2025 Ankara Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Compared to Istanbul, the capital, Ankara is much more low-key. The main tourist attractions in the city are mostly museums or military memorials. What you must know when you come to Ankara is Kemal, the father of Turkey (the name is too long to remember). The Turks have great respect for their founding father, especially women. Kemal exempted women from many traditional Islamic customs such as headscarves and robes, making Turkey the most open among Islamic countries. After coming to Turkey, you can really feel the huge difference in folk customs👍 The most eye-catching thing about the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the guard change. They stepped very loudly and shouted incomprehensible military orders, which was very handsome ❤️ #100TravelWays #Ankara #TurkeyTreasureCities #TurkeyFather #2024TravelReview

#2024Travel Review Ahî Şerafeddin Camii, also known as Aslanhane Camii, in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, is listed as a World Cultural Heritage. This mosque is a Seljuq mosque built in the 13th century. Its most distinctive feature is the mix of wooden craftsmanship and Roman building materials. Wooden columns, colorful tiles, wood carvings, stone carvings, Roman capitals, etc. are all highlights. There are mosques all over the country, and most of them are made of stone. Although it is not magnificent, it is really special. "Ahî" is an honest trade association. In the Islamic world, it advocates integrity and doing business with integrity. Şerafeddin is a personal name. As for "Aslanhane" meaning House of Lions, the reason is that the Roman-era lion sculptures can be seen on the outer wall, but they seem to have disappeared.

#citystroll My trip to Ankara, Turkey’s capital, was an unexpected but delightful cultural experience! 🌍 This city is often overshadowed by Istanbul, but it has so much to offer. I started my visit at Anıtkabir, the impressive mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which is free to enter and such a powerful tribute to modern Turkey’s founder. The atmosphere there was solemn yet inspiring. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations was another highlight, with an entrance fee of about 45 TRY. It’s a treasure trove of ancient artifacts dating back to the Hittites, Greeks, and Romans. Walking through its exhibits, I gained a deeper appreciation for Turkey’s rich history. 🏛 Kızılay Square, the bustling center of Ankara, is perfect for soaking in the city’s vibrant energy, with lots of cafes and shops nearby. I also recommend heading to the Ankara Castle for stunning panoramic views of the city—it’s especially beautiful at sunset. 🌅 Overall, Ankara is a quieter yet fascinating city, perfect for anyone interested in history and local culture. #AnkaraAdventures #AnatolianCivilizations #AtaturkMausoleum #ExploreTurkey #AnkaraCastle #CulturalJourney

If you are for the first time in Ankara, I can suggest you to start your tour from the old city centre. There you will see the traditional architecture and some of the most emblematic places as the clock tower, the covered fountain and the small shops with crafts and cafeterias. Than you can't miss the big mosque, the fortress, the attraction park called Genclik (means Youth) and of course the Anıtkabir museum dedicated to Ataturk, the father of the modern Turkish Republic. #100WaysOfTravel #turkiye #ankara #itinerary

Ankara, Turkey's capital, may often be overshadowed by Istanbul, but it has its own unique charm and rich history. With landmarks like the iconic **Anıtkabir** (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk), the historic **Ankara Castle**, and the lively **Kızılay Square**, there’s plenty to explore by foot. The city's blend of ancient and modern architecture creates a vibrant atmosphere that makes walking through Ankara an adventure in itself. ### Tips for Your Ankara City Walk: - **Start at Anıtkabir**: Pay your respects to Atatürk and explore the museum that showcases Turkey’s modern history. - **Visit Ankara Castle**: This ancient fortress offers panoramic views of the city and a glimpse into the city's past. - **Stroll in Kızılay Square**: Bustling with shops, restaurants, and cafes, it’s the perfect place for a break. ### Enjoy a Cruise Tour: For a more relaxed experience, take a cruise tour along the **Lake Mogan** in the southern part of the city. This serene escape from the city center lets you enjoy Ankara from a different perspective, with beautiful views of the surrounding nature. Ankara’s combination of history, culture, and modernity ensures a fulfilling experience for any traveler. #ExploreAnkara #CityWalks #TurkeyTravel #Anıtkabir #AnkaraCastle #CruiseTour #DiscoverAnkara #100waysoftravel

🌎Turkey, a magical country that blends Eastern and Western cultures, tells legendary stories one after another with thousands of years of history. If you are curious about history, then this self-driving cultural tour will take you through time and space and experience the profound heritage of Türkiye. ⭐️Route recommendations 🚩Ankara→Eskisehir→Bursa→Istanbul Province 🌼Daily schedule DAY1: Anatolian Civilization History Museum-Ankara Tower-Ankara Castle DAY2: Fairy Tale Island (Masal Adası) - Tomb of the Founding Father of Türkiye - Golden Pavilion museum (Golden Pavilion museum) DAY3: Gondola boarding point-Eskisehir Metropolitan Palace of Art and Culture-Turazas Revolutionary Automobile Museum DAY4: Historical Market Square-Bursa Science and Technology Center-Emir Sultan Mosque DAY5: Dolmabahce Palace-Dolmabahce Clock Tower-Taksim Gezi Park DAY6: Blue Mosque - Hagia Sophia - Basilica Cistern - Holy Peace Church - Theodosius Basilica Cistern DAY7: Prince's Island-Island Museum 🌸The self-driving mileage is about 550 kilometers. The recommended travel time is 7-8 days. It is suitable for tourists who like humanities and history. 💖Overview of attractions ✔️Ankara Tower, a landmark building in Ankara, Turkey. There is a 360-degree panoramic revolving restaurant and a cinema at the top of the tower, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and spectacular views of the entire city. ✔️The Mausoleum of the Founding Fathers of Turkey is located on a hill about 2 kilometers away from the center of Ankara. Mustafa Kemal, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, is buried here. In addition, Kemal’s former friend and second president are buried here. A monument to Ismail Teinonu, President of the Republic of Turkey, and a museum introducing Kemal’s life experiences. The Inonu Peace Monument opposite the main courtyard is simple and majestic in style, guarded by tall guards. ✔️Dolmabahce Palace, located in the New City of Istanbul, is also commonly known as the New Palace of the Ottoman Empire. The palace is tall, broad and majestic, with a 600-meter-long wall. The interior walls are covered with gold foil, and the main body is made of white marble and Egyptian alabaster. The palace is mainly composed of two parts, namely the Ceremonial Palace (Selamlık) and the Harem and the Concubine Court (Haremlik). It has a total of 285 rooms, 43 halls and 6 Turkish baths. It is a magnificent masterpiece. ✔️Prince’s Island was once a place where princes were exiled by the Byzantine dynasty, but now it has become the territory of the wealthy. The beautiful beaches and shady green trees attract both locals and foreign tourists. Choosing the right time to travel to the Princes Islands is very important. If you go on weekends or during summer holidays for locals, you will see a lively scene like going to a market. But if you go there during non-holidays, the town will be as peaceful as a paradise, completely different from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. ✔️Hagia Sophia, this is a historical building in Türkiye and one of the symbols of Türkiye. The exterior of Hagia Sophia is a typical mosque dome and minaret. There is a purification pavilion (for mosques) in front of the church, and several stone pillars with carved patterns on the top stand next to it. The large and small partition windows and low-hanging chandeliers in the church maintain the light in the hall, and the exquisite chandeliers bring a warm atmosphere to the hall, and the tall dome gives people a sense of awe. The dome retains Byzantine murals and is very colorful. ☀️Starting from Ankara, passing through Eskisehir, Bursa, and finally arriving in Istanbul, this is a self-driving route full of humanistic atmosphere, and every stop is a witness to history. #trip # Self-driving # Car rental # Self-driving tour

Here are few places that I visited being in the capital before taking a train from Ankara to Kars. ✔️Ankara Citadel enjoy exploring the ancient castle walls, walking along cobblestone paths, visiting art studios and world-class museums, watching skilled street performers, relaxing in trendy cafes, and shopping in small stores offering a variety of products. ✔️The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations The old bazaar building showcases the exhibits. Inside this Ottoman structure, the museum displays a variety of Anatolian archaeological artifacts, ranging from the Paleolithic period to the Ottoman era, in chronological order ✔️Ulus Square. Monument of Republic Ulus Square is a historic square in Ankara, known for its significance to the Turkish nation. The square is located at the intersection of four streets, including Atatürk Boulevard. #Ankara #turkey #trip #capital

Located in the center of Ankara, Swan Park was in full bloom with flowers that look very similar to cherry blossoms. On a warm evening in late March, many locals and tourists sat on benches enjoying the cherry blossoms while watching swans and other water birds. It's conveniently located near the Tunulhirmi shopping street. Even overseas, I found a park that perfectly matches the cherry blossom viewing atmosphere. #hanami

#NewYearGoodDestinations Hotel 2000 Kavaklidere is located at Bestekar Sokak No:29, Ankara, Türkiye. Although the hotel is small, the rooms are not cramped, they are comfortable and clean. What I like most is that the hotel is located in the city center, which is very convenient for shopping and finding delicious food. The shopping area and the food area are just a few minutes' walk away. #TurkeyTourism #TurkeyHotels

The Roman Theater is a place full of stairs. It is definitely a must-see attraction in Turkey. The scenery here is so beautiful and it is very good for taking photos. It is definitely a must-see attraction in Turkey.

The Republic of Turkey is located on the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and a small enclave in Thrace in the Balkan region of Southeast Europe. Turkey has a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea in the south and east and on the Black Sea in the north. It borders Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan (at the exclave of Nakhchivan) in the east, Georgia in the northeast, Bulgaria and Greece in the northwest, and Iraq and Syria in the southeast. Turkey covers an area of 783,562 km²; the country is more than twice the size of Germany or slightly smaller than the U.S. states of Texas and Louisiana combined. Turkey has a population of 83.2 million people (in 2020), the largest city is Istanbul, the national capital is Ankara. Spoken languages are Turkish (official), Kurdish by Kurdish people, and Arabic by Turkish Arabs.

The combination of breathtaking natural beauty, historic and cultural sites, along with great food, makes Turkey one of the top tourist destinations in the world. As in previous years, the number of incoming tourists to Turkey increased by 13.7 percent in 2019, reaching 51.8 million people, setting an all time record. According to Ali Bilir, Vice Chairman of Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Turkey has diversified its tourism industry to a great extent, adding new sites to its list of destinations while working hard toward the goal of reaching the target of hosting 75 million guests by 2023.

#ankara this amazing city blew our minds away. we found this park while searching for things to do in Ankara, and we were so happy to find it. the cleanliness, the greenery and amazing walk ways and benches to sit and just smell the fresh air and hear the birds. You have to stop at the cafe in the middle of the park and try the pide and great turkish coffee and look up at the trees. must try and must see dont miss this place. #tripblazers #staycation #deliciousfood #fallingforfall #couplestrip #awesomepic #foodie #mytripvlog #cafe #passionpassport #nationalpark #celebratewithtrip #spooktaculartrip

#mytripvlog If you are looking a peaceful place, you should try Sofa coffee house. A place where you will feel at home and a very ideal place for study, not to mention the taste of their drinks. I also love the decoration of the cafe ✨ It is located in Asagı Ayrancı. It takes 15 min from Kızılay by bus. #mytripvlog #tripmoments #coffee #cafe #tripblazers #awesomepic #ankara #turkey

Kizilay, in the center of Ankara, is a very busy area at a transportation hub. In late November, the trees along the streets were beautifully colored in autumn. There are many subway and bus routes to go anywhere, making it a convenient location for traveling. There are also many restaurants and cafes nearby. #AutumnFoliage

This is a place where Turkey is proud of the country and respected by its citizens. There is a soldier handover ceremony at a fixed time to enjoy. Here you can see the scenery connecting the Eurasian plate. It is a tourist attraction worth visiting.

There are many souvenir shops near Ankara Castle, but the prices vary, and there are many people selling handmade products along the way. When we were coming down the road, we saw this store Korkmaz El Sanatlari. There was a big carpet outside that was only 300TL, so we went in to take a look. There are many Turkish specialty items that can be bought as souvenirs, including specially designed bowls and plates, Turkish lamps, Turkish tea sets, and key chains! The price is not expensive, the Turkish specialty discs I bought were only 10TL each. Korkmaz El Sanatlari | Hand made gifts and art gallery 📍Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:1, 06250 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey #Turkish Travel Notes #Turkey #turkey #ankara #Ankara #travel #tourism #play #I'm so attached #see the earth in an instant

Ankara Castle Ankara Castle was built in the ancient Roman period and has a history of more than 2,000 years. Here you can have a panoramic view of Ankara's endless cityscape, and at the same time you can see the remains of the castle, ancient city walls, and stone ruins. The traces left over from that time. Ankara Castle Ankara Kalesi 📍Kale, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey #TurkishTravel #Turkey #turkey #ankara #安kara #游 #游 #tourism #play #我好 hang #Look at the earth in an instant

Erimtan Archeology and Art Museum This is a museum with a special archaeological collection, which is very special. It has two thousand movable pieces, most of which are of Anatolian origin and of great historical value. The collection was born by Yüksel Erimtan when he bought his first Roman ring in 1960 and has been expanded over time with the advice of expert archaeologists. Erimtan Archeology and Art Museum 📍Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:10, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey #Turkish Travel Notes #Turkey #turkey #ankara #Ankara #travel #tourism #play #I'm so attached #see the earth in an instant

#bucketlistreboot Monument . Tomb for past president Address: Yücetepe, Akdeniz Cd. No:31, 06570 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey At hour one will be able to see soldiers marching and exchange their stations. This became an attraction of the day. Free of charge to enter the monument. There are few cafes available for drink. The monument has a massive , huge underground museum. Colonnaded tomb for the former president, Kemal Ataturk, with a marble hall, turrets & museum. The museum is extremely interesting and very details. One can spend whole day if interested to find out more about the former leader of the country

Ankara Castle is an historic fortification in the city of Ankara constructed around 7th century in Turkey. It located at Kale 06240 Altindag/Ankara, Turkey is around 30 minutes 1.7 kilometres walk from Ankara Metro Ulus Station or take a taxi, because is uphill walk. It open 1000-2000 hrs, with free admission.The houses and walking path around the castle are very nice and well maintained. The walk up the castle are surrounded by cafes, souvenirs shops, restaurants and people houses. The view on top the castle is marvellous overlooking the city from the top. If can, cone during sunset.

Anitkabir is the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemai Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and the first President of the Republic of Turkey.It is located at Ankara 2.5 kilometres away from Ankara Central Station. The site is also the final resting place of Ismet Inonu, the second President of Turkey, his tomb faces the Ataturk Mausoleum on the opposite side of Ceremonial ground. The Anitkabir is open everyday from 0900-1700, admission is free.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations must be included in the TO-DO list of activities to try during your visit in Ankara. The recommended sightseeing time is between one to two hours. This is an exceptional museums with a unique collection. All the archaeological artefacts are in excellent condition and well displayed. Entrance fee is not expensive at all and it is good value for the money. Totally worthy. This is an incredible experience for those who love history and culture. It opens to the public everyday from 9am to 7pm. #createwithtrip #turkey #holidays #exploring #createwithtrip

Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) is one of the most important religious and historical building in Ankara. The whole visit, including walking around and taking pictures should last between 1 to 2 hours. Mosques are the foundation of the country’s architectural landscape, so you shouldn't miss appreciating the artwork and design of each one of them. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because the majority of the country’s people are Muslim. Women must be dressed appropriately with no revealing clothes and shoulder should be covered. This place is open 24 hours. #createwithtrip #turkey #holidays #exploring #createwithtrip

Atatürk Mausoleum is probably the most famous and visited place in the city of Ankara. It is not very far from down town and can be reached by metro. In fact is less than ten minutes walk from the closest metro station. The recommended sightseeing time is half an hour or maximum one hour. The place is very well maintained, clean and beautiful ornate buildings. The place and the location are very scenic for those who love photography. It opens to the public everyday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. #createwithtrip #turkey #holidays #exploring #createwithtrip

Ankara, Turkey 🇹🇷 #TripAdvisor In fact, many people misunderstand that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey. But in fact, the capital of Turkey is "Ankara". This city is charming and interesting in many aspects. It is also a collection of many tourist attractions, both historical and architectural, of Turkey, such as important mosques, museums, gardens, and is also an important shopping city. Turkey is another city that is another interesting option for traveling. #Waiting for the day to travel #Take you to staycation #TripAdvisor #TravelGuide

Rahmi M. Koc Museum is simply a great place to visit - lots of different models and original mechanisms all over the world, you'll find miniaturized ships and planes, rarity cars like Ford T or Messerschmitt KR200, the historical background of the museum building is also affected telling visitors the story of handicrafts in Ottoman Empire. Machinery, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machines, everyday life tools and road/rail transport vehicles are exhibited there as how they were first invented and then how they technologically developed throughout the ages, from their invention to modern times. The whole visit could take up to few hours because exposition is quite huge, but it's really worth it 🌟🚗🚎🛻🚜🌟 #solstice #urbanexplorer #summervacation #museumquest #summervacation#urbanexplorer

Amazing experience visiting the museum & masoleum of the founder of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. An excellent historical representation of modern Turkey, the battles to achieve independence, restructure Turkish life and of course a massive history lesson on Ataturk. Very well presented and themed. A monumental building of national significance which is well worth a visit. Don't forget to see the changing of the guard if you have the chance! It is open to tourists and entry is entirely free. If you're in Ankara, it's an enjoyable place to visit. Absolutely stunning beauty, not to be missed if in Ankara for any amount of time. One would need hours to comfortably peruse the huge area 🚶🏻‍♀️🌲🌟🍂 #solstice #urbanexplorer #summervacation #museumquest #summervacation#urbanexplorer