Ankara Castle
Tags : Historical Site
Opening Hours : 10:00 AM – 8: 00 PM
Charges : No Entrance Fees.
Ankara Castle, Ankara Overview
One of Turkey's oldest surviving structures, Ankara Castle dates back to the 7th century and sits on the city's highest point, roughly a 15-20 minute uphill walk from Ulus. Sections were added under Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rule, which is why the fortification mixes architectural styles across its twenty towers and two main gates. The narrow streets leading up, lined with restored Ottoman-era houses, are as much a reason to visit as the castle itself.
Entry to the outer walls is free with no fixed closing time, which makes it a good sunset stop: the hilltop gives one of the best panoramic views of Ankara, especially over the old Hamamonu and Ulus districts below. Wear flat shoes, the approach is cobblestone and steep in parts. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is a short walk downhill, so the two are easy to combine in one outing.
