observation deck restaurant, the panoramic 360-degree city views, and the iconic 1989 architecture.
Ankara Temple of Augustus
Temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The Temple of Augustus — the spectacular 25-20 BC Roman temple with the famous Res Gestae Divi Augusti inscription (the political testament of Emperor Augustus), the rare classical heritage.
Ankara Beypazari Day Trip
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Ankara to Beypazarı — the spectacular Ottoman heritage town with the historic wooden houses, the famous silver craftsmanship, and the iconic Beypazarı carrots and stew.
Ankara Roman Baths
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
The Roman Baths of Ankara — the spectacular 3rd-century Roman bathhouse ruins (the largest in Anatolia), with the historic frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium remains.
Ankara Ethnography Museum
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
The Ethnography Museum of Ankara — the spectacular 1925 museum showcasing Turkish folk arts, costumes, jewellery, and the historic Atatürk reforms.
Ankara CerModern Art
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
CerModern — Ankara's spectacular contemporary art museum in a converted 1925 railway repair workshop, with rotating international and Turkish modern art exhibitions.
Things to do
- Anıtkabir Mausoleum Tour Cultural · 2 h
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Cultural · 2.5 h · from TRY 260 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ankara Historical Circuit — Citadel, Museum & Mausoleum 8 h · from TRY 1,300
Where to stay in Ankara
- Kızılay about TRY 60 per night
Ankara's central business district and the city's most convenient base. Well-connected by metro, walking distance to major government buildings, shopping malls, restaurants and the Opera House. A practical rather than…
- Ulus & Old City about TRY 50 per night
The most atmospheric part of Ankara — the ancient hilltop citadel district with restored Ottoman houses, antique shops and tea houses. Steps from the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Ankara Castle. Quieter and more…
Hotels
- JW Marriott Ankara 5-star · TRY 4,500 to TRY 12,000 per night
- Hotel Angora 3-star · TRY 1,200 to TRY 2,800 per night
- Hilton Ankara 5-star
Where to eat
- Zenger Paşa Konağı Turkish, Ottoman · about TRY 450 per person
- Trilye Restaurant Ankara Turkish, Seafood · about TRY 950 per person
- Kolyoz Seafood, Mediterranean · about TRY 750 per person
- Düveroğlu Turkish, Kebab · about TRY 450 per person
Getting around
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Transit Pass main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Taxi Metering Scam
Esenboğa Airport, Kızılay, bus terminal
Drivers quote an inflated flat rate from the airport claiming "meter not working" or "fixed airport rate." The legitimate metered fare from the airport to Kızılay should be around 200–280 TRY.
How to avoid it: Use the official airport taxi rank; a licensed Havas shuttle bus also runs to Kızılay. BiTaksi app works in Ankara. Always insist the meter runs.
Fake Tour Guide Solicitation
Ulus old quarter, Museum of Anatolian Civilisations entrance
"Guides" without official badges approach tourists offering museum or castle tours at inflated prices. They may lack historical knowledge and are unlicensed.
How to avoid it: Licensed guides in Turkey wear a badge issued by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism. Book guides through reputable agencies or your hotel. Museum audio guides are a reliable self-guided alternative.