40 Things To Do In Ankara

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Mosque (6)
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1. Anitkabir

2 km from city center

Museum

The father of the modern Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, found his resting place at the Anitkabir, a mausoleum in Ankara. Standing tall on a hilltop, this mausoleum is elaborate and carved with intricate designs. The complex has many areas to explore, like the Hall of Honor, Peacock Park, Aslanlı Yol’, and Monument Block, among others. The mausoleum looks mesmerizing at night, with its we (Read More)ll-lit walls and borders.

4.3 /5

1 km from city center

Museum

Set in two restored 15th-century Ottoman buildings a short walk from Ankara Castle, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations holds one of the world's most important collections of Hittite, Phrygian and early Anatolian artefacts, spanning the Neolithic through Bronze Age. It's consistently rated Ankara's top museum, worth prioritising over the smaller history museums nearby if time is limited.

4.2 /5

1 km from city center

Historical Site

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 Otto (Read More)man-era houses, are as much a reason to visit as the castle itself.

1 km from city center

Mosque

The Haci Bayram Mosque is one of the most historically significant mosques in Ankara and Turkey. An iconic religious centre based on the 17th century and 18th-century mosque architectural styles, it is home to the mausoleum of Turkish poet and Sufi Haci Bayram Veli, whose name it takes. The site also includes a Roman Temple of Augustus where the walls depict how it looked during the Roman times.

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5. Day Trip to Hattusha

0 km from city center

Historical Site

Hattusha, the former capital of the Hittite Empire, sits around 200 km east of Ankara near the town of Bogazkale, roughly a 3-hour drive each way, so it's best planned as a full day trip rather than a half-day add-on. The site spans several square kilometres of ruins, including temples, royal residences and the city's fortified walls. The Lion Gate, Royal Gate and the nearby Yazilikaya rock sanctu (Read More)ary, carved with reliefs of Hittite gods, are the highlights most visitors prioritise if time is short.

2 km from city center

Mosque

The Kocatepe Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world. It is also the largest mosque in Ankara that can be seen from almost anywhere in the central city. Standing 288 ft tall, the four minarets of the mosque and its gorgeous gold-plated dome are a mesmerising view. Like several other attractions in Ankara, you have to climb a hill to reach the mosque which is located near the city’s famo (Read More)us plaza, Kizilay Square.

7. Hamamonu old Ankara Houses

0 km from city center

Historical Site

Hamamonu is a historic neighborhood nestled in the Altindag district of Ankara. Known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture, the neighborhood boasts several museums, mosques and houses of Ottoman era. It lies near Talatpaşa Boulevard and is just a short distance from major landmarks like Hacettepe Hospital. It is about a 10-15 minute taxi ride from both the intercity coach terminal and the c (Read More)entral train station.

2 km from city center

Historical Site

The Roman Baths of Ankara is an open-air museum featuring the ruined remains of an ancient Roman bath complex. It is situated on Çankırı Avenue around 400 m from Ulus, the heart of the old Ankara district. Along with the baths, this site includes an entire building featuring a palaestra (area for physical exercise), a colonnaded street, and other unidentified structures.

3.8 /5

0 km from city center

Museum

The Ankara Ethnography museum is dedicated to Turkish Arts and Culture, starting from the Seljuk period. From clothes and ornaments to shoes and other accessories, the museum captures the essence of Ankaraian ethnicity quite well. In addition, there is a library that houses a specialized collection of books covering folktales from Ankarian history and ethnography.

1 km from city center

Ulucanlar Prison Museum is a former state prison and was operational for over eight decades. Located in the Ulucanlar neighborhood of the Altındağ district, It is famous for its impactful portrayal of Turkey's political history and the emotional resonance of its exhibits offering insight into the struggles faced by political prisoners. The realistic displays, including wax figures and preserved ar (Read More)tifacts, effectively convey the harsh realities of prison life.

37 km from city center

Museum

Rahmi M. Koç Museum is the first industrial and transport museum in Ankara. Facing the Ankara Citadel, it is situated in the old quarters of two historic caravanserais. There are certain sections dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. A large chunk of the collection is believed to be donated by the famous Koc family.

9 km from city center

Museum

The Altinkoy Open Air Museum is based on village architecture, traditions and culture of the 1930-1950s. A beautiful picnic spot, the innovative museum, located in Altındağ district of Ankara, has a breathtaking green landscape covering 500 acres. Apart from being a delight for nature lovers, there are also many small museums inside, including a laundry place, a weaving workshop, a toy museum and (Read More)workshop, and a wildlife introduction museum.

13. Kugulu Park

3 km from city center

Garden & Park

Kuğulu Park, or "Swan Park," is a cherished public park located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood of Ankara, Turkey. Nestled between Tunalı Hilmi Street, Atatürk Boulevard, and Polonya Street, this 1-hectare green space is renowned for its serene atmosphere and the graceful swans that inhabit its central pond. Due to its historical and natural importance, Kuğulu Park has been designated as a protect (Read More)ed area by the Ankara Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board.

11 km from city center

Museum

Natural History Museum in Ankara, officially known as the Şehit Cuma Dağ Tabiat Tarihi Müzesi, is Turkey's first and largest natural history museum. Located within the MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration) complex, the museum was originally established in 1968 and later renovated in 2003. It houses an extensive collection of fossils, minerals, geological specimens, and preh (Read More)istoric artifacts, offering a deep insight into the evolution of life on Earth.

1 km from city center

Museum

The Erimtan Museum is an archaeology and art museum and a popular museum venue in Ankara. It houses nearly two thousand portable artefacts of Anatolian origin. Located in the Ulus region of Ankara, the Erimtan Museum showcases works that belong to civilisations such as the Hittites, Urartu, Assyrians and Achaemenids. Concerts are also held in the museum building every Tuesday, with each season ha (Read More)ving about 16 concerts.

70 km from city center

Art Gallery

CerModern is a modern art museum for Contemporary Art and Photography located in Anafartalar, Altınsoy Cd. in Ankara. It is set inside an old railway workshop and conveys the essence of art in the present dynamic era. Some significant past exhibits of this museum include the works of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and the Istanbul Photo Awards.

3.7 /5

5 km from city center

Landmark

Located in the Canakaya district, the Atakule Tower overlooks Ankara from a height of 125 meters above the sea level. The panoramic view of the city alongside good food is definitely a plus, with a revolving restaurant and a café, Atakule is a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner at. The bottom structure of this tower is home to a shopping complex.

4 km from city center

Garden & Park

Spanning over 67,000 square meters, Segmenler park is located in the Kavaklıdere District near Atatürk Boulevard, offering several attractions and activities. This public park houses a notable monument dedicated to the Segmenler and an open amphitheater. It is a favorite spot for families, young people playing music, and groups of friends enjoying picnics with pools, lush lawns, and various play a (Read More)reas.

2 km from city center

Garden & Park

Güvenpark is a historic urban park located in the heart of Ankara's Kızılay district. Established in the 1930s as part of the city's early republican development, it serves as a central recreational area and a significant cultural landmark. Güven Monument is the central feature of the park and a tribute to Turkey's security forces.

1 km from city center

Monument

Note before visiting: the Temple of Augustus has been closed to interior access since 2016 for structural preservation, so this is currently an exterior-viewing stop only, best combined with the nearby Haci Bayram Mosque and Column of Julian rather than visited on its own. Also known as the Monumentum Ancyranum, its walls carry the 'Deeds of the Divine Augustus' (Res Gestae Divi Augusti), the clos (Read More)est surviving copy of the first Roman Emperor's own account of his reign, since the original in Rome no longer exists.

12 km from city center

Monument

The Ataturk Statue, located in Ulus Square of Ankara near Atatürk Boulevard, is a group of bronze statues depicting soldiers in a battlefield. Built during the Turkish War of Independence, the central figure of the monument is that of an equestrian figure of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and a military officer during World War I. There are three more figures of two s (Read More)oldiers and one woman.

0 km from city center

Mosque

The Aslanhane Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey, with magnificent woodwork and stone elements. The 13th-century mosque is located in the old quarter of Ankara, next to Ankara Castle. The Aslanhane Mosque, literally translating to the house of the lion, derives its name from the lion statues surrounding it, which were buried in the walls of Şerafettin's mosque facing it.

8 km from city center

Aquarium

Aqua Vega Aquarium is Turkey's longest shopping mall aquarium that houses nearly 12,000 sea creatures in thematic salt and freshwater tanks. Most of the magical creatures here, including sharks, are brought from all over the world's rivers and oceans and are only seen in documentaries.

37 km from city center

Things To Do

A Turkish hammam, or bathhouse, is a traditional place for cleansing and relaxation. Visitors typically enjoy a steam bath, exfoliation, and a massage. In Ankara, there are both historical and local hammams to choose from. Historical hammams, like Eynebey and Karacabey, offer a blend of cultural heritage and quality service while local hammams, such as Baskent and Efes, provide a more authentic an (Read More)d budget-friendly experience. Most hammams cater to male clients, but some have separate sections for women.

13 km from city center

Lake

An alluvial set lake, the Eymir Lake, located in the town of Ankara Golbasi, is a famous picnic spot. The Lake is inside a natural park frequented by locals for walking, jogging or cycling with a bike, which can be rented at the entrance. It is also known for bird watching, and the most common bird species found at the lake are mallard duck, elmabaş patka and bahrid. Water sports activities such a (Read More)s rowing and fishing are also available.

1 km from city center

Museum

Located in Hacettepe, Ankara, the State Museum of Paintings and Sculpture is dedicated to fine arts. It showcases an eclectic range of contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present day. The museum has a collection of permanent works that are the world’s finest pieces of Turkish art as well as some modern temporary exhibits by foreign artists.

4 km from city center

Garden & Park

Altinpark is the largest public park in Ankara with beautiful green landscape and artificial pond arrangements. Inside the park are a science centre, buffets and restaurants, playgrounds, lakeside lecture halls, a fair and congress centre, and kindergarten and summer school. There are also rashing boats, skating rink, electric excursion cars and a mini excursion train.

2 km from city center

Neighborhood

Kizilay is a central district in Ankara known as shopping and nightlife hub. Main things to do around include Kizilay Square, Ankara castle, Carsi, and Ataturk Cultural Center. The square is a popular spot for social and political gatherings. It can be reached by buses, dolmus, metro’s M1 and M2 lines, and Ankaray light rail.

5 km from city center

Waterfall

Snuggled in Kalaba in the Keçiören metropolitan, the Keçiören Falls is a man-made waterfall that offers a mesmerizing view. There is a glass bridge over the falls, which is worth visiting. There are many pools and fountains in the area surrounding the waterfall.

9 km from city center

Mosque

One of the largest mosques in Turkey, the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara is a mix of modern architecture, Arabic calligraphy and ancient Islamic features. Designed in a neoclassical style, it has a majestic moonlight effect on the dome, created by directed lights from its four 66 metre minarets.

0 km from city center

Culture & Events

The largest Opera house in Ankara, Ankara Opera House hosts Ballet and Opera performances. Based in the Atatürk Bulvarı area, the Opera House was originally constructed as an exhibition centre. Also known as Büyük Tiyatro, the building serves as a theatre for Turkish State movies. One can check and book shows on Ankara Opera House’s official website.

1 km from city center

Mosque

Believed to be the newest mosque in Ankara, the Melike Hatun Mosque is largely popular among the locals for its exhibition halls and modern features. Built on 19,500 square metres, the mosque can house around 7,000 people at a time and displays a unique style combining Ottoman, Seljuk and modern architecture.

7 km from city center

Mosque

The Bestepe National Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Ankara. Located inside the Presidential Palace complex of Ankara's Bestepe district, it symbolises Turkish culture and traditions and is a prominent example of traditional Turkish architecture. The mosque has a beautiful fountain at the entrance and looks stunning at night with its illuminated minarets.

6 km from city center

Zoo

Located in Yenimahalle, the Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo is an expansive recreational park and the largest zoo in Ankara. It houses several small agricultural farms, greenhouses, restaurants, a dairy farm, and a brewery. The zoological garden is home to some big cats, monkeys, apes, ungulates, snakes, various species of birds, as well as an aquarium.

1 km from city center

Landmark

Column of Julian is a significant historical monument located in the Ulus district of Ankara. This ancient structure stands in a square surrounded by government buildings, notably between the old Ankara Governorship building and the current Social Sciences University building. The column, rising 15 meters high, is an exquisite piece of stone masonry. It features a fluted body composed of many gro (Read More)oved ring-shaped white stones.

1 km from city center

Museum

Is bank museum is located in the third headquarters building of Turkey Is Bank in Ulus. Facing the Hakimiyet-i Milliye square, the building is an architectural marvel and the museum shares the bank's rich history and its crucial role in Turkey's economic independence. It is a free museum and is well connected by public transport.

0 km from city center

Museum

Situated in Altindag, Gokyay Foundation Chess Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of chess sets. Located in a historical home, the museum spans an area of 1,008 square meters and is known for housing the world's largest chess set collection, featuring 723 sets from 110 countries as of 2024. Materials used for the chess sets include wood, metal, fishbone, marble, soapstone, felt, polyes (Read More)ter, and cast iron, among others.

1 km from city center

Museum

Located in the Ulus neighborhood on Cumhuriyet Boulevard, the Republic Museum is situated southwest of the War of Independence Museum, which served as the Turkish Parliament from 1920 to 1924. It building itself was the Turkish Parliament building from 1924 until 1960. It is renowned for its extensive collection of historical artifacts from the Turkish War of Independence and the early Republican (Read More)period. Same ticket can be used for visiting both first and second parliament.

1 km from city center

Shopping Market

Suluhan Bazaar is the oldest market in Ankara located in Ulus district. With a history of over 500 years, the market is a cultural experience and offers a traditional setup, where goods are displayed in an old-fashioned, storage-like manner without price tags, inviting customers to engage in the age-old practice of bargaining. The goods are mostly cheaper than other markets. There are several eate (Read More)ries and cafes in the market, as well. Use translating app as no one speaks English here.

21 km from city center

Lake

Lake Mogan is a natural freshwater lake situated near Ankara, in the Golbasi district. It is located inside Mogan Park which is a frequented picnic spot for locals and tourists. It lies close to major roads, including the Konya highway, which provides convenient access by car. Several activities like bird-watching, boating, fishing, and sailing can be done here. There are numerous cafes and restau (Read More)rants nearby.

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FAQs on Ankara

How can I commute within Ankara?

This city is known to have a good transportation system and hence you can easily commute to numerous locations with the help of private buses as well as the local train system. If you wish to go to a longer distance then metro would be a good option, however in case planning to travel nearby then you might consider getting a cab.
Read More

What are the top sightseeing places in Ankara?

The top sightseeing places in Ankara are Antikabir, Museum of Anatolian, Anakra Castle, Ankara Ethnography Museum, War of Independence Museum, Atakule Tower.

Things To Do In Ankara

"Turkey’s Capital with Modern Heart"

40 Things To Do In Ankara

1. Anitkabir

2. Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

3. Ankara Castle

4. Haci Bayram Mosque

Ankara Travel Packages

Enchanting Turkey Tour Package with a Day in Safranbolu

Best Turkey Tour Package

Magnificent Tour of Greece and Turkey

5. Day Trip to Hattusha

6. Kocatepe Mosque

Top Hotels In Ankara

7. Hamamonu old Ankara Houses

8. Roman Baths of Ankara

9. Ankara Ethnography Museum

10. Ulucanlar Prison Museum

11. Rahmi M Koc Museum

12. Altinkoy Open Air Museum

Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Ankara

13. Kugulu Park

14. Natural History Museum Ankara

15. Erimtan Museum

16. Cermodern Ankara

17. Atakule Tower

18. Segmenler Park

19. Guvenpark

20. Temple of Augustus

21. Ataturk Statue

22. Aslanhane Mosque

23. Aqua Vega Aquarium

24. Turkish Hammam

25. Eymir Lake

26. State Art and Sculpture Museum

27. Altinpark

28. Kizilay

29. Kecioren Falls

30. Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque

31. Ankara State Opera House

32. Melike Hatun Mosque

33. Bestepe Mosque

34. Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo

35. Column of Julian

36. Is Bank Museum Ankara

37. Gokyay Foundation Chess Museum

38. Republic Museum Ankara

39. Suluhan Bazaar

40. Lake Mogan

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FAQs on Ankara

How can I commute within Ankara?

What are the top sightseeing places in Ankara?

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