Ankara is the capital of Türkiye and its second-largest city, set on the high plains of central Anatolia. It is less visited than Istanbul, but rewards travellers with one of the world’s great archaeology museums, Atatürk’s monumental mausoleum, a hilltop citadel with an old Ottoman quarter, and Roman remains from the ancient city of Ancyra.
It is also an easy stop between Istanbul and Cappadocia, thanks to fast trains and good road links.
Plan your visit to Ankara
- Anıtkabir and the castle: free; Anatolian Civilizations Museum about EUR 12
- Most museums open daily; check seasonal hours
- Time needed: 1–2 days
History of Ankara
People have lived around Ankara’s citadel hill since prehistoric times, and the area was settled by Hittites and Phrygians. In 25 BC it became Ancyra, capital of the Roman province of Galatia; the Temple of Augustus and the Roman Baths survive from that era. Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans followed, and the town was famous for its fine Angora goat wool.
During the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) made Ankara his headquarters, and on 13 October 1923 it was declared the capital, shortly before the Republic was proclaimed. The city was then rebuilt as a planned modern capital.
Attractions at Ankara
- Anıtkabir: Atatürk’s monumental mausoleum, with a ceremonial avenue, the Hall of Honour and a museum on his life and the War of Independence.
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: a world-class collection from the Palaeolithic to the Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian periods, housed in a restored Ottoman bazaar and caravanserai below the citadel.
- Ankara Castle: the walled citadel with Ottoman houses, cafés and panoramic views.
- Temple of Augustus and Rome: famous for the inscription of the Res Gestae, Augustus’s account of his own deeds, next to the Hacı Bayram Mosque.
- Roman Baths: the foundations of a large 3rd-century bath complex in Ulus.
- Kocatepe Mosque: the city’s largest mosque, completed in 1987 in classical Ottoman style.
Things to Do at Ankara
- Explore old Ulus: walk from the Hacı Bayram Mosque and Temple of Augustus up to the citadel, then see the restored Ottoman houses of nearby Hamamönü.
- Visit more museums: the Ethnography Museum, the State Art and Sculpture Museum and the Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum near the castle.
- Relax in parks: Gençlik Park in the centre and Kuğulu Park in Çankaya are popular with locals.
- Shop and eat in Kızılay and Tunalı Hilmi: lively streets with cafés, bookshops and restaurants.
- Take a day trip: visit the Ottoman houses of Beypazarı, or Lake Eymir for walks.
Ankara – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Anıtkabir: free; open daily (check the official Anıtkabir website for current hours and ceremony closures).
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: about EUR 12 for foreign visitors (check for increases); open daily, 08:30–19:30 in summer and 08:30–17:30 in winter (last tickets 45 minutes before closing). Museum Pass Türkiye is valid.
- Ankara Castle: free to walk around.
How Long to Spend at Ankara
One full day covers Anıtkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the citadel. Allow two days to add the Roman sites, other museums and a relaxed evening in Kızılay or Çankaya.
How to Get There
- By air: Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) is about 28 km north of the centre; airport shuttle buses run to the city, and taxis take around 30–40 minutes.
- By high-speed train: YHT trains link Ankara with Istanbul (about 4–5 hours), Eskişehir and Konya (about 2 hours) from the modern Ankara YHT station.
- By bus: long-distance coaches arrive at AŞTİ bus terminal, linked to Kızılay by the Ankaray metro line.
- Getting around: metro lines, buses and taxis cover the city; use an AnkaraKart for public transport.
Arriving at Ankara Esenboğa Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Ankara
Ankara is a good place to try central Anatolian dishes such as Ankara tava (lamb and rice), İskender kebab and kuru fasulye (bean stew). Traditional restaurants cluster around the citadel and Ulus, while Kızılay, Tunalı Hilmi and Çankaya have modern cafés and international food. Check current reviews before you go, as places change often.
Other Attractions Nearby Ankara
- Beypazarı: a well-preserved Ottoman town about 100 km west of Ankara, known for its old houses and crunchy kurusu biscuits.
- Lake Eymir: a lake in the south of the city with walking and cycling paths.
- Konya: about two hours by high-speed train, home to the Mevlana Museum.
- Cappadocia: about 3–4 hours by road, with the Göreme Open-Air Museum.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Ankara: Ulus is closest to the castle and museums, while Kızılay and Çankaya have more restaurants and nightlife.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, combines Atatürk’s grand mausoleum, the outstanding Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and a historic citadel with Roman remains from ancient Ancyra. One or two days is enough to see the highlights.
Don’t miss the views from Ankara Castle, and continue by fast train to Konya for the Mevlana Museum.