Ankara, Turkey: travel guide
Turkey's capital, home of Hittite treasures and the Atatürk Mausoleum
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.
About Ankara
Ankara is the capital of modern Turkey, and its sights tell the story of both the country's ancient past and its republic. The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations gathers Hittite and earlier finds from across Anatolia, while Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, stands on a hill above the city.
The old citadel quarter around Ankara Castle has narrow lanes, small cafés and workshops, and Kızılay and its neighbourhoods offer the everyday life of a working capital with plenty of places to eat. It is a calmer, more businesslike city than Istanbul.
Ankara suits travellers interested in history and the foundation of modern Turkey, and it makes a sensible stop on the way to Cappadocia. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.
- Country
- Turkey
- Currency
- TRY
- Time zone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Nearest airport
- ESB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Ankara
Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum)
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
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 · check the fee at the gate
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 · check the fee at the gate
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
largest-mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
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
ottoman-mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
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
urban-park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
observation-tower · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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
roman-temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
ottoman-town · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
roman-baths · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
ethnography · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Ethnography Museum of Ankara — the spectacular 1925 museum showcasing Turkish folk arts, costumes, jewellery, and the historic Atatürk reforms.
Ankara CerModern Art
contemporary-art · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Ankara
Airport: Ankara, Esenboga (ESB)
Getting around
- Metro
- Taxi
- Transit Pass
- Walking
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.
More in Turkey
Frequently asked questions about Ankara
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Ankara?
- The highest-rated places in our Ankara guide are Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum), Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, Ankara Kocatepe Mosque, Ankara Beypazari Day Trip, Ankara Haci Bayram Mosque.
- Where should I stay in Ankara?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ankara: Kızılay, Ulus & Old City.
- How do I get around Ankara?
- Ways to get around Ankara covered in our guide: Metro, Taxi, Transit pass, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Ankara?
- Scams reported to us for Ankara include Taxi Metering Scam; Fake Tour Guide Solicitation. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Ankara?
- The nearest airport to Ankara has the code ESB.